Brewing and cooling a beverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current domestic ice cream makers require substantial preparation time, produce large batches, and necessitate manual handling, with delays between starting and completing ice cream production and serving.

Innovation Solution

A compact machine capable of producing a single serving of frozen confections or beverages in under 5 minutes, using a pod system with a thermoelectric cooling mechanism and scraper paddles for rapid cooling and mixing, allowing for sequential production without lag time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional ice cream maker is used to produce large batches, then the batch size is improved, but the preparation time and manual handling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch sizeVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the ice cream making process into single-serving portions using individual cups that are placed in a freezing chamber. Each cup is independently frozen and can be removed separately, eliminating the need to manually handle large batches while maintaining small portion sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cups are pre-placed in the freezing chamber before the ice cream mixture is added. The freezing chamber is pre-cooled to the required temperature, and the mixing mechanism is pre-positioned, allowing the process to begin immediately without additional preparation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If a conventional ice cream maker requires frozen containers before use, then the freezing capability is improved, but the delay between starting and completing production increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing capabilityVSAvoidproduction delay

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The freezing chamber is pre-cooled to the required temperature before use, and the mixing mechanism is pre-positioned within the chamber. This allows the ice cream mixture to be added and immediately frozen without waiting for containers to be pre-frozen, eliminating the 4-8 hour delay associated with conventional makers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The freezing chamber and mixing mechanism are combined into a single integrated unit. The mixing paddles are positioned inside the freezing chamber, allowing simultaneous mixing and freezing operations to occur in the same space, eliminating the need for separate freezing and mixing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual removal and scooping of ice cream is required, then the serving flexibility is improved, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserving flexibilityVSAvoidmanual handling steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing mechanism automatically scrapes the frozen ice cream mixture from the cups and dispenses it into serving containers. The system performs the scooping and serving functions automatically without requiring manual intervention, while still allowing users to choose different cup arrangements and serving preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Volume of moving object

If a compact machine design is used, then the space requirement is reduced, but the production capacity may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine sizeVSAvoidproduction capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is designed to handle individual single-serving cups rather than large batches. Multiple cups can be processed sequentially or in parallel within the compact freezing chamber, maintaining high productivity while keeping the machine size small and suitable for countertop placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enables rapid production of single servings of frozen or hot/cold beverages directly into consumption containers, reducing preparation time and eliminating manual handling steps.

Implementation Method 1

heating water within the machine using a refrigeration system of the machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

cooling a beverage within the machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

A compact machine capable of producing a single serving of frozen confections or beverages in under 5 minutes, using a pod system with a thermoelectric cooling mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric cooling: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250207850A1Brewing and cooling a beverage

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 COLDSNAP CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods operable to produce a first beverage and produce a second food or beverage include a machine that includes a first nest and a second nest. The machine includes a brewing system operable to heat water and cause the heated water to flow through first ingredients to produce the first beverage and a refrigeration system operable to cool second ingredients to produce the second food or beverage. The machine includes a thermal battery thermally connected to the brewing system and the refrigeration system, the thermal battery operable to (i) store thermal energy produced by the refrigeration system when producing the second food or beverage and (ii) transfer thermal energy to the brewing system to assist in heating the water for producing the first beverage.