Flavored Milk Steam Mixing for Automated Hot Beverage Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated hot drink dispensing machines lack the capability to incorporate various syrups and flavorings into steamed or foamed milk during the heating process, which is desirable for creating visually appealing and flavorful beverages like mocha cappuccinos.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that includes a pump for drawing milk and steam into a mixing chamber, with a plurality of flavoring reservoirs connected to the chamber via a plenum with a steam inlet, allowing for the selective dispensing of flavorings into the milk stream during heating, and a steam clearing cycle to ensure residual flavoring removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If flavorings are added to the beverage before or after heating, then the beverage can be prepared with flavorings, but the flavorings cannot be partially caramelized during heating and the visual appeal and taste are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting flavorings into the milk stream before the milk enters the heating zone. This allows the flavorings to be distributed uniformly throughout the milk before heating occurs, enabling subsequent caramelization during the heating process while maintaining consistent flavor distribution throughout the beverage
2Ease of operation
If flavorings are added to the coffee liquor instead of milk, then the preparation process is simpler, but the visual appeal and concentrated flavor in the milk layer are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the milk stream as an intermediary carrier to transport flavorings to the heating zone. By injecting flavorings into the milk rather than the coffee liquor, the system maintains operational simplicity while achieving concentrated flavor in the milk layer and visually appealing layered appearance in the final beverage
3Productivity
If steam flow is not provided through the flavoring passageway after dispensing, then the system operates continuously without interruption, but residual flavoring remains in the passageway causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by using the same steam flow that dispenses the flavoring to subsequently clear the passageway of residual flavoring. The steam continues to flow through the passageway after flavoring dispensing ends, maintaining a continuous useful action that both delivers flavorings and prevents contamination without requiring separate cleaning operations
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
Enables the creation of flavored, heated beverages with evenly distributed flavorings in the milk, enhancing both the presentation and taste, while maintaining cleanliness and efficiency in the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
steam flow is also provided through the passageway that transports the flavoring to the mixing chamber to facilitate flow of the flavoring
Implementation Method 2
initiating a flow of steam and milk into a mixing chamber
Implementation Method 3
allowing at least a portion of the milk and syrup to exit the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 4
The pump is a venture-type pump that is driven by steam flow through the Venturi to draw milk from the milk reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
An automated hot beverage dispensing machine and method for producing hot beverages is shown. The preferred apparatus includes a plurality of flavoring reservoirs connected through pumps and valves to a plenum that dispenses the flavoring directly into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber also receives milk and steam, facilitating mixing of the milk, steam, and flavoring, and dispensing the mixture into a serving cup. The dispensing machine may include a coffee brewing system, whereby the machine can produce flavored lattés, cappuccinos, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, pressurized steam is directed through a Venturi assembly that draws in refrigerated milk and ambient air and delivers the fluids to a vortex mixer to produce steamed and/or foamed milk. The flavoring is delivered to the vortex mixer, and steam is channeled to the plenum to facilitate delivery of the flavoring and maintain the cleanliness of the plenum.