Frozen Beverage Dispenser Using Granulated Ingredient Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers fail to efficiently mix and dispense cold beverages made from fresh fruit or vegetable products that are frozen, due to complexity, high maintenance, and safety concerns, while also lacking the ability to ensure the preservation of organoleptic properties and food safety.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing apparatus with separate containers for frozen granulated products, a mixing device, and a melting/thawing unit, allowing consumers to select and mix desired beverage compositions, with controlled temperature storage and easy handling of frozen products to maintain quality and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If frozen fruit or vegetable products are stored and mixed in conventional dispensers, then beverage preparation is automated, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides frozen products into separate granulated components stored in individual containers, each with its own dosing mechanism. This segmentation allows simple gravity-based dispensing without complex mixing mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frozen granulated products are designed to automatically dose themselves through gravity flow into the mixing chamber when the dispensing mechanism is activated, eliminating the need for complex mechanical dosing devices and reducing maintenance requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex rotational mechanisms and blades are used to separate frozen cylindrical products, then beverage mixing is achieved, but the cost and complexity of the dispenser become unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state and form of the frozen products from solid cylindrical shapes to granulated material. This parameter change allows simple gravity-based flow and mixing without requiring complex rotational mechanisms, blades, or actuators, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining mixing capability.
3Reliability
If frozen products are handled and installed in holders without touching with hands, then hygiene is maintained, but the installation process becomes laborious and delicate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable or easily replaceable container holders that can be pre-filled and sealed. These holders are designed to be inserted into the dispenser without direct hand contact with the frozen products themselves, maintaining hygiene while simplifying the installation process through standardized interfaces.
4Temperature
If liquid nitrogen or similar gases are used to cool beverages, then rapid chilling is achieved, but safety hazards and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a permanent refrigeration unit with evaporator plates that continuously maintain frozen products at safe temperatures. This eliminates the need for hazardous liquid nitrogen or similar cryogenic substances, removing safety hazards while maintaining effective cooling through controlled refrigeration.
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 apparatus provides a simple, safe, and automatic method for preparing and dispensing customized cold beverages by mixing frozen fruit or vegetable products with other ingredients, ensuring preservation of quality and safety while reducing complexity and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling cell 70 kept at a temperature significantly below 0°C
Implementation Method 2
a melting or thawing device 40... in which is arranged a heating means, typically an electrical heating element
Data Source
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AI summary
apparatus for dispensing mixed beverages obtained by mixing fresh vegetable products that were previously cut into small pieces, ground and frozen before being inserted into the apparatus and kept frozen until they are ready to be used. This apparatus comprises a beverage pickup compartment accessible from outside, a plurality of distinct and separate containers suitable to contain a specific quantity of frozen product, and to selectively distribute a definite quantity of the product contained therein in a mixing station, in which said containers are associated with a respective collecting means to containers toward a respective path that includes said mixing station and a thawingstation; the latter is suitable to be positioned either upstream or downstream of said station.