Frozen Confection Machine Flexible Bag Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen confection machines require frequent disassembly for cleaning and sanitizing, which is labor-intensive, prone to errors, and poses health risks.
Innovation Solution
A frozen confection apparatus using a flexible container cooled by a cooling element, with a physical element such as a roller to interact with the container, scraping ice crystals and mixing the comestible mixture within, allowing for continuous freezing and dispensing without the need for machine disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional frozen confection machines use a barrel and auger assembly, then freezing and dispensing function is achieved, but frequent disassembly for cleaning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable flexible container (freeze bag) that is discarded after use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sanitizing complex mechanical components. The container is inexpensive and single-use, ensuring hygiene without requiring disassembly or cleaning of the machine itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible container made of thin film material allows for easy disposal and replacement. Its flexible nature enables it to conform to the cooling element while being simple to remove and discard, eliminating cleaning requirements for the container and machine contact surfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If a roller or shoe is used to scrape ice crystals, then mixing and texture improvement is achieved, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The roller or shoe serves multiple functions: it scrapes ice crystals from the container wall, mixes the comestible mixture, and applies pressure to maintain product consistency. This multi-functionality achieves desired ice crystal size and texture without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller or shoe utilizes the natural freezing process and product flow within the container to achieve mixing and ice crystal control. The mechanical action is driven by the rotation or movement of the roller itself, without requiring additional complex drive mechanisms or auxiliary systems.
3Productivity
If the flexible container is continuously frozen, then product availability is improved, but flow blockage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-freezes the comestible mixture in the flexible container continuously, maintaining product readiness. The roller or shoe periodically agitates and scrapes the container walls to prevent complete solidification and potential blockage, ensuring flow continuity when dispensing is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller or shoe operates in periodic cycles, rotating or moving to scrape and mix the product at intervals. This periodic mechanical action prevents continuous freezing from causing complete solidification and blockage, while still maintaining overall frozen state for product availability.
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 solution reduces the maintenance burden and health risks associated with traditional machines, enabling continuous operation with improved hygiene and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible container is disposed such that the cooling element cools the comestible mixture through an outer surface of the flexible container
Implementation Method 2
This scrapes and crushes ice crystals on or near the inner surface of the flexible container
Implementation Method 3
causing the comestible mixture to flow and mix within the flexible container
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for eliminating or greatly reducing the cleaning process of frozen confection apparatus or machines by having the comestible mixture contained in a flexible container or bag. The comestible mixture is chilled and/or frozen and dispensed from the bag without contacting other parts of the machine, thereby helping to prevent the comestible mixture from being contaminated with bacterial, viral, chemical, or physical contaminants.