Frozen Confectionery Dispenser Chute System for Radial Particulate Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for dispensing frozen confectionery with mixed-in particulate material lack efficiency in distributing particulate material evenly around the flowing stream, leading to incomplete mixing and increased cleaning requirements due to contact with supporting surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a particulate material deposition device and a plurality of chutes that redirect particulate material to collide with the outer surface of a flowing stream of frozen confectionery at different radial locations, utilizing a rotating chamber to control the delivery of particulate material and minimize contact with surfaces, enhancing embedding and reducing cleaning needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single source of particulate material is used, then device complexity is reduced, but distribution uniformity around the flowing stream deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single particulate material source is segmented into multiple chutes (typically 3-5 chutes) that diverge from a common origin. Each chute directs particulate material to a different radial location on the flowing stream, achieving uniform distribution around the entire circumference while maintaining a single source structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the flowing stream contacts supporting surfaces, then stability is improved, but cleaning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A curved support surface is introduced as an intermediary element that receives the flowing stream and redirects it horizontally. This mediator allows the stream to maintain stability during transfer while preventing direct contact between the stream and subsequent supporting surfaces, thereby reducing cleaning requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If chutes are arranged horizontally, then ease of manufacture is improved, but embedding effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chutes are designed with a dynamic angle (10-30° to horizontal) rather than being completely horizontal. This angular configuration optimizes the projection of particulate material onto the flowing stream surface, increasing embedding effectiveness while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 ensures effective distribution of particulate material around the outer surface of frozen confectionery, increasing the likelihood of embedding and reducing cleaning requirements by minimizing surface contact, while allowing user control over particulate material addition.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of chutes, each chute arranged to catch deposited particulate material and redirect it in a substantially horizontal direction to collide with the outer surface of the flowing stream of frozen confectionery
Implementation Method 2
the dispenser for providing the flowing stream of confectionery material flowing vertically downwards from an outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (10) for delivering particulate material (50) to a flowing stream of frozen confectionery material (40) to provide a single serving to a consumer, the apparatus comprising: a dispenser for the particulate material; and a dispenser for providing the flowing stream of confectionery material flowing vertically downwards from an outlet (22), the flowing stream having an outer surface; wherein the dispenser for the particulate material comprises a particulate material deposition device (12) for depositing the particulate material at a common particulate deposition location (30), and a plurality of chutes (26), each chute arranged to catch deposited particulate material and redirect it in a substantially horizontal direction to collide with the outer surface of the flowing stream of frozen confectionery, each chute (26) beginning at the common particulate deposition location (30) and spreading out from each other to each deposit the particulates at a different radial location around the flowing stream of frozen confectionery.