Ice-Covered Mixing Device for Rapid Beverage Cooling Below 10°C
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing cold beverages using ambient temperature water fail to achieve temperatures significantly below ambient, resulting in beverages that are not chilled enough for consumer preference.
Innovation Solution
A device and method involving a container with a rotatable mixing device, where the mixing device is partially covered in ice and rotated within the container to chill beverages, using a motor to agitate the mixture and melt the ice, thereby lowering the beverage temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water at ambient temperature is used for preparing a cold beverage, then the preparation is simple and rapid, but the resulting beverage temperature remains above 10°C and is not sufficiently chilled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of ice (solid to liquid) to achieve cooling. Ice cubes are placed in the container, and as they melt, they absorb heat from the beverage, rapidly lowering its temperature to below 10°C. This phase change process provides an efficient cooling mechanism without requiring complex refrigeration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the main beverage preparation system by using separate ice cubes that are added to the container. This separation allows the cooling mechanism to be simple and independent, avoiding the need for integrated refrigeration components while still achieving the desired low temperature.
2Temperature
If a heater is used in the container to heat water, then cold diluent can be used and kettle heating is eliminated, but the heater cannot provide cooling functionality
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a heater to actively heat the beverage, the patent inverts the approach by using ice cubes that passively cool the beverage through their melting process. This inversion transforms the thermal control mechanism from active heating to passive cooling, achieving the desired temperature reduction without requiring a heating element.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice cubes perform the cooling function autonomously through their natural phase transition from solid to liquid. No external power source or control system is needed for the cooling process - the ice self-regulates the beverage temperature as it melts, providing a simple and effective cooling solution.
3Temperature
If ice is placed directly in the container with the beverage, then rapid cooling is achieved, but the ice dilutes the beverage and the container may become too cold to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the ice cubes specifically at the bottom of the container, separate from the main beverage volume. This localized placement allows the ice to cool the beverage effectively through conduction and convection while minimizing direct mixing and dilution. The ice serves its cooling function in a specific zone without uniformly diluting the entire beverage.
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 method effectively cools beverages from ambient temperature to below 10°C or 5°C, ensuring a chilled drink is produced efficiently and conveniently.
Implementation Method 1
providing a mixing device, a part of said mixing device being covered with ice... The method effectively cools beverages from ambient temperature to below 10°C or 5°C
Implementation Method 2
actuating the motor to rotate the mixing device in the at least one beverage liquid
Implementation Method 3
a motor cooperating with the mixing device through the floor of the container body in order to rotate the mixing device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for preparing a cold beverage with an apparatus (1) for mixing and storing a beverage, said apparatus comprising: —a container body (2), comprising a floor (21) and a sidewall (22) extending upwardly and longitudinally from the floor to an upper edge (221), —a removable and rotatable mixing device (23) positioned within the container body, —a motor (3) cooperating with the mixing device (23) through the floor of the container body in order to rotate the mixing device, wherein the method comprises the step of: —providing a mixing device (23), a part of said mixing device being covered with ice, —positioning said mixing device in the container body (2) in order to cooperate with the motor, —introducing at least one beverage liquid in the container body, —actuating the motor (3) to rotate the mixing device in the at least one beverage liquid.