In-Cup Mixer Automation With Splash Shield and Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixers for consumable materials in commercial food environments are often inefficient, unsafe, and prone to contamination due to manual operation, which can lead to splashing and improper cleaning, compromising sanitation and speed.
Innovation Solution
An automated mix-in-cup apparatus with a stepper motor-driven carriage that lowers a mixing blade and splash shield into a cup, allowing for safe, efficient mixing and self-cleaning without user contact, utilizing a pulley system for cord management and sensors for safety interlocks to ensure proper operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual mixing operation is used to quickly prepare items, then preparation speed is improved, but sanitation and safety deteriorate due to splashing and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus automatically performs the mixing operation without requiring manual intervention. The blade lowers into the cup, mixes the contents, and retracts automatically, eliminating the need for operators to manually move cups during mixing and thereby preventing splashing and contamination while maintaining fast preparation speeds
Solution Approach 2:
A shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the mixing blade and the operator. The shield contains splashes and prevents direct contact between the operator and the mixing zone, thereby improving sanitation and safety without affecting the speed of the mixing operation
2Ease of operation
If conventional blender operation is used with separate loading and transferring, then mixing function is achieved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing operation is merged with the cup itself rather than requiring a separate mixing vessel. The blade mixes the contents directly in the cup, eliminating the need to transfer materials between vessels and simplifying the overall operation to a single step while maintaining effective mixing function
3Manufacturing precision
If manual cup movement during mixing is performed to achieve even mix, then mixing quality is improved, but safety and sanitation deteriorate due to increased splashing risk
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing blade is designed to move dynamically within the cup during the mixing operation. The blade can move up and down or change its position to achieve thorough mixing of the contents, ensuring even distribution while the shield contains any potential splashes and maintains safety
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus automatically adjusts the blade position and movement pattern to achieve optimal mixing without requiring manual intervention. This automated control ensures consistent mixing quality while eliminating the safety risks associated with manual cup manipulation
4Object-affected harmful factors
If automated mixing machine is used to eliminate manual operation, then safety is improved, but cleaning complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing blade and shield are designed to be easily removable and accessible for cleaning. The blade can be detached from the drive mechanism and the shield can be removed from the cup, allowing for quick and simple cleaning operations without requiring complex disassembly procedures, thereby maintaining safety while simplifying maintenance
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes an automated blend in-cup apparatus and the related method of operation. The disclosure relates generally to the field of mixing consumable material. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a mixer that is automatically operable to lower a mixing blade into a cup or vessel that contains material to be blended/mixed. A shield is automatically lowered to at least partially isolate the cup. After mixing, the shield and blade are automatically retracted, and the cup is removed from the apparatus. The shield and blade may be automatically lowered again for a cleaning operation. Overall, the apparatus contains various structural and safety elements that provide a unique construction and method of operating the apparatus.