Automated Inkjet Latte Art System for Frothed Milk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating latte art on frothed milk are time-consuming and require artistically skilled personnel, making it impractical for commercial-scale production, and existing automated solutions are not suitable as they agitate the liquid and damage the design.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using a combination of mechanical and data controlling devices to dispense a coffee solution onto the surface of frothed milk through various applicators, such as inkjet or bubble jet heads, allowing precise control over the design without moving the substrate, thereby preventing agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual techniques are used to create latte art designs, then artistic skill and design quality are improved, but time consumption and labor cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical techniques (pouring, tracing with utensils) with an automated inkjet printing system. The inkjet printer deposits coffee solution precisely onto the frothed milk surface according to digital design patterns, eliminating the need for artistically skilled personnel while maintaining design quality and significantly reducing service time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying of design patterns onto the frothed milk surface. The inkjet printer reproduces designs from digital files, allowing exact replication of complex patterns without requiring the operator to manually create each design from scratch, thus maintaining precision while reducing skill requirements.
2Productivity
If automated printing systems are used to create designs, then productivity and consistency are improved, but the substrate (frothed milk) may be agitated and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based application methods (which would agitate the liquid) with a non-contact inkjet printing system. The inkjet printer deposits liquid through aerosolization without physical contact with the frothed milk surface, eliminating agitation and damage while maintaining automated productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles in the inkjet printing mechanism, where liquid coffee solution is atomized and deposited through controlled pressure and aerosolization. This allows precise material deposition without mechanical contact, preventing agitation of the frothed milk substrate while enabling automated operation.
3Extent of automation
If existing food printing techniques are applied to liquids, then automation is achieved, but the method is not suitable for latte art due to substrate movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the inkjet printing mechanism to work exclusively on the flat surface of the frothed milk layer, avoiding disturbance of the liquid coffee base. The system is configured to deposit material only where needed on the foam surface, adapting the general printing function to the specific constraints of latte art while maintaining automation.
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
Enables rapid and consistent creation of designs on frothed milk without the need for skilled personnel, allowing for mass production of coffee beverages with intricate designs without damaging the frothed milk.
Implementation Method 1
dispensing a coffee solution by means of an applicator to the surface of the foamed milk
Implementation Method 2
inkjet or bubble jet heads
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method for creating designs on the surface of foamed milk with a coffee solution comprising dispensing a coffee solution using an applicator, onto the surface of the foamed milk in a pattern according to the intended design. The dispensing is controlled by automated means. Further provided is an apparatus for creating designs on the surface of foamed milk with a coffee solution comprising: a) a reservoir; b) an applicator; c) an applicator mechanism d) a tray; e) a data controlling device, and f) a controller.