Powdered Drink Holder Assembly With Threshold Plate Shut-Off
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drink preparation systems for instant powdered ingredients face issues with uncontrolled dispensing and spillage due to inadequate shut-off mechanisms, leading to powder accumulation and potential damage or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A holder assembly with a conveyor screw, an outflow channel, a threshold plate, and a shut-off valve that can be moved back and forth, featuring a threshold plate and a shut-off body that together completely shut off the outflow channel, with the shut-off body protruding past the threshold plate to push back powder and an inclined end face to prevent accidental detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional shut-off valve with a rotatable part or slide is used, then the outlet of the holder can be shut off, but powdered ingredient accumulates against the shut-off member forming a straight plane which causes uncontrolled dispensing when the valve is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off body is designed with a curved surface instead of a flat plane. This curved surface prevents the formation of a straight accumulation plane for the powdered ingredient, thereby eliminating the uncontrolled dispensing issue that occurs when conventional flat-shut-off valves are opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by positioning the shut-off body downstream of the threshold plate and using its curved surface to interact with the powder in a three-dimensional manner, rather than the traditional two-dimensional flat surface approach. This dimensional change allows for better control of powder flow.
2Ease of operation
If the outflow system is configured to be rotatable for easy setting aside, then maintenance becomes easier, but twisting-off causes accidental detachment of powder from the accumulation upstream of the shut-off valve
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off body is designed to protrude past the threshold plate, effectively extracting or removing the powder accumulation zone from the rotating portion of the outflow system. This separation ensures that when the outflow system is twisted for maintenance, the powder remains contained and cannot accidentally detach.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shut-off valve is left closed during operation, then powder spillage is prevented, but the conveyor means cannot convey powder and components may break or powder enters wrong parts
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold plate serves as an intermediary element between the conveyor screw and the shut-off body. It creates a controlled interface that allows the conveyor to push powder against the threshold plate, which then directs the powder flow in a controlled manner, preventing both spillage and component damage.
4Device complexity
If a simple shut-off valve is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and complete shut-off of the outflow channel are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off body is integrated directly into the outflow channel structure, merging the valve component with the channel itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate complex valve mechanisms while achieving complete shut-off through the protruding shut-off body that blocks the channel opening.
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 effectively minimizes uncontrolled dispensing and spillage of powdered ingredients, ensuring precise measurement and reducing the risk of powder entering the mixing unit or other parts, while allowing easy operation and maintenance by preventing accidental opening of the shut-off valve.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor screw (6) provided in the holder (5) along the base (30) of the holder (5)... an end (8) of the conveyor screw (6) protruding into the outflow channel (7)
Implementation Method 2
the shut-off body (11) and the threshold plate (9) together shut off the outflow channel (7)
Implementation Method 3
the upstream end face (12) of the shut-off body (11) extends at an inclination... to prevent accidental detachment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a holder assembly (1) for a powdered ingredient (4) for preparing an instant drink. The assembly comprises a holder, a conveyor screw (6), an outflow channel (7) provided on the holder for dispensing ingredient (1), a threshold plate (9) extending into the outflow channel (7), and also a shut-off valve (10) for shutting off the outflow channel (7). The shut-off valve (10) comprises a shut-off body (11) which can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor screw (6) between a release position and a shut-off position. In the release position the shut-off body (11) is located downstream of the threshold plate (9), set apart therefrom. In the shut-off position the shut-off body (11) is located next to the threshold plate (9) in such a way that the shut-off body (11) and the threshold plate (9) together shut off the shut-off channel (7). The invention further relates to a drink preparation means comprising a holder assembly (1) according to the invention.