Integrated Mixing and Cooling Chamber for Portioned Ice Cream
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current domestic ice cream production methods lack efficiency and convenience, as they often require manual transfer of mixtures to freezers or separate cooling chambers, and there is a need for a system that can produce cooled edible products like ice cream, frozen yogurts, and sorbets in portioned servings with defined process parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a machine with a receptacle that contains ingredients and embedded data for process parameters, allowing for automated extraction and processing of ingredients to produce cooled edible products, featuring a mixing chamber, aeration, and cooling arrangement, with a controller managing the process parameters for consistent output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual transfer of mixture to freezer or separate cooling chamber is used, then cooling function is separated, but operation complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing chamber and cooling chamber into a single integrated unit. The mixing chamber serves dual purposes: mixing ingredients and cooling the mixture. This eliminates the need for separate cooling chambers or freezers, allowing the device to perform both mixing and cooling functions in one location, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the mixing container and the cooling chamber. The chamber can be filled with a cooling agent that simultaneously cools the mixture during and after mixing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling equipment, streamlining the operation.
2Productivity
If integrated mixing and cooling chamber is used, then operation efficiency improves, but temperature control precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dasher with specific design features (such as scraping edges or specific blade configurations) that create localized cooling zones within the mixing chamber. The cooling agent is distributed in a controlled manner around the mixing area, ensuring that temperature is maintained uniformly throughout the mixture while the mixing action continues. This localized approach to cooling maintains temperature control precision despite the integrated design.
3Manufacturing precision
If portioned receptacles with data are used, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are designed to be self-identifying through embedded data storage elements (such as RFID tags, barcodes, or magnetic strips). When a receptacle is placed in the device, the system automatically reads the data to identify the ingredient type, required mixing parameters, and cooling requirements. This self-service identification eliminates the need for manual input or complex user interfaces, maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing the added complexity through automated data retrieval.
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 efficient and consistent production of cooled edible products in portioned servings, ensuring proper mixing, aeration, and cooling, allowing for easy operation and maintenance, while preventing mismatched pod assemblies and ensuring optimal product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling arrangement for cooling a mixture of the ingredients to thereby obtain the single serve of cooled edible product
Implementation Method 2
a mixing chamber and a cooling arrangement for mixing the ingredients and cooling a mixture of the ingredients
Data Source
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AI summary
A novel system, machines and consumables, and method for preparation of cooled edible products from their ingredients, e.g. in a portioned amount constituting a defined number of servings which may be 1, 2, 3, etc. are provided. One example of such an edible product is ice cream.