Machine and method for the thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for thermal treatment of food products are limited in operational versatility, restricting the variety of products that can be made and preventing simultaneous production of cold and hot products in the same machine.
Innovation Solution
A machine with at least two containers for hot and cold products, utilizing a fluid circulation circuit with two heat exchangers operating according to a thermodynamic cycle, allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling of products, enabling the production of both hot and cold products independently or together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single thermal treatment system is used in multiple tank machines, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability or versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single thermodynamic cycle system that can perform multiple functions: heating one tank while cooling another tank simultaneously. The thermal treatment means includes a fluid circulation circuit with heat exchangers that can operate in different modes (heating mode, cooling mode, or both simultaneously) to produce diverse products like hot chocolate and ice cream in the same machine, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate thermal treatment systems are used for hot and cold products, then the adaptability or versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating and cooling functions into a single integrated thermodynamic cycle system. The fluid circulation circuit connects heat exchangers to both hot and cold tanks, allowing the system to simultaneously provide heating to one tank and cooling to another tank through coordinated operation of compressors, condensers, and evaporators, thereby combining multiple functions into one unified system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical resistors or simple heating systems are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability or versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thermodynamic cycle system that can dynamically change its operational parameters to achieve different thermal treatment modes. By adjusting the operation of compressors, condensers, and evaporators, the system can switch between heating mode, cooling mode, and simultaneous heating-cooling mode, enabling diverse product production capabilities without requiring multiple separate systems.
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 the production of a wider variety of food products, including both hot and cold products simultaneously, enhancing the operational versatility of thermal treatment machines.
Implementation Method 1
at least two first heat exchangers operating according to a thermodynamic cycle
Implementation Method 2
each of the two first heat exchangers being associated with a respective container; said thermal treatment means being configured in such a way that one of the exchangers heats the contents of at least one of the containers, for producing a first product, and the other of the exchangers cools the contents of the other of the containers
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for the thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products includes at least two tanks for containing respective products to be subjected to the thermal treatment, at least one dispenser for dispensing the product contained in said tanks, at least one stirrer mounted inside each tank for mixing the product contained therein, and thermal treatment means operatively acting on the products contained in the containers. The thermal treatment means includes at least one circuit for circulation of an operating fluid and two first heat exchangers operating according to a thermodynamic cycle; each of the two heat exchangers being associated with a respective tank. The thermal treatment means is configured to implement at least one operating mode of removing heat from the respective tank by one heat exchanger and simultaneously transferring heat to the respective tank by the other heat exchanger.