Method and Device for Selectively Producing Beverages or Foamed Beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices struggle to produce homogeneous and consistent foam beverages, particularly in both hot and cold states, from instant powder, with existing technologies often limited to producing only hot milk foam and facing challenges in mixing and foaming efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a powder mixing unit, instantaneous water heater, and foamer unit that allows for adjustable water temperature and powder delivery, along with separate lines for foamed and non-foamed beverages, enables the production of high-quality foam beverages in both hot and cold states by controlling water temperature and powder dosage, and using a foamer unit with an air intake and choke point for foaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single foaming chamber with tangential water entry is used, then hot foamed milk can be produced, but only hot milk foam can be produced and uniform foam is difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional units: a mixing unit for homogeneous powder-water mixing and a foaming unit for foam generation. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, enabling both hot and cold foamed milk production while ensuring consistent foam quality through dedicated mixing and foaming zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes by controlling water temperature independently in the mixing unit, allowing production of both hot and cold beverages. The foaming unit then processes these beverages regardless of temperature, providing versatility in temperature range while maintaining foam quality through parameter control.
2Productivity
If powder and water are mixed in a foaming chamber with tangential water entry, then foaming occurs simultaneously, but the mixture is not sufficiently homogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates mixing and foaming operations into distinct units. The mixing unit ensures homogeneous powder-water mixing through controlled agitation and mixing elements, while the foaming unit separately generates foam through pressurization and air incorporation. This segmentation achieves both homogeneous mixing and efficient foaming without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing unit performs preliminary mixing of powder and water to create a homogeneous beverage base before the mixture enters the foaming unit. This preliminary action ensures uniform distribution of powder particles, which then facilitates consistent foam formation in the subsequent foaming stage.
3Device complexity
If the same pump conveys both fresh milk and hot foamed milk, then the system is simple, but only hot foamed milk can be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is designed with multi-functionality to convey both cold and hot beverages through the same foaming unit. The system maintains simplicity by using a common pump and foaming chamber, while achieving temperature control flexibility through independent temperature control in the mixing unit and temperature-resistant design of the foaming unit.
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 allows for the production of beverages with excellent foam quality and consistency in both hot and cold states, enabling the creation of both hot and cold foamed milk with improved homogeneity and wholesomeness, while also allowing for the production of non-foamed beverages.
Implementation Method 1
an instantaneous water heater is provided upstream of the at least one water supply, by means of which water temperatures can be produced with selectively adjustable values of up to 95 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 2
the mixed beverage can be conveyed to a foamer unit, with which air can be mixed into the mixed beverage, and processed to form a foam
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for selectively producing beverages or foamed beverages, preferably foamed milk, in which method the beverage is mixed by at least one powder mixing unit (2) which can be connected to at least one powder container (30; 31) for supplying instant powder and to at least one water supply (21). The mixed beverage is at least processed by a foamer unit (5) to form a beverage foam and conveyed in a cold or hot state to an outlet (6). This means that even with a mixture of powder and water, both hot and cold milk foam having an excellent foam quality in terms of consistency and healthiness can be produced.