Method for sweetening a milk-containing fluid, dispensing device, sweetening unit and use of a sweetening unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sweetening milk-containing fluids in beverages, such as in fully automatic coffee machines, often result in uneven distribution and control of sweetness, as the sweetening means are added to the milk rather than the milk being actively conducted through the sweetening means.

Innovation Solution

The method involves conducting the milk-containing fluid through a container filled with a sweetening means, reversing the conventional approach, allowing for homogeneous and controllable sweetening. This is achieved by designing a sweetening unit with a fluid inlet and outlet that facilitates a flow through the sweetening means, such as a trough-shaped container with an overflow outlet and a cylindrical inlet collar, enabling the milk to be injected and exit in a controlled manner, ensuring thorough mixing with the sweetening substance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sweetening means is added to the milk-containing fluid, then the sweetening process is simple, but the distribution of sweetness is uneven and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesweetening process simplicityVSAvoidsweetness distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional sweetening approach by not adding sweetening means to the milk fluid, but rather conducting the milk-containing fluid through the sweetening means. This reversal allows the fluid to be actively mixed with the sweetening means in a controlled manner, achieving homogeneous distribution while maintaining operational simplicity through automated flow control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If the milk-containing fluid is conducted through the sweetening means, then the sweetening is homogeneous and controllable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesweetness distribution uniformityVSAvoidsweetening unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sweetening system into a separate removable sweetening unit that can be independently filled and maintained. This unit includes a container for sweetening means with fluid inlet and outlet connections, allowing the complex sweetening function to be isolated from the main dispensing system while achieving precise and homogeneous sweetening control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the fluid flow rate is increased for faster sweetening, then the productivity improves, but the mixing thoroughness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesweetening speedVSAvoidmixing thoroughness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic flow control where the fluid flow rate through the sweetening means can be adjusted during operation. This allows optimization of both speed and mixing quality by adapting the flow characteristics to the specific sweetening requirements, ensuring thorough mixing even at higher productivity rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230320520A1Method for sweetening a milk-containing fluid, dispensing device, sweetening unit and use of a sweetening unit

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 JURA ELEKTROAPPARATE AG

AI summary

A method for sweetening a milk-containing fluid, in which the milk-containing fluid is passed through a sweetener. To this end, a sweetening unit (1) for a dispensing device (2) can be used, in which a fluid inlet (4) and a fluid outlet (5) are designed such that a fluid flow through the sweetener can be generated. The sweetening unit (1) can preferably be placed removably on a milk outlet (20) of a milk delivery unit (19).