Micro Dosing System for Beverage Mica Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for adding colored mica to beverages face contamination issues and are difficult to clean, leading to high costs and equipment underutilization, as current solutions such as dedicated equipment, aggressive cleaning, and recirculating filling systems are either economically unfeasible or prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A micro dosing system comprising a supply tank, portable dosing assembly, recirculation assembly, and power and control operation assembly, which maintains a homogenous mixture of suspended solids and injects micro-doses into pre-filled bottles, using a peristaltic pump and programmable logic controller to manage the flow and suspension of colored mica particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If colored mica is added to beverages to create visual appeal, then consumer appeal and product differentiation are improved, but contamination of filling equipment occurs and cleaning becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the colored mica dosing function from the main filling equipment by using a separate dosing pump and recirculation system. The mica is dosed into the beverage stream independently, preventing direct contact with and contamination of the filling equipment while maintaining visual appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
A recirculation system acts as an intermediary between the mica supply and the filling process. The system circulates mica-laden liquid through a recirculation pump and tubing, allowing mica to be added to beverages without contaminating the filling equipment, thus mediating between product differentiation requirements and contamination prevention.
2Reliability
If dedicated production equipment is used for liquids requiring colored mica, then contamination between products is avoided, but equipment cost increases and equipment utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filling equipment remains universal and can handle both mica-containing and mica-free products. The selective dosing system allows the same equipment to serve multiple functions by controlling when and where mica is added, eliminating the need for dedicated equipment while preventing contamination through controlled dosing timing and location.
Solution Approach 2:
The mica dosing function is extracted from the main filling equipment and placed in a separate, controllable system. This allows the filling equipment to remain general-purpose while the mica addition is handled independently, avoiding cross-contamination without requiring separate dedicated equipment for different product types.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If aggressive cleaning is performed between products, then equipment contamination is reduced, but time and cost for disassembly and cleaning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prevents mica deposition on equipment surfaces in the first place by using a separate dosing and recirculation system. Since the mica is added through a controlled injection process rather than direct mixing in the filling equipment, there is no residue to clean, eliminating the need for aggressive cleaning procedures and reducing downtime.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If mixture modifiers are added to hold suspended particles, then equipment cleaning is simplified, but sanitation issues arise and temperature stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding continuous mixture modifiers, the system uses periodic recirculation of the mica suspension through a recirculation pump. This periodic action keeps particles suspended without requiring additional modifiers, avoiding sanitation issues and temperature stability problems while preventing particle settling.
5Stability of the object's composition
If recirculating filling systems are used to maintain fluid velocity, then colored mica settling is prevented, but system cost increases and reliability decreases due to potential stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mica suspension maintenance function from the main filling process. A separate recirculation system with its own pump handles the mica suspension, isolating it from the filling system. This segmentation prevents mica settling while maintaining reliability, as the recirculation system can operate independently and does not affect the filling process continuity.
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 micro dosing system effectively prevents contamination of filling equipment, reduces operational costs, and ensures efficient use of equipment by maintaining colored mica particles in suspension, allowing for precise and controlled addition of micro-doses to bottles without the need for extensive cleaning or additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a recirculation assembly to circulate the mixture from the supply tank to the portable dosing assembly and back to the supply tank
Implementation Method 2
a supply tank designed to keep suspended solids in a homogenous mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of micro dosing containers on a conveying system is disclosed. The system includes a supply tank to maintain suspended solids in a mixture; a dosing assembly to inject micro-doses of the mixture into bottles; a recirculation assembly to circulate the mixture from the supply tank to the dosing assembly and back to the supply tank; a power and controls operation assembly to supply the system with power, to provide the system with electromechanical control and/or to provide a user interface; and a stand to hold at least the supply tank, the portable dosing assembly, the recirculation assembly and/or the power and/or controls operation assembly.