Movable Beverage Outlet and Drop Collector to Prevent Dripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines face issues with undesired dripping of residual liquids into the dispensing zone after beverage dispensing, leading to spills and reduced cleanliness and ergonomics.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates a movable ingredient seat, outlet, and drop collector that transition between a drop collection configuration and a dispensing configuration, guiding residual drops into a waste collection arrangement rather than the dispensing zone, preventing spills and enhancing cleanliness and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed beverage outlet is used above the dispensing zone, then beverage dispensing is simple and direct, but residual liquid drips into the dispensing zone causing spills and reduced cleanliness
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage outlet is made movable, transitioning between a dispensing position above the dispensing zone and a retraction position away from it. This dynamic positioning allows the outlet to be withdrawn after dispensing, preventing residual liquid from dripping into the dispensing zone while maintaining simple operation during the dispensing process itself
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the beverage outlet is moved away from the dispensing zone to prevent dripping, then cleanliness is improved, but beverage dispensing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage outlet is merged with the movable ingredient seat assembly. When the ingredient seat moves between transfer and processing positions, the outlet automatically transitions between retraction and dispensing positions. This integration allows the outlet to be repositioned without requiring a separate complex movement mechanism, thus preventing dripping while minimizing added complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a drop collector is added to collect residual drops, then cleanliness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable ingredient seat itself serves the dual function of both ingredient processing and drop collection. When positioned in the transfer position, the seat automatically collects residual drops from the outlet without requiring a separate drop collector device. This self-service approach prevents dripping into the dispensing zone while avoiding the complexity of additional collection mechanisms
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (2) comprises: -a seat (10) having at least one part (11) that is movable between a transfer position for introducing a beverage ingredient into the seat and/or removing said ingredient therefrom, and a processing position for forming said beverage from the ingredient in the seat; -an outlet (20) for dispensing said beverage upon formation in the seat; and -a drop collector (30) for collecting drops (2') from the outlet. This movable part (11) of the seat (10), the outlet (20) and the drop collector (30) are associated, in particular connected, so that the drop collector and the outlet are relatively moved into: -a drop collection configuration for the drop collector to collect drops (2') from the outlet when the movable part of the seat is in the transfer position; and/or -a dispensing configuration for dispensing the formed beverage (2) from the outlet into a dispensing zone (25), in particular a zone arranged for receiving a recipient such as a cup or a mug, when the movable part of the seat is in the processing position.