Off-Center In-Cup Mixing for Tapered Cups and Thick Ingredients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixers and blenders in commercial food preparation are inefficient, unsafe, and unsanitary due to human error and contamination risks, especially when mixing in larger cup sizes or thicker ingredients, as they require manual handling and transfer of materials, leading to incomplete mixing and potential splashing.
Innovation Solution
An automated mix-in-cup apparatus with a stepper motor-driven carriage that moves a mixing blade and splash shield within the cup, ensuring safe and complete mixing without manual handling, and a self-cleaning mechanism to prevent flavor contamination between cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling and transfer of materials is used in conventional mixers and blenders, then the mixing process can be completed, but human error increases and sanitation standards are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through an integrated spray mechanism that automatically cleans the mixing blade and cup interior after each use, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and ensuring sanitation compliance without human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated mixing mechanism that includes a motor-driven mixing blade and programmable control system, eliminating human contact with consumable materials during the mixing process
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blade diameter is sized to fit within the bottom of the smallest cup, then the apparatus can accommodate small cups, but ingredients at the perimeter of larger cups remain poorly mixed
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing blade is designed to move dynamically between different positions including central positioning and off-center positioning. The control system programmatically adjusts the blade position and movement pattern based on cup size and ingredient characteristics, ensuring thorough mixing throughout the entire cup volume while maintaining compatibility with various cup sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing operation is divided into multiple phases with different blade positions and movement patterns. The control system segments the mixing process to address different zones within the cup, ensuring that both central and peripheral ingredients are thoroughly mixed
3Manufacturing precision
If the mixing blade is positioned off-center in tapered cups, then homogenous mixing is achieved, but the apparatus becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can position the blade centrally for some applications, off-center for tapered cups, and adjust to various heights. This multi-functional design achieves homogeneous mixing across different cup types without requiring multiple separate mechanisms, thereby controlling overall system complexity
4Ease of operation
If manual cup handling is used during mixing, then the operator can monitor the process, but beverage splashing occurs onto the machine and user
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual cup handling with an automated mechanism that securely holds and positions the cup during mixing. The programmable control system monitors the entire mixing process, eliminating the need for manual intervention while preventing beverage splashing through controlled operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediate holding mechanism and splash shield structure that acts as a barrier between the mixing process and the user environment, preventing beverage splashing while allowing the process to proceed automatically
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 automated system provides fast, safe, and clean mixing and cleaning operations, ensuring homogenous blending across various cup sizes and viscosities, reducing human error and contamination risks while maintaining sanitation standards.
Implementation Method 1
The frame comprises a vertically aligned stand and a horizontal, cup-supporting leg. An optional cup-receiving holder is positioned on the leg of the frame. A lead screw is positioned within the stand in a vertical orientation. A carriage is positioned on the lead screw such that the carriage is movable along the lead screw from a first position adjacent the cup-receiving holder to a second position distal from the cup-receiving holder
Implementation Method 2
The carriage supports a mixing motor, a shield prop, and a combined splash shield and lid. The mixing motor supports a mixing blade. The mixing blade is positioned within the cup and the consumable material, and the mixing motor is engaged to rotate the mixing blade
Data Source
AI summary
An automated mix in-cup apparatus includes a frame having a cup-holder to secure a tapered cup selectively placed therein, and a first motor operatively connected to the cup-holder to rotate the cup-holder. A reciprocating carriage is axially supported by the frame and supports a second motor and a rotatable mixing blade to mix a consumable material. The mixing blade is secured to a shaft axially extending from the second motor, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis and the second motor configured to rotate the shaft and the mixing blade. Reciprocal movement of the carriage axially translates the mixing blade into and out of the tapered cup in the cup-holder. The cup-holder and the first motor are oriented at an incline, defining a tilt angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, whereby the shaft and the rotatable blade are positioned off-center relative to the tapered cup in the cup-holder.