Plant mixture processing systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing plant-based milks at home are time-consuming, messy, and inefficient, often requiring soaking nuts, complex electronics, and result in products with excessive water, additives, and reduced vitamin content due to pasteurization, leading to issues like settling and premature spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A plant mixture processing system comprising a filter with photochemically etched holes, a plunger mechanism with clearing blades, and a pulp catcher, which allows for efficient extraction of milk from plant mixtures without additives, reducing separation and preserving vitamin content by applying pressure to separate milk from pulp effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hand compression is used to remove milk from nut bag, then milk can be extracted, but the process is time-consuming and excessive pulp remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical compression with an automated mechanical press system that applies controlled force to extract milk from the nut bag, eliminating the time-consuming hand squeezing process while improving extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The nut bag is designed with integrated milk collection features and automated pressing mechanisms that allow the system to extract milk without requiring continuous manual intervention, enabling the process to proceed autonomously
2Ease of operation
If nut bag is used for filtering, then milk can be separated from pulp, but cleaning is time-consuming and nut bags must be frequently replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable nut bags that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the time-consuming cleaning process entirely. The low cost of these single-use bags makes them economically viable despite the continuous consumption of the filtering medium
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering system is segmented into removable, disposable components (nut bags) that can be easily discarded and replaced, separating the filtering function from permanent, hard-to-clean structures
3Reliability
If pasteurization is applied to alternative milks, then safety is improved, but vitamin content is reduced and taste is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization that processes milk at extremely high temperatures for very short durations, changing the time-temperature parameters to achieve sterilization while minimizing thermal degradation of vitamins and taste compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The UHT process rushes through the pasteurization stage in seconds, quickly heating to sterilization temperature and immediately cooling, thereby eliminating harmful microorganisms without allowing prolonged exposure to heat that would degrade nutritional quality
4Ease of manufacture
If soaking is used to soften almonds, then grinding becomes easier, but microbe bloom is catalyzed that reduces shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary mechanical pre-processing (cracking or flaking) to almonds before grinding, which softens the hard outer shell and makes subsequent grinding easier without requiring prolonged soaking that would promote microbial growth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical/biological softening process (soaking) with a mechanical pre-processing method that physically breaks down the almond structure, avoiding the creation of a moist environment that catalyzes microbe bloom
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 system produces high-quality, fresh-tasting milk with minimal settling and longer freshness, while also salvaging valuable pulp for reuse, offering a more efficient and cleaner process compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a filter with photochemically etched holes
Implementation Method 2
a plunger mechanism with clearing blades, which allows for efficient extraction of milk from plant mixtures by applying pressure to separate milk from pulp
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system for processing plant mixture into milk and pulp preferably includes a filter, a plunger mechanism, and a ring funnel. The processing system may also include a pulp catcher.