Pod Cooling Interface for Rapid Single-Serve Freezing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for rapidly cooling food and drinks are inefficient, often requiring pre-cooling or pre-freezing and cannot achieve freezing temperatures quickly, especially for single servings.

Innovation Solution

The development of a refrigeration-based system with low startup times and a pod-machine interface that uses sterilized pods filled with ingredients, which can cool contents from room temperature to freezing in less than two minutes, utilizing a clamshell evaporator configuration and efficient heat transfer mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional cooling methods are used, then cooling capacity is sufficient for large batches, but cooling time is too long and pre-cooling is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling speedVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the cooling process by using a refrigeration system that rapidly cools only the specific pod contents rather than cooling large batches gradually. The evaporator is positioned to directly contact the pod, creating a segmented cooling zone that achieves fast cooling in under two minutes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pod is nested within the evaporator chamber, allowing the refrigeration system to directly cool the pod contents. This nested configuration enables the smaller pod to be rapidly cooled by the evaporator surface, achieving fast cooling without requiring pre-cooling of the entire batch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If rapid cooling to freezing temperatures is implemented, then freezing capability is achieved quickly, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing temperatureVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the cooling and freezing functions into a single refrigeration system with an evaporator that can rapidly achieve freezing temperatures. The compressor, condenser, and evaporator are integrated to work together as one unified system rather than separate cooling and freezing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigeration system dynamically adjusts operating parameters to achieve rapid freezing. The system changes temperature, pressure, and refrigerant flow parameters to optimize the cooling rate and achieve freezing temperatures in under two minutes without requiring overly complex equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If sterilized pods with room temperature storage are used, then shelf stability is improved, but heat transfer efficiency during cooling must be maximized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf lifeVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pods are pre-sterilized and sealed during manufacturing, creating a sterile environment that allows room temperature storage without refrigeration. This preliminary sterilization action enables the pods to be stored at room temperature for extended periods while maintaining safety and quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies localized high-efficiency heat transfer at the evaporator-pod interface. The evaporator is positioned to maximize contact with the pod surface, creating a localized zone of intense heat transfer that rapidly removes heat from the pod contents without requiring the entire system to operate at maximum capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables rapid cooling of food and drinks to freezing temperatures in under two minutes, providing efficient portion control, easy use, and the ability to produce single servings of frozen products like ice cream and cocktails without pre-processing, while using recyclable aluminum pods.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a clamshell evaporator configuration and efficient heat transfer mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

These systems and methods are based on a refrigeration cycle with low startup times

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefrigeration cycle: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

a motor disposed in the housing, the motor operable to move the mixing paddle of a pod in the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 4

a driveshaft operable to pierce through a wall of the pod and engage the mixing paddle and rotate the mixing paddle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11280543B2Rapidly cooling food and drinks

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 COLDSNAP CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.