Post-Mix Beverage Dispenser for Hot and Cold Drink Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing post-mix beverage dispensing equipment cannot produce both hot and cold drinks, limiting versatility and consumer choice as consumers increasingly prefer hot non-carbonated beverages.

Innovation Solution

A beverage dispenser system that detects user selection for hot or cold beverages, controls valves to direct hot or cold water to mixing chambers, and adjusts the flow rates of water and concentrate to create the desired beverage, allowing for simultaneous production of hot and cold versions of the same beverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing post-mix beverage dispensing equipment is used, then cold beverages can be produced, but hot beverages cannot be produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage temperature varietyVSAvoidequipment configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage dispenser is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both hot and cold beverage production capabilities into a single device. The system includes separate hot and cold water supply lines with control valves that can be selectively activated based on the desired beverage type, allowing the same dispenser to produce both hot and cold beverages without requiring separate equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The water supply system is segmented into separate hot and cold water lines, each with its own control valve. This segmentation allows independent control of hot and cold water flow to the mixing chamber, enabling the dispenser to produce hot beverages, cold beverages, or potentially blended temperature beverages by selectively opening the appropriate valve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate hot and cold beverage dispensers are used, then both hot and cold beverages can be produced, but equipment cost and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage temperature varietyVSAvoiddispenser space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines hot and cold beverage dispensing functions into a single dispenser unit. The mixing chamber, concentrate delivery system, and control electronics are shared between hot and cold beverage operations, while only the water supply lines are separated. This merging reduces the overall space requirement compared to having separate dispensers while maintaining the capability to produce both hot and cold beverages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate hot and cold beverage dispensers are used, then both hot and cold beverages can be produced, but equipment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage temperature varietyVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage dispenser is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both hot and cold beverage production capabilities into a single device. The system includes separate hot and cold water supply lines with control valves that can be selectively activated based on the desired beverage type, allowing the same dispenser to produce both hot and cold beverages without requiring separate equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines hot and cold beverage dispensing functions into a single dispenser unit. The mixing chamber, concentrate delivery system, and control electronics are shared between hot and cold beverage operations, while only the water supply lines are separated. This merging reduces the overall space requirement compared to having separate dispensers while maintaining the capability to produce both hot and cold beverages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10046958B2Hot and cold beverage dispenser

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 PEPSICO INC

AI summary

An apparatus and method may be configured for detecting selection between a hot version and a cold version of a beverage, causing opening of a first of a plurality of valves and closing of a second of the plurality of valves for providing water to a first of a plurality of mixing chambers based on the selection, causing delivery of beverage concentrate to the first mixing chamber, controlling a flow rate of the water and a flow rate of the beverage concentrate into the mixing chamber for mixing of the water with the beverage concentrate in a controlled ratio to create the beverage, and dispensing the beverage from the mixing chamber.