Post-Mix Beverage Dispensing with Sequential Liquid Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Post-mixed beverages often exhibit turbidity and non-homogeneous mixing, affecting flavor distribution and aesthetic appeal, particularly when mixing beverage concentrates with base liquids and ethanol or hop compounds.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the sequential mixing of a beverage concentrate with a base liquid to form a primary liquid, followed by adding ethanol and/or hop compounds in a beverage dispenser, ensuring a homogeneous post-mixed beverage is achieved by in-line mixing without the need for separate mixing chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beverage concentrate is mixed with base liquid to form post-mixed beverage, then the beverage can be transported and stored, but the post-mixed beverage becomes turbid and non-homogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process is segmented into two distinct stages: first mixing beverage concentrate with base liquid to form primary liquid, then separately adding ethanol and/or hop compounds to the primary liquid. This segmentation prevents premature mixing of all components, thereby maintaining beverage homogeneity while enabling efficient transport and storage of the concentrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage concentrate is preliminarily mixed with base liquid before the final addition of ethanol and/or hop compounds. This preliminary action creates a stable primary liquid that can be transported efficiently, while the final components are added later to maintain overall beverage homogeneity and prevent turbidity.
2Ease of operation
If all components are mixed simultaneously in a single container, then mixing is simple, but the beverage becomes turbid and flavor distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process is divided into sequential steps: first combining beverage concentrate with base liquid, then separately adding ethanol and/or hop compounds to the primary liquid. This segmentation simplifies operation by using a single beverage dispenser while preventing turbidity through controlled, staged mixing rather than simultaneous mixing of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage concentrate is preliminarily diluted with base liquid in the beverage dispenser before the final addition of ethanol and/or hop compounds. This preliminary action ensures homogeneous mixing of the main components while preventing turbidity that would result from simultaneous mixing of all ingredients.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If beverage concentrate is used with lower ethanol and hop compound content, then storage stability is improved, but the final beverage lacks desired flavor profile
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage formulation is segmented into two parts: beverage concentrate with optimized storage stability (lower ethanol and hop compound content), and separate additions of ethanol and/or hop compounds in the beverage dispenser. This segmentation allows the concentrate to be stored stably while the final beverage achieves the desired flavor profile through controlled addition of the remaining components.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage concentrate is prepared with reduced ethanol and hop compound content to optimize storage stability during transport and storage. The desired final flavor profile is achieved through preliminary mixing of concentrate with base liquid, followed by controlled addition of ethanol and/or hop compounds in the beverage dispenser.
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 method results in a more homogeneous post-mixed beverage with reduced turbidity, improved flavor distribution, and enhanced control over the mixing process, mimicking conventional dispensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a base liquid is mixed together with a beverage concentrate to form a primary liquid
Implementation Method 2
mixing together at least part of the primary liquid with a volume of secondary liquid comprising ethanol and/or one or more hop compounds to form the post-mixed beverage
Data Source
AI summary
Method of preparing and dispensing a post-mixed beverage using a beverage dispensing assembly (100), the method comprising steps of: —mixing together a base liquid (104) with a beverage concentrate (106) to form a primary liquid (111) in a beverage dispenser (102) of the beverage dispensing assembly (100); —mixing together the primary liquid (111) with a volume of secondary liquid (108) comprising ethanol and/or one or more hop compounds to form the post-mixed beverage in the beverage dispenser (102); and—dispensing the post-mixed beverage from a dispensing outlet (120) of the beverage dispenser (102); such that in preparing the post-mixed beverage, the volume of secondary liquid (108) is mixed with the beverage concentrate (106) after the beverage concentrate (106) has been at least partially mixed with the base liquid (104) into the primary liquid (111).