Protein Beverage Mixing With Shared Flavor Base and Liquid Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensers face challenges in balancing product variety, quality, hygiene, maintenance, availability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in providing protein-containing mixed beverages, due to limited space and the need for multiple flavor substrates.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a pourable substrate with a consistent flavor base that can be individualized by adding a liquid substrate, reducing the number of initial containers needed and allowing for a wider range of flavors and extended maintenance intervals, while leveraging economies of scale for production and packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple containers with different pourable substrates are provided for different flavors, then product variety is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple flavor variants into a single container by using one pourable substrate that can be mixed with different liquid substrates (milk, water, plant-based alternatives) to create various beverage types. This eliminates the need for multiple separate containers while maintaining product variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pourable substrate container is designed to serve multiple functions by being compatible with various liquid substrates. The system allows one container to produce multiple beverage variants (e.g., protein shakes with milk, water, almond milk, soy milk) through a universal mixing mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple containers with different pourable substrates are provided for different flavors, then product variety is improved, but maintenance intervals are shortened
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple flavor options into a single pourable substrate container that can be mixed with different liquid substrates, the system reduces the total number of containers from multiple to one. This extension of container lifespan directly increases maintenance intervals while preserving product variety through liquid substrate variation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple containers with different pourable substrates are provided for different flavors, then product variety is improved, but cost-effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention consolidates multiple product lines into a single container system, allowing manufacturers to produce and stock one pourable substrate instead of multiple variants. This reduces manufacturing complexity, inventory costs, and refilling expenses while maintaining diverse beverage options through liquid substrate combinations.
4Device complexity
If a single container with pourable substrate is used, then device complexity is reduced, but product variety is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single pourable substrate container is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple liquid substrates including milk, water, and various plant-based alternatives. This multi-functionality enables one container to produce diverse beverage types (protein shakes, smoothies, nutritional drinks) without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves product variety by changing the parameters of the liquid substrate (type, composition, concentration) rather than changing the pourable substrate itself. Users can adjust the liquid substrate selection to create different beverage profiles, maintaining simplicity while enabling customization.
5Duration of action of stationary object
If a single container with pourable substrate is used, then maintenance intervals are extended, but beverage quality customization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains beverage quality customization by allowing users to select from different liquid substrates (milk, water, plant-based alternatives) with varying nutritional profiles and textures. The pourable substrate mixes with these different liquid parameters to create customized beverages, preserving quality options while extending container lifespan.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for preparing a beverage having the following: a mixing device; a first container for storing a pourable substrate; a first supply device which is provided for supplying the pourable substrate out of one of the first containers to the mixing device; a second container for storing an at least substantially liquid substrate; a second supply device which is provided for supplying the at least substantially liquid substrate from one of the second containers to the mixing device; a third supply device which is provided for supplying a carrier liquid to the mixing device; and a dispensing device which is provided for dispensing the beverage into a container. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a beverage, to a device for storing and supplying a pourable substrate, and to a method for assembling the device for storing and supplying a pourable substrate.