Removable Milk Circuit Block for Easy Cleaning in Beverage Machines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation machines face challenges in providing a simple, compact, and ergonomic milk frothing and discharge system that is easy to mount, dismount, and clean, particularly for machines that handle both coffee and milk-based beverages.

Innovation Solution

A beverage discharge disposition with a removable milk circulation component that includes a pressure-fitting connection for vapor supply and a compact design, allowing for easy cleaning and ergonomic flow regulation, featuring a milk flux selection mechanism that can be manually actuated between positions for varying milk flow types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the milk circulation disposition is integrated into the beverage preparation machine, then the frothing function is provided, but the cleaning and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrothing functionVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The milk circulation disposition is divided into separable components: a removable milk circuit block that can be detached from the beverage preparation machine. This segmentation allows the milk-related components to be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance while leaving the main machine body intact, thus resolving the contradiction between providing frothing function and enabling easy cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the milk circulation disposition is provided in connection with exterior milk recipient, then the milk supply is enabled, but the construction becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilk supplyVSAvoidconstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The milk circuit block integrates multiple functions into a single compact unit: it combines the milk recipient connection, vapor injection point, and milk discharge pathway. By merging these previously separate components into one integrated block, the invention simplifies the overall construction while maintaining the ability to supply milk from an exterior recipient and perform frothing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the discharge disposition handles both coffee and milk-based beverages, then the versatility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage typesVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic adaptability by allowing the user to switch between coffee-only mode and milk-based beverage mode through the removable milk circuit block. When milk frothing is needed, the block is attached; when only coffee is prepared, the block can be removed. This dynamic configuration enables the system to handle multiple beverage types while maintaining operational simplicity by eliminating unnecessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a more efficient, compact, and user-friendly milk frothing and discharge system that simplifies cleaning and operation, enhancing the ergonomic use of beverage preparation machines by allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of components in contact with milk.

Implementation Method 1

a flow is sucked from said exterior recipient by means of a pressurized flow flowing through said first discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

combining vapour, milk and air so as to produce hot frothed milk

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor heating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

combining vapour, milk and air so as to produce hot frothed milk

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid mixing: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3513692B1Ergonomic beverage discharge disposition, beverage preparation machine with said beverage discharge disposition and process of operation of said machine
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 NOVADELTA COMML E IND DE CAFES SA
  • EP3513692B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3513692B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3513692B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses a beverage discharge disposition comprising a discharge casing (1) configured so that can be provided in the front region of a beverage preparation machine (20), including the option of supplying milk and frothed milk, whereby said discharge casing (1) presents a milk circulation disposition (2) adapted so as to provide an ergonomic use of a beverage preparation machine, in particular the possibility of dismounting and mounting said milk circulation disposition (2) for periodic cleaning thereof. The present invention further discloses a beverage preparation machine (20) and a process for operating said machine (20), in particular of a respective ergonomic beverage discharge disposition, according to the present invention.