Removable Mixing Chamber for Clog-Free Beverage Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage mixing dispensers face issues with clogging due to moisture, inconsistent beverage strength, and difficulty in cleaning, as well as the creation of unstable foam due to air entrainment methods.
Innovation Solution
A beverage mixing dispenser with a mixing chamber assembly featuring a non-closable outlet and a propeller assembly that ensures complete mixing and easy disassembly for cleaning, along with a magnetic connection system for tool-less assembly and disassembly, and a design that entrains air by folding to create stable foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a solenoid controlled valve is used to control powder delivery to the mixing chamber, then the amount of powder can be controlled, but moisture and steam from the mixing chamber cause the powder outlet to clog
Solution Approach 1:
The powder delivery system is segmented into separate functional components: a powder hopper with a first solenoid valve for controlled powder delivery, and a mixing chamber with a second solenoid valve for water delivery. The outlet of the mixing chamber is designed as non-closable to prevent clogging by allowing continuous drainage of moisture and steam, separating the powder delivery function from the mixing function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a closable outlet that can trap moisture and cause clogging, the invention uses a non-closable outlet that remains open to allow continuous drainage. This inverts the conventional approach where outlets are designed to be closable for controlled dispensing, but here openness is the solution to prevent clogging.
2Strength
If the mixing chamber assembly is designed to be permanently attached to the housing, then structural integrity is maintained, but cleaning becomes labor intensive and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber assembly is segmented as a separate removable component from the housing. It can be detached by releasing latches and removing the assembly, allowing easy access for cleaning. The structural integrity is maintained through proper reattachment using the latching mechanism, separating the cleaning maintenance function from the permanent structural function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber assembly transitions from a static permanently attached state to a dynamic removable state. The latching mechanism allows the assembly to be securely attached during operation for structural integrity, and easily removed for cleaning by releasing the latches, providing dynamic adaptability between operational and maintenance modes.
3Quantity of substance
If large bubbles of air are cut into small bubbles by whipping, then air is entrained in the beverage, but the foam becomes unstable and rapidly subsides
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller assembly creates periodic rotational action that gently folds air into the beverage, creating stable foam. Instead of continuous whipping that breaks bubbles, the periodic rotation of the propeller creates controlled air incorporation that maintains bubble integrity and foam stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using whipping action to cut large bubbles into small bubbles, the invention uses folding action to gently incorporate air. This inverts the conventional approach of aggressive bubble disruption, replacing it with a gentler folding mechanism that preserves bubble structure and creates stable foam.
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 prevents clogging, ensures consistent beverage strength, facilitates frequent cleaning, and produces a stable foam with small air bubbles, improving the quality and user experience of the dispensed beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic connector assembly for magnetic connection to a magnetic surface of the housing to hold the mixing chamber assembly to the housing
Implementation Method 2
a propeller assembly with a plurality of mixing propellers located in the lower section intermediate the upper section and the non-closable beverage outlet for completely mixing together the beverage ingredient and water received at the upper section
Implementation Method 3
a design that entrains air by folding to create stable foam
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing drink dispenser (10) having a source of water (26) for mixing with a beverage ingredient in a hopper (12) to make a drink having a tooless removable mixing chamber assembly (34) with cylindrical upper body 130 for receipt of beverage ingredient and water and vertical axis, high rotation mixing propellers (36, 180, 182) and a lower section with a slanted bottom (164) joined to and in open fluid communication with the upper section and having a non-closable beverage outlet (148) for free, unobstructed passage of freshly mixed beverage out of the mixing chamber assembly (34) and into a beverage container (46). The propellers (36, 180, 183) are driven by a motor (39) with a drive axle extending through a non-sealed opening in the slanted bottom (164) and removably linked to the propellers via a magnetic linkage (166, 170). An upwardly facing inlet (210) in a domed, splash reflective top (208) is in communication with a tooless removable hopper assembly (12) having a horizontally rotatable feed auger (252) releasably linked to and driven by an external auger drive motor (268). An agitation wheel within the hopper is driven by direct linkage with the auger (252) to stir ingredient within the hopper during operation of the auger.