Removable Recessed Ducts for Easy-Clean Beverage Makers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers are cumbersome and time-consuming to clean, particularly the hoses or tubes connecting to milk reservoirs, and while disposable solutions eliminate cleaning, they come with high costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A duct system comprising two removably arranged cup elements with recessed surfaces allows for easy disassembly and cleaning, eliminating the need for separate hoses or tubes and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disposable milk containers and cartridges are used, then cleaning is eliminated, but costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is divided into separable elements (housing and cup) that can be easily detached from each other. This segmentation allows the cup to be removed for cleaning without disassembling the entire device, eliminating the need for disposable containers while maintaining ease of cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup is designed to be self-removable from the housing by simple user action (pressing and lifting). This self-service mechanism enables users to easily access and clean the cup without requiring complex disassembly procedures or specialized tools.
2Productivity
If traditional duct systems with hoses are used, then beverage preparation is efficient, but cleaning becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is reimagined by integrating the beverage pathway directly into the cup structure rather than using separate hoses. The cup itself becomes the conduit, with recesses in its surface forming the actual beverage pathways. This eliminates separate cleaning targets while maintaining beverage preparation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup and duct system are merged into a single integrated component. The cup's recessed surfaces form the beverage pathways, combining the containment and transport functions into one element that can be cleaned as a single unit, eliminating the need to clean separate hoses and ducts.
3Ease of operation
If the duct system is integrated into a single piece, then cleaning access is improved, but device compactness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a housing and a removable cup, allowing the cup to be easily detached for cleaning while the housing remains compact. The segmentation provides cleaning access without requiring the entire device to be enlarged or redesigned.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup nests within the housing during operation, maintaining a compact overall device volume. When cleaning is required, the cup can be removed from its nested position, providing full cleaning access without permanently increasing the device's footprint.
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage maker for making a beverage on the basis of at least one fluid beverage ingredient comprises a duct system having at least one duct for conveying the fluid beverage ingredient, and at least two elements (1, 2) for defining the duct system, which are adapted to be fitted closely together. Recesses are arranged in a surface of at least one of these two elements (1, 2), and serve for defining the ducts of the duct system. The duct system is easy to clean, wherein a cleaning action simply involves taking the elements (1, 2) apart and cleaning their surfaces. Preferably, the duct system is adapted to convey steam besides the fluid beverage ingredient, wherein the steam serves for heating and pumping the fluid beverage ingredient. Furthermore, the duct system may also comprise at least one duct for supplying air to the fluid beverage ingredient, so that a frothed beverage may be obtained.