Apparatus and method for homogenizing a food product
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an apparatus that can efficiently mix non-homogenized food products without opening the container and maintain homogenization in a cool environment to prevent separation, as existing methods are time-consuming and messy.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus with a housing and rotatable rollers powered by a motor and battery, allowing for container rotation within the apparatus to mix food products, which can be used in a refrigerator without an external power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If food products are mixed by opening the container and using external mixing tools, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but contamination risk and mess increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can mix food products, store the food product in the container, and operate within a refrigerator. The apparatus integrates the mixing mechanism with the container structure, allowing the same device to both contain and process the food product without requiring external tools that would cause contamination.
2Volume of moving object
If mixing apparatus is designed to be compact and portable, then ease of storage and portability are improved, but power source requirements become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus is nested within the food product container, with the mixing mechanism fitting inside or on the container. The power source (battery) is integrated into the apparatus housing, creating a compact nested structure where the motor is housed within the apparatus, and the entire assembly fits within or on the food container, minimizing overall volume while maintaining functionality.
3Ease of operation
If food products are stored at room temperature for easy access, then convenience is improved, but separation and de-homogenization occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus is designed to be placed in the refrigerator with the food product before storage. The apparatus can be activated later to mix the food product while it remains in the cool environment, preventing separation. The preliminary placement of the mixing mechanism in the refrigerator allows for maintenance of homogeneity without requiring the food to be removed from the cool storage environment.
4Ease of operation
If mixing apparatus operates without external power source, then portability and ease of use are improved, but device complexity increases due to integrated power source
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus is designed to be self-contained with an integrated battery power source, allowing it to operate independently without external power connections. The apparatus can be activated by simple user input (such as pressing a button or removing a cap), and the battery provides autonomous power for the mixing operation, making the device portable and easy to use in various locations including refrigerators.
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 apparatus effectively mixes non-homogenized food products within their containers, minimizing size and requiring no external power, ensuring homogenization and preventing separation by operating within a cool environment.
Implementation Method 1
a motor positioned in the cavity and enclosed within the housing, the motor operatively coupled to a first roller of the pair of rollers and configured to drive the first roller to rotate
Implementation Method 2
The motor is operatively coupleable to a power source to drive the first roller of the pair of rollers
Implementation Method 3
the container is rotated by the first roller to mix the non-homogenized food product
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing apparatus includes a housing that includes a first end wall, a second end wall, and a top wall that at least partially define a cavity of the housing. The apparatus also includes a pair of rollers extending from the first end wall to the second end wall and coupled to the housing such that each roller is rotatable relative to the housing. The apparatus also includes a motor positioned in the cavity and enclosed within the housing, the motor operatively coupled to a first roller of the pair of rollers and configured to drive the first roller to rotate for rotating the container. The motor is operatively coupleable to a power source to drive the first roller of the pair of rollers.