Mixing apparatus for example creating frothed milk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk frothing units in automatic espresso machines lack user control over frothing performance and mixing characteristics, requiring multiple parts for different frothing preferences or types of milk froth.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus with inner and outer containers that can be oriented in multiple ways to define different passageways, including mixing chambers and riser passages, allowing for various mixing characteristics by adjusting flow rates and dimensions, enabling selection of frothing characteristics like temperature and foam percentage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed passageway design is used in the milk frothing unit, then the device structure is simple, but the user cannot control or customize frothing performance for different preferences or drink types
Solution Approach 1:
The inner container is made rotatable relative to the outer container, allowing the passageway configuration to dynamically change based on orientation. This enables multiple frothing modes (e.g., different milk-to-steam ratios, froth densities) without requiring multiple separate components, thus improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A single milk frothing unit with a rotatable inner container serves multiple functions by providing different passageway configurations for various frothing needs. The same physical structure can deliver different mixing characteristics depending on its rotational orientation, making one device universally applicable for different drink types and user preferences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate milk frothing parts are provided for different frothing preferences, then user customization is enabled, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple passageway configurations that would traditionally require separate physical parts are merged into a single rotatable inner container. By combining different orientation-dependent passageway designs within one component, the invention achieves multiple frothing modes without increasing the number of separate parts, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling customization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the passageway design is optimized for one type of milk froth, then the mixing characteristics are precise for that specific use, but the device cannot accommodate different user preferences or drink types
Solution Approach 1:
The inner container is designed with asymmetric passageway features at different orientations, such that each rotational position presents a uniquely optimized flow path configuration. This asymmetric design allows each orientation to be precisely tuned for specific frothing characteristics while the entire system remains manufacturable as a single integrated component.
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
Enables users to customize milk frothing performance without needing multiple parts, providing flexible mixing options for different beverages by defining multiple sets of passageways based on container orientation, enhancing user experience and appliance versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid rises up a riser passage to a mixer chamber
Implementation Method 2
The liquid rises up a riser passage to a mixer chamber
Implementation Method 3
a first mixing chamber for mixing at least the first fluid and the second fluid
Implementation Method 4
The steam is used for heating
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing apparatus includes an inner container and an outer container which define mixing fluid passageways between them. The inner container is received in the outer container with at least two different orientations. Each orientation forms a different set of passageways each including a mixing chamber and a riser passage, where the passageways lead from the inner container to the mixing chamber. The different orientations create different designs of the passageways, to give different mixing functionality.