Spinning-Head Mixing Container for In-Container Product Blending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for dispensing mixed products, such as beverages, require complex mechanisms to mix ingredients within the machine, increasing costs and complexity, whereas there is a need for a simpler configuration that allows mixing to occur directly in the consumer's container, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the dispensing process.

Innovation Solution

A machine with independent spinning heads and a mixing element comprising a container and cover with hollow elongations that interfere with the spin of ingredients, allowing mixing to occur within the container, coupled with a processor for controlling the mixing process, enabling efficient mixing of powders and liquids at different temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mixing mechanisms are integrated into the machine to mix ingredients before dispensing, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing function is extracted from the machine and transferred to the consumer's container. The container is designed with mixing features (protrusions, recesses, or asymmetric geometry) that enable effective mixing when the user manually agitates the container, eliminating the need for complex integrated mixing mechanisms in the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed to perform the mixing function itself through its geometric features. The container's structure (with protrusions, recesses, or asymmetric shapes) enables it to mix ingredients effectively when agitated by the user, making the container self-sufficient for mixing without requiring additional machine components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If complex mixing mechanisms are integrated into the machine, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing function is extracted from the machine and transferred to the consumer's container. The container is designed with mixing features (protrusions, recesses, or asymmetric geometry) that enable effective mixing when the user manually agitates the container, eliminating the need for complex integrated mixing mechanisms in the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing function is transferred to a disposable or single-use container that is inexpensive to manufacture. The container incorporates simple geometric features (protrusions, recesses, or asymmetric shapes) that provide effective mixing at minimal cost, eliminating the need for expensive, complex mixing mechanisms in the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the machine performs mixing inside the machine before dispensing, then product homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct homogeneityVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing function is extracted from the machine and transferred to the consumer's container. The container is designed with mixing features (protrusions, recesses, or asymmetric geometry) that enable effective mixing when the user manually agitates the container, eliminating the need for complex integrated mixing mechanisms in the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing process transitions from a static, machine-controlled mechanism to a dynamic, user-driven process. The container's geometric features (protrusions, recesses, or asymmetric shapes) create effective mixing through the user's manual agitation movements, allowing flexibility and adaptability in the mixing action.

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 machine simplifies the mixing process by allowing ingredients to be mixed directly in the consumer's container, reducing manufacturing costs and improving the efficiency of product mixing, while being adaptable for various sectors beyond food, including cosmetics and dental applications.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid and powdery portions are mixed by spinning them in a coordinated manner on at least one spinning head of the machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the liquid and powdery portions are mixed by spinning them in a coordinated manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

mixing element with specific features, such as hollow elongations that interfere with the spin of ingredients

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3586690B1Machine for processing composite products consisting of mixtures, mixing element and mixing assembly
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 IT FOOD
  • EP3586690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3586690B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3586690B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention, which is entitled mixture-based composite product processing machine, mixing element, and mixing assembly, relates to a mixed product dispensing machine of the type that dispenses a mixture of liquid or powder components or ingredients into a mixing element onto which a leak-tight cover is subsequently placed and inside which, as a result of its particular configuration, the liquid and/or powder portions are mixed by spinning them in a coordinated manner on at least one spinning head of the machine to which said container is coupled.