Steam wand treating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam wands in coffee machines face challenges in maintaining hygiene due to milk residues that stick and promote bacterial growth, as existing cleaning methods are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses streams of water and/or steam to clean, disinfect, and sterilize steam wands, featuring a gripping portion with a tube for treatment agent transfer, a ring portion with corrugated sheets and apertures to apply pressure, and optional simultaneous or sequential use of water and steam for effective residue removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used on steam wands, then the device remains simple to operate, but milk residues accumulate and promote bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
A treatment agent is introduced as an intermediary substance to clean the steam wand. The agent is delivered through a tube system and applied via apertures in the ring portion, acting as a mediator between the cleaning system and the steam wand surface to remove residues and prevent bacterial growth
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by delivering treatment agent through a tube controlled by a valve. The treatment agent is pumped through the system and delivered under pressure through apertures in the ring portion to effectively clean the steam wand surface
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple ring structure is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively apply pressure to remove residues
Solution Approach 1:
The ring portion incorporates corrugated sheets with apertures at specific locations to concentrate and direct pressure locally onto the steam wand surface. This localized pressure application through strategically positioned apertures enables effective residue removal while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The ring portion features apertures that act as porous structures to deliver treatment agent and pressure directly onto the steam wand. The corrugated sheet with apertures provides both structural integrity and localized pressure delivery capability
3Productivity
If multiple treatment agents are applied simultaneously, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring portion is divided into multiple segments or apertures that can deliver different treatment agents simultaneously. The first ring portion and second ring portion can present different treatment agents, allowing segmented delivery of multiple substances through the same structural framework
Solution Approach 2:
The ring portion structure serves multiple functions: it delivers treatment agents, applies pressure, and can accommodate multiple types of agents (steam, water, or other cleaning substances) through its apertures and corrugated sheet design
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
Effectively removes milk residues and prevents bacterial accumulation on steam wands, ensuring thorough cleaning and sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
a ring portion includes an inner ring and an outer ring defining a cavity containing a corrugated sheet; and, a plurality of apertures positioned on said inner ring configured to present said treatment agent onto said steam wand
Implementation Method 2
The present invention provides a device for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing a steam wand using streams of water and/or steam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a device for treating a steam wand comprising: a gripping portion having at least one tube configured to transfer a treatment agent; a ring portion in communication with the gripping portion configured to encircle the steam wand and receive the treatment agent, the ring portion includes an inner ring and an outer ring defining a cavity containing a corrugated sheet; and, a plurality of apertures positioned on the inner ring configured to present the treatment agent onto the steam wand.