Sugar rod unit and device for the production of this type of sugar rod units

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing sugar stick units have an unreliable connection between the rod and the sugar body, leading to instability during transport and combustion, causing the sugar body to potentially fall or slip off the drinking vessel.

Innovation Solution

A sugar stick unit design featuring a rod with a central hole filled with granulated sugar, creating a stable connection between the rod and the sugar body, along with a cone-shaped sugar body that can be easily removed from a matrix, and a handle for improved handling and material efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the rod is connected to the sugar body using conventional methods, then the structure is simple, but the connection reliability is poor causing the sugar body to shift or detach during transport and combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rod is inserted through a longitudinal hole in the sugar body, creating a nested structure where the rod is contained within the sugar body's internal cavity. This nesting approach provides reliable connection without requiring external fasteners or complex attachment mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The rod is pre-positioned within the sugar body during the molding process, before the sugar body is removed from the mold. This preliminary action ensures the rod is securely embedded in the correct position, preventing shifting or detachment during subsequent transport and combustion operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the sugar body is molded with a complex shape for easy removal, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removal from moldVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sugar body is molded with a rounded, dome-like shape without sharp corners or undercuts. This curved geometry allows the sugar body to be easily ejected from the mold after curing, while simultaneously maintaining structural integrity and avoiding stress concentration points that would compromise strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Strength

If the rod is made solid without a hole, then the structural strength is improved, but the material usage and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod strengthVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rod has a longitudinal hole running through its center, creating a hollow structure that reduces material usage and weight. The hole is filled with adhesive substance to secure the rod to the sugar body. This local modification maintains sufficient structural strength for the application while significantly reducing material consumption compared to a solid rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enhanced connection prevents slipping and material waste, ensuring the sugar stick unit remains stable during alcohol combustion and transport, reducing the risk of the sugar body falling into the drink.

Implementation Method 1

A high-proof alcoholic beverage, particularly rum, is then poured over the sugar body and ignited. The sugar body melts due to the heat generated by the combustion of the alcohol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

The sugar body melts due to the heat generated by the combustion of the alcohol and drips into the drink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The hole is filled with granulated sugar, which is glued in the area of the hole so that the top and bottom are connected through the hole with adhesive sugar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3747278B1Sugar rod unit and device for the production of this type of sugar rod units
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 BERLIN HANDELS GMBH
  • EP3747278B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3747278B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a sugar rod unit (10) comprising a rod (12) and a sugar body (14; 34; 44) made of bonded crystalline sugar, wherein the rod (12) penetrates the sugar body (14; 34; 44) such that in a central region (16) of the rod (12) the sugar body (14; 34; 44) surrounds the rod (12), wherein the rod (12) has a hole (18) in the central region.