Switchable Port Unit for Food Processing Appliance Hygiene Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing appliances for preparing cooled edible products like ice cream and frozen yogurt have complex inlet and outlet configurations that complicate cleaning and increase the surface area exposed to ingredients and finished products, leading to potential contamination and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A port unit that is switchable between loading and dispensing states, functioning as both an ingredient inlet and a product outlet, with a displaceable plunger and linking conduit, minimizes the number of inlets and outlets, acting as a pressure release valve and reducing contact points, thus simplifying cleaning and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate inlets and outlets are provided for ingredients and finished product, then the appliance can perform multiple functions simultaneously, but the surface area exposed to ingredients increases and cleaning becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The port unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both an ingredient inlet and a finished product outlet by switching between two operational states. The plunger mechanism enables the same physical opening to alternately connect to the ingredient source or the dispensing outlet, eliminating the need for separate dedicated inlets and outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple flow paths (ingredient inlet and product outlet) into a single physical port structure. By merging these functions into one switchable opening, the total surface area exposed to ingredients is reduced while maintaining the capability to handle both ingredient introduction and finished product dispensing.
2Reliability
If multiple separate inlets and outlets are provided, then the appliance can operate with dedicated pathways, but the number of contact points increases leading to more contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The port unit serves as a universal interface for both ingredient introduction and finished product dispensing. By using a single port with switchable connectivity controlled by the plunger, the number of surfaces and passages that could harbor contaminants is minimized, reducing cross-contamination risks between different operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger mechanism extracts and isolates the switching function from separate physical pathways. Instead of having multiple permanent openings that could all be contaminated, the system uses one port with a movable plunger that actively closes off pathways when not in use, removing potential contamination sources.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate valves are provided for pressure release and flow control, then the appliance can precisely control different flow paths, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger mechanism serves multiple control functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow control valve, a pressure release valve, and a pathway selector all in one component. When the plunger is in different positions, it automatically performs the appropriate function without requiring separate control mechanisms for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple valve functions (flow control, pressure release, pathway selection) into a single plunger-based control system. The linking conduit integrated within the plunger provides pressure release capability while the plunger's movement itself controls flow paths, eliminating the need for multiple separate valves and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a port for a food processing appliance, in particular an appliance for the processing of ingredients and preparing a cooled edible product therefrom, e.g. ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, soft-serve ice cream, slushes, shakes, blended frozen coffee drinks, etc., particularly such an appliance intended for home use, offices, or for small businesses.