Terminal Orifice Processor for Beverage Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing devices for mixing a concentrate with a diluent often fail to ensure complete mixing and aeration at the terminal orifice, and operate at slower pumping speeds, necessitating improvements for enhanced performance and compatibility with existing beverage vending machines.
Innovation Solution
A terminal orifice processor with a housing and processing channel that alters the direction of liquids emanating from a discharging aperture, incorporating a tortuous path and obstruction to enhance mixing and aeration, and is designed for retrofitting into existing systems while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pump and mixing device is used to mix concentrate with diluent, then the liquids can be dispensed, but complete mixing and aeration at the terminal orifice is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: the pump and mixing device for initial mixing, and the terminal orifice processor for final mixing and aeration. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, achieving complete mixing without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal orifice processor introduces a new spatial dimension for processing by creating a tortuous flow path with multiple direction changes. This dimensional approach to flow manipulation enables enhanced mixing and aeration that cannot be achieved through simple linear mixing chambers.
2Productivity
If the pump and mixing device operates at higher speed, then pumping speed increases, but mixing and aeration becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
Preliminary mixing is performed in the pump and mixing device before the liquids reach the terminal orifice processor. This preliminary action ensures that the bulk mixing is completed early, allowing the high-speed pumping to proceed without compromising overall mixing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal orifice processor acts as an intermediary element between the pump and the dispensing point. It provides a controlled environment for final mixing and aeration, mediating between the high-speed flow and the requirement for complete mixing by creating turbulence through its tortuous path design.
3Manufacturing precision
If a terminal orifice processor with tortuous path is added, then mixing and aeration improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal orifice processor combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides tortuous flow path for mixing, creates turbulence for aeration, and serves as the terminal dispensing point. This merging of functions achieves enhanced mixing and aeration without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing channel serves multiple purposes: it mixes the liquids through its tortuous path, aerates them through created turbulence, and directs the final flow to the dispensing orifice. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
4Manufacturing precision
If existing beverage vending machines are upgraded with improved mixing, then mixing quality improves, but retrofitting cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal orifice processor is designed as a separate, modular segment that can be added to existing pump and mixing devices. This segmentation allows retrofitting without replacing the entire dispensing system, reducing upgrade costs while still achieving improved mixing and aeration.
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 processor ensures complete mixing and aeration of liquids, increases pumping speed, and can be easily integrated into existing beverage vending machines at a lower cost, improving the overall dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
A terminal orifice processor with a housing and processing channel that alters the direction of liquids emanating from a discharging aperture, incorporating a tortuous path and obstruction to enhance mixing and aeration
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal orifice processor is disclosed for processing a first and a second liquid emanating from a discharging aperture. The terminal orifice processor comprises a housing having a housing input and a housing output. A connector locates the housing input of the housing below the discharging aperture. A processing channel is interposed between the housing input and the housing output for altering the direction of the first and a second liquid emanating from a discharging aperture for processing the first and second liquids prior to exiting from the housing output. The terminal orifice processor is suitable for mixing and aerating a concentrate and a diluent from a beverage-dispensing machine.