Tilting Mixture Receptacle for Separate Mixing and Serving Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for preparing food products like smoothies and milkshakes are limited by the material and dimensions of the cup, which must be both functional for mixing and aesthetically appealing, restricting design freedom and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A device with a mixture receptacle and a drive mechanism that tilts the receptacle from an upright position into a pouring position, allowing separate mixing and consumption receptacles with tailored properties, and a simple drive mechanism using a rotary shaft and guide tracks for efficient movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cup is designed for efficient mixing of solid ingredients, then mixing performance is improved, but aesthetic appeal and user-friendliness for consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate receptacles: a mixture receptacle (blender jar) optimized for mixing with a wide base and narrow top, and a refreshment receptacle (drinking glass) optimized for consumption with ergonomic handling. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized for its specific function without compromise.
2Productivity
If the cup material and dimensions are optimized for mixing efficiency, then mixing performance is improved, but design freedom for aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mixture receptacle and refreshment receptacle are separate components that can be independently designed, manufactured, and selected. This allows the mixture receptacle to have dimensions and material properties optimized for mixing (wide base, durable material), while the refreshment receptacle can have completely different properties optimized for aesthetics and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device accommodates multiple types of receptacles for both mixing and consumption. The system can handle different sizes, materials, and designs of blend jars and drinking glasses, providing versatility in design choices while maintaining functional optimization for each specific receptacle type.
3Device complexity
If a single receptacle is used for both mixing and serving, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixture receptacle and refreshment receptacle are completely separate, allowing the mixture receptacle to be easily removed and cleaned independently after each use. The refreshment receptacle remains clean throughout the mixing process and only needs cleaning when transitioning to a new beverage preparation, significantly reducing overall cleaning effort.
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
Enables efficient mixing and easy cleaning while providing an aesthetically appealing consumption receptacle, with greater design freedom and reduced operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the drive device is configured to tilt the mixture receptacle automatically from an upright position into a first pouring position after the ingredients have been mixed, in order to allow the mixed ingredients to drop from the mixture receptacle into the refreshment receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for the automatic preparation of a food product, comprising a mixture receptacle (5), in which solid ingredients are mixed, and a drive device (1-6, 16-19) to automatically tilt the mixture receptacle (5) in order to pour out the mixed ingredients into a refreshment receptacle (8) and to make them available to a user therein. The invention also relates to a method of offering a refreshment to a consumer which has been prepared in situ at a sales point and which comprises mixed solid ingredients, wherein the consumer himself introduces ingredients in solid form into a device according to the present invention, and allows the refreshment to be automatically prepared in the device.