Abstract:
A method and device for mixing beverages and dissolving solids comprising a casing with at least one opening for positioning a beverage container, a signal generator housed within said casing, for generating electrical signals, at least one transducer housed within said casing and coupled with said signal generator, for producing mechanical vibrations from a signal generated by said signal generator, wherein said mechanical vibrations vibrate a beverage container positioned on said casing causing acoustic vibrations within the beverage inside the beverage container, said acoustic vibrations causing beverages and solids within the beverage container to mix.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of the present invention is the use of acoustic energy to mix beverages and to dissolve solids in beverages. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Beverages, such as hot coffee and tea, commonly have additives such as sweeteners or creamers added. Such additives are then stirred with a stirring device such as a disposable stir stick to mix the additive with the beverage. Typically, the stir stick is disposed of after a single use. Thus, the act of mixing generates waste which is not typically recycled. An important disadvantage of the disposable stir stick is that because it is typically made of plastic, its disposal has an undesirable impact on the environment since it is not readily biodegradable. Another disadvantage of disposable stir sticks is that they present a recurring cost to the merchant that must procure them. 
         [0003]    A common alternative to the use of disposable stir sticks is the use of a re-usable utensil such as a metal spoon which then must be washed between uses. The use of a washable spoon requires additional expenses of labor and energy. 
         [0004]    Thus there is a need for an improved device that enables beverages to be mixed without the use of disposable stir sticks and without the added expense of washing reusable utensils. 
         [0005]    Other devices, commonly found in laboratory environments, exist for mixing liquids and dissolving solids. Generally, an element of such a device, such as a probe, comes into contact with the specimen which is being mixed or dissolved. One such device utilizes a rotary motor, external to the specimen, which couples its motion magnetically to a ferrous puck which is submerged in the specimen. 
         [0006]    Thus there is a need for an improved method that enables beverages to be mixed in an entirely sanitary manner that does not entail contact with the beverage. 
         [0007]    The present invention makes use of an acoustic transducer, also referred to as a sonic transducer, or simply transducer, which converts electrical pulses to mechanical vibrations. Mechanical vibrations are referred to as acoustic vibrations, waves, or acoustic waves as they travel through gases, solids and liquids. The active element of most acoustic transducers used today is a piezoelectric crystal (also referred to as a piezoelectric ceramic, piezoelectric ceramic wafer or piezoelectric wafer). A piezoelectric crystal deforms in shape when an electrical signal is applied to it thus generating a mechanical vibration. While a transducer generically refers to a device that converts one form of energy to another, the term actuator is often used to refer to a component that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. Further, a piezo actuator is a type of actuator that uses a piezoelectric crystal. 
         [0008]    Actuation modes are specific mechanical vibration patterns that may be emitted from the transducer. Actuation modes may be relatively simple in the case of a positive and negative displacement along a single axis of a transducer. The displacement is typically a result of the transducer expanding and contracting evenly across its surface. More complex actuation modes may include positive and negative displacement along multiple axes of a transducer. When the displacement occurs on multiple axes the vibration mode may be represented as an oscillation between a concave and convex transducer surface. 
         [0009]    Acoustic transducers oscillate in a fixed, constant-frequency contraction-extension vibration mode. The typical actuation mode of oscillation can be described when a given dimension of the transducer is periodically changing length. These shape changes tend to follow a simple sinusoidal function. Conventional acoustic transducers require an oscillating electrical signal as input. This oscillating input produces an oscillating mechanical contraction/extension of proportional amplitude. The frequency of the electrical input signal is sometimes relatively constant and sometimes sweeps a narrow frequency band, or range, around a central operating frequency. 
         [0010]    Acoustic energy transmitted through liquids as acoustic vibrations is commonly used in industrial cleaning systems. Industrial sonic cleaning systems work by producing sound waves in liquids, typically in the ultrasonic range of approximately 20 kHz to 270 kHz. The waves consist of both high- and low-pressure fronts. The low-pressure fronts have a low enough localized pressure to cause bubbles to form. The high-pressure fronts cause the bubbles to collapse or to deform. The expanding and collapsing/deforming of bubbles, referred to as “cavitation,” dislodges particles in the cleaning process. Cavitation is also known to emulsify dissolvable solids. 
         [0011]    Thus, two effects are at play when acoustic energy is transmitted into a beverage: (1) compression and rarefaction waves, and (2) in some cases, cavitation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Aspects of the present invention relate to an acoustic beverage mixing device, henceforth referred to as “acoustic beverage mixer”, for mixing beverages using acoustic energy. More specifically, the acoustic beverage mixer generates and transmits acoustic energy through a beverage container into the liquid within causing the beverage to mix. No part of the acoustic beverage mixer comes into contact with the beverage. The acoustic energy causes the beverage, such as coffee or tea, to mix with other added fluids such as creamer, and causes added solids such as sweeteners to dissolve. 
         [0013]    The acoustic beverage mixer works with beverage containers made from a variety materials including paper, ceramic, plastic and metal. 
         [0014]    The acoustic beverage mixer provides a physical guide that enables a user to position a beverage container within the acoustic beverage mixer. In one embodiment, the acoustic beverage mixer transmits acoustic energy through the bottom of the beverage container and into the beverage. The transducer may contact the bottom of the beverage container but it does not contact the beverage itself. 
         [0015]    The device may also include the following additional capabilities including inter alia a mechanical start and stop function, an automatic start and stop function based upon sensing the presence of a beverage container, a timer to automatically turn off the device after a preset time period, and an indicator light that illuminates when the device is operating. 
         [0016]    In a second embodiment, acoustic energy is transmitted into the beverage through the side of the beverage container. In this case, the transducer may contact the side of the beverage container but it does not contact the beverage itself. 
         [0017]    A third embodiment of this invention, a multiple station acoustic beverage mixer, combines multiple beverage mixing stations into a single device. In this embodiment, a single source of power is shared by all stations while each of the mixing stations includes a separate source of acoustic energy and each mixes a single beverage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of an acoustic beverage mixing device that mixes beverages and dissolves solids, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a simplified block diagram of the electronic components of an acoustic beverage mixing device that mixes beverages and dissolves solids, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a simplified mechanical drawing that illustrates a cross section of an acoustic beverage mixing device in which acoustic energy is transmitted through the bottom of the beverage container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a simplified mechanical diagram of an acoustic beverage mixing device in which acoustic energy is transmitted through the side of the beverage container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A-B  are simplified mechanical drawings that show the construction of an acoustic beverage mixing device capable of mixing multiple beverages simultaneously, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the invention may be embodied as methods, processes, systems, business methods, or devices. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0025]    Aspects of the present invention concern a device and methods for mixing beverages such as coffee and tea with additives such as milk and sugar. 
         [0026]    As used herein the following terms have the meaning given below: 
         [0027]    Mixing—means to mix two beverages together, for example coffee and cream or to mix a solid, such as sugar, into a liquid such as tea. Mixing may refer to increasing the rate at which two liquids are mixed or increasing the rate at which a solid is dissolved and uniformly mixed with a liquid. Mixing may further mean mixing a plurality of liquids and/or solids together. 
         [0028]    Beverage—means a liquid that is drunk by a user. 
         [0029]    Beverage container—means a cup, can, mug or other container that contains a beverage. No limitation is placed on the type of beverage container. 
         [0030]    Beverage mixing station—means a location on the acoustic beverage mixer where a user places a beverage container. For example, in one embodiment an acoustic beverage mixer provides a single beverage mixing station and thus can mix a single beverage at a time. In another embodiment, an acoustic beverage mixer provides multiple beverage mixing stations and thus can mix multiple beverages simulataneously. 
         [0031]    User—means a person that uses an acoustic beverage mixer to mix his beverage. 
         [0032]    Now reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified block diagram of an acoustic beverage mixer that mixes beverages and dissolves solids, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An acoustic beverage mixer  100  is an electronic device that has a casing  110 , and includes one or more feet  120  and a power cord  130 . 
         [0033]    The electronic components attached on the inside of casing  110  are described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment casing  110  is formed of molded plastic. In general, casing  110  is water resistant and has an outer surface that can be easily wiped clean. Casing  110  rests on top of one or more feet. The feet are typically made of hard rubber or another material that absorbs shock and will not break if acoustic beverage mixer  100  falls onto the floor. Power cord  130  connects acoustic beverage mixer  100  to a source of electrical energy. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, acoustic beverage mixer  100  includes an opening  140  into which a user positions a beverage container  150 . The opening serves as a physical guide that enables correct positioning of the beverage container. Optimal results are obtained when a user centers the beverage container inside opening  140 . Acoustic beverage mixer  100  generates acoustic energy and directs such acoustic energy through the bottom of beverage container  150  into beverage  160 . 
         [0035]    Now reference is made to  FIG. 2  which is a simplified block diagram of the electronic components of an acoustic beverage mixer that mixes beverages and dissolves solids, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , acoustic beverage mixer  100  includes as primary components a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)  210  that includes a power subsystem  230  and a signal generator  220 , and a transducer  240 . PCBA  210  and transducer  240  are held in place by a casing  110 . 
         [0036]    Power subsystem  230  prepares the electric input for use by signal generator  220 . Signal generator  220  produces an oscillating electrical signal of sufficient amplitude and frequency to drive transducer  240 . Transducer  240  transforms the electrical signal supplied by signal generator  220  into acoustic vibrations. In one embodiment, transducer  240  is composed of a piezoelectric wafer that generates a mechanical vibration. In one embodiment, the frequency of the vibration is in the ultrasonic range which is generally understood to mean over 20,000 Herz. Casing  110  provides a mechanical coupling between PCBA  210 , transducer  240  and casing  110  such that transducer  240  is held at the top of the assembly. Casing  110  and the physical attachment of PCBA and transducer  240  to casing  110  are described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 3   
         [0037]    Acoustic beverage mixer  100  may be placed in an operable or non-operable state. In one embodiment acoustic beverage mixer  100  can be turned on, i.e. placed in an operable state, using a mechanical on/off switch. In another embodiment, a sensor automatically detects when a beverage container is placed in acoustic beverage mixer  100  and automatically places acoustic beverage mixer  100  into an operable state. When acoustic beverage mixer  100  is in an operable state and a beverage container is positioned correctly inside opening  140  the mechanical vibration provided by transducer  240  is transmitted through beverage container  150  bottom into beverage  160 . The action of the acoustic energy that enters beverage  160  induces compressive and rarefaction waves that propagate through the liquid that cause mixing of liquids and solids within beverage container  150 . In one embodiment, these compressive and rarefaction waves are of sufficient energy to cause cavitations, i.e. the rarefaction causes the local pressure in the fluid to be reduced to a value less than its vapor pressure. 
         [0038]    Transducer  240  may exhibit specific actuation modes that vary in direction and amplitude and may vibrate in one axis only or in multiple axes. These acoustic vibrations may be emitted by the transducer in the x, y, z directions or in a combination of all directions so as to optimize the effect on the beverage to enable mixing and dissolving of added solids such as sweeteners. In one embodiment transducer  240  expands/contracts along a single axis. For example, a flat piezoelectric disc that only changes thickness will produce such an effect. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, acoustic beverage mixer  100  also includes a timer to automatically turn off the device after a preset time period. In another embodiment, acoustic beverage mixer  100  also includes an indicator light that illuminates when the device is operating. 
         [0040]    Now reference is made to  FIG. 3  which is a simplified mechanical drawing that illustrates a cross section of an acoustic beverage mixing device in which acoustic energy is transmitted through the bottom of the beverage container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred embodiment of acoustic beverage mixer  100  in which transducer  240  transmits acoustic energy into beverage container  150  from the bottom. A casing  110  is used to fix in place the active electronic components including PCBA  210  and transducer  240  and to provide a platform on which to place beverage container  150 . Casing  110  rests on top of four feet  120 . Typically casing  110  is constructed using molded plastic; however other materials may also be used including inter alia metal alloy and hard rubber. Casing  110  includes four molded bosses  310 . Each molded boss  310  is a molded feature of casing  110  that enables a screw  325  to attach PCBA  210 , a bottom cover plate  320  and a foot  330  to casing  110 . Typically, molded boss  310  is a section of casing  110  thick enough to accommodate a tapped screw hole. A bottom cover plate  320  fits over the bottom of casing  110 . A power cord  315  connects an external source of electrical energy to power subsystem  230 . 
         [0041]    Transducer  240  is fixed, typically using an adhesive  335  on the underside of a top plate  340 . In one embodiment, top plate  340  is attached to casing  110  via an elastomeric gasket which serves to attenuate the acoustic vibration into casing  110 . In operation, the user places his/her beverage container on top of top plate  340 . 
       Second Embodiment—Side-Mounted Transducer 
       [0042]    Now reference is made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified mechanical diagram of an acoustic beverage mixing device in which acoustic energy is transmitted through the side of the beverage container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An acoustic beverage mixer  400  is similar to acoustic beverage mixer  100  with the exception that transducer  240  is mounted within a side assembly  410 . Side assembly  410  provides for the attachment of transducer  240  to a side plate  420 . Side plate  420  generates acoustic energy and directs such acoustic energy through the side of beverage container  430  into beverage  440 . 
       Third Embodiment—Multiple Station Acoustic Beverage Mixer 
       [0043]    Now reference is made to  FIGS. 5A-B , which are simplified mechanical drawings that show the construction of an acoustic beverage mixer capable of mixing multiple beverages simultaneously, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5A  presents a top view of a multiple station acoustic beverage mixer  500  that includes three beverage mixing stations. As depicted in  FIG. 5A , the three stations are part of a single, integrated unit that shares a common power subsystem. Each station includes its own signal generator and transducer.  FIG. 5B  presents a side view of multiple station acoustic beverage mixer  500 . It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that a multiple station acoustic beverage mixer such as that depicted in  FIGS. 5A-B  may include an arbitrary number of mixing stations. 
         [0044]    In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art will realize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied to the methods and systems described.