Beverage Capsule Openings for Consistent Brew Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems using hermetically sealed capsules often result in undesired variations in beverage strength due to preferential fluid flow paths and unpredictable exit opening formation, leading to inconsistent beverage quality.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a capsule with movable portions that control the opening of entrance and exit openings, allowing for predetermined and controlled fluid flow, independent of internal pressure, ensuring consistent beverage strength and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If exit openings are formed by fluid pressure in hermetically sealed capsules, then the capsule structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the number, position and size of exit openings are formed by chance leading to variations in beverage strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the capsule with predetermined exit opening portions before the brewing process. The capsule is manufactured with sealed exit openings that are later opened by fluid pressure during brewing, rather than forming openings during manufacturing. This allows consistent opening behavior during use while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the exit openings change from closed to open state during the brewing process. The exit opening portions are initially sealed and then opened by fluid pressure, allowing the capsule structure to adapt dynamically to the brewing conditions. This ensures consistent beverage strength while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If hermetically sealed capsules are used to maintain product integrity, then the extractable product is protected until use, but preferential fluid flow paths develop leading to undesired variations in beverage strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific localized exit opening portions at predetermined positions within the capsule. Instead of relying on random tear patterns, the capsule is designed with specific exit opening areas that control fluid flow paths. This ensures consistent beverage strength while maintaining hermetic sealing for product integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-defining the exit opening locations and characteristics during capsule manufacturing. The exit opening portions are prepared in advance with specific geometries that guide fluid flow, preventing preferential paths while maintaining sealed integrity until brewing.
3Device complexity
If the capsule is opened by piercing with knives or lid piercing means, then the opening mechanism is simple, but the exit openings are formed by chance leading to unpredictable beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the capsule structure with predetermined exit opening portions before use. The capsule is manufactured with specific exit opening areas that will open in predictable locations when exposed to fluid pressure, eliminating the randomness of chance-formed openings while keeping the opening mechanism simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule structure serves itself by using the brewing fluid pressure to open the predetermined exit opening portions without requiring external piercing mechanisms. The capsule's own structure guides the opening process, ensuring predictable exit opening formation while maintaining simplicity.
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
This approach ensures consistent beverage strength and quality by predetermining the number, position, and size of openings, reducing variations and maintaining the extractable product's integrity until use, thereby enhancing the brewing process.
Implementation Method 1
supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule
Implementation Method 2
supplying the fluid to the extractable product for preparing the beverage
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
Capsule comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom, a lid, and an entrance opening portion and an exit opening portion for letting fluid in the capsule and draining prepared beverage from the capsule, respectively, of which at least one opening portion is closed to prevent fluid from passing. The circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid of the capsule enclose an inner space that comprises an extractable product, and the capsule further comprises at least one moveable portion of the capsule that extends at a distance from a respective opening portion, and that is arranged to open the respective opening portion by being moved with respect to the respective opening portion.