Beverage Capsule Peeling and Mixing for Clean Cold Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems face challenges such as slow flow rates, contamination, and residue issues, especially when dispensing cold drinks, which affect the quality and hygiene of the beverage and the machine itself.
Innovation Solution
A single-serve capsule-based system that uses a peeling mechanism to open capsules, allowing for efficient mixing of powder or liquid with filtered water, either cold or hot, within the capsule, and a finishing stream to ensure complete mixing in the serving container, while being recyclable and reducing cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is provided in a sealed receptacle with a support member that blocks output, then filtration is improved, but flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter support structure is divided into multiple segments or struts that are spaced apart, creating multiple flow paths through the filter medium. This segmentation allows beverage to flow through multiple channels simultaneously, increasing overall flow rate while maintaining filtration quality through each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with varying local properties - solid struts for structural support and filtration areas with optimized porosity or permeability for flow. The local quality of the support member is enhanced in specific regions to balance mechanical support with flow facilitation, preventing complete blockage while maintaining filtration.
2Device complexity
If a pouch-style single use dispensing system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but mixing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is subjected to mechanical vibration during the dispensing process, which enhances the mixing of powder or liquid contents with the beverage. The vibration causes the contents to agitate and mix more effectively, improving dissolution and homogeneity without requiring complex mixing mechanisms, thus maintaining system simplicity while enhancing mixing effectiveness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If cold fluid is used for mixing, then energy consumption is reduced, but powder dissolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical vibration is applied to the capsule during cold beverage preparation, providing mechanical energy that compensates for the lower thermal energy available. The vibration enhances powder dissolution and mixing effectiveness by creating agitation and increasing contact between particles and liquid, achieving good dissolution without the need for heating, thus maintaining low energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressurized fluid flow is used to enhance mixing and dissolution in the cold beverage system. The high-velocity fluid stream creates turbulence and shear forces that promote rapid powder dissolution and mixing, compensating for the lack of thermal energy and achieving effective dissolution without heating.
4Device complexity
If a puncture mechanism is used to dispense beverage, then device complexity is reduced, but residue and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The puncture mechanism is replaced with a peeling mechanism that uses controlled mechanical separation instead of forceful puncturing. The peeling action cleanly separates the capsule seal without creating debris or contaminating the beverage, eliminating the harmful effects of puncture while maintaining relative simplicity of the dispensing mechanism.
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 system provides convenient, cost-effective, and hygienic on-demand beverage production with reduced residue and contamination, offering unlimited filtered water and various beverage options, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting better hydration with improved mixing characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
Forces may be applied to the capsule to open the capsule at the creases to access the beverage
Implementation Method 2
the drink is mixed with a mixing stream of liquid, which in many embodiments will be water
Implementation Method 3
A finishing stream is used to direct the mixing stream into the container that is filled with the mixed beverage
Implementation Method 4
The invention is a single-serve beverage system that can produce unlimited chilled filtered water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2~2A
AI summary
The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.