Beverage Capsule Exit Opening Control for Uniform Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems using hermetically sealed capsules suffer from uneven beverage strength due to preferential fluid flow paths and unpredictable exit opening formation, leading to variations in beverage quality.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a displaceable body within the capsule to control the creation of predetermined exit openings, optimizing their timing, spatial distribution, and dimension, ensuring consistent beverage quality by preventing environmental factors from affecting the extractable product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hermetically sealed capsules are used to preserve product quality, then product protection from environmental factors is improved, but fluid flow control and exit opening formation become unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is pre-formed with a displaceable body inside the chamber before sealing. This preliminary action enables controlled exit opening formation when the displaceable body is moved during beverage preparation, while maintaining hermetic sealing for product protection throughout storage and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule transitions from a static hermetically sealed state during storage to a dynamic state during preparation. The displaceable body can be moved to control exit opening formation, allowing the system to adapt between preserving product quality and enabling precise fluid flow control.
2Productivity
If pressure is applied to create exit openings in sealed capsules, then beverage extraction is enabled, but preferential fluid flow paths and uneven beverage strength occur
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable body acts as an intermediary element inside the chamber. It mediates between the fluid pressure and the capsule wall to create controlled exit openings, ensuring uniform beverage strength by preventing preferential flow paths while maintaining efficient extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the timing, position, and dimensions of exit openings by changing the state of the displaceable body. This parameter control ensures consistent beverage strength and prevents preferential fluid flow paths during extraction.
3Manufacturing precision
If a displaceable body is added to control exit openings, then beverage consistency is improved, but capsule structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable body is designed to be moved by the natural fluid pressure generated during beverage preparation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or complex control systems, maintaining simple capsule structure while achieving precise exit opening control.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule with displaceable body is designed as a disposable single-use component. The simple, inexpensive structure allows integration of the displaceable body mechanism without increasing manufacturing cost or complexity, as the entire capsule is replaced after one use.
Data Source
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AI summary
System and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product. The system comprises at least one disposable capsule; an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, to the at least one disposable capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one disposable capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup. The at least one disposable capsule comprises a chamber for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product. The capsule further comprises a displaceable body conceived to interact with an entrance area and an exit area of the capsule for discontinuing the entrance area and the exit area thereby enabling the chamber to pass fluidum there through.