Beverage Capsule Exit Filtration for Controlled Soluble Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems using hermetically sealed capsules result in uncontrolled extraction of soluble ingredients, leading to inferior beverage quality due to incomplete dissolution and the risk of non-dissolved particles entering the prepared beverage, causing contamination and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an exit filter with high tear strength and low flow resistance to prevent the capsule lid from tearing, combined with an entrance filter to ensure uniform fluid distribution, and optionally using compacted tablets or disturbing elements to enhance dissolution, thereby controlling the extraction process and maintaining hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the exit area is pressed against the lid piercing means to create exit openings, then beverage can drain from the capsule, but the lid tears in an uncontrolled manner resulting in inferior beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the lid with a predetermined tear line and notch structure before the brewing process. The notch is created at a specific location and orientation to guide the tearing process, ensuring that when pressure builds and the lid tears, it does so in a controlled manner along the predetermined path rather than randomly, thus achieving both drainage and control
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is segmented into different functional zones: a sealed portion that maintains hermetic seal during storage, a notch area that initiates controlled tearing, and a tear line that guides the separation. This segmentation allows the lid to transition from a sealed state to a controlled drainage state, preventing uncontrolled tearing while ensuring proper beverage extraction
2Productivity
If pressure builds inside the capsule to force beverage out, then extraction occurs, but non-dissolved beverage ingredient leaves the capsule contaminating the prepared beverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism at the exit area of the capsule. This filter is positioned between the beverage ingredient and the exit opening, allowing dissolved beverage components to pass through while retaining non-dissolved particles. The filter acts as a mediator that separates the useful extracted beverage from harmful contaminants, ensuring only dissolved ingredients enter the prepared beverage
3Strength
If the lid is made more resistant to tearing to maintain integrity, then capsule seal is maintained, but beverage cannot drain effectively from the capsule
Solution Approach 1:
The lid exhibits local quality variations with different mechanical properties in different regions. The main body of the lid maintains high strength and integrity to preserve the hermetic seal during storage and handling. However, specific localized areas contain predetermined tear lines with reduced strength characteristics, including notches and scored lines, that facilitate controlled tearing when pressure is applied during brewing. This local differentiation allows the lid to simultaneously maintain overall integrity while enabling controlled drainage
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 solution ensures a more controlled and complete dissolution of soluble ingredients, improving beverage quality, reducing contamination risks, and maintaining the integrity of the capsule during use, resulting in a cleaner and more efficient preparation process.
Implementation Method 1
Providing the fluid under pressure to the inner space causes the pressure in the inner space of the capsule to rise
Implementation Method 2
the exit filter may prevent fouling of the system by preventing egress of soluble substance from the capsule in non-dissolved form
Implementation Method 3
supplying the fluid under pressure to the inner space through the entrance opening
Implementation Method 4
the soluble beverage ingredient might not be dissolved completely when the prepared beverage leaves the capsule
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Exchangeable capsule (2) for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, comprising a circumferential wall (6), a bottom (7), closing the circumferential wall at a first end (8), and a lid (9) closing the circumferential wall (6) at a second end (10) opposite the bottom, wherein the wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space (11) comprising beverage ingredient for preparing the beverage, wherein the bottom comprises an entrance area (15) for supplying fluid to the ingredient, wherein the lid comprises an exit area for draining beverage from the capsule, wherein the beverage ingredient comprises at least a soluble substance, and wherein the exit area comprises an exit filter (23) that is adapted to substantially prevent non-dissolved soluble substance from leaving the capsule. The invention further relates to a system (1) for preparing a beverage comprising such a capsule and a method for preparing a beverage.