Beverage Capsule Filter Layout for Even Powder Permeation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules face issues with uneven extraction of powdered food substances due to compaction and the formation of preferential channels, leading to increased resistance and incomplete permeation of water through the powder.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a filter with openings on both the side and bottom portions, reducing the average distance water must travel through the powder, and a compartmentalized structure to prevent compaction and promote even permeation, allowing for improved filtration and beverage extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat filter positioned close to the lower wall is used to separate powder from the beverage, then the beverage can be filtered and dispensed, but the powder becomes compacted and obstructs water flow, leading to uneven permeation
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is transformed from a two-dimensional flat disk positioned at the bottom to a three-dimensional cylindrical structure with radial walls extending upward. This dimensional change creates multiple flow paths through the filter walls, allowing water to permeate the powder from the top and exit through the sides, preventing compaction at a single exit point and maintaining continuous permeation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a top surface for powder distribution, radial walls providing lateral support and multiple exit points, and a bottom portion for beverage collection. This segmentation distributes the permeation load across multiple surfaces and prevents the formation of compacted zones that would occur with a single flat filter surface
2Productivity
If water is injected into the capsule to extract the powdered food substance, then beverage production is achieved, but preferential channels form and powder is not permeated homogeneously
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule structure incorporates local quality variations through the cylindrical filter geometry, which creates different flow path lengths and resistance zones. Water entering from the top distributes across the powder bed and exits through radial walls at various heights, ensuring homogeneous permeation throughout the powder mass rather than concentrating flow through preferential channels
3Reliability
If the filter retains the powdered food substance while allowing beverage passage, then powder is prevented from exiting the capsule, but resistance to liquid passage increases due to compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The filter transitions from a flat bottom surface to a cylindrical structure with radial walls extending upward. This creates multiple dimensional pathways for liquid passage through the filter walls while maintaining powder retention, thereby reducing the resistance to liquid passage that would occur through a single compacted flat filter surface
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 design ensures more even permeation of water through the powdered food substance, reducing the risk of compacted zones and preferential channels, resulting in improved beverage quality and flow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the filter comprises openings which allow the beverage to pass through it in such a way that said beverage can come out of the capsule through the lower wall
Implementation Method 2
the filter comprises openings which allow the beverage to pass through it in such a way that said beverage can come out of the capsule through the lower wall (through the hole made by the piercing element or through a channel present in the latter). However, at the same time the openings allow the powdered food substance to be retained
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Capsule (1) for making beverages comprising a body (2) having a lower wall (3), a side wall (4), and a lid (6) fixed to an edge (5) of the side wall. Between the lid and the inner surface of the body is a chamber in which a filter (10) is positioned coupled at a coupling portion (14) located on the side wall close to the edge. The filter separates the chamber into a first compartment (15) containing the substance, delimited at least between the filter and the lid, and into a second compartment (16) partly positioned between the side wall and the filter, delimited between the filter, the lower wall and the portion of side wall located between the lower wall and the coupling portion. The second compartment comprises openings (11) at the part of it positioned between the filter and the side wall.