Beverage Capsule Hidden Identification for Humid Machine Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage production machines face issues with the reliability and durability of identification systems for capsules, particularly in humid and hot environments, where external mechanical contacts or bar codes can be damaged or illegible, leading to incorrect beverage parameters.
Innovation Solution
A capsule with a hidden identification system using a deformable, displaceable, or puncturable cover that encodes information structurally through localized contact surfaces, allowing for non-optical detection by a beverage production machine, reducing exposure and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If external mechanical contacts are used for identification, then the identification system is simple and visible, but the contacts are exposed and can be damaged or altered
Solution Approach 1:
The identification member is nested within the capsule structure, specifically integrated into the capsule lid or body. This nesting protects the identification contacts from external damage while maintaining their functionality for machine sensing, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A deformable cover made of flexible material is used to enclose the identification member. This thin film structure protects the identification contacts from damage and alteration while allowing the machine's probe to deform it for reading, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
2Device complexity
If a bar code is used for identification, then the system is simple to implement, but the legibility is endangered by water/vapour deposited on the bar code
Solution Approach 1:
The optical bar code system is replaced with a mechanical contact-based identification system. Instead of using light reflection from a bar code, the machine uses a probe to mechanically contact and read the identification member, eliminating the problem of water/vapour interference while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
A deformable cover acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the identification member. This cover protects the identification contacts from water and vapour while still allowing the machine's probe to deform it and access the identification information, thus maintaining reliability in humid conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the identification member is visible at the outer face of the capsule, then it can be easily read, but it has a negative impact on the aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The identification reading is performed through a preliminary action of deforming the cover, which is only done when the capsule is inserted into the machine. This allows the identification member to remain hidden during normal display, preserving aesthetics, while still being accessible for reading when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification member transitions from a hidden state (when the capsule is outside the machine) to an accessible state (when the machine's probe deforms the cover). This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain aesthetic appearance during display while enabling easy reading during operation.
4Reliability
If a deformable cover is used to protect the identification member, then reliability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A thin, flexible deformable cover is used instead of a rigid protective structure. This thin film provides adequate protection for the identification member while adding minimal structural complexity to the capsule design, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage ingredient capsule (1) provided with an identification member (6) designed for being physically contacted from outside in order to control operation parameters of an associated beverage production machine.