Beverage Capsule Injector Head with Under-Pressure Drip Withdrawal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage brewing machines face issues with residual water and brewed liquid drips after the preparation cycle, leading to cleaning needs and user inconvenience, as well as complex or stuck capsule ejection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a movable injector head and actuating mechanism that creates under-pressure to draw back liquid drops during capsule removal, and a capsule disengaging mechanism using clasps to lift and disengage the capsule from the holder, ensuring easy capsule removal and minimizing drips. The apparatus includes a pump system and a liquid supply system with a switchable inlet channel and sealing ring for efficient liquid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional piercing means are used to pierce through capsules, then liquid injection and extraction is enabled, but capsule ejection becomes complex or capsules get stuck in the holder
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the capsule ejection function from complex mechanical ejection means and transfers it to the disposable capsule itself. The capsule includes an extraction element that protrudes through the holder wall, allowing the capsule to be pulled out easily without requiring complex ejection mechanisms in the holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed to be self-sufficient with an integrated extraction element that enables its own removal from the holder. This eliminates the need for the holder to provide active ejection functionality, simplifying the device while maintaining ease of capsule removal.
2Reliability
If hermetically closed capsules are used, then beverage freshness is maintained, but liquid drops remain on the capsule and injector head after preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of residual liquid drops into a beneficial sealing mechanism. The capsule includes a sealing element that protrudes through the injector head, maintaining hermetic sealing while allowing the liquid to be contained within the capsule system rather than dripping outward, thus converting the dripping problem into a sealed containment solution.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If collection containers are added under the outlet and injector head, then liquid drops are collected, but the machine requires cleaning of these containers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid containment function from separate collection containers and integrates it into the capsule structure itself. The sealing and extraction elements are built into the capsule, eliminating the need for external collection containers that would require cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule serves its own containment and sealing functions, eliminating the need for additional collection containers. The disposable nature of the capsule means no cleaning is required - the capsule is discarded with any residual liquid, making the system self-sufficient and maintenance-free.
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 solution prevents drips during capsule removal, simplifies capsule ejection, and maintains a clean environment, making the brewing process more convenient and reliable while being cost-effective to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
is further configured to supply the water in the pump chamber to the inlet injectors via a valveless second conduit fluidly connecting an outlet of the pump chamber to the water inlet such that during a pump chamber filling operation an under-pressure in the inlet injectors is created. The under-pressure withdraws liquid drops at the end of the beverage preparation cycle
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for preparing a beverage from capsules, including a liquid supply system comprising a water reservoir and a pump, an extraction block comprising an injection block including an injector head and a housing, and an extraction mechanism comprising a capsule holder configured to receive a capsule. The injector head comprises an injection plate having plurality of inlet injectors with internal liquid channels configured to pierce through a lid of a capsule. The injector head comprises a water inlet connected to the water reservoir and an actuating mechanism configured to displace the injector head between an open position whereby the capsule can be inserted or removed from the extraction block to a closed position whereby the injector head is sealingly closed against the capsule holder.