System, capsule and method for preparing a beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation capsules experience a drawback where prepared beverage can bypass the outlet, mixing with air and potentially escaping between the lid and the support surface during fluid supply under pressure.
Innovation Solution
The capsule features an impermeable outer circumferential area around the exit area, guiding the beverage to the outlet and minimizing bypass, with a flexible sheet-shaped perforate or porous material and an annular sealing member to ensure a tight seal, preventing coffee particles from escaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capsule uses a sheet-shaped perforate or porous lid for draining beverage, then the beverage can pass through the lid to the outlet, but the beverage may bypass the outlet by passing between the lid and support surface
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into two functional zones: a central perforate/porous area for beverage drainage and an outer circumferential impermeable area for sealing. This segmentation allows the lid to simultaneously perform drainage and prevention of bypass, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lid are assigned different properties: the central region is made permeable to allow beverage flow, while the outer circumferential region is made impermeable to prevent bypass. This local differentiation of properties enables the lid to satisfy both drainage efficiency and beverage containment requirements.
2Reliability
If the capsule is pressed against the support surface with higher pressing force to prevent bypass, then the beverage containment improves, but the preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid structure segments the sealing function from the pressing force requirement. The impermeable outer circumferential area provides inherent sealing without requiring excessive pressing force, thus maintaining reliable beverage containment while minimizing preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The impermeable outer circumferential area acts as a disposable sealing element integrated into the single-use capsule, providing reliable sealing without the need for repeated adjustment of pressing forces across multiple uses.
3Loss of time
If the outlet is positioned close to the lid for quick drainage, then the preparation time decreases, but coffee particles may escape through the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The lid structure differentiates between the central perforate area for beverage flow and the outer circumferential impermeable area that extends to the outlet, creating a local quality gradient that allows fast drainage while preventing particle escape through the outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The impermeable outer circumferential area acts as an intermediary barrier between the beverage extraction zone and the outlet, allowing the outlet to be positioned for efficient drainage while preventing direct escape of coffee particles.
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 design effectively directs the prepared beverage to the outlet, reducing preparation time to under 30 seconds and preventing coffee particles from leaving the capsule, while maintaining a secure seal between the lid and support surface.
Implementation Method 1
the lid comprises a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material
Implementation Method 2
an impermeable outer circumferential area around an exit area intended for draining the prepared beverage from the capsule
Implementation Method 3
a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
System comprising a capsule (2) for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, comprising: a substantially rigid circumferential wall (6), a bottom (7) closing the circumferential wall at a first end (8), and lid (9) of a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material closing the circumferential wall at a second, open, end (10) opposite the bottom, wherein the circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space (11) comprising the extractable product, wherein the lid comprises an impermeable outer circumferential area (30) and an exit area (32) being enclosed by said impermeable outer circumferential area such that, in use, the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule through the exit area. The invention further relates to a method for preparing said beverage using the above system.