System, capsule and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hermetically sealed coffee capsules with ground coffee, when used in coffee dispensing systems, often result in uneven beverage strength due to preferential fluid flow paths and unpredictable exit openings formed by pressure, leading to variations in beverage strength from one capsule to another.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design with movable portions that control the opening of entrance and exit openings, allowing for predetermined sizes and positions of these openings, independent of the apparatus's pressure, ensuring consistent fluid flow and beverage strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If exit openings are formed by fluid pressure pressing against lid piercing means, then the capsule can be simple in structure, but the number, position and size of exit openings are formed by chance leading to variations in beverage strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the exit opening in the lid before the capsule is used. The exit opening is created during capsule manufacturing rather than during beverage preparation, ensuring consistent number, position and size of openings. This eliminates the randomness of pressure-formed openings while maintaining simple capsule structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lid into distinct functional areas: a sealed portion for hermetic sealing and a separate exit opening portion with pre-formed openings. This segmentation allows the exit openings to be precisely controlled during manufacturing while the sealed portion maintains integrity until use.
2Reliability
If the capsule is hermetically sealed to maintain product integrity, then the extractable product is protected until use, but the opening mechanism requires piercing by knives or lid piercing means in the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the exit opening in the lid before the capsule is used. The exit opening is created during capsule manufacturing rather than during beverage preparation, ensuring consistent number, position and size of openings. This eliminates the randomness of pressure-formed openings while maintaining simple capsule structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lid into distinct functional areas: a sealed portion for hermetic sealing and a separate exit opening portion with pre-formed openings. This segmentation allows the exit openings to be precisely controlled during manufacturing while the sealed portion maintains integrity until use.
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 controlled opening of the capsule ensures consistent beverage strength and quality by eliminating the reliance on internal pressure to form exit openings, reducing variations and maintaining the extractable product's integrity until use.
Implementation Method 1
The capsule according to the invention has a movable portion arranged for opening the opening portion by being moved with respect to the opening portion. The opening portion may be opened without piercing a part of the capsule with knives or lid piercing means that are present in the apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
Capsule comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom, a lid, and an entrance opening portion and an exit opening portion for letting fluid in the capsule and draining prepared beverage from the capsule, respectively, of which at least one opening portion is closed to prevent fluid from passing. The circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid of the capsule enclose an inner space that comprises an extractable product, and the capsule further comprises at least one moveable portion of the capsule that extends at a distance from a respective opening portion, and that is arranged to open the respective opening portion by being moved with respect to the respective opening portion.