Beverage Capsule Movable Seal for Mineralized Water Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current water carbonating devices and drinking water supply systems do not address the organoleptic properties and correct mineral content of water, leading to a market interest in customizable mineralized waters for human consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for mineralizing water using a capsule system that involves a container for water, a mineralizing substance input, and a gas supplying pipe to pressurize the container, allowing chemical reaction and solubilization of minerals, producing mineralized water with specific compounds like calcium bicarbonate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If water is mineralized using mineralized solutions in capsules, then the mineral content and organoleptic properties of water can be customized and improved, but the device complexity and filling process difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mineralized water production system is segmented into separate functional components: a water storage container, a mineralized solution capsule, and a gas supplying pipe. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system more manageable and easier to manufacture while enabling customizable mineral content through different capsule options.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas supplying pipe acts as an intermediary component that facilitates the chemical reaction between the mineralized solution and water. The pipe introduces gas (such as carbon dioxide) into the water container, enabling mineralization without requiring direct contact between complex mineralization systems and the water storage, thus simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Productivity
If a seal is used to close the capsule orifice, then the pressurization and chemical reaction efficiency are improved, but the ease of operation and capsule opening difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed as a movable component that can transition between closed and open positions. During the mineralization process, the seal remains closed to maintain pressurization and ensure efficient chemical reaction between the gas and mineralized solution. When operation is required, the seal can be opened to allow water flow, providing dynamic adaptability between reaction efficiency and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is pre-positioned in a closed state within the capsule before use, creating a sealed environment that maintains pressurization. This preliminary sealing action ensures that when the capsule is activated, the chemical reaction between the gas and mineralized solution occurs efficiently without requiring complex opening mechanisms during the reaction process.
3Quantity of substance
If the capsule cavity is pressurized with gas, then the solubilization of mineralizing substance is improved, but the device complexity and pressure control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing gas (such as carbon dioxide) into the water container to create pressurization. This gas pressurization enables the solubilization of mineralizing substances in the water without requiring complex mechanical mixing or heating systems. The gas supplying pipe delivers the necessary gas under pressure, achieving effective mineralization through a relatively simple pneumatic mechanism.
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
Enables the efficient and safe production of mineralized water with customizable mineral content, ensuring optimal organoleptic properties and industrial efficiency in filling capsules for beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a gas supplying pipe (7) opening itself in said container (2) and configured for supplying a gas within said water (100), said gas (G) being destined to allow a solubilization of said mineralizing substance in water
Implementation Method 2
the mineralizing substance(S) chemically reacts with said gas (G) determining a mineralization of the water with a solubilized compound
Implementation Method 3
the container (2) is pressurized through the mineral solubilisation gas (G) supplied within said container (2), and in particular is brought and/or kept at a pressure at least equal to a predefined pressure value (P1), said pressure being higher than the environmental pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns a capsule for beverages (300) comprising a body having a head portion (302) and a bottom portion (301) and suitable for defining a cavity (300c) configured for containing, in use, a fluid and/or a gas; the capsule for beverages comprises an orifice (306) configured for allowing the release of said fluid and/or gas from the cavity. A seal (305) is movable between at least a first position suitable for determining a closing of the orifice (306) configuring the capsule for beverages (300) in a closed operating configuration, and a second position suitable for determining an opening of the orifice (306) configuring the capsule for beverages (300) in an open operating configuration. The disclosure concerns a machine for filling capsules for beverages, comprising: —at least a seat (200, 200′) configured for housing at least a capsule for beverage (300), to fill with a gas and/or with a fluid solution, in particular with a mineralized solution; —at least an injection system (201, 400, 401, 402) configured for operatively coupling with said capsule (300) and for supplying in pressurized way, in use, said gas and/or said fluid solution, in particular said mineralized solution, within the capsule (300); wherein the machine comprises at least an operating configuration of capsules filling, within which the seat (200, 200′) and/or the injection system (201, 400, 401, 402) are placed under pressure in order to determine a transfer of said gas and/or said fluid solution within the capsule (300).