Beverage Capsule Opening Structure for Consistent Coffee Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems using hermetically sealed capsules with ground coffee result in undesired variations in beverage strength due to preferential fluid flow paths and unpredictable exit openings formed by fluid pressure, leading to inconsistent coffee 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 and controlled fluid flow paths, independent of the apparatus, ensuring consistent beverage strength by determining the number, position, and size of openings based on the extractable product and desired beverage characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hermetically sealed capsules are used with ground coffee, then the extractable product's integrity is maintained until use, but preferential fluid flow paths occur leading to undesired variations in beverage strength
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into separate sealed compartments: an inner capsule containing the extractable product and an outer capsule providing structural support. This segmentation allows the inner capsule to be hermetically sealed for product integrity while the outer capsule can incorporate controlled opening mechanisms for predictable fluid flow paths, resolving the contradiction between maintaining integrity and ensuring consistent beverage strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening portions are pre-formed in the capsule structure before use, with predetermined number, position, and size. This preliminary action eliminates the need for random tear openings during beverage preparation, ensuring consistent fluid flow paths and predictable beverage strength while maintaining product integrity through sealed closure until opening.
2Device complexity
If exit openings are formed by fluid pressure, then the capsule structure is simple, but the number, position and size of exit openings are formed by chance leading to variations in beverage strength
Solution Approach 1:
Exit openings are pre-formed in the lid of the capsule during manufacturing, with predetermined number, position, and size. This preliminary action eliminates the randomness of pressure-formed openings while maintaining relatively simple capsule structure, as the pre-formed openings require only basic molding operations and provide consistent, predictable fluid flow paths for uniform beverage strength.
3Reliability
If opening portions are closed to prevent fluid passing, then the extractable product is protected from air contact, but the openings must be opened during use requiring interaction with the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The opening portions are designed to be opened by the user through simple manual manipulation, such as pulling a tab or breaking a seal, without requiring complex apparatus interaction. This self-service approach maintains product protection through sealed closure while enabling easy opening by the consumer, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
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 mechanism ensures consistent beverage strength and flavor by reducing the impact of fluid pressure on opening formation, maintaining the extractable product's integrity and flavor until use, and allowing for precise control over fluid flow, thereby minimizing variations in beverage preparation.
Implementation Method 1
The capsule may comprise a movable portion that is arranged to open the opening portion by being moved with respect to the opening portion
Implementation Method 2
The capsule may comprise opening portions for letting fluid pass through the capsule, in particular an entrance opening portion for letting fluid into the capsule, and an exit opening portion for letting beverage out of the capsule
Implementation Method 3
Before usage one or both of the opening portions may be closed so as to prevent the extractable product coming into contact with air
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule for holding an extractable product for dispensing a beverage is disclosed. The 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.