Multi-Compartment Beverage Capsule for Sequential Ingredient Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules cannot produce multi-layered beverages with sequential delivery of different components, such as cappuccino-style coffee, which requires separate capsules for milk and coffee, making the process inconvenient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A capsule with divided compartments, where a separating wall made of a dissolvable material like hard candy allows for delayed fluid communication between compartments, enabling the sequential production and delivery of multiple beverage components, like milk and coffee, from a single capsule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a single capsule is used to produce multiple beverage components, then the convenience and time efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for compartment separation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into multiple compartments, each containing different beverage ingredients (e.g., coffee powder, milk powder, creamer). This segmentation allows each ingredient to be processed separately and delivered sequentially, enabling multi-component beverage production from a single capsule without requiring multiple capsules or complex mechanical assembly mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule structure employs nested compartments where smaller compartments containing specific ingredients are positioned within or adjacent to larger compartments. This nesting arrangement allows compact storage of multiple ingredients within a single capsule while maintaining separate access paths for liquid introduction, thereby reducing overall device complexity compared to using multiple separate capsules.
2Ease of operation
If a dissolvable wall is used to separate compartments, then the sequential delivery of beverage components is enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for controlled dissolution timing
Solution Approach 1:
The separating wall is made of dissolvable material with specific dissolution characteristics (solubility rate, dissolution temperature dependence). By controlling the chemical composition and physical properties of this material, the dissolution timing can be precisely managed to occur at the appropriate moment during beverage preparation, enabling sequential delivery of different beverage components without requiring complex mechanical control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using mechanical valves, moving parts, or electronic controls to manage sequential ingredient delivery, the patent replaces these complex mechanical systems with a passive dissolvable wall that automatically opens through chemical dissolution. This substitution of active mechanical control with passive chemical action simplifies the overall device while maintaining ease of operation for sequential component delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beverage components are produced sequentially from one capsule, then the versatility of beverage production is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to potential cross-contamination or improper separation
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable separating wall completely removes the physical barrier between compartments at the appropriate time, allowing liquid to flow freely between compartments without risk of cross-contamination during storage or transport. This complete extraction of the separating structure ensures that ingredients remain isolated until intended for mixing, maintaining reliability of ingredient separation while enabling versatility in beverage production.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable wall acts as a temporary intermediary structure that maintains separation during storage and transport but disappears when needed. This intermediary element enables reliable compartment separation during storage while allowing seamless mixing during beverage preparation, thus maintaining ingredient separation integrity while enabling versatile beverage production from a single capsule.
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 production of multi-layered beverages like cappuccino-style coffee from a single capsule, enhancing convenience by allowing separate phases to be dispensed at defined times, improving the authenticity and appearance of the beverage.
Implementation Method 1
a separating wall made of a dissolvable material like hard candy allows for delayed fluid communication between compartments
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for producing a beverage or liquid comestible from a capsule comprises the following steps: - providing a capsule, wherein the interior of the capsule is sub-divided into a plurality of compartments, at least two compartments containing an ingredient, - introducing a liquid into one of the compartments of the capsule and starting to produce and drain a first beverage component on the basis of the ingredient contained in the first compartment, and - opening a fluid communication between the first and the second compartment such that after the start of the production of the first beverage compartment, a production of a beverage component on the basis of the ingredient contained in the second compartment commences.