Beverage Capsule Filtration for Uniform Extraction and Spill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems with hermetically sealed capsules often experience preferential fluid paths, leading to variations in beverage strength and potential spills due to pierced openings, which affect reproducibility and product integrity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating entrance and exit filters in the capsules, positioned away from piercing means, to create uniform areas for fluid supply and drainage, preventing capsule piercing and maintaining integrity, thus reducing preferential paths and spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the capsule is pierced by bottom piercing means to create entrance openings, then fluid can be supplied to the extractable product, but preferential fluid paths occur leading to variations in beverage strength
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall is segmented into multiple small perforations distributed across its surface, rather than having a single large opening. This segmentation creates multiple uniform fluid entry points that distribute water flow evenly throughout the coffee bed, preventing preferential flow paths and ensuring consistent extraction and beverage strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bottom wall are equipped with perforations of specific sizes and distributions tailored to local requirements. The perforations are strategically positioned to ensure uniform water distribution across different zones of the coffee bed, optimizing fluid flow and extraction consistency in each local area.
2Productivity
If the capsule is pierced by lid piercing means to create exit openings, then beverage can drain from the capsule, but capsule integrity is compromised leading to potential spills
Solution Approach 1:
The lid piercing means is completely removed from the system. Instead of piercing the lid to create exit openings, the invention uses the intact lid with integrated outlet openings that allow beverage drainage without compromising capsule integrity. This extraction of the harmful piercing function while retaining the useful drainage function resolves the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid structure serves as an intermediary element that facilitates beverage exit without requiring piercing. The lid incorporates outlet openings that provide a controlled path for beverage drainage while maintaining the structural integrity of the capsule body, acting as a mediator between the internal pressure and external drainage requirements.
3Reliability
If hermetically sealed capsule is used, then capsule integrity is maintained, but preferential fluid paths occur due to concentrated entrance and exit openings
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetically sealed capsule structure is combined with segmented perforations in the bottom wall. This segmentation distributes the fluid entrance across multiple small openings rather than a single concentrated point, eliminating preferential flow paths while preserving the integrity benefits of the sealed capsule design.
Solution Approach 2:
The parameters of the fluid entrance are changed from a single large opening to multiple small perforations. This parameter change in the entrance configuration distributes water flow uniformly across the coffee bed, preventing channeling effects and ensuring consistent extraction, while the hermetic sealing is maintained.
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 solution enhances the reproducibility of beverage strength by ensuring homogeneous fluid distribution and drainage, reducing the risk of spills and maintaining capsule integrity, while also filtering oils from coffee to improve taste and health quality.
Implementation Method 1
supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule
Implementation Method 2
the entrance area of the capsule of the system according to the invention comprises an entrance filter, for supplying the fluid to the extractable product there through
Implementation Method 3
providing the exit filter reduces the risk of extractable product remains spilling from the capsule when removing the capsule from the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
System, method and capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product. The system includes an exchangeable capsule, an apparatus including a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying a fluid to the exchangeable capsule. The exchangeable capsule includes a circumferential wall, bottom, and lid enclosing an inner space including the extractable product. The receptacle includes bottom piercing means intended for piercing an entrance area of an alternative capsule for creating at least one entrance opening for supplying the fluid to the extractable product. The entrance area of the capsule of the system includes an entrance filter for supplying the fluid to the extractable product therethrough. In use, the entrance filter is positioned at a distance from the bottom piercing means, such that the capsule of the system is not pierced by the bottom piercing means.