Compressible Beverage Capsule With Vortical Mixing Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules for automatic dispensing machines are complex and costly due to the need for extracting means and conduit means, often require washing to maintain hygiene and quality, and struggle with dissolving difficult-to-dissolve products like chocolate, leading to coagulated matter and lumps.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a compressible casing with internal nozzles that create a vortical flow to dissolve and mix initial products with pressurized fluid, allowing for direct dispensing into a consumption receptacle without external extracting means, ensuring hygiene and quality, and using a filtering element for infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If extracting means and conduit means are provided in the dispensing machine, then the beverage can be dispensed through the capsule, but the machine structure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex extracting means and conduit means from the dispensing machine by integrating the filtering and dispensing functions directly into the capsule structure. The capsule itself becomes the dispensing device, eliminating the need for separate extracting mechanisms in the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed to be self-contained with integrated filtering elements and dispensing openings, allowing it to perform the extraction and dispensing functions autonomously without requiring complex external machinery. The capsule structure itself enables the beverage to be dispensed directly into the consumption receptacle.
2Ease of operation
If the dispensing circuit is in contact with dispensed beverages, then the beverage can be delivered, but washing means are required to maintain hygiene and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is designed as a disposable single-use container that is discarded after one use, eliminating the need for washing and sanitation systems. The disposable nature ensures hygiene and quality without requiring complex washing infrastructure in the dispensing machine.
3Device complexity
If filtering elements are integrated into the capsule, then the beverage can be dispensed directly without external extracting means, but the capsules require very high liquid supplying pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering elements are strategically positioned and designed with specific local characteristics to optimize flow properties. The filter structure and material are tailored to allow adequate flow at reasonable pressures while maintaining effective filtration and infusion functions.
4Device complexity
If the capsule uses conventional structure without internal nozzles, then the structure is simpler, but difficult-to-dissolve products like chocolate form coagulated matter and lumps
Solution Approach 1:
The internal nozzles are designed to create a vortical flow that pre-mixes and distributes the liquid product uniformly before it contacts the initial product in the capsule. This preliminary mixing action prevents coagulation and lump formation by ensuring even distribution of liquid throughout the product matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortical flow generated by the internal nozzles creates a mixing action that effectively breaks up and distributes difficult-to-dissolve products, preventing coagulated matter and lumps from forming during the dispensing process.
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 perfectly dissolved, dense, and full-bodied beverages without manual intervention, maintaining hygiene and quality by preventing contamination and ensuring efficient infusion and percolation.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle (11) fixed to an internal face (6b) of the supporting element (6) and arranged for delivering into the cavity (5) a liquid L, in particular a hot pressurised liquid
Implementation Method 2
internal nozzles that create a vortical flow to dissolve and mix initial products with pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 3
a filtering element inserted inside the outer casing and containing the product from which to obtain the beverage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A capsule comprising a deformable and/or compressible casing (2) provided with a base wall (3) and with a side wall (4) defining a cavity (5) that is open and suitable for containing an initial product (P1) to obtain a final food product (B1); a supporting element (6) fixed to a first edge (7) of said casing (2), facing said cavity (5) and supporting a nozzle (11) arranged for delivering into said cavity (5) a fluid (L) that is suitable for interacting with said initial product (P1) to make said final product (B1); said base wall (3) comprising opening promoting means (9, 10; 15) arranged for making an exit opening for said final product (B1) when said casing (2) is compressed and/or crushed.