Multi-Compartment Beverage Cartridge With Sequential Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartridges for beverage preparation are complex and costly, and fail to reliably release multiple beverage components simultaneously, limiting their ability to prepare multi-component or multi-phase beverages like cappuccinos.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with at least two compartments for different beverage ingredients, featuring a flow dividing mechanism that provides a preferred flow path for liquid interaction, allowing for sequential release of components by controlling flow resistance and engagement with a beverage preparation machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cartridge uses a dissolving wall to separate compartments for multi-component beverage preparation, then the ability to prepare multi-component beverages is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex dissolving wall structure from the cartridge and replaces it with a simpler alternative. The flow dividing means is integrated directly into the cartridge body as a static structure with flow resistance characteristics, eliminating the need for separate dissolving wall components and their associated manufacturing complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from using a dynamic dissolving wall that changes physical state to a static flow dividing means with controlled flow resistance. By changing the parameter from wall dissolution behavior to flow resistance characteristics, the system achieves multi-component separation with simpler manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cartridge uses a dissolving wall to separate compartments, then multi-component beverage preparation is enabled, but reliable delay in release of beverage components cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical/dissolution-based timing mechanism of the dissolving wall with a fluid dynamics-based mechanical system. The flow dividing means uses flow resistance and pressure differential to control the timing and sequence of beverage component release, providing more reliable and predictable delay timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using liquid flow resistance and pressure differentials to control the sequential release of beverage components. The flow dividing means creates different flow paths with different resistance characteristics, enabling reliable timing control through fluid dynamics rather than wall dissolution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a cartridge contains multiple compartments with different beverage ingredients, then the ability to prepare multi-phase beverages is improved, but the flow control and sequential release reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cartridge into multiple compartments with different beverage ingredients while introducing a flow dividing means that actively manages the flow paths. The flow dividing means creates distinct flow channels with controlled resistance, ensuring that each compartment releases its contents in the desired sequence reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flow control through the flow dividing means, which actively responds to pressure differentials and flow rates to manage the sequential release of components. This dynamic control mechanism adapts to the brewing process conditions to maintain reliable sequential release.
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 convenient and reliable preparation of multi-component beverages using a single cartridge, ensuring sequential release of components with controlled flow paths and engagement mechanisms, reducing complexity and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the flow dividing means are designed to provide a preferred flow path for liquid from the injection area to the first and second compartment and to outlet means of the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
injecting a quantity of pressurized water into the cartridge... so as to create a pressurized environment inside the cartridge either to extract the substance or dissolve it
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cartridge (1) for preparation of a beverage upon injection of liquid into the cartridge, the cartridge comprising at least a first compartment (2) and a second compartment (3) for holding beverage ingredients, an injection area (4) for receiving a liquid injected into the cartridge, and flow dividing means (8) designed for providing a fluid communication between the injection area (4) and the first and second compartment (2, 3), wherein the flow dividing means (8) are designed to provide a preferred flow path for liquid from the injection area (4) to the first and second compartment [2, 3) and to outlet means (9, 10) of the cartridge.