Container and opening arrangement for beverage production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional self-serve beverage machines are susceptible to cross-contamination and reduced sterility due to the integration of piercing elements within the appliance, which can compromise the cleanliness and safety of beverage preparation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container with a pierceable membrane and a movable element that allows for controlled access to the beverage material, using a gas inlet port to facilitate the extraction of the beverage material while maintaining sterility, and a detent mechanism to prevent accidental piercing, ensuring the container can be easily identified as used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the piercing element is integrated into the beverage preparation machine, then the machine can pierce the cartridge to dispense beverage, but the machine becomes susceptible to cross-contamination and reduced sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing element is extracted from the beverage preparation machine and relocated to the closure of the container. This separation removes the source of potential cross-contamination from the machine, allowing the machine to maintain sterility while still achieving the beverage dispensing function through the container's own piercing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's closure is designed to self-pierce the sealing membrane when the container is engaged with the machine. The movable element in the closure automatically pierces the membrane without requiring the machine to provide a piercing element, making the container self-sufficient and eliminating contamination risks from machine-integrated piercing components.
2Productivity
If the movable element is made movable to pierce the membrane, then beverage material can exit the internal space, but accidental piercing may occur
Solution Approach 1:
A detent mechanism is implemented to prevent the movable element from moving unless a specific action is taken by the user. The detent holds the movable element in a retracted position and only releases when the container is properly engaged with the beverage preparation machine, preventing accidental piercing during handling or storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism acts as an intermediary between the movable element and the piercing action. It controls when the movable element can move by requiring a specific engagement condition with the machine, thereby mediating between the need for piercing functionality and the need to prevent accidental activation.
3Reliability
If the closure includes a movable element and detent mechanism, then controlled access and accidental piercing prevention are achieved, but the closure structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism is merged with the engagement features between the container and the beverage preparation machine. The same structural elements that enable the container to engage with the machine also provide the detent function, combining multiple functions into a unified structure rather than adding separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure structure is designed to perform multiple functions: sealing the container, holding the movable element, providing the detent mechanism, and enabling engagement with the machine. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure despite the increased functionality required.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of cross-contamination and maintains sterility during beverage preparation by allowing controlled access to the beverage material, enhancing the hygiene and usability of the container with beverage machines.
Implementation Method 1
The movable element can pierce the membrane so as to allow the beverage material to exit the internal space
Implementation Method 2
a gas inlet port arranged to couple with a gas supply of a beverage machine and deliver gas into the internal space through a hole in the membrane to force beverage material to flow into the channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A beverage container (10), comprises a vessel (1) having an internal space and an opening (11) to the internal space. A beverage material (2) is located in the internal space. A pierceable membrane (31) seals the opening (11). The container furthermore comprises a closure (3), comprising a body (32) attached to the vessel (1) at the opening (11). A movable element (35) is positioned outside of the internal space that is movable relative to the membrane (31), the movable element (35) including a piercing element (36) movable to pierce the membrane (31). A flexible connector (40) allows the movable element (35) to move towards the opening (11) while the body (32) remains attached to the vessel (1).