Beverage extraction unit for selectively providing orifices of different types in a capsule for extraction of the beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage extraction systems are not well-suited for extracting long volumes of coffee due to high pressure requirements and clogging issues, leading to slow flow rates and over-extraction of bitter aromatic notes, and lack versatility in delivering different aromatic profiles and foam characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A beverage extraction unit with a movable piercing member that provides two modes of extraction by creating orifices of different types in the beverage outlet membrane, allowing for lower or higher pressure extraction depending on the mode selected, using a combination of relief elements and piercing elements to control the flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tearable beverage outlet membrane with relief elements is used for extraction, then filtering of beverage particles occurs at the extraction interface, but the pressure drop is relatively high and flow rate is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet membrane is divided into multiple discrete orifices instead of a continuous filtering surface. This segmentation allows water to flow through multiple separate openings, increasing the total effective flow area while maintaining particle filtering capability at each orifice location.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the extraction interface have different properties: the relief elements provide filtering function while the piercing elements create larger orifices for improved flow. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both filtering and flow rate characteristics in different areas of the extraction interface.
2Productivity
If high pressure is used for extraction, then the outlet membrane can be torn and beverage can be released, but fine coffee particles may clog the orifices and pressure continues to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing elements create orifices in the outlet membrane before the high-pressure extraction process begins. This preliminary action ensures that adequate flow paths are established ahead of time, preventing clogging during the extraction process and avoiding the need for continuously increasing pressure.
3Stress or pressure
If the piercing elements are extended to provide orifices of the second type, then lower pressure extraction is enabled, but the relief elements are no longer the protruding feature
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing elements are made movable relative to the extraction plate, allowing the system to dynamically change its configuration. The piercing elements can be extended to create larger orifices for low-pressure extraction or retracted to allow relief elements to protrude for high-pressure extraction, providing adaptable pressure control.
4Ease of operation
If a single extraction mode is used, then the device is simple to operate, but it cannot deliver different aromatic profiles and foam characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction unit is designed with dual functionality: it can operate in a first mode using relief elements for traditional high-pressure extraction, and in a second mode using piercing elements for low-pressure extraction. This multi-functionality allows the same device to deliver different aromatic profiles and foam characteristics without requiring multiple separate devices.
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 efficient extraction of both short and long coffee volumes with controlled aromatic profiles and foam characteristics, reducing pressure requirements and preventing clogging, thus improving the consistency and quality of the beverage extraction process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of piercing elements configured for providing orifices of a second type in the beverage outlet membrane
Implementation Method 2
to deform the outlet membrane or cover (e.g. an aluminium membrane) and to tear it under the effect of pressure of the liquid rising in the capsule
Implementation Method 3
to deform the outlet membrane or cover (e.g. an aluminium membrane) and to tear it under the effect of pressure
Implementation Method 4
extracting a beverage from an exchangeable portioned container or capsule containing beverage ingredients
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to beverage extraction unit (1) for extracting a beverage from an exchangeable capsule (2) containing beverage ingredients and being configured for operating according to two beverage extraction modes, e.g. at respectively high pressure or low pressure. The invention also relates to the beverage machine comprising the extraction unit.