Beverage preparation machine provided with an improved tray for used capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines for capsules, such as coffee machines, have complex and expensive designs due to mechanisms for raising and lowering the used capsule container, which complicates ergonomics and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a tray that features a rotatable shutter, which reduces storage space when inserted and increases it when removed, allowing used capsules to fall by gravity and automatically tilt into an evacuation position, eliminating the need for additional mechanisms and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a device for raising and lowering the bottom wall of the container is implemented, then the container can be moved between collection and evacuation positions, but the machine design becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex raising and lowering device from the machine and replaces it with a simple manually movable container. The user directly removes the container from the frame without needing any mechanical assistance, thereby eliminating the complex device while maintaining the ability to move the container between collection and evacuation positions
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be self-sufficient and manually operable. The user can directly grasp and move the container between positions without requiring the machine's raising and lowering device to assist, making the system simpler while maintaining operational capability
2Quantity of substance
If the storage space of the tray is increased when inserted in the frame, then more capsules can be collected, but the capsules may protrude above the tray and interfere with the frame during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a dynamic adjustable bottom wall to the container. When the container is inserted in the frame, the bottom wall is in a first position that provides a smaller storage space, preventing capsule protrusion. When the container is removed for evacuation, the bottom wall can be moved to a second position that increases storage space, facilitating easy emptying of capsules
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom wall is preliminarily positioned in the first position (reducing storage space) before the container is inserted into the frame, preventing capsule protrusion that would interfere with frame removal. The bottom wall is then moved to the second position (increasing storage space) after removal, preparing the container for easy capsule evacuation
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 simplifies the machine's design, reduces costs, and enhances ergonomics by automatically adjusting storage space without requiring user manipulation of complex mechanisms, preventing capsule protrusion and facilitating easy emptying and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
used capsules fall by gravity into the storage space
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) from an ingredient contained in a capsule comprising a beverage preparation unit (8) designed to receive, use the capsule and then evacuate the capsule after use and a bin (10) having a cavity forming a storage space (11) for collecting the used capsules, said beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a frame (2) provided with a housing (41) in which the bin (10) is movable between a position inserted inside said frame (2) in which the bin (10) collects the used capsules and a position removed from said frame (2) in which the bin (10) is manipulable to empty the collected used capsules.According to the invention, the bin (10) has a movable flap (30) that rotates between a collection position in which the flap (30) reduces the storage space (11) of the bin (10) when the bin (10) is in the position inserted into the frame (2) and an evacuation position in which the flap (30) increases the storage space (11) of the bin (10) when the bin (10) is in the position removed from the frame (2).