Machine, crushing unit for such a machine and method for preparing a beverage with such a machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of recycling single-serve capsules is complex, cumbersome, and inefficient, requiring users to transport heavy processed capsules to collection stations for separation and recycling, with no ability to compost or recycle organic components at home.
Innovation Solution
A preparation machine with a crushing unit that crushes the capsule body to release the beverage component, allowing for efficient separation and handling of the component and capsule body, enhancing recyclability and compostability, and enabling on-site processing and disposal of crushed capsule bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users collect and transport processed capsules to recycling stations, then capsule recycling can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and cumbersome requiring heavy lifting and frequent trips
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into two separable components: the organic beverage component and the capsule body. The crushing element separates these components, allowing the organic material to be removed and composted at home while only the lightweight capsule body needs to be disposed of in regular trash, eliminating the need to transport heavy processed capsules to recycling stations
Solution Approach 2:
The organic component is extracted from the capsule body through the crushing mechanism. This extracted organic material can be composted in home compost bins, while the empty capsule body is discarded separately, eliminating the need for complex recycling station visits and heavy transportation
2Reliability
If processed capsules are transported to collection stations for separation, then organic component recycling is possible, but the process takes too long and requires specialized facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the organic component from the capsule body is performed immediately after use, at the point of consumption. This preliminary separation action enables the organic material to be directly placed in home compost bins without waiting for centralized processing, dramatically reducing the recycling time from months to days
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform the separation and composting process themselves at home using the crushing element integrated into the beverage machine. This self-service approach eliminates dependence on centralized recycling facilities and long transportation times, allowing immediate composting of organic materials
3Ease of operation
If capsule bodies are not emptied before disposal, then complete capsule disposal is simple, but the organic component cannot be composted or recycled at home
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is segmented into the organic component and the capsule body through the crushing element. This segmentation allows the organic material to be separated for composting while the empty capsule body can be simply disposed of in regular trash, achieving both compostability and disposal simplicity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the capsule are treated differently: the organic component is extracted for composting while the capsule body is discarded separately. This local differentiation in handling allows the organic material to be composted at home while maintaining simple disposal procedures for the empty capsule body
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 machine facilitates efficient handling and recycling of beverage components and capsule bodies, allowing users to compost at home and reducing the burden of transporting heavy capsules, thereby improving the disposability and recyclability of processed capsules.
Implementation Method 1
a crushing unit having a crushing element, the crushing element being movable so as to crush the capsule body such that at least part of the beverage component is released from the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The preparation machine (1) comprises: - a preparation unit (2) having i) a preparation chamber (6) for receiving the capsule (100) and ii) means for injecting the fluid in the capsule (100) to prepare the beverage, and - a crushing unit (4) having a crushing element (7) movable so as to crush the capsule body (101) such that at least part of the beverage component (103) is released from the cavity (102) after the capsule (100) has been processed in the preparation unit (2).