Beverage Portion Pack with Movable Closure Marking for State Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing brewed beverages fail to accurately recognize the open or closed state of portion packs, leading to potential malfunctions and user safety risks during the brewing process.
Innovation Solution
A portion pack design featuring a liquid-permeable filter material with a movable closure device and a marking system, where pivotable flaps on the closure device change positions to indicate the open or closed state, allowing for detection by a recognition unit, and a machine with an optical detection system to identify the marking and control brewing parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light guide is provided on the bottom of a capsule for identification, then the capsule can be identified by introducing and deflecting light, but it is not possible to tell if the capsule is in an open or closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The marking on the closure device creates an optical copy or representation of the capsule's state. When the closure device is in a specific position (open or closed), the marking presents a distinct optical pattern to the detection device, allowing the system to detect the state without directly observing the closure mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking may utilize color or optical property changes to indicate the capsule state. Different positions of the closure device expose different markings or change the optical characteristics, enabling the detection device to distinguish between open and closed states through optical detection.
2Measurement precision
If an identification mark on a capsule is detected by a detection device on the slide rail, then the capsule can be identified, but it is not possible to detect different states of the capsule
Solution Approach 1:
The marking is associated with a movable closure device that changes position dynamically. As the closure device moves between open and closed states, the marking's position or orientation changes accordingly, allowing the detection device to capture different states through dynamic optical detection during the brewing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking serves as an optical copy or indicator of the closure device's state. Rather than detecting the mechanical closure device directly, the system detects the optical pattern presented by the marking, which replicates or represents the closure state information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a portion pack with a marking for identification is used, then the portion pack can be identified via a recognition unit, but the recognition unit cannot detect whether the portion pack is in a closed or in an open position
Solution Approach 1:
The identification marking and state indication function are merged into a single marking system. The same marking that identifies the portion pack type also encodes information about the closure state, allowing the recognition unit to extract both pieces of information simultaneously through a single detection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking serves multiple functions: it identifies the portion pack type for proper brewing parameters and simultaneously indicates the closure state (open or closed). This multi-functional marking eliminates the need for separate identification and state detection systems.
4Measurement precision
If the marking moves as a result of the movement of the closure device, then an open position of the portion pack can be detected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device's own movement serves to indicate its state. The marking is positioned or designed such that the natural opening and closing motions of the closure device automatically present different optical patterns to the detection device, eliminating the need for additional actuators or indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical state of the closure device is converted into an optical signal through the marking. Instead of using mechanical sensors or switches to detect the open/closed state, the system uses optical detection of the marking's position or orientation, replacing mechanical detection with optical detection.
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 accurate detection of the portion pack's state, optimizing brewing parameters and reducing user safety risks by ensuring proper hot water dispensing and preventing malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
The detection unit can, for example, be an optical detection unit that has a light source and an optical reading device. An LED can be used as the light source, which illuminates a closure device of the portion pack, the reflection being recorded by the optical reading device
Implementation Method 2
a liquid-permeable filter material surrounding a chamber in which an extraction material is arranged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The invention relates to a single-serve packaging (8) comprising a liquid-permeable filter material that surrounds a chamber (80) in which an extraction material is arranged. The chamber (80) is equipped with a movable closure device (84) which can be moved from a closed position into a position that opens the chamber (80), wherein at least one marking (11) is provided on the movable closure device (84) in order to identify the single-serve packaging (8). The invention additionally relates to a machine (1) and a method for preparing a brewed beverage.