Capsule Dispensing Assembly With Active Ejection in Any Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing assemblies for liquid food products face challenges such as hygienic issues due to residue accumulation, complexity leading to potential wear and jamming, and limited flexibility in capsule discharge, which affects operation and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A compact dispensing assembly with a stationary gripper device and a pusher member that allows for the retention and release of capsules in a simple and hygienic manner, enabling capsule discharge through user-controlled thrust rather than gravity, facilitating operation in various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retention means are provided to support the capsule in an intermediate position, then the capsule can be temporarily retained during insertion, but the assembly becomes more complex and prone to wear and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retention function with the injector device by integrating retention arms that are part of the injector assembly. These arms perform both the injection function and the capsule retention function, eliminating the need for separate retention means and reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining reliable capsule retention during insertion and extraction operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gravity-based capsule discharge is used, then the structure is simpler, but the flexibility in positioning and operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on gravity for capsule discharge, the patent inverts the approach by using an active ejector mechanism that can discharge capsules in any orientation. The ejector rod, controlled by the pusher member, actively propels the capsule out of the infusion chamber regardless of the machine's positioning, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the machine is not used for a certain period, then residues accumulate and cause hygienic issues, but frequent use is not always possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the capsule from the infusion chamber immediately after use through the ejector mechanism, removing it from the environment where residues could accumulate. The used capsule is discharged through the outlet passage away from the infusion chamber, preventing the accumulation of water residues and infusion substances that could cause mold or unpleasant odors during periods of non-use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a pusher member is added to enable user-controlled capsule discharge, then flexibility and hygiene are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher member is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides the capsule during insertion, acts as a retaining element, and serves as the actuating mechanism for the ejector rod. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving user-controlled flexible operation and improved hygiene through complete capsule discharge.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing assembly (20) for a machine for preparing a liquid food product by means of capsules (1) including - a casing (21) having an inlet passage (26), and an outlet passage (27), - an infusion chamber which comprises two chamber parts (30, 31), - retention means, for keeping the capsule (1) in a retaining position, - an actuation system (55-59), operable for causing relative movements between the two chamber parts (30, 31) - a guide member (60) mounted at the inlet passage (26) to be displaceable between an inoperative position and an operative position, - a longitudinally extended pusher member (40) engaged in a respective guide (61) of the guide member (60), to be displaceable according to a respective sliding axis (B) between a first position and a second position, the sliding axis (B) being generally transverse to the actuation axis (A) when the guide member (60) is in the operative position. With the guide member (60) in the operative position and with the first chamber part (30) and the second chamber part (31) in the spaced-apart position, a displacement of the pusher member (40) from the first position to the second position is capable of causing a thrust on the capsule (1) towards the outlet passage (27), in order to free the capsule from the retention means (50).