Capsule and system for preparing a beverage by centrifugation in a beverage production device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal beverage production systems face challenges in adjusting back-pressure to predefined values, which affects the quality of coffee beverages, particularly the taste, aroma, and foam/crema, as existing mechanisms are complex and not easily adaptable to various back-pressure settings.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring an annular pressure-setting ring that engages with a valve member of the beverage production device to control back-pressure, allowing for adjustable flow restriction and improved extraction characteristics by delaying the release of liquid, thereby enhancing the interaction time between the liquid and beverage substance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used to adjust back-pressure to predefined values, then the quality of coffee beverages (taste, aroma, foam/crema) is improved, but the device complexity increases and adaptability to various back-pressure settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the axial distance of the pressure-setting ring above the flange portion to control back-pressure. Different axial distances create different back-pressure values, allowing the system to adapt to various brewing requirements without complex mechanisms. This directly resolves the contradiction by providing a simple geometric parameter adjustment method that maintains beverage quality while improving adaptability.
2Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used to control back-pressure, then extraction quality is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach by making back-pressure control a function of the pressure-setting ring's axial distance rather than a complex mechanical assembly. This geometric parameter can be directly formed during capsule manufacturing processes, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining extraction quality through precise back-pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the back-pressure control function from the beverage production device and transfers it to the capsule structure itself. The pressure-setting ring on the capsule independently provides back-pressure control, eliminating the need for complex valve mechanisms in the device and simplifying both manufacturing and device design.
3Reliability
If flow restriction is increased to control back-pressure, then extraction characteristics are improved, but the flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the pressure-setting ring's axial distance to optimize the balance between back-pressure and flow rate. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system achieves optimal extraction characteristics while maintaining adequate flow rates, resolving the contradiction between extraction quality and productivity.
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 solution allows for easier and economical control of back-pressure, improving the quality of coffee beverages by adjusting flow rates and extraction conditions, enabling the production of various coffee types with enhanced aroma and crema formation.
Implementation Method 1
preparing a beverage from a substance contained in the capsule by introducing liquid in the capsule and passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule is designed for insertion in a centrifugal beverage production device for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in the capsule by introducing liquid in the capsule and passing the liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces. The capsule includes a body having a bottom end and an open end spaced apart in the axial direction, an upper wall for covering the body at the open end along a direction transverse to the axial direction, and an enclosure between the body and the upper wall containing a predetermined amount of beverage substance. The capsule further includes an annular pressure-setting ring configured for adjusting the backpressure in the beverage production device. The pressure-setting ring provides an improved coffee in-cup quality. A set of capsules can have pressure-setting rings of different dimensions for setting different backpressure when engaged in a centrifuging beverage production device.