Capsule Dispensing Barrier Design for Oxygen-Controlled Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated dispensing apparatuses struggle to preserve beverage ingredients in capsules made from gas-permeable materials like paper or cardboard, as these materials lack oxygen barrier properties, leading to ingredient oxidation and quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A device with a controlled atmospheric environment is introduced, featuring a distribution area with oxygen and water vapor barriers that maintains a predefined gaseous environment during capsule dispensing, preventing air and moisture ingress, and using inert gases to flush out oxygen, thus protecting the ingredients within capsules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If capsules are made from gas-permeable materials like paper or cardboard, then the capsules are environmentally friendly and biodegradable, but the beverage ingredients are exposed to oxygen and moisture leading to oxidation and quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule material compatibilityVSAvoidoxidation of beverage ingredients

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A barrier means comprising oxygen and water vapor barrier layers is introduced as an intermediary between the gas-permeable capsule and the external environment. This barrier means selectively prevents oxygen and moisture ingress while allowing the capsule to maintain its environmentally friendly material composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device maintains a controlled atmospheric environment within the capsule holder using inert gases (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to displace oxygen. This inert atmosphere prevents oxidation of beverage ingredients while allowing the use of gas-permeable capsule materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a barrier packaging is used to protect capsules, then oxygen barrier properties are achieved, but the barrier packaging cannot be fully opened without losing preservation capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen protectionVSAvoidpackaging accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier function is extracted from the capsule packaging and transferred to the device's capsule holder. The holder maintains a controlled atmospheric environment, allowing individual capsule access without compromising the preservation of remaining capsules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The preservation function is segmented from the packaging and integrated into the device structure. The capsule holder is divided into a storage area with controlled atmosphere and a dispensing area, allowing selective access to individual capsules while maintaining overall preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If capsules are dispensed individually from a magazine, then automated delivery is achieved, but the ingredients in capsules are exposed to air during the dispensing process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule dispensing automationVSAvoidair exposure during dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule holder maintains a controlled atmospheric environment filled with inert gas throughout the dispensing process. Automated capsule delivery occurs within this inert atmosphere, preventing oxidation even during the transition from storage to dispensing position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The controlled atmospheric environment is maintained continuously throughout the capsule dispensing process. The barrier means remains in place during automated delivery, ensuring uninterrupted protection against oxygen and moisture exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 effectively preserves beverage ingredients within capsules made from gas-permeable materials by maintaining a controlled atmosphere during dispensing, enhancing storage conditions and preventing oxidation, even when using non-gas-barrier materials.

Implementation Method 1

barrier means arranged within a capsule transport path from the receiving means to the outlet means... preventing transport and/or ingress of at least one of water vapour and oxygen gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxygen barrier: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

designed to individually discharge a capsule from the packaging under a controlled atmospheric environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtmospheric control:

Implementation Method 3

using inert gases to flush out oxygen, thus protecting the ingredients within capsules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas displacement/flushing:

Data Source

PatentUS9907428B2Dispensing device with barrier properties

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

A device for controlled dispensing of capsules containing beverage ingredients, as well as a system and a beverage preparation machine that include the device, are disclosed. Methods of use of the device are also disclosed. In addition, a package for holding beverage ingredients containing capsules is also disclosed.