Machine for the preparation of liquid products via capsules

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation machines using capsules face challenges in efficiently extracting spent capsules due to mechanical softening caused by high temperatures, which leads to excessive stress on the mechanical system of the ejector member during capsule expulsion.

Innovation Solution

The machine employs a delivery assembly with guides that primarily handle capsule extraction, and an ejector member that intervenes only when the guides fail, ensuring a softer actuation and precise expulsion by delaying the ejector's movement until the guides have attempted extraction, thereby reducing mechanical stress and improving capsule handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ejector member is used to expel the capsule from the capsule-holder, then the capsule can be removed, but excessive mechanical stress is applied to the mechanical system due to capsule softening from high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule extractionVSAvoidmechanical stress on ejector system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The guides perform the capsule extraction action before the ejector member is activated. The guides are positioned to extract the capsule during the initial phase of chamber opening, and only if this preliminary action fails does the ejector member subsequently intervene to complete the extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guides act as an intermediary mechanism between the capsule and the ejector member. Instead of the ejector directly confronting the softened capsule bottom, the guides first attempt extraction, serving as a buffer that reduces the mechanical stress on the ejector system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the ejector member acts immediately to expel the capsule, then extraction is achieved, but the softened capsule bottom causes excessive forces during opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule removal efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical system strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guides perform the capsule extraction action before the ejector member is activated. The guides are positioned to extract the capsule during the initial phase of chamber opening, and only if this preliminary action fails does the ejector member subsequently intervene to complete the extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to cushion the extraction process by having the guides attempt removal first, absorbing the initial mechanical stress. This preliminary cushioning action protects the ejector system from excessive forces that would result from immediately acting on the softened capsule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the guides divaricate to enable capsule introduction, then capsule insertion is facilitated, but the capsule bottom becomes weakened by high temperatures during preparation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule insertionVSAvoidcapsule structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction function is segmented into two distinct phases: first the guides attempt extraction during chamber opening, and only if that fails does the ejector member subsequently act. This segmentation allows the system to handle capsules with varying degrees of softening without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guides perform the capsule extraction action before the ejector member is activated. The guides are positioned to extract the capsule during the initial phase of chamber opening, and only if this preliminary action fails does the ejector member subsequently intervene to complete the extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10420437B2Machine for the preparation of liquid products via capsules

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 LUIGI LAVAZZA SPA

AI summary

A machine (1) for the preparation of liquid products via capsules has a delivery assembly (2), which comprises: —a preparation chamber that includes a first, stationary, part of chamber and a second, movable, part of chamber; —an actuation system (13, 14), controllable for causing displacements of the second part of chamber with respect to the first part of chamber, between a spaced apart position and a close position; —two guide elements, configured for co-operating with a flange of a capsule for guiding the latter towards a position that is substantially coaxial to the first part of chamber and to the second part of chamber; —an ejector member (9), slidably mounted through a through opening of a bottom of the first part of chamber (4); and—connection members (8, 9a), which connect the ejector member (9) to the second part of chamber. The guide elements are prearranged for interfering with the flange of the capsule in order to extract the capsule from the housing of the first part of chamber. The connection members (8, 9a) are configured in such a way that the ejector member (9) brings about expulsion of the capsule from the housing of the first part of chamber if the guide elements fail to extract the capsule from the housing.