System for the preparation of beverages with the use of capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems with pre-packaged capsules face challenges in ensuring reliable operation and compatibility with capsules of different heights, often resulting in inefficient fluid flow and seal issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a capsule-holder and cooperating body with a movable piercing member and resilient mechanism, where the piercing member is primarily actuated by a spring, maintaining equilibrium hydraulic forces and allowing operation with capsules of varying heights by adjusting the piercing point's position based on capsule height, ensuring a liquid-tight seal and efficient fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed piercing member is used in the capsule-holder, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot operate with capsules of different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing member is made movable relative to the capsule-holder, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically. The resilient means (spring) enables the piercing member to move to different positions depending on the capsule height, while maintaining piercing capability for capsules of varying axial sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the piercing member is changed based on the capsule height parameter. The resilient means allows the piercing member to adapt its position parameter to match different capsule dimensions, ensuring proper piercing and sealing operation.
2Reliability
If the piercing member is fixed relative to the capsule-holder, then the manufacturing is simple, but the hydraulic forces during beverage preparation become unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing member is mounted to be movable under the action of resilient means, allowing it to reach an equilibrium position where hydraulic forces are balanced during beverage preparation, rather than being fixed in a static position.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient means automatically adjusts the piercing member position to achieve hydraulic force equilibrium during operation, without requiring external control mechanisms. The system self-regulates the piercing member position based on the capsule characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a movable piercing member actuated by resilient means is used, then the system adapts to different capsule heights, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing member is made movable relative to the capsule-holder, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically. The resilient means (spring) enables the piercing member to move to different positions depending on the capsule height, while maintaining piercing capability for capsules of varying axial sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient means automatically adjusts the piercing member position to achieve hydraulic force equilibrium during operation, without requiring external control mechanisms. The system self-regulates the piercing member position based on the capsule characteristics.
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 system achieves reliable and efficient beverage preparation across different capsule heights by maintaining equilibrium hydraulic forces and ensuring a consistent liquid-tight seal, allowing for the use of capsules with varying axial sizes without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first piercing member mounted in the recess of the capsule-holder to be movable under the action of an associated resilient means tending to displace it towards the cooperating body
Implementation Method 2
the pressurized fluid introduced into said recess of the capsule-holder exerts on the first piercing member a resulting force lower than a predetermined value towards the capsule, and in particular a resulting force which is null
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the preparation of beverages with the use of capsules including an infusion assembly (1) and a capsule (C). The infusion assembly includes a capsule-holder (2) and a cooperating body (3), adapted to assume an open configuration for positioning a capsule (C) therebetween, and a closed configuration for preparing a beverage through the capsule (C) clamped in a liquid-tight manner therebetween. In the capsule-holder (2) there is defined a recess (4) adapted to receive the capsule (C) with the bottom wall (20a, 20f) facing the interior of the capsule-holder (2) and wherein is provided a first piercing member (8) provided with at least a piercing point (9) adapted to penetrate through the bottom wall (20a) of said capsule (C). The capsule-holder (2) is adapted to supply a flow of fluid introduced into the capsule (C) through the tear created in its bottom wall (20a) from the at least one point (9). In the cooperating body (3) a dispensing conduit (13) is defined for the beverage and a second piercing member (14) is provided, having at least one point (16) adapted to penetrate through the cover (21) of the capsule (C) to allow the outflow of the beverage from the capsule (C) towards said dispensing conduit (13). In the capsule-holder (2) there are provided fluid communication passages (8c; 8d; 11), which put into communication a region upstream of the first piercing member (8) such that, during the preparation of a beverage, the fluid introduced into the recess (4) of the capsule-holder (2) exerts on the first piercing member (8) a force lower than a predetermined value towards the capsule (C), the first piercing member (8) being mounted in the recess (4) of the capsule-holder (2) such as to be movable under the action of a spring (10) tending to displace it towards the cooperating body (3).