Capsule Beverage Brewer with Integrated Ejection and Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation devices using capsules are complex, costly, and face challenges in ensuring reliable high-pressure extraction and easy capsule handling due to multiple mechanical movements and sealing issues.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a capsule holder and injection head that incorporates an inclined introduction channel and capsule ejection mechanism, featuring a pivotable capsule holder and a pusher system with a return spring, allowing for reliable and ergonomic capsule insertion, extraction, and ejection without additional mechanisms, ensuring hermetic sealing and efficient high-pressure water injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple mechanical movements and mechanisms are used for capsule handling, then capsule insertion and ejection functions are achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule handlingVSAvoidmechanical parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines capsule insertion and ejection functions into a single integrated mechanism. The introduction channel serves dual purposes: guiding capsule insertion during normal operation and facilitating ejection when the holder is pivoted. This eliminates the need for separate insertion and ejection mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule holder is designed to pivot between a horizontal extraction position and an inclined ejection position. This dynamic reconfiguration of the holder's orientation enables the same structural element to perform both capsule retention during extraction and capsule ejection during disposal, eliminating the need for additional fixed ejection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If multiple mechanical movements and mechanisms are used for capsule handling, then capsule insertion and ejection functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule handlingVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The introduction channel is designed as a multi-functional element that serves both as a guide for capsule insertion during normal operation and as an ejection path when the holder is pivoted to the inclined position. This universal design eliminates the need for dedicated ejection mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If high pressure is used for water injection, then extraction efficiency is improved, but sealing reliability becomes more difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidsealing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The injection head and capsule holder contact surfaces are designed with curved or rounded geometries that conform to each other, creating a more effective seal under high pressure. The curved surfaces distribute the sealing force more evenly across the contact interface, preventing leakage while maintaining the high pressures needed for efficient extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 simplifies the device design, enhances reliability, and reduces costs by eliminating complex mechanical parts, ensuring perfect sealing and efficient high-pressure extraction while facilitating easy capsule handling and ejection, resulting in a more user-friendly and cost-effective beverage preparation system.

Implementation Method 1

a pusher system with a return spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The introduction channel is inclined at an angle between 30 and 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2679120B1Appliance and capsule for preparing a beverage

Publication Date: 2016.11.09 MOCOFFEE

Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 1d

AI summary

An apparatus for preparing a beverage or liquid food from a capsule (3) containing a substance to be extracted by introducing pressurized water into the capsule. The apparatus comprises an extraction block (4) with a capsule introduction channel (14), a capsule holder (8) with an extraction wall (22), an injection head (10) for injecting water into the capsule, and an opening and closing mechanism (12) for effecting relative movement between the capsule holder and the injection head for opening and closing the injection head to the capsule holder. The apparatus includes a capsule ejection mechanism (24) comprising a pusher (42) configured to engage the underside of a capsule collar when the injection head is returned to its open position.