Capsule Brewing Unit with Helicoidal Closure and Safe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage brewing units are complex and costly, making them unsuitable for the consumer market, particularly due to issues with capsule positioning and sealing, which can lead to damage and inefficient brewing processes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage machine with a brewing unit featuring a helicoidally extendible and retractable capsule holding assembly that simplifies capsule insertion and closure, using a helical mechanism for safe and efficient brewing, and a puncturable membrane on the capsule that tears under pressure to release the beverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vertical capsule insertion with horizontal extraction movement is used, then rapid loading is achieved, but device complexity increases due to multiple movable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the capsule insertion and extraction functions into a single vertical linear movement of the brewing unit. The brewing unit moves vertically to insert the capsule holder into the capsule, perform extraction, and then retract to allow capsule removal. This merges multiple functions (insertion, extraction, retraction) into one simple linear motion path, eliminating the need for complex horizontal movement mechanisms while maintaining rapid loading capability
2Device complexity
If manual capsule positioning is required, then device simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates leading to poor sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule holder is designed with self-aligning features including guide rails and positioning surfaces that automatically guide the capsule into the correct position when the brewing unit moves vertically. The capsule's own geometry (rim, base) works with the holder's guiding elements to achieve precise positioning without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms or manual adjustment by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule holder acts as an intermediary component between the user-inserted capsule and the brewing mechanism. It provides a standardized interface with built-in positioning features that ensure the capsule is correctly oriented and positioned relative to the brewing unit during vertical insertion, thereby guaranteeing proper sealing without complex positioning systems
3Ease of operation
If the brewing unit is opened for capsule removal, then capsule access is enabled, but pressurized water may project outside the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing unit is designed to be fully retracted into the housing before the housing cover is opened for capsule removal. The vertical linear movement mechanism ensures complete retraction of the brewing unit and its water-containing components into the sealed housing before access is required, thereby preventing pressurized water projection hazards before they can occur
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 reduces the complexity and cost of brewing units, ensuring easy and rapid capsule loading, maintaining a good seal, and preventing pressurized fluid projections during operation, thus enhancing user safety and brewing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a puncturable membrane (90) which is sealed on the cup (91) for forming a gastight enclosure containing ground coffee
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Beverage machine with a beverage brewing unit (1) for receiving a single-serve capsule (9) comprising: a capsule holding assembly (3) for holding a capsule in a position during insertion by gravity of the capsule in the brewing unit; and a water injection assembly (2) for at least partially enclosing the capsule and providing water in the capsule. The capsule holding part forms a front part of the unit and is mounted to the capsule injection assembly in a manner to be displaceable along a substantially horizontal path whereas the water injection assembly is a rear fixed part of the unit. The beverage machine has an outermost casing (80). One of these brewing unit assemblies (2,3) can be moved or telescoped out or through this casing for inserting/removing the ingredient capsule and retracted into the outermost casing for bringing the brewing unit into its capsule extraction configuration.