Beverage Capsule Opening Plate With Capillary Anti-Drip Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capsules used in beverage production often experience residual liquids and solids leakage after the production process, leading to cross-contamination in machines used for different beverages due to air entry and incomplete drainage.
Innovation Solution
The capsule design incorporates a contoured opening plate with capillary through holes and a flexible lip valve that opens under pressure and closes when pressure drops, ensuring efficient liquid flow and minimizing residual liquid and solid leakage by utilizing capillary holes and anti-dripping mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capsule is opened at both inlet and outlet sides during beverage production, then liquid can flow through the capsule efficiently, but residual liquid remains in the capsule causing dripping after production
Solution Approach 1:
The opening plate is provided with capillary through holes that allow liquid to pass through during beverage production while preventing residual liquid from dripping out after production due to capillary retention effects
Solution Approach 2:
The opening plate is designed to be movable, allowing it to be in a first position during beverage production that enables liquid flow, and movable to a second position after production that prevents residual liquid from leaving the capsule
2Productivity
If air enters the capsule from the outlet side, then beverage can be dispensed, but this promotes water or beverage dripping from the inlet side after production
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is closed by the movable opening plate after beverage production completes, preventing air from entering the capsule and eliminating the suction effect that would cause residual liquid to drip from the inlet side
Solution Approach 2:
Capillary through holes in the opening plate allow beverage to pass during dispensing while the capillary action retains residual liquid, preventing it from dripping out after production
3Productivity
If solids such as coffee powder leave the capsule on the water inlet side, then beverage is produced, but this causes cross-contamination of machine elements
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is closed by the movable opening plate after beverage production completes, preventing air entry that would cause suction and prevent solids from being drawn back into the capsule where they could contaminate machine elements
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary through holes use capillary action to retain residual liquid and solids within the capsule after production, converting what would be harmful leakage into a beneficial containment mechanism that prevents cross-contamination
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 design effectively reduces dripping and backflow, maintaining a cleaner production environment by ensuring complete drainage and preventing cross-contamination, even when the capsule is removed from the machine.
Implementation Method 1
The opening plate is provided with one or several capillary through holes connecting two opposing sides of the opening plate
Implementation Method 2
the valve means are designed for opening a liquid flow path between the periphery of the opening plate and the capsule wall as long as the pressure inside the ingredient compartment exceeds a threshold value, and closing off liquid flow path when the pressure inside the ingredient compartment drops below a threshold value
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6c
AI summary
A capsule (1) containing ingredients for producing a beverage, wherein the ingredients are housed in a compartment (3), wherein the capsule (1) comprises a contoured opening plate (5) designed for opening a face of the compartment (3) when the pressure inside the ingredient compartment (3) presses the face against the opening plate (5) of the capsule (1), or an insert and wherein the opening plate (5) or insert is provided with one or several capillary through holes (100, 101, 102, 103) connecting two opposing sides of the opening plate (5) or insert.