Beverage Capsule Opening Plate With Capillary Anti-Drip Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hermetically sealed ingredient capsules used in beverage production machines often result in residual liquids and solids leaking after the production process, leading to cross-contamination and inefficiencies, especially when air enters the capsule and causes solids like coffee powder to exit at the water inlet side.

Innovation Solution

The capsule design incorporates a contoured opening plate with capillary through holes and a flexible lip valve that opens under pressure to allow beverage release and closes when pressure drops, preventing backflow and dripping by utilizing capillary effects and anti-dripping mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the capsule is hermetically sealed during transport and storage, then volatile substances are preserved, but residual liquid and solids may leak after the beverage production process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservation of volatile substancesVSAvoidleakage of residual liquid and solids

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet face of the capsule is equipped with a porous structure that allows controlled release of beverage while preventing uncontrolled leakage of residual liquids and solids. The porous material enables selective permeability based on pressure differentials and particle size filtration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule incorporates a flexible membrane that dynamically adjusts its permeability based on internal pressure. During beverage production, the membrane allows flow when pressurized; after production, it automatically seals when pressure equalizes, preventing residual leakage without requiring additional sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If air enters the capsule from the beverage outlet side, then beverage flow is enabled, but solids such as coffee powder are carried out at the water inlet side causing cross-contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage flowVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet face is segmented into multiple small pores rather than a single large opening. This segmentation creates surface tension barriers that allow liquid passage while blocking solid particles, preventing coffee powder from being carried out with the air flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A filter medium or porous barrier is introduced as an intermediary between the beverage chamber and the outlet. This intermediary layer allows air and liquid to pass while intercepting and retaining solid particles, preventing cross-contamination at the water inlet side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the opening plate has larger holes for faster beverage release, then productivity increases, but residual liquid and solids are more likely to leak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage release speedVSAvoidresidual leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using large holes, the outlet face employs a porous material with optimized pore size distribution. This allows maintaining high beverage release speed through numerous small pores while the combined surface tension and filtration effect prevents residual leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of the outlet structure from discrete large holes to a continuous porous matrix with controlled porosity, pore size, and tortuosity. This parameter optimization enables simultaneous achievement of high flow rate and effective particle retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly reduces the risk of residual liquids and solids leaving the capsule, minimizing cross-contamination and ensuring a cleaner production process by controlling the flow path and utilizing capillary effects to retain liquids within the capsule.

Implementation Method 1

The through holes are arranged in recessed portions of the face of the opening plate which faces the compartment face to be opened... utilizing capillary effects to retain liquids within the capsule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary effect: Capillary Action

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8147887B2Beverage ingredient capsule with opening plate having pressure relief openings

Publication Date: 2012.04.03 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

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.