Capsule Engagement Design for Reliable Beverage Pod Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage production machines face issues with reliable capsule discharge, as the end swivelling movement is not sufficient to disengage the capsule from the engagement member, leading to potential blockages if the consumer does not immediately discharge the capsule, especially when the needle is non-retractable and retains the capsule.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a displaceable first capsule engagement member with a hollow bell shape and retaining bumps made of flexible material to create friction with the capsule's rim, ensuring efficient discharge by combining linear and swivelling movements, and using tabs to engage the capsule rim during the discharge position, preventing sticking and facilitating capsule recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the needle is non-retractable and continuously protrudes in the capsule, then the capsule can be reliably retained in the engagement member, but the capsule cannot be discharged from the beverage production module
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between protruding (for reliable capsule retention during beverage production) and retracted (for capsule discharge). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling both reliable retention and easy discharge at different operational stages.
2Device complexity
If the end swivelling movement is used to discharge the capsule, then the structure remains simple, but the capsule does not systematically disengage from the engagement member
Solution Approach 1:
The needle performs a preliminary retraction action before the capsule discharge process. By retracting the needle in advance, the capsule is freed from the retention mechanism, ensuring systematic disengagement. This preliminary action prevents the reliability issue without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the capsule discharge position is offset relative to the vertical beverage flow path, then the beverage can be delivered directly to a cup without contacting the machine, but the capsule sticking problem worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is extracted or removed from the engagement member during the discharge phase. This extraction eliminates the sticking problem caused by the needle's presence, allowing reliable capsule discharge to the offset position while maintaining the benefit of contamination-free beverage delivery.
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 solution ensures systematic and efficient capsule discharge, preventing blockages and ensuring smooth operation of the beverage production machine by maintaining frictional engagement and utilizing flexible materials to securely retain and release the capsule.
Implementation Method 1
the first capsule engagement member comprises retaining means able to create friction with discrete parts of the outer shape of the enclosure of the capsule
Implementation Method 2
the capsule presenting an enclosure outer shape that is conformal to at least a portion of the hollow bell member
Implementation Method 3
The resulting beverage flows out of the capsule either through en outlet provided in the capsule or/and produced by the machine during the capsule engagement and falls by gravity in a cup
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising a capsule (1) and a module (2) for producing a beverage from the capsule, the capsule (1) comprising an enclosure (1a) and a rim (1b), and the module (2) comprising: a first capsule engagement member (3), which can be displaced relative to a second, co-operating capsule engagement member (4) between a capsule discharge position and a beverage production position, the displaceable first capsule engagement member (3) comprising member (13) having the shape of a hollow bell, and the capsule (1) presenting an enclosure outer shape that is conformal to at least a portion of the hollow bell shaped member (13) and the capsule presenting a rim (1b) size such that at least a part of the rim of the capsule extends beyond at least a part of the first capsule engagement member (3) once it is engaged in the first capsule engagement member, wherein the displaceable first capsule engagement member (3) comprises retaining means able to create friction with discrete parts of the outer shape of the enclosure (1a) of the capsule, and wherein the module (2) comprises means for engaging the rim (1b) of the capsule extending beyond the first capsule engagement member when the first capsule engagement member (3) is displaced from the beverage production position to its opened capsule-insertion position.