Capsule Holder Mechanism for Easy Brewing Capsule Insertion and Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brewing devices for beverage capsules, especially those with flexible or deformable edges like 'coffee pods', face complexity and cost issues due to numerous moving parts and pieces, making them difficult to handle and manufacture reliably.

Innovation Solution

A brewing device with a simplified mechanical assembly featuring a foldable sealing edge, a frame, and mobile and fixed enclosing members, including a capsule holding member that stabilizes the capsule against gravity and allows for easy insertion and ejection using a reduced number of pieces, with a coaxially arranged holding surface and transversal retaining means to manage flexible edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple moving parts and pieces are used in the brewing device, then the capsule handling and ejection functions can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule handling and ejectionVSAvoidnumber of moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single closing lever mechanism that simultaneously performs capsule insertion guidance, capsule holding, and capsule ejection. The lever integrates the functions of what would traditionally require separate moving parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The closing lever is designed as a multi-functional element that performs multiple operations: guiding the capsule during insertion, holding the capsule in position during brewing, and ejecting the capsule after brewing. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple moving parts and pieces are used in the brewing device, then the capsule handling and ejection functions can be achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule handling and ejectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple functions into the closing lever, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This consolidation directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the required capsule handling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts from the system, retaining only the essential closing lever mechanism. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the core capsule handling and ejection functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If multiple moving parts and pieces are used in the brewing device, then the capsule handling functions can be achieved, but the reliability decreases due to potential failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule handling and ejectionVSAvoiddevice failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the closing lever, reducing the number of potential failure points. Fewer moving parts mean fewer components that can wear out, break, or malfunction, thereby improving overall device reliability while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If a simplified mechanical assembly with fewer pieces is used, then the manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the ability to handle capsules with flexible edges may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing cost and complexityVSAvoidcapsule handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closing lever incorporates specific local features such as a lever arm that engages with the capsule rim and a lever body that provides guiding surfaces. These localized structural qualities enable the simplified mechanism to effectively handle capsules with flexible edges, maintaining ease of operation despite overall simplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8176840B2Brewing device and brewing capsule system with a capsule holder for facilitating insertion and removal of capsules

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

A brewing device for the brewing of a capsule containing beverage ingredients. This device includes a frame, first and second capsule enclosing members for at least partially enclosing the capsule during brewing, wherein the first enclosing member is mobile along the frame in relation to the second enclosing member, a closing mechanism to actuate the first enclosing member, the closing mechanism including an actuation member; a capsule holding member for receiving the capsule during insertion of the capsule between the first and second enclosing members and for holding it in place during closing of the enclosing members.