Capsule Holder with Tilting Guide for Gravity-Assisted Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines using capsules face challenges in efficiently handling and removing capsules, particularly in facilitating easy insertion and removal, especially when using centrifugation methods for beverage extraction.
Innovation Solution
A capsule processing machine with a holder and cover that are movable between open and closed positions, incorporating a motorized drive axis for rotation and a capsule guide that tilts to enhance gravity-assisted capsule removal, along with a pusher for separating the capsule, and a system for guiding the capsule to a used-capsule evacuation area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capsule holder with tight closure is used for beverage extraction, then beverage preparation reliability is improved, but capsule removal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule holder is designed to dynamically change its closure state: during beverage extraction it maintains a tight closed position for reliability, and during removal it transitions to an open position facilitated by the tilting guide and pusher mechanism, resolving the contradiction between secure closure and easy removal
2Ease of operation
If motorized opening and closure systems are implemented, then capsule handling ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses spring elements and tilting guide mechanisms that automatically facilitate capsule removal without requiring complex motorized actuators for the removal phase, while maintaining motorized control only for the essential closure/opening operations, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity
3Productivity
If centrifugation method is used for beverage extraction, then beverage preparation efficiency is improved, but capsule removal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule holder and guide assembly are segmented into independently movable components that can tilt and rotate, allowing the capsule to be separated from the holder during removal while maintaining the integrated centrifugation system for efficient beverage preparation, thus resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and removal ease
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 machine effectively prepares beverages by circulating liquid through capsules and facilitates easy handling and removal of capsules, improving the efficiency of the capsule handling process and enhancing the user experience.
Implementation Method 1
tilting the capsule guide to change the guide's angle (favouring the movement of the capsule) so as to increase the effect of gravity for moving the capsule towards the evacuation area
Implementation Method 2
rotating the capsule at sufficient speed to ensure interaction of the liquid with the ingredient while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the capsule. Such pressure increases gradually from the centre towards the periphery of the capsule
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule processing machine (1) for preparing a beverage from a capsule (5) having a body (50) containing an ingredient. The machine (1) has a holder (10) with a cavity (11) having an upwardly oriented mouth (12) and a cover (20) cooperating with the holder (10). The cover (20) and the holder (10) are relatively movable along a movement path (14) from: an open position for inserting the capsule (5) inbetween the holder (10) and cover (20) into the cavity (11) and/or for removing the capsule (5) therefrom; to a closed position for extracting the capsule (5) in the cavity (11). The machine (1) includes a capsule transfer device (30) having a capsule guide (31) for guiding the capsule (5) from the holder (10) to a used-capsule evacuation area (40). The capsule guide (31) extends along an evacuation direction (31′) and is configured to seize the capsule (5) and hold the capsule (5) above the holder (10) and to guide the capsule (5) towards the evacuation area (40) along the evacuation direction (31′). The movement path (14) and the evacuation direction (31′) are at an angle (α1,α2,α3,α4) favouring a movement of the capsule (5) under the effect of gravity along the capsule guide (31) towards the evacuation area (40). The capsule guide (31) is tillable during the relative movement of the holder (10) and the cover (20) from the closed position to the open position to reduce the angle (α1,α2,α3,α4) so as to increase the effect of gravity for moving the capsule (5).