Beverage Capsule Piercing Layout for Flow and Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems face issues with capsules sticking to the receptacle during retraction, leading to poor quality beverages and potential damage when using open capsules, and inefficient fluid flow with closed capsules.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates extended bottom piercing means that pierce the entrance filter of open capsules and penetrate deep into closed capsules, ensuring easy capsule removal and optimal fluid flow, preventing sticking and enhancing beverage quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If extended bottom piercing means are used to pierce open capsules, then capsule removal is facilitated, but the risk of damaging closed capsules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing element has different functional zones: an extended portion for piercing open capsules and a protected portion for protecting closed capsules. The extended portion protrudes to facilitate piercing of open capsules, while the protected portion remains enclosed within the receptacle to prevent damage to closed capsules.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle acts as an intermediary structure that contains the piercing element. It provides a protective environment for the piercing element while allowing it to perform its function, and also serves as a protective barrier between the piercing element and the capsule.
2Quantity of substance
If bottom piercing means pierce closed capsules, then fluid flow is improved, but capsule removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing element has an extended portion that protrudes from the receptacle to facilitate piercing of open capsules and improve fluid flow, while the protected portion remains within the receptacle to enable easy capsule removal by preventing sticking.
3Ease of operation
If bottom piercing means are retracted, then capsule removal is enabled, but sticking to support surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The extended bottom piercing means pierces the capsule bottom before the capsule is placed on the support surface, creating a mechanical connection that prevents the capsule from sticking to the support surface during subsequent operations.
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 extended bottom piercing means facilitate easy removal of open capsules and improve fluid flow through closed capsules, reducing the risk of capsule sticking and enhancing beverage quality and repeatability.
Implementation Method 1
bottom piercing means intended for piercing the bottom of the first capsule
Implementation Method 2
fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the first capsule
Implementation Method 3
supplying the fluid under pressure to the inner space causes the pressure in the inner space of the capsule to rise
Implementation Method 4
causes an exit area of the closed capsule to be pressed against lid piercing means present in the support surface of the receptacle
Implementation Method 5
the exit area tears against the lid piercing means creating at least one exit opening
Implementation Method 6
During preparation of the beverage, an exit area of the capsule may stick against the support surface
Data Source
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AI summary
System for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, comprising: a first exchangeable capsule (102), being a closed capsule (102), having a bottom (107); a second exchangeable capsule (2), being an open capsule, having a bottom (7) comprising an entrance filter (15); a first apparatus (104) comprising a receptacle (3) with a support surface (24) for holding a first capsule (102), the first apparatus (104) having bottom piercing means (112) intended for piercing the bottom (107) of the first capsule (102), and having a fluid dispensing device (5) for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the first capsule (102); a second apparatus (4) comprising a receptacle (3) with a support surface (24) for holding a second capsule, and a fluid dispensing device (5) for supplying an amount of a fluid, such as water, under pressure to the second capsule (2).