Capsule Piston Cavities for Compact Substance Mixing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capsule designs for mixing substances require separate compartments and complex mechanisms, leading to increased size and complexity, which complicates the preparation of custom-made formulations.

Innovation Solution

A capsule with a single chamber featuring a piston and a mixer element, where the piston has cavities for storing ingredients, allowing for mixing without separate compartments, using a mixer rod and frangible containers that burst under pressure to release substances into the mixing chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If separate repository tubular chambers are used for each substance, then each ingredient can be stored separately, but the capsule size and design complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate ingredient storageVSAvoidcapsule size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds multiple ingredient receptacles within the piston body itself, nesting the storage function inside the moving component rather than using separate peripheral chambers. This allows multiple ingredients to be stored in a compact arrangement within the single chamber volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the storage function for multiple ingredients directly into the piston structure by providing cavities within the piston body. This merges the separation of ingredients with the mechanical actuation system, eliminating the need for separate repository chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If separate repository tubular chambers are used for each substance, then each ingredient can be stored separately, but the capsule design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate ingredient storageVSAvoidcapsule design

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the storage function for multiple ingredients directly into the piston structure by providing cavities within the piston body. This merges the separation of ingredients with the mechanical actuation system, eliminating the need for separate repository chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The piston serves multiple functions: it acts as the mixing actuator, the structural component that seals the chamber, and simultaneously as the storage container for multiple ingredients through its internal cavities. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of stationary object

If a single chamber is used for mixing, then capsule size is reduced, but separate ingredient storage becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule sizeVSAvoidseparate ingredient storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds multiple ingredient receptacles within the piston body itself, nesting the storage function inside the moving component rather than using separate peripheral chambers. This allows multiple ingredients to be stored in a compact arrangement within the single chamber volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables compact and simplified mixing of substances within a single chamber, allowing for customizable formulations with ease of use and efficient ingredient storage and release.

Implementation Method 1

The frangible container is configured to burst when compressed between the piston and the mixer element, thereby releasing the ingredient substance from the frangible container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20240173682A1Capsules and methods for mixing multiple substances

Publication Date: 2024.05.30 CAPSULAB LTD

AI summary

A capsule for mixing substances includes a chamber having first and second ends. A piston is fitted in the chamber. The piston has a proximal end facing the first end, and a distal end facing the second end. A mixer element is arranged within the chamber between the piston and the second end. The mixer element is disposed at a distal end of a mixer rod. The piston has an aperture through which the mixer rod passes. The piston and mixer element are separately displaceable relative to the first and second ends and relative to each other. The piston includes a plurality of cavities within the piston, such that one cavity is separated from another cavity and filled with a different ingredient substance.