Beverage Capsule Pressure Design for Selective Foam Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage extraction systems face challenges in preventing contamination and maintaining taste quality when extracting substances other than roasted ground coffee, due to beverage residue on supporting parts, making it difficult to use diverse substances without cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
Capsules with their own opening mechanism activated by fluid pressure and dedicated outflow passages minimize contact with system components, allowing for the extraction of various substances without contamination, using different membrane configurations and puncturing elements to control foam levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a supporting part with raised elements is used to open the cartridge under pressure, then the cartridge can be extracted effectively, but beverage residue contaminates the support and causes cross-contamination when extracting different substances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the opening function from the external supporting part and relocates it inside the cartridge itself. The cartridge includes an opening means with a breaking line that allows the cartridge to self-open under extraction pressure, eliminating the need for contact with external supporting elements and preventing contamination of those elements by beverage residue.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed to perform its own opening operation through an integrated opening means. The breaking line allows the cartridge to automatically open under the effect of extraction pressure without requiring external mechanical assistance, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating contamination risks from external supporting parts.
2Ease of operation
If the capsule opening mechanism is activated by fluid pressure rise, then the capsule opens automatically during extraction, but the beverage must contact system components to be dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the beverage from the capsule through a dedicated outflow passage that directs it away from system components. The beverage exits the capsule through its own integrated passage without needing to contact external supporting parts, eliminating contamination while maintaining automatic opening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The outflow passage acts as an intermediary channel between the capsule interior and the external environment. It provides a dedicated pathway for beverage exit that isolates the beverage from direct contact with system components, serving as a protective mediator that prevents contamination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different membrane thicknesses and puncturing elements are used to control foam levels, then beverages with varying foam levels can be delivered, but the capsule design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by varying the membrane thickness and puncturing element characteristics at specific locations within the capsule to achieve different foam levels. Different regions of the capsule can have optimized properties for their specific function, allowing foam control without requiring complete redesign of the entire capsule structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls foam levels by changing physical parameters such as membrane thickness and puncturing element geometry. By adjusting these parameters, the capsule can be tuned to produce different foam characteristics while maintaining the same basic capsule design and opening mechanism.
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 the selective delivery of beverages with varying foam levels by controlling extraction pressure, allowing for diverse beverage options without taste compromise or contamination, using capsules with distinct membrane thicknesses and puncturing elements.
Implementation Method 1
retain a first extraction pressure in the capsule, prior to the complete delivery of the beverage
Implementation Method 2
a greater amount of foam is created upon delivery of the beverage from the first capsule
Data Source
AI summary
A system for selectively delivering different beverages having different foam levels by injection of a fluid under pressure into a capsule that contains a beverage-forming substance. The capsules include a chamber containing the substance and a beverage dispensing structure adapted to retain a certain extraction pressure in the chamber before allowing the beverage to flow out of the capsule. The system is characterized in that first and second capsules are provided for selective use in the system, with the first capsule having a first beverage dispensing structure configured and positioned therein to retain a first extraction pressure in the capsule, prior to the complete delivery of the beverage, and the second capsule having a second beverage dispensing structure configured and positioned therein to retain a second extraction pressure in the capsule, prior to the complete delivery of the beverage. The first extraction pressure is higher than the second extraction pressure so that a greater amount of foam is created upon delivery of the beverage from the first capsule as compared to that created by the second capsule. This allows a user of the system to select a cartridge that produces a beverage with the desired foam content.