Soluble Capsule With Sectorised Pressurisation Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capsule coffeemakers for soluble products face issues such as insufficient foam generation, the need for multiple capsules for multi-ingredient drinks, and water retention problems, leading to environmental pollution and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring an internal cavity divided into sectors by a sectorising piece with independent pressurization channels, allowing for the preparation of drinks with multiple ingredients in a single capsule, and a closure sheet with a barrier effect to prevent oxygen entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If channels are formed in the edges of the walls to improve product flow, then the soluble product slides better under pressure, but the pressure is insufficient to generate suitable foam in the final drink
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into multiple sectors (2-3 sectors) separated by partition walls, with each sector having independent pressurization channels. This segmentation allows different regions to be pressurized independently, enabling sufficient pressure buildup for foam generation while maintaining product flow through the channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the capsule have different functions: the edges contain channels for product flow, while the bottom surface has pressurization channels for foam generation. The partition walls create localized sectors that can be independently pressurized, providing local quality variations to satisfy both flow and foam requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple capsules are used for multi-ingredient drinks to maintain ingredient separation, then ingredient purity is maintained, but environmental pollution and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single capsule is segmented into multiple sectors by partition walls, with each sector containing a different ingredient. This maintains ingredient separation and purity within a single capsule, eliminating the need for multiple capsules and reducing environmental pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple ingredients that would traditionally require separate capsules are merged into a single capsule with sectorized compartments. The ingredients remain separated during storage but can be combined during the brewing process, achieving both purity and reduced waste.
3Productivity
If pressurized water is inserted to expel the soluble product, then the drink is prepared efficiently, but water remains in the capsule causing flooding when discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom surface of the capsule is designed with a breakable structure that can be opened by the pressurized water flow. This extraction of the bottom surface allows trapped water to be expelled from the capsule, eliminating the flooding problem while maintaining efficient drink preparation.
4Reliability
If a closure sheet is added to isolate the soluble product from the exterior, then oxygen barrier protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A closure sheet made of flexible barrier material is placed on the pressurization channels at the bottom end. This thin film provides effective oxygen barrier protection while maintaining the overall simplicity of the capsule structure and not significantly increasing device complexity.
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
This design enables efficient foam generation, reduces waste and pollution by using a single capsule for multi-ingredient drinks, and minimizes water retention, making the process cleaner and more environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a second, opposite, end with channels for pressurising the product
Implementation Method 2
a closure sheet with a barrier effect to prevent oxygen entry
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Soluble products capsule (1) with a closure sheet (6) on a first end (1.1) and pressurisation channels (4) for the product and an exit opening (5) on a second end and which comprises an isolation sheet (7) on the pressurisation channels (4) and an intermediate sectorising piece (8) of the internal cavity (2) with a base (8.1) and two or three sectorising walls (8-2) emerging in a radial layout that divide the cavity into sectors (9). The base (8.1) comprises a passing opening (11) for the product in each sector (9) and the pressurisation channels (4) are independent and form a route for the product from the outermost point of the pressurisation channels (4) in each sector (9) to the central exit opening (5) of the second end (1.2) of the capsule (1).