Interchangeable Beverage Capsule Valves to Prevent Flow Channeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing beverages from infusion products in capsules face issues with the formation of preferential flow lines, leading to less aromatic infusions due to reduced product capacity and shorter water residence time, as the capsule must be shorter to avoid piercing, resulting in a less rich and less aromatic infusion.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an interchangeable capsule with a truncated-cone shape and internal ribs to break flow lines, combined with a lid that seals and opens via elastic valves, and a dispensing device with perforation needles that deform flaps instead of piercing, allowing for increased product capacity and uniform water distribution without mechanical contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capsule is made shorter to avoid piercing by the perforation tip, then the risk of mechanical contamination is reduced, but the product capacity and water residence time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom of the capsule is divided into multiple sections: a central pierced portion for water injection and an outer annular section that remains intact to prevent contamination. This segmentation allows the capsule to maintain full length for maximum product capacity while still enabling safe water injection through the perforation tip.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the capsule bottom have different properties: the central area is pierced to allow water flow, while the peripheral area remains intact and smooth to prevent mechanical contamination. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing piercing where needed while maintaining integrity where contamination risk exists.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the capsule is made shorter to avoid piercing by the perforation tip, then the formation of preferential flow lines is avoided, but the product capacity and aromatic richness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom structure is segmented into a central pierced zone and an outer intact annular zone. The intact outer portion acts as a flow distributor that prevents preferential flow lines from forming, while the central pierced zone allows adequate water injection. This enables full capsule length to be maintained for maximum product capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intact annular portion of the bottom acts as an intermediary element between the pierced central area and the granular product. It distributes water flow uniformly across the product bed, preventing preferential flow lines while allowing the capsule to maintain full length and product capacity.
3Reliability
If the capsule is made shorter, then the perforation tip can be fully extracted without piercing, but the water residence time in the capsule is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom is segmented into a small central pierced area and a larger intact annular area. This allows the perforation tip to be fully extracted without piercing the majority of the bottom surface, maintaining adequate water residence time for proper infusion while avoiding mechanical contamination through the intact peripheral portion.
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 enhances the capacity of the capsule, allows for adjustable water residence time, and eliminates preferential flow lines, resulting in a richer and more aromatic infusion while preventing contamination from broken plastic parts.
Implementation Method 1
a lid (6) provided with a plurality of valves (7) arranged to open and close
Implementation Method 2
internal ribs to break flow lines
Implementation Method 3
perforation needles that deform flaps instead of piercing
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A system (100) for preparing an amount of predetermined beverage starting from an extractable product. The system comprises: (a) an interchangeable capsule (1); and (b) a percolating machine (150) for preparing infusions. A dispensing device (170) of the percolating machine (150) comprises several perforation tips (180) of the bottom (4) intended to perforate the inlet area of a traditional capsule to create an inlet opening for the fluid. The system (100) is characterized in that the inlet area (17) comprises a plurality of valves (17), and in that the perforating tips (180) are in contact with the inlet area (17) without performing any perforating action thereon.