Cartridge and machine for multi-component beverage preparation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartridges for preparing beverages are complex and costly, and they fail to reliably delay the release of multiple beverage components, limiting their ability to produce multi-component or multi-phase beverages effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with at least two compartments for different beverage ingredients, featuring a flow dividing mechanism that provides a preferred flow path for liquid interaction, allowing for controlled release of components, and a beverage preparation machine that injects liquid to interact with ingredients in a way that prioritizes the preparation and release of each component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single cartridge is used to contain multiple beverage ingredients, then the preparation of multi-component beverages is enabled, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) that are separated by partition walls. Each compartment can hold different beverage ingredients, allowing multi-component beverage preparation while maintaining a relatively simple overall cartridge structure that uses basic segmentation rather than complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design enables a single cartridge to serve multiple functions by containing and dispensing different beverage ingredients (such as coffee, milk, cream) through a unified structure. The flow dividing means and outlet arrangement allow one cartridge to prepare various multi-component beverages without requiring separate cartridges for each ingredient
2Reliability
If flow dividing means are introduced to control liquid flow paths, then the release of beverage components can be controlled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow dividing means includes a first flow dividing means with a first outlet and a second flow dividing means with a second outlet, creating separate controlled flow paths for different beverage ingredients. This segmentation of flow paths enables reliable controlled release while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design that can be integrated into the cartridge structure
Solution Approach 2:
The flow dividing means acts as an intermediary structure between the injection area and the various compartments. It controls and directs the liquid flow from the injection area to specific compartments and outlets, enabling reliable component release control without requiring complex active control mechanisms, thus maintaining ease of manufacture
3Adaptability or versatility
If compartments are separated by dissolvable walls, then multi-component beverage preparation is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge uses partition walls to separate different compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) instead of dissolvable walls. This segmentation approach enables multi-component beverage preparation while significantly simplifying manufacturing, as rigid or semi-rigid partitions are easier and more cost-effective to manufacture than dissolvable barrier materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts or removes the dissolvable wall concept from the design and replaces it with permanent partition structures. This elimination of the dissolvable wall requirement reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the ability to prepare multi-component beverages through controlled flow paths and outlet mechanisms
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 convenient and reliable preparation of multi-component beverages using a single cartridge, ensuring controlled release of components and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
injecting a quantity of pressurized water into the cartridge... so as to create a pressurized environment inside the cartridge either to extract the substance
Implementation Method 2
dissolve it, and then release the extracted substance or the dissolved substance through the cartridge
Implementation Method 3
flow dividing means designed for providing a fluid communication between the injection area and the at least first and second compartments, wherein the flow dividing means are designed to provide a preferred flow path for liquid
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cartridge (1) for preparation of a beverage upon injection of liquid into the cartridge, the cartridge comprising at least a first compartment (2) and a second compartment (3) for holding beverage ingredients, an injection area (4) for receiving a liquid injected into the cartridge, and flow dividing means (8) designed for providing a fluid communication between the injection area (4) and the first and second compartment (2, 3), wherein the flow dividing means (8) are designed to provide a preferred flow path for liquid from the injection area (4) to the first and second compartment [2, 3) and to outlet means (9, 10) of the cartridge.