Centrifugal Beverage Capsule with Breakable Outlet Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule designs for beverage preparation by centrifugation face challenges in controlling the opening of sealing membranes, leading to difficulties in ensuring proper beverage release and preventing ingredient spillage during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
The capsule features breakable outlet areas, such as dedicated membranes or localized reductions in material thickness, strategically positioned to rupture under centrifugal pressure, allowing controlled beverage release without the need for dedicated perforating members in the brewing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monolithic sealing membrane is used to cover outlets, then the capsule maintains proper closure during storage and transport, but the opening of the membrane cannot be properly controlled without dedicated perforating members in the brewing device
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing membrane is divided into multiple segments or portions that can be selectively removed or broken. This segmentation allows the membrane to remain intact during storage while enabling controlled opening during beverage preparation without requiring complex perforating mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is pre-configured with removable sealing portions or breakable seals that are designed to be easily removed by the user before insertion into the brewing device. This preliminary preparation simplifies the opening process and eliminates the need for dedicated perforating members in the device.
2Strength
If the opening resistance of the closure is increased to ensure proper bond and prevent spillage, then storage and handling are improved, but the opening under centrifugal pressure conditions becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the capsule have different structural properties: the main body and closure maintain high strength for secure sealing during storage, while specific localized areas contain weakened sections or pre-scored lines that allow easy opening under centrifugal force. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strong closure and easy opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule design incorporates areas with modified material properties or structural parameters (such as reduced thickness or pre-weakened zones) that maintain overall closure integrity while creating controlled opening points that respond to centrifugal pressure, enabling both strong sealing and easy opening.
3Manufacturing precision
If dedicated perforating members are added to the brewing device to control membrane opening, then opening precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is designed to be self-preparing, with pre-made outlets or easily removable sealing portions that do not require external perforating mechanisms. The user simply removes the seal or breaks the pre-scored lines, and the capsule automatically provides precise opening without needing additional device components.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of perforating or opening the sealing membrane is extracted from the brewing device and transferred to the capsule itself. The capsule comes pre-configured with openings or removable seals, eliminating the need for dedicated perforating members in the device and simplifying both device structure and manufacturing.
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 solution enables easier and more reliable control of beverage extraction, improving the quality of the beverage and simplifying the production process by allowing precise management of liquid contact time with ingredients, while eliminating the need for additional opening mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the receptacle at elevated speed to ensure the interaction of liquid with ingredients while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the receptacle; such pressure increasing gradually from the centre towards the periphery of the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
said breakable outlet areas being configured to break by the pressure of the centrifuged beverage applied thereon
Data Source
AI summary
Capsule (1) designed in particular for preparing a beverage by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifugal preparation device, comprising:—a body (2) comprising a containment wall delimiting a main cavity (6) of central axis (I) and,—a lid (7) associated to the body for delimiting a compartment containing beverage ingredients; said capsule further comprising at least one breakable outlet area positioned at the body and/or lid; said at least one breakable area being positioned at a distance from the central axis (I) and being obtained by any of means (a) to (d): e) A breakable and dedicated membrane (9, 16) covering a predefined opening (8, 15) in the containment wall or lid and connected to the wall or lid, f) A dedicated membrane covering a predefined opening in the containment wall or lid and connected to the wall or lid by a breakable sealing joint or, g) A dedicated, breakable and localized reduction of thickness of the material of the containment wall or lid, h) Any possible combinations of a), b) or c).