Coffee Capsule Valve and Filter Design to Prevent Cream Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines and capsules for producing 'American type' or filter coffee often result in the formation of coffee cream, which is undesirable, and their complex designs can lead to issues like filter breakage and compromised drink quality due to internal structure changes during the preparation process.
Innovation Solution
A machine and capsule design that uses a conical capsule with a holed grid bottom and two filters, allowing for effective extraction of coffee flavors and aromas without cream formation, utilizing high pressures and precise temperature control to ensure optimal coffee production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection element is introduced inside the capsule to prevent filter damage during perforation, then the filter reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the internal structure of the capsule is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule bottom is pre-formed with a conical shape and an opening at the apex before the brewing process. This preliminary structural preparation eliminates the need for a protection element that would otherwise be required to prevent filter damage during perforation, thereby maintaining filter reliability while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The protection element is completely removed from the capsule design. Instead of using a separate protection component, the invention extracts this function by integrating the opening directly into the capsule bottom structure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the reliability needed for proper filter operation
2Strength
If the capsule bottom is made solid to maintain structural integrity, then the capsule strength is improved, but the extraction of flavor and aroma compounds is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule bottom exhibits local quality variation: the majority of the bottom surface maintains solid structure for strength, while a localized conical region with an opening at the apex provides extraction functionality. This allows the capsule bottom to simultaneously achieve both structural integrity and efficient flavor/aroma compound extraction
3Ease of operation
If a perforation element is used to create an opening in the capsule bottom, then the drink exit is enabled, but the filter may break and preparation material is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The conical opening is pre-formed in the capsule bottom during manufacturing, before the brewing process begins. This preliminary creation of the opening eliminates the need for a perforation element to puncture the bottom during operation, thereby preventing filter breakage and preparation material loss while still enabling proper drink exit functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating an opening by forceful perforation from the outside in, the invention inverts the approach by pre-forming the opening as an integral part of the capsule bottom structure from the inside out during manufacturing, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of perforation on filter integrity
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
The solution prevents cream formation and enhances the extraction of flavor and aroma compounds in 'American type' or filter coffee, resulting in a more efficient, functional, and economical coffee production process.
Implementation Method 1
a boiler (18) with a heating element (19) intended to heat water
Implementation Method 2
a pump (34) intended to pressurise the water
Implementation Method 3
the liquid for the preparation of the drink crosses the capsule (6) and, coming in contact with the preparation material (5) contained in it, it promotes the extraction of the substances and of the compounds which contribute to the formation of the flavour and aroma of the supplied product
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for the preparation of drinks in capsules, particularly coffee, more particularly “Americano type coffee” or filter coffee or filtered coffee, of the type includes a boiler with a resistance for heating a liquid for the preparation of drinks, a pump for putting under pressure the liquid for the preparation of drinks, a hydraulic group for the feed of the liquid from the boiler through the capsule containing a portion of preparation for drinks with formation of the drink, and conveying means of the drink from the capsule to a collection container in which the hydraulic group includes a distribution valve blocking the distribution of the liquid for the preparation of drinks until a second operating threshold value is exceeded by the hydraulic pressure applied by the liquid for the preparation of drinks, this second operating threshold value being between 4 and 10 bar, preferably 4 and 6 bar.