Collapsible Additive Cartridge for Simultaneous Beverage Flavoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines lack a convenient and easy way to add additional flavoring to brewed beverages.
Innovation Solution
An additive dispensing cartridge with a reservoir, seals, and hollow piercing needles that attaches to a brewing capsule, allowing liquid flavoring to be dispensed into the capsule during brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate flavoring addition process is used after brewing, then flavoring can be added to beverages, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring additional measuring and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flavoring reservoir and brewing capsule into a single integrated unit. The flavoring reservoir is positioned within or attached to the brewing capsule, allowing both brewing and flavoring addition to occur simultaneously in one operation, eliminating separate measuring and addition steps
Solution Approach 2:
The flavoring is pre-measured and pre-positioned in the reservoir before use. The reservoir is designed with predetermined capacity and flavoring quantity, eliminating the need for users to measure or prepare flavoring separately during the brewing process
2Productivity
If manual flavoring addition is used, then flavoring can be added to beverages, but additional measuring and preparation time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The flavoring quantity is pre-determined and pre-loaded into the reservoir during manufacturing. The reservoir is designed with a fixed capacity that matches the brewing capsule size, eliminating the need for users to measure or prepare flavoring separately, thus saving time and increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed so that the flavoring is automatically dispensed through the piercing needles when the brewing capsule is inserted and activated. The user simply needs to insert the capsule and press the lever, and the flavoring is automatically delivered without requiring manual measurement or preparation steps
3Volume of moving object
If a compact cartridge design is used, then the device size is reduced, but the reservoir capacity for flavoring may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is constructed using thin-walled materials that allow maximum volume within a compact footprint. The flexible wall design enables the reservoir to be pressed against the brewing capsule seal, creating an airtight seal while maintaining a compact overall cartridge size that fits standard brewing capsule dimensions
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 simultaneous brewing and flavoring, with pre-measured liquid composition, eliminating the need for additional measuring and providing a clean, fast process.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more hollow piercing needles have a largest cross-sectional area as measured in a first plane perpendicular to the needle longitudinal axis and a smallest cross-sectional area as measured in a second plane perpendicular to the needle longitudinal axis. The largest cross-sectional area is located adjacent the first needle end and the smallest cross-sectional area is located adjacent the second needle end.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include an additive dispensing cartridge for use in a capsule beverage machine. The cartridge includes a main housing, a first seal, and a second seal. The main housing has one or more walls at least partially defining a reservoir. The main housing has a central axis, a first end, and second end. The main housing further includes a first flange extending radially outwardly from the first end of the main housing and a second flange extending radially outwardly from the second end of the main housing. The first seal is coupled to the first flange of the main housing. The second seal is coupled to the second flange of the main housing. The walls of the main housing are configured to collapse in a direction parallel to the central axis when force is applied to the first end and the second end of the main housing.