Horizontal unit for making beverages using capsules containing powdered food substances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal units for making beverages using capsules with powdered food substances face challenges in effectively perforating the bottom of plastic capsules, leading to deformation rather than a clean cut, which affects the quality of the beverage extraction process.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal unit design featuring a mobile second part that includes a perforating element, such as a blade, which is positioned to make a linear cut in the bottom of the capsule during the insertion process, ensuring a clean perforation and allowing for efficient beverage extraction, while also incorporating elastic means to retract the blade after use, ensuring the capsule is not further damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed piercing spike is used to pierce the capsule bottom during unit closing, then the capsule can be pierced, but the piercing quality is poor and may cause deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing element is made mobile rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned precisely when needed and retracted afterward. The blade moves along a guided path to engage the capsule bottom only during the piercing phase, then withdraws to avoid interfering with the capsule or extraction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule bottom is pierced in advance during the unit closing phase before the extraction process begins. This preliminary piercing action ensures the capsule is properly prepared for extraction, with the blade creating a clean opening that prevents deformation during subsequent operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If a mobile blade is used to pierce the capsule bottom, then piercing quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile blade is integrated with the existing unit closing mechanism, combining the piercing function with the already-complex closing operation. The blade is mounted on the mobile part that already moves relative to the housing during closing, so the piercing action is achieved without adding a completely separate mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile blade serves multiple functions: it pierces the capsule bottom during unit closing, and its retraction allows it to clear the capsule for proper positioning and extraction. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate piercing and clearing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the blade remains in contact with the capsule after piercing, then the piercing action is maintained, but the capsule may be further damaged during extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The blade transitions from a static contact state to a dynamic retracted state after piercing. This movement ensures the blade maintains the piercing opening during closing but clears the capsule path during extraction, preventing damage to the capsule walls or contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is extracted or removed from the capsule after the piercing action is completed. The mobile blade is withdrawn from the capsule bottom, clearing the way for the capsule to be properly positioned and for the extraction process to proceed without interference or additional damage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A horizontal unit for making beverages using capsules comprises at least a first part (4) and a second part (6) which are mobile between an operating position in which between them they form a chamber (8) for a capsule (2), and a capsule (2) insertion position in which they are distanced, as well as water injection means (13) and beverage collection means (14) which are associated with the chamber (8). The beverage collection means (14) comprise at least one perforating element (44) mobile between an active position in which it perforates a capsule (2) inserted in the housing (5), and an inactive position in which it is distanced from the bottom of the capsule (2), hooking means (46) associated with the first part (4) and switchable between a hooking configuration in which they retain the perforating element (44) in the active position and an unhooking configuration, and first elastic means (47) acting on the perforating element (44) for pushing it towards the inactive position. During a movement of the first part (4) and/or the second part (6) from the insertion position to the operating position, the second part (6) switches the hooking means (46) from the hooking configuration to the unhooking configuration, whilst during an opposite movement the second part (6) moves the perforating element (44) from the inactive position to the active position.