Infusion Chamber Sealing for Jam-Free Beverage Packaging Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee machines face reliability and safety issues due to incorrect relative positioning of upstream and downstream closure means, leading to jamming and improper handling of packaging, which affects the integrity and safe operation of the machines.

Innovation Solution

A beverage production system with a closure device that alternates between two positions, where the upstream and downstream closure means are integral and offset, ensuring sequential operation and precise control, with alert mechanisms to prevent malfunctions and improve safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate upstream and downstream closure means are used, then the machine can handle packaging, but the relative positioning control becomes unreliable causing jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of closure device positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of closure device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the upstream closure means and downstream closure means into a single integrated closure device. This unified structure ensures reliable relative positioning between the closure elements while reducing the overall complexity of the system. The integrated design eliminates positioning errors that would occur with separate components, directly resolving the technical contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple separate closure components are used, then packaging handling is possible, but the number of moving parts increases leading to more blockages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of packaging handlingVSAvoidease of operation of closure mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple closure components into a single integrated closure device, the patent reduces the number of moving parts and potential blockage points. The merged structure maintains effective packaging handling capability while improving ease of operation by eliminating the complexity of coordinating multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent closure means are used, then the machine can function, but the manufacturing cost increases due to more parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capability of closure deviceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost of closure device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple closure functions into a single manufactured component, reducing the total number of parts that need to be produced and assembled. This merging approach maintains the full functional capability of handling packaging while lowering manufacturing costs through reduced part count, simplified production processes, and fewer assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2319375B1System for producing beverages by infusion

Publication Date: 2012.07.04 CIE MEDITERRANEENNE DES CAFES CARROS

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AI summary

The system (10) has a sealing device (60) with an upstream sealing unit (61) to selectively prevent or enable access to packaging (1) in an infusion chamber (7). A downstream sealing unit (62) selectively receives the packaging in the chamber or enables egress of the packaging from the chamber by gravity. The sealing device is arranged such that the position of the upstream sealing unit determines the position of the downstream sealing unit and vice versa. The sealing units are integrated with each other. An independent claim is also included for a method of preparing a beverage by infusing a product in a packaging.