Single-Serve Infusion Unit With Lever-Drawer Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion units for making beverages with single-serving capsules or pods require complex manual operations or high automation levels, lacking a simple and efficient mechanism for inserting, piercing, and dispensing water under pressure, especially for capsules that need to be pierced on one face only or pods where water is fed through a non-woven fabric.
Innovation Solution
A manual infusion unit with a sliding drawer and lever system that allows for easy insertion, piercing, and infusion of single-serving sachets, featuring a mechanical connection between the lever and dispensing member to control the movement and a sealing member to prevent leakage, enabling simple manual operations and adaptability to different capsule shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex manual operation system is used for inserting, piercing, and dispensing water to single-serving sachets, then the infusion unit can handle various capsule types, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (drawer insertion, piercing, sealing, and water dispensing) into a single integrated mechanism controlled by one manual operation. The lever simultaneously controls the drawer movement and the piercing/sealing actions, reducing complex multi-step operations to a single unified action that maintains versatility while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion unit employs a universal seat design that can accommodate different types of single-serving sachets (capsules requiring piercing on one or both faces, and pods with non-woven fabric). The same mechanical structure performs multiple functions: holding the sachet, piercing it (when needed), sealing around it, and directing water flow, making the system adaptable to various capsule types without requiring separate mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If high automation is implemented for the infusion process, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a self-servicing mechanical linkage where the user's single lever operation automatically triggers the sequence of events: drawer movement to infusion position, piercing of the sachet, sealing around the sachet, and water dispensing. The mechanism serves itself by converting one manual input into a coordinated series of automated actions without requiring electronic controls or complex automation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential electronic or automated mechanical systems with a purely mechanical linkage system. The lever connects through mechanical linkages to control the drawer position and the piercing/sealing members, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or electronic control circuits while achieving automated operation through well-engineered mechanical advantage and motion transmission.
3Ease of operation
If a simple lever system is used for controlling drawer and dispensing member movement, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to mechanical connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage system employs dynamic elements such as cam profiles and articulated arms that automatically adjust their geometry and position during operation. The cam profile on the lever transforms rotational motion into the precise linear motion required for drawer insertion and piercing member positioning, while the articulated arms provide adaptive alignment. This dynamic adaptation compensates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures reliable operation without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
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 enables efficient and user-friendly preparation of beverages by simplifying the infusion process, allowing for easy insertion and removal of capsules, and ensuring secure sealing to prevent leakage and deformation, thus improving the overall usability and adaptability of the infusion unit.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing member (30) movable towards the single-serving sachet when it is in the infusion position, under the thrust of water under pressure, for adjusting to the front surface of the single-serving sachet and seal thereon
Implementation Method 2
a zone is formed around the pod surface wherein it is possible to feed water under pressure so that it may pass through the pod
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The infusion unit comprises in combination : a support (1); a drawer (7), exhibiting at least one seat (8) for a single-serving sachet (C), sliding relative to the support and movable between a charging position of the single-serving sachet and an infusion position; a dispensing member (23) for dispensing water under pressure to the single-serving sachet. The unit further comprises a lever (9) for controlling the movement of said drawer and a mechanical connection between the lever and the drawer and between the lever and the dispensing member.A stopping element (29) locks the single-serving sachet (C) into the infusion position after the dispensing. The seat (8), partly delimited by a pair of arms (19) oscillating relative to the drawer is preferably interchangeable for seating capsules of various shapes or dimensions.