Injector needle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injector needles are inadequate for preparing drinks with milk-based ingredients, as they fail to dissolve and extract these ingredients effectively, leading to impaired flavor and wastage due to the formation of solid blocks within the capsule.

Innovation Solution

The injector needle features a hexagonal central portion with a slanted second inner channel creating a turbulent flow of pressurized hot water, along with a specific angle and diameter configuration to enhance dissolution and extraction of ingredients, and a modular design with M5 threads for secure connection to the machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hot water at high pressure is injected perpendicular to the capsule base, then coffee preparation is effective, but milk-based ingredients waste due to undissolved blocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoffee preparation efficiencyVSAvoidmilk-based ingredient wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The water injection is segmented into multiple streams from different outlets, creating multiple contact points with the ingredients. This increases the effective surface area of water-ingredient contact, improving dissolution of milk-based ingredients and reducing wastage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-outlet configuration creates turbulent flow and mechanical agitation within the capsule. This mechanical action helps break up solid blocks of milk-based ingredients, enhancing dissolution and preventing ingredient wastage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

This design effectively dissolves and extracts milk-based ingredients, improving the flavor and reducing wastage by maintaining turbulent flow and increased water pressure within the capsule, ensuring efficient preparation of milk-based drinks.

Implementation Method 1

a slanted second inner channel (11) extending at a β angle in relation to a longitudinal axis (10) of the injector needle (1) and fluidly connected to a outlet orifice (8)... creating a turbulent flow of pressurized hot water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

maintaining turbulent flow and increased water pressure within the capsule, ensuring efficient preparation of milk-based drinks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3590395B1Injector needle
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 CAFE TRES CORACOES SA
  • EP3590395B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3590395B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3590395B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention refers to a constructive arrangement applied to an injector needle. More precisely, the present invention refers to a constructive arrangement applied to an injector needle used in machines for preparing drinks from capsules. The injector needle (1) comprises a first end (2) endowed with a fastening means (3); a second end (4) endowed with a tip (5); a central portion (6) interconnecting the first and second ends (2, 4); wherein the first end (2) comprises an inlet orifice (7) and the second end (4) comprises an outlet orifice (8). The injector needle (1) further comprises a first inner channel (9) extending in parallel to a longitudinal axis (10) of the injector needle (1), the first inner channel (9) extending from the inlet orifice (7) and fluidly connecting to a second inner channel (11); the second inner channel (11) having a β angle slant in relation to the longitudinal axis (10) of the injector needle (1), the second inner channel (11) extending to the outlet orifice (8); wherein the second end (4) comprises a face (12) slanted at an α angle in relation to the longitudinal axis (10) of the injector needle (1); wherein the outlet orifice (8) is disposed on the slanted face (12).