Method for preparing a drink and apparatus and capsule for application of this method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing coffee using disposable capsules are inefficient in achieving consistent and optimal organoleptic properties due to factors like incomplete penetration of water into coffee granules, leading to suboptimal extraction of flavors and aromas, and are often complex and costly to implement.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a capsule with a pre-made cut in the second wall that allows air to escape but initially prevents liquid passage, followed by increased pressure to deform the wall and facilitate deep penetration of water, ensuring efficient extraction of flavors and aromas without the need for complex mechanisms or tight tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-infusion is used to improve water penetration into coffee granules, then extraction quality is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction quality consistencyVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-making a cut in the capsule wall before the brewing process. This cut allows air to escape during pre-infusion while preventing liquid leakage, enabling deep water penetration into coffee granules without requiring complex mechanical structures. The pre-prepared cut facilitates reliable pre-infusion and maintains extraction quality consistency throughout the brewing cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If complex methods with tight tolerances are used to achieve optimal extraction, then drink quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrink quality consistencyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cut is pre-made in the capsule wall during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures and tight tolerances during brewing. This preliminary preparation ensures consistent air escape and liquid containment, maintaining drink quality reliability while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a disposable capsule with a pre-made cut, transferring the functional complexity from the brewing apparatus to the disposable capsule. This approach maintains high extraction quality consistency while keeping the apparatus simple and production costs low, as the complex function is embedded in the inexpensive, single-use capsule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 method ensures reliable and consistent extraction of coffee flavors and aromas, reducing the risk of jamming and maintaining quality over time with lower production costs and simpler apparatus design.

Implementation Method 1

thanks to its own pressure compressing and therefore reducing the volume of the gaseous substances present in said pores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

allow the water to deeply penetrate the micro-pores of the coffee granules/powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetration: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

creating a second opening (7) through the second wall (3)... at least one cut (10) extending in a linear fashion through the second wall (3) of the capsule (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir escape through cut: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

followed by increased pressure to deform the wall and facilitate deep penetration of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2000063B2Method for preparing a drink and apparatus and capsule for application of this method

Publication Date: 2019.06.05 CRIALI INVESTMENT SA

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AI summary

A capsule for preparing drinks containing a substance to be extracted and comprising at least a first wall (2) designed to form an inlet wall for the water to be injected into the capsule, and a second wall (3) designed to form an outlet wall for a drink obtained by the interaction between the water and the substance to be extracted. The second wall (3) has at least one cut (10) extending in a linear fashion, substantially made without removing material from the second wall (3), and delimited by two adjacent portions (11) of the second wall drawn near one another. The cut (10) has a size and/or shape such that, after the adjacent portions (11) delimiting it have drawn near one another again if necessary, substantially, directly or indirectly, it prevents the passage of liquid and allows the passage of air, said adjacent portions being deformable towards the outside of the capsule in such a way to form an opening for the beverage flowing out. A method using such capsule for the preparation of a drink is also claimed.