Beverage preparation system and capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems lack flexibility in combining components for multi-component food products, requiring multiple dedicated capsules and often necessitating refrigeration for perishable items like milk, which can lead to spoilage and contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular system of capsules where each capsule provides a component of a multi-component food product, with inlet and outlet regions designed for interconnection, allowing various combinations without the need for refrigeration, using a friction, screw, or snap fit mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly, and incorporating filters and frothing capabilities as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated capsules are used for different food components, then product variety is achieved, but device complexity and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal capsule interface design where all capsules share standardized inlet and outlet regions with complementary mating features. This allows a single capsule type to work with multiple food components (coffee, milk, cream, etc.) by simply changing the capsule contents rather than the capsule structure itself, thereby achieving product variety without increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule system is segmented into modular functional components: a reusable capsule holder and disposable capsules that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple food components through simple capsule replacement rather than requiring complex dedicated mechanisms for each component type
2Ease of operation
If perishable components like milk are stored without refrigeration, then convenience and accessibility improve, but reliability deteriorates due to spoilage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is pre-filled and hermetically sealed with the perishable component (milk, cream, etc.) before use. This preliminary sealing action preserves freshness without requiring refrigeration during storage, and the seal is only broken at the moment of use, ensuring reliability while maintaining accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable sealed capsules containing perishable components. Each capsule is designed for single use, eliminating the need for refrigeration of stored perishables while ensuring freshness through the sealed design. The disposable nature prevents contamination and spoilage issues associated with reusable containers
3Reliability
If sealed capsules are used for perishable components, then freshness is maintained without refrigeration, but device complexity increases due to sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the capsule manufacturing process rather than being a separate device function. The capsule is hermetically sealed during production, combining the containment and sealing functions into a single integrated component that requires no additional sealing mechanisms in the beverage preparation device
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional capsule assembly methods are used, then manufacturing precision is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple capsule components (filter, frothing chamber, ingredient container) are merged into a single integrated molded structure. This eliminates the need for complex multi-step assembly processes while maintaining manufacturing precision through injection molding or similar single-step fabrication methods
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the preparation of a multi-component food product, such as coffee, tea, soup or baby food. The system comprises two or more capsules (300,400), each capsule providing a component of the multi-component food product, each capsule having an inlet region for receiving liquid into the capsule and an outlet region (330) for dispensing liquid from the capsule, wherein the outlet region of a first capsule is configured to mate with the inlet region of a second capsule, such that the first and second capsules may be connected in fluid communication.