Modular Beverage Capsule Assembly for Variable Brew Volume
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule systems for centrifugal beverage preparation lack adaptability in constructional features such as volume of the ingredients compartment, which restricts the ability to tailor beverage characteristics like intensity, taste, and aroma, and are not versatile enough to accommodate different types of beverages.
Innovation Solution
A modular capsule kit with varying ingredient compartment volumes and adjustable interface heads and bottom closures, allowing for different physical and organoleptic parameters, enabling tailored beverage preparation by varying the residence time of hot liquid and using interchangeable components without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the capsule uses a fixed constructional design with constant volume, then the manufacturing process is simple and device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different beverage types and ingredient characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into separate modular components: a body portion, a bottom closure, and an interface head that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows the capsule system to adapt to different beverage types by changing the assembly configuration while keeping individual components simple to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule design incorporates adjustable and variable features, such as the interface head that can be positioned at different depths and bottom closures with varying convex portions, allowing the constructional features to be dynamically adjusted to match different beverage preparation requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the capsule volume is kept constant, then the manufacturing precision requirements are simplified, but the ability to tailor beverage characteristics like intensity and aroma is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the capsule have specialized features tailored to specific functions: the body portion contains the beverage ingredient, the bottom closure provides structural support with variable convex portions, and the interface head enables liquid injection and centrifugal extraction. Each component's local characteristics can be optimized independently for different beverage types.
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
Enables the preparation of beverages with diverse characteristics by adjusting the volume and back-pressure of the capsule system, enhancing the versatility and quality of coffee types such as ristretto, espresso, and lungo, and accommodating different coffee blends and roasting levels.
Implementation Method 1
preparing a beverage by passing a liquid through beverage ingredients contained in the capsule using centrifugal forces
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modular capsule kit for preparing a beverage by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifuging brewing device upon liquid injection into the capsule and by rotating the capsule about its central axis in the device, the kit comprising at least two capsule types (1a,1b,1c,1d,1e) having: - interface heads (2) comprising a flange-like rim portion (3) and a transversal wall (4) having a central liquid inlet (5) and peripheral outlet openings (6), and - bottom closures (8,8') designed for being individually connected to the interface head (2) to enclose an ingredients compartment (9) of predefined volume, wherein the volumes of the ingredient compartment (9) of the at least two capsules (1a,1b,1c,1d,1e) differ as a result of the selection of the bottom closure and/or its particular connection to the interface head.