Movable Flow Distribution Element for Beverage Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-portion packages for preparing aromatic beverages face challenges in effectively distributing fluid flow and confining/compressing edible substances, particularly with non-compacted granular substances, which affects beverage extraction efficacy and requires adjustments for different types of products.
Innovation Solution
A single-portion package with a disc-like flow distribution element that moves between initial and second positions within the package, providing confinement in the dry state and compression upon fluid injection, utilizing pressure-fit and retaining elements to manage fluid flow and substance compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a flow distribution element is arranged at a certain position within the internal volume to confine the edible substance, then the substance confinement is improved, but the beverage extraction efficacy deteriorates due to compression in dry state
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distribution element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between different positions. In the dry state, it confines the substance without compression. During beverage preparation, it moves to compress the substance, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining substance stability and ensuring extraction efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the flow distribution element based on the state (dry vs. wet). This parameter change allows the element to provide confinement when needed and compression when needed, optimizing both substance stability and beverage extraction efficacy under different conditions.
2Reliability
If a flow distribution element is arranged to compress the edible substance, then the beverage extraction efficacy is improved, but the substance confinement deteriorates due to premature compression
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distribution element transitions from a static confinement position to a dynamic compression position only when activated by pressurized fluid flow. This ensures substance confinement is maintained during storage and transport, while compression is applied only at the moment of beverage preparation for optimal extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distribution element is pre-positioned to confine the substance without compression during storage. The compression action is prepared but not executed until the moment of beverage preparation when pressurized fluid flow activates it, ensuring confinement is maintained until the preliminary action of compression is precisely timed.
3Device complexity
If the flow distribution element is fixed in position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different edible substances and liquid products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distribution element is designed with movable capability allowing it to adapt to different substances and products by changing its position. This dynamic feature provides versatility for different edible substances and liquid products while maintaining relatively simple device structure through a single movable element rather than multiple fixed configurations.
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 solution enables efficient fluid distribution and adjustable confinement/compression within the package, enhancing beverage extraction efficacy and allowing for production of various liquid products with minimal changes to the package design, thereby improving technical and economic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
depending on a defined liquid pressure acting in said first space upon said flow distribution element, is movably retained in different positions with reference to and along said sidewall
Implementation Method 2
traversed by a pressurized flow flowing from an entry side to an exit side disposed in direct opposing surfaces of said internal volume
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a single-portion package (1) presenting a flow distribution element (4) provided so as to divide the internal volume into a first free space (1.1) and a second compartment (1.2) containing at least one substance, and whereby said flow distribution element (4) is displaced along successive positions along and relative to the sidewall (3.1) under the fluid pressure developing on said first space (1.1), and so that it initially confines said substance and it then confines and/or compresses said substance. The present invention further relates to a system (10) for preparing liquid products and comprising at least two of said single-portion packages (1, 1') preferentially presenting different flow distribution elements (4, 4') so that it results for example in different first spaces (1.1, 1.1') and respective compartments (1.2, 1.2').