Multi-Ingredient Beverage Cartridge with Segmented Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-serve beverage systems, such as K-cups, limit consumers to single-ingredient beverages and require additional condiments, leading to reduced convenience and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A multi-ingredient beverage cartridge with separate chambers for different components, allowing for the combination of various ingredients like coffee and creamer, and a packaging machine to efficiently manufacture these cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-ingredient beverage cartridge is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability and versatility of the beverage system deteriorates as consumers cannot customize their beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple separate chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.), each containing a different beverage component. This segmentation allows multiple ingredients to be stored separately within a single cartridge, enabling beverage customization without requiring multiple separate cartridges or containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores multiple different beverage components, separates them to prevent premature mixing, and delivers them together during brewing. This multi-functionality achieves versatility while maintaining a unified cartridge design.
2Ease of operation
If separate condiments are required for single-ingredient cartridges, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates as consumers must manually add ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage components are pre-measured and pre-packaged into separate chambers within the cartridge during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the correct amount of each ingredient is provided, eliminating the need for consumers to measure or add ingredients manually, and preventing waste from unused condiments.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple beverage components that would traditionally be separate condiments are merged into a single integrated cartridge. The cartridge combines coffee, creamer, sugar, or other ingredients in one unit, allowing consumers to prepare customized beverages without handling separate containers or measuring individual ingredients.
3Reliability
If multiple beverage components are stored separately in the cartridge, then the purity of each component is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to multiple chambers and separators
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple separate chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.), each containing a different beverage component. This segmentation allows multiple ingredients to be stored separately within a single cartridge, enabling beverage customization without requiring multiple separate cartridges or containers.
Solution Approach 2:
A separator structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the chambers containing different beverage components. This separator maintains the integrity and separation of each component while being integrated into the cartridge design, allowing reliable component separation without requiring complex external containment systems.
4Productivity
If a multi-chamber cartridge structure is implemented, then the productivity of beverage preparation is improved by enabling single-step multi-ingredient brewing, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple separate chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.), each containing a different beverage component. This segmentation allows multiple ingredients to be stored separately within a single cartridge, enabling beverage customization without requiring multiple separate cartridges or containers.
Solution Approach 2:
A separator structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the chambers containing different beverage components. This separator maintains the integrity and separation of each component while being integrated into the cartridge design, allowing reliable component separation without requiring complex external containment systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for use in making a beverage includes an outer housing defining an inner space with a first chamber and a second chamber defined therein. A first quantity of a first beverage component is disposed in the first chamber and a second quantity of a second beverage component is disposed in the second chamber.