Cartridge for providing a liquid product, a system for the providing a liquid product and a method using said system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartridges for liquid products face issues with suboptimal barrier properties and difficulty in producing multi-layer materials, particularly in injection-molded plastic, and require external piercing devices for opening.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with a multi-layer capsule body, comprising walls of different materials, uses a moveable nozzle and sealing surfaces to dispense liquid ingredient and base liquid in parallel flows without external piercing, utilizing thermoforming for cost-effective production and improved barrier properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If injection moulding technique is used to produce cartridges, then production process is simple and quick, but barrier properties of the plastic are not optimal for all food products
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule body is constructed from multiple layers of different materials, each providing specific barrier properties against moisture, oxygen, and aroma loss. This multi-layer composite structure combines the productivity of injection molding with the reliability of superior barrier protection, resolving the contradiction between quick production and optimal barrier properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If injection moulding technique is used, then production is simple, but it is difficult to combine with providing products comprising multi-layer material
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule body is divided into multiple separate layers that are formed and then combined. This segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured using appropriate processes for that material type, then assembled into a complete multi-layer structure, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving multi-layer material compatibility.
3Device complexity
If simple capsule design with outflow openings is used, then structure is simple, but external piercing device is required to open the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is equipped with a pierceable bottom area that can be opened by the user without requiring an external piercing device. The nozzle's downward movement automatically pierces this area, allowing the capsule to serve itself in the opening operation, thus maintaining structural simplicity while improving ease of operation.
4Reliability
If multi-layer capsule body is used for barrier protection, then barrier properties are improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer construction is applied specifically to the capsule body where barrier protection is most critical for containing the liquid ingredient. By localizing the complex multi-layer structure only where needed rather than throughout the entire cartridge, the solution achieves effective barrier protection while controlling production costs.
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
The cartridge provides effective barrier protection for liquid ingredients, allows for cost-efficient production, and eliminates the need for external opening devices, ensuring efficient and hygienic dispensing of beverages.
Implementation Method 1
the walls of the capsule body preferably comprise multiple layers of different materials, the materials having different barrier properties
Implementation Method 2
the top seal hermetically sealing the access opening of the reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a single use, or disposable cartridge, wherein the cartridge is provided with a capsule (2) in the form of a sealed reservoir. The reservoir is defined by a capsule body (5) that allows for use of muti-layer materials. Thus, the cartridge, more in particular the capsule body of the cartridge, can be provided with barrier properties that suit the ingredient held in the reservoir. As such, the cartridge is configured to provide a capsule, more in particular a sealed reservoir, for holding an ingredient, which capsule has barrier properties that fit the particular base ingredient to be held in the reservoir.