Pierce-Activated Flavouring Capsules for Precise Beverage Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manually adding flavorings to beverages lack precise dosing and often result in spillage and contamination between different flavorings.

Innovation Solution

A capsule with a closed internal volume containing flavoring additives, featuring frangible regions and a piercing member that allows for controlled release of flavorings into beverages without high pressure, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring uniform dosing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual flavouring addition is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision (dosing accuracy) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddosing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flavouring system is segmented into individual single-use capsules, each containing a pre-measured dose. This segmentation allows manual operation (picking and placing capsules) while ensuring precise dosing through factory-prepared uniform portions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flavouring dose is prepared in advance during capsule manufacturing, with precise amounts sealed within each capsule. This preliminary action of pre-dosing eliminates the need for manual measurement during operation, maintaining both ease of use and dosing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If attempts are made to achieve uniform doses, then manufacturing precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors (spillage and contamination) worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing uniformityVSAvoidspillage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule employs a flexible foil lid that can be cleanly pierced by the piercing member. This flexible membrane allows controlled release of the flavouring through the piercing action without causing spillage, while the sealed capsule structure prevents contamination between different flavourings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule is designed as a disposable single-use component. Each capsule is hermetically sealed to prevent contamination during storage and transport, then activated by piercing when needed. The disposable nature eliminates cross-contamination risks between different flavourings while maintaining dosing uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If high pressure is applied to deliver flavouring, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors (spillage) worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflavouring delivery speedVSAvoidspillage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The piercing member mechanically pierces the capsule lid, creating an opening through which flavouring is delivered. This mechanical action replaces high-pressure delivery, enabling rapid flavouring transfer without causing spillage through controlled piercing rather than forceful injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces high-pressure hydraulic or pneumatic delivery mechanisms with a simple mechanical piercing action. The piercing member creates an opening that allows flavouring to flow under gravity or low pressure, eliminating spillage associated with high-pressure systems while maintaining efficient delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3057885B1Dispensing apparatus and capsule for use therewith

Publication Date: 2021.05.19 ABI SAB GRP HLDG LTD

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AI summary

According to the invention there is provided a capsule (1) for delivering flavouring to a beverage, the capsule (1) defining a closed internal volume (20) containing a flavouring for a beverage, the capsule comprising at least two frangible regions (30, 40), and a piercing member (50) housed within the internal volume (20), the piercing member (50) adapted to pierce at least one of said frangible regions (30,40) of the capsule (1). Also according to the invention, there is provided a dispensing apparatus (100) for dispensing flavouring to a beverage, the apparatus comprising a mount (110) for receiving a capsule (1) containing flavouring to be added to the beverage, and an engaging portion (80) configured to engage with a piercing member (50) within a capsule (1) and pierce a frangible region of the capsule (1), wherein the apparatus (100) is configured to provide relative movement of the mount (110) and engaging portion (80) between a retracted position and an engaged position in which the engaging portion (80) is configured to engage with the piercing member (50) in the capsule (1).