Portion Capsule Distribution Device for Beverage Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portion capsules fail to completely dissolve or suspend beverage substances like milk powder when used in brewing machines, leading to incomplete discharge and potential issues with foam formation and particle flushing.
Innovation Solution
A portion capsule design featuring a distribution device with a circular surface and strategically placed water passage openings, along with a sieve device that acts as a flow resistance to enhance dissolution and prevent lumps, ensuring efficient discharge of particulate beverage substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional distribution device with multiple water passage openings is used, then water distribution coverage is improved, but beverage substance dissolution is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device features a limited number of specifically positioned water passage openings (one to four inner openings at distance a from center, two to six outer openings at distance b from center) rather than uniform distribution. This local quality approach ensures concentrated water flow paths that effectively dissolve beverage substances like milk powder, resolving the contradiction between distribution coverage and dissolution completeness.
2Productivity
If water flow rate is increased to improve discharge speed, then brewing productivity is improved, but beverage substance dissolution time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes water flow parameters by controlling the number and positioning of water passage openings to create appropriate flow resistance. This parameter change allows the system to maintain adequate dissolution time while achieving complete discharge, resolving the contradiction between productivity and dissolution duration.
3Reliability
If a sieve device is added to prevent particle discharge, then discharge completeness is improved, but water flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sieve device acts as an intermediary element positioned between the beverage substance and the capsule base. It selectively retains particles while allowing dissolved substances and water to pass through, thus improving particle retention without significantly compromising water flow and dissolution efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If water passage openings are positioned closer to the center, then central water distribution is improved, but outer area coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device segments water passage openings into two distinct groups: inner openings (one to four) positioned at distance a from the center for concentrated central distribution, and outer openings (two to six) positioned at distance b from the center for peripheral coverage. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between central water flow concentration and overall distribution coverage.
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 described design effectively dissolves or suspends beverage substances, ensuring complete discharge and improved foam formation, while preventing lumps and optimizing brewing processes for machines like those in WO 2006/053635 A.
Implementation Method 1
contains a particulate beverage substance which can be dissolved or suspended by means of water
Implementation Method 2
contains a particulate beverage substance which can be dissolved or suspended by means of water
Implementation Method 3
the screening device acts as a flow resistance that reduces the flow through the portion capsule so that the hot water stays longer in the portion capsule
Implementation Method 4
a cone-like indentation which extends in the direction of the beverage substance can emanate from the central region of the distribution surface. This recess can accommodate a spike of a brewing machine which pierces the capsule lid
Data Source
AI summary
A portion capsule having a capsule cover and a capsule base, in a delivery state, is closed all the way round and contains a particulate beverage substance which can be dissolved or suspended by means of water. A distributor device (10) is arranged between the capsule cover and the beverage substance, said distributor device having a substantially circular distributor surface (12) with a centre and a radius R and being provided with through-openings (18, 19) for water. Up to four inner through-openings (18) for water are provided at a distance a from the centre of the distributor surface (12) and two to six outer through-openings (19) for water are provided at a distance b from the centre, where 0.21 R ≤ a ≤ 0.49 R and 0.65 R ≤ b ≤ 0.92 R.