Powder Beverage Dispensing With Encoded Holder Brewing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-serve coffee systems rely on expensive and ecologically harmful capsule packaging, requiring specialized skills and not allowing for flexibility in beverage preparation, whereas fully automatic machines lack adaptability and user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing and preparation apparatus that uses a system of main-devices and accessory-devices communicating via AI to adjust parameters for beverage preparation, eliminating the need for single-serve packaging and Barista expertise, allowing for flexible preparation of various coffee types without specific skills needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capsule-based single serve systems are used, then beverage quality and repeatability are improved, but ecological impact and cost per serve increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of the capsule (containing and dosing the beverage powder) while eliminating the complex packaging structure. The capsule's core purpose of holding pre-measured coffee powder is separated from its complex packaging elements (opening membrane, air suction system, filter, pyramid plate), allowing use of simpler containers that achieve the same dosing function without the ecological burden of complex single-serve packaging
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables recovery and reuse of containers. Instead of discarding complex capsules after single use, the invention allows containers to be refilled and reused multiple times, significantly reducing waste. The container is discarded only when it can no longer be refilled, not after a single use, thereby reducing the ecological impact while maintaining beverage quality
2Reliability
If capsule-based single serve systems are used, then beverage quality and repeatability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of the capsule (containing and dosing the beverage powder) while eliminating the complex packaging structure. The capsule's core purpose of holding pre-measured coffee powder is separated from its complex packaging elements (opening membrane, air suction system, filter, pyramid plate), allowing use of simpler containers that achieve the same dosing function without the complexity of single-serve capsules
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal container system that can be used across different beverage preparation contexts. The same container type can hold different powdered beverage products and be used with various brewing methods, eliminating the need for specialized capsules designed for specific machine types. This universal approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining beverage quality
3Ease of operation
If fully automatic beverage machines are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability and flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic adaptability into the beverage preparation system. The machine can adjust its operation based on the specific beverage powder being used, detecting properties such as solubility, extraction requirements, and optimal brewing parameters. This allows the system to automatically adapt to different beverage types (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.) while maintaining ease of operation, as the user simply needs to load the powder and the machine handles the rest
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically changes brewing parameters (water temperature, flow rate, contact time, pressure) based on the detected beverage type and user preferences. This allows flexible preparation of various beverage types without requiring manual intervention or specialized skills from the user. The machine dynamically adjusts parameters to optimize extraction and dissolution for each specific beverage powder
4Reliability
If Barista expertise is required, then beverage quality is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the system to serve itself by automatically performing functions that traditionally required Barista expertise. The machine automatically detects beverage type, adjusts brewing parameters, controls water flow and temperature, and optimizes extraction. This self-service capability eliminates the need for skilled operators while maintaining high beverage quality, as the machine encodes and executes the optimal preparation parameters for each beverage type
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispensing and preparation apparatus for powdered food or beverage products, the apparatus comprising a dispensing device (60) and an associated preparation or extraction device (70); the dispensing device (60) comprising one or more housings for receiving one or more containers (10, 20) with a powdered food or beverage product; the dispensing device (60) comprising a reader (62) to obtain the information of the product parameters of the powdered food or beverage products from the one or plurality of containers (10, 20); the dispensing device (60) further comprising a control unit configured to dispense a certain amount of powdered food or beverage product from each container (10, 20) according to these product parameters and/or according to a recipes database (64) as a function of the beverage to be prepared; the dispensing device (60) further comprising an encoder (63) to encode the beverage information on programmable identification means (65) on a product holder (61) in the dispensing device (60), to where the dispensed powdered food or beverage product is sent; the preparation or extraction device (70) being configured for receiving the product holder (61) and comprising reading means (72) to identify the beverage information in the said product holder identification means (65), the extraction device (70) further comprising a control unit to extract the beverage according to the beverage information retrieved from the product holder (61) and/or from the beverage information retrieved from a beverage database in this control unit. The invention further relates to a method for dispensing powdered food or beverage products and preparing a beverage from them using a dispensing and extraction apparatus as the one described. The invention also relates to the use of a dispensing and extraction apparatus as the one described for delivering a certain beverage from powdered food or beverage products.