Single-portion package, use, and preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-portion beverage packages for concentrates face issues of cross-contamination and require manual mixing or machine contact, which is problematic for allergy sufferers and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A single-portion package with a closable concentrate container and an integrated extraction and mixing device that allows for automated mixing within the package, preventing machine contact and contamination, featuring a piercable thin point and movable extraction means for efficient mixing with air assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the capsule is opened in a beverage preparation machine and squeezed out, then the beverage can be prepared automatically, but parts of the machine come in contact with the syrup causing cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mixing function from the beverage preparation machine and relocates it entirely within the single-portion package. The mixing chamber is integrated into the capsule itself, allowing the concentrate to be mixed with water or carbonated water inside the package without contacting machine components. This extraction eliminates cross-contamination while preserving automated preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary container between the concentrate and the final beverage. All mixing operations occur within this isolated chamber that is part of the single-portion package, preventing direct contact between the concentrate/syrup and the beverage preparation machine components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual mixing is required after emptying the capsule, then cross-contamination is avoided, but the beverage preparation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the storage container and mixing chamber into a single integrated unit. The concentrate container and mixing chamber are combined in one single-portion package, allowing automatic mixing to occur within the package itself. This eliminates the need for separate manual mixing steps while preventing cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-portion package performs the mixing function itself without requiring external intervention or machine components. The package is self-contained with all necessary components (concentrate container, mixing chamber, sealing membrane) to automatically mix the beverage when activated, making the system self-sufficient.
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
Enables contamination-free beverage preparation by automating the mixing process within the package, ensuring efficient and hygienic mixing without cross-contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The thin point is pierced by the extraction means and the concentrate can actively or passively be conveyed or flow into the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
The at least one piercing part can have an air duct by means of which air can be introduced into the concentrate container in order to press the beverage concentrate out of the concentrate container
Implementation Method 3
In the mixing chamber the beverage is then prepared by continuously mixing the concentrate coming out of the concentrate container with the mixing liquid entering into the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 4
The thin point can be a sealing film welded onto the concentrate container
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a single-portion package (1) for producing a beverage from a beverage concentrate, comprising a closable concentrate container (2) for holding the beverage concentrate. According to the invention, the single-portion package (1) has an extraction and mixing device (3), comprising: an extraction means (4a, 4b) for extracting the beverage concentrate from the concentrate container (2), a mixing chamber (5) for preparing the beverage from the beverage concentrate extracted from the concentrate container (2) and from a mixing liquid that can be supplied, an inlet (6) for letting the mixing liquid into the mixing chamber (5), and an outlet (7) for letting the beverage out of the mixing chamber (5).