Telescopic Capsule Connector UV Sanitization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capsules with integrated antimicrobial filters are complex and costly, and they fail to adequately address the 'last mile' contamination issue in beverage preparation, where the fluidic line between sanitizing and mixing points may not be properly decontaminated, risking microbiological contamination.

Innovation Solution

A capsule design with a telescopic fluid connector that can be moved between a storage and extended position, allowing exposure to sanitizing UV radiation and ensuring only sanitized liquid enters the capsule, thus preventing contamination, and incorporating a filtering means to ensure the liquid is cleansed before mixing with nutritional ingredients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a capsule with integrated antimicrobial filter is used, then liquid can be filtered, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobiological safetyVSAvoidcapsule structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate functional components: the capsule containing nutritional ingredients and the beverage preparation device containing the UV-C irradiation system and filter. This segmentation allows the capsule to remain simple while the device handles complex sanitization functions, resolving the contradiction between microbiological safety and capsule structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A filter is introduced as an intermediary component in the liquid path between the water reservoir and the capsule. This filter captures particles and microorganisms before liquid enters the capsule, providing microbiological safety without requiring the capsule itself to contain complex filtration or antimicrobial systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If UV irradiation is applied to the entire fluidic line, then sanitization is improved, but the 'last mile' contamination risk remains where the connector enters the capsule

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization effectivenessVSAvoidlast mile contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid connector is subjected to UV-C irradiation and filtered through a sanitizing system before it makes contact with the nutritional ingredients in the capsule. This preliminary sanitization action ensures that the connector surface is decontaminated in advance, eliminating the 'last mile' contamination risk at the point of entry into the capsule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical connection system is replaced with an optical sanitization system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical sealing or chemical disinfectants, UV-C radiation is used to sanitize the fluid connector surface, providing effective decontamination without direct mechanical or chemical contact with the nutritional ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the fluid connector is always extended for connection, then ease of operation is improved, but the capsule size and storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection accessibilityVSAvoidcapsule volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid connector is designed as a dynamic, telescopic component that can extend when needed for connection and retract when not in use. This dynamic design allows the connector to be accessible during operation while minimizing the capsule's volume during storage and transport, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and capsule size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid connector is nested within the capsule body when not in use, similar to a telescopic structure. This nesting arrangement allows the connector to be stored compactly within the capsule volume, reducing the overall capsule size while still providing full extension capability when connection is required for beverage preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 capsule provides a safe and cost-effective solution by ensuring sanitized liquid is consistently supplied to the nutritional ingredients, reducing the risk of contamination and simplifying the production and usage process while maintaining compactness and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

the front end of the fluid connector to be inserted in a liquid supply and treatment unit arranged to supply sanitized liquid to the capsule; wherein the capsule is configured such that, in the extended position, the tip of the connector is exposed to a UV irradiation field inside the unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV irradiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10160594B2Capsule for the preparation of a beverage from liquid supplied by a device

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

A capsule for preparing a beverage and connectable to a machine for supplying sanitized liquid to the capsule is disclosed. The capsule includes a product compartment and a spout that includes a housing and a fluid connector adapted to be fluidly connected to the machine and to supply liquid inside the product compartment.