A capsule having a sealing ring with an inner liquid-permeable compressible layer and outer liquid-impermeable shielding layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules face issues with inadequate sealing between the pressing sleeve and the capsule, leading to leakage, contamination, and environmental unfriendliness due to non-biodegradable or non-recyclable sealing materials.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a multi-layered sealing ring with an inner compressible layer of fibrous and/or cellulose and/or paper material and an outer liquid-impermeable shielding layer, such as metal or plastic, which prevents liquid absorption and maintains integrity during beverage production, facilitating easy recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber-elastic resilient sealing member is used to ensure liquid-tight sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates due to non-biodegradability and recycling difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring uses a composite structure with an inner layer of fibrous/cellulose/paper material and an outer layer of liquid-impermeable material (metal or plastic). This composite design combines the sealing capability of the compressible fibrous material with the liquid barrier properties of the outer layer, while enabling biodegradability or recyclability that pure rubber-elastic materials cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from synthetic rubber-elastic materials to natural fibrous materials (cellulose, paper) with specific compressibility characteristics. The outer liquid-impermeable layer provides the necessary barrier properties, allowing the sealing ring to maintain reliability while improving environmental compatibility through biodegradability or recyclability.
2Productivity
If pressurized liquid enters the capsule to produce beverage, then beverage production is enabled, but leakage and contamination occur due to inadequate sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The inner layer of the sealing ring is made of compressible fibrous/cellulose/paper material that acts as a flexible sealing element. This material can deform under compression to create a liquid-tight seal between the pressing sleeve and capsule, preventing leakage while allowing the beverage production process to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer liquid-impermeable layer (metal or plastic) is combined with the inner compressible layer to create a composite sealing ring that provides both sealing flexibility and liquid barrier properties, effectively preventing leakage and contamination during pressurized beverage production.
3Reliability
If the compressible layer absorbs liquid during beverage production, then sealing effect is enhanced, but material integrity deteriorates and radial leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The outer liquid-impermeable layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the pressurized liquid and the inner compressible fibrous layer. This outer layer prevents direct liquid contact with the compressible material, maintaining its structural integrity and preventing radial leakage while still allowing the inner layer to provide sealing effect through compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer liquid-impermeable layer functions as a protective film that shields the inner compressible layer from liquid absorption. This thin film maintains the compressible material's integrity while allowing it to perform its sealing function under compression during beverage production.
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 design provides effective sealing, prevents contamination, and ensures easy recycling by keeping the compressible layer dry and intact, reducing leakage and maintaining the integrity of the sealing ring under high pressure and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an inner compressible layer of fibrous and/or cellulose and/or paper material
Implementation Method 2
an outer shielding layer of a liquid-impermeable material
Data Source
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AI summary
A capsule comprises a cup-like capsule body with a circumferential side wall (5), a transverse base wall (6) at a first end of the side wall, and a radially outwardly protruding flange (7) encircling the side wall at its second end, and a multi-layered sealing ring (3) lying against the flange while encircling the side wall. The sealing ring comprises a compressible layer (16) of fibrous and/or cellulose and/or paper material and an outer shielding layer (17) of a liquid- impermeable material, wherein the shielding layer is provided on an outwardly directed external surface of the sealing ring and wherein the shielding layer is configured for shielding the inner compressible layer of fibrous and/or cellulose and/or paper material against pressurized liquid during beverage production.