Assembly, capsule and method for preparing infusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion preparation devices face challenges in achieving reliable fluid tightness at the contact point between the capsule holder and the capsule rim, leading to fluid losses and compromised organoleptic properties of beverages.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring an annular groove surrounding the main body, formed by the side wall and a remote wall, which narrows from the injection side to the extraction side, ensuring the leading sealing edge is compressed against both walls for improved fluid tightness, guiding the capsule for precise centering and minimizing offset risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member is provided on the capsule rim, then fluid tightness is improved, but the complexity of the capsule structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is segmented into multiple concentric annular lips that are closely spaced apart, allowing the sealing function to be distributed across multiple contact points rather than requiring a single complex sealing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The concentric annular lips are nested within each other in a compact arrangement, with each lip forming a sealing contact point that is contained within the overall sealing member structure, minimizing space requirements while maximizing sealing effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If the enclosing member and capsule are mutually offset, then ease of insertion is improved, but fluid losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple concentric annular lips provide redundant sealing paths that compensate for potential offsets during insertion, ensuring that even if alignment is not perfect, at least some lips will maintain adequate contact for fluid tightness
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is designed with specific geometric parameters including the number, spacing, and dimensions of the concentric annular lips, which are optimized to maintain sealing effectiveness across a range of alignment conditions during insertion
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
This configuration enhances fluid tightness, reduces liquid losses, and allows for high-pressure infusion preparation while maintaining the best organoleptic properties of the beverage.
Implementation Method 1
said leading sealing edge is compressed against said sealing member to provide fluid tightness
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Unit, capsule and method for preparing infusions. The unit comprises a capsule (2) and a device (100) for preparing infusions. The capsule (2) has a cup-shaped main body (6) open at one end. This end is closed with a lid (26) and forms an inner chamber (4). From said end there projects a perimetrical rim (12) having a sealing member (14) with an annular groove (16) formed between the side wall (18) of the main body (6) and a remote wall (20). The device (100) comprises an enclosing member (102) configured to receive the capsule (2) and having a leading sealing edge (104) which, in the operative position, is inserted in the groove (16) and is sealingly compressed simultaneously on the side wall (18) of the main body (6) and the remote wall (20). The invention also relates to a method for preparing infusions with this unit.