Capsule system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage capsules made from compostable materials face challenges in maintaining seal integrity during preparation due to insufficient strength, leading to potential leakage and quality issues, as they are subjected to high temperatures and pressures, which can cause the top membrane to separate from the container body.
Innovation Solution
A capsule system with a biodegradable or compostable design featuring a circumferential annular flange and an annular support element that clamps the capsule flange during preparation, enhancing seal resistance and integrity, allowing for the use of materials like polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalcanoates, and incorporating an annular support element between the capsule holder and the capsule body to prevent separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compostable materials are used for the top membrane and container body, then environmental sustainability is improved, but seal strength is insufficient leading to leakage during extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an annular support element as an intermediary component between the capsule flange and the capsule holder. This support element provides mechanical reinforcement to the seal interface, compensating for the inherent weakness of compostable materials under high extraction pressure while maintaining the environmental benefits of using biodegradable materials for the capsule body and top membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a composite structure by combining compostable materials (capsule body, top membrane) with a reinforcing support element made of more robust material. This composite approach allows the seal interface to withstand extraction forces while the rest of the capsule remains environmentally friendly and compostable.
2Productivity
If high pressure is applied during beverage preparation, then extraction efficiency is improved, but the top membrane separates from the container body due to insufficient seal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The annular support element acts as a mediator that distributes and reinforces the seal interface between the capsule flange and capsule holder. It enables the system to withstand high extraction pressures by providing structural support at the critical seal location, preventing top membrane separation while maintaining high-pressure extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element provides preemptive reinforcement to the seal interface before extraction begins. By pre-positioning this structural support element, the system is prepared to handle the high pressures of extraction without the seal failing, thus cushioning against the potential separation of the top membrane from the container body.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If compostable materials are used, then disposal and recycling problems are resolved, but the seal between top membrane and container body is damaged during extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The annular support element serves as a protective intermediary that shields the weak seal interface of compostable materials from the harsh extraction conditions. This allows the system to maintain seal durability under high pressure and temperature while preserving the environmental advantage of using compostable materials that are easy to dispose of.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local reinforcement only at the critical seal interface where the annular support element contacts the capsule flange. The rest of the capsule body and top membrane remain made of compostable materials. This localized approach to strengthening maintains overall compostability while providing necessary durability at the specific location where seal failure would occur.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns system for producing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, comprising:—a capsule (1), said capsule comprising a capsule body (2) with a circumferential annular flange (24), a top membrane (3), a bottom membrane (4) and an opening device (5) provided inside the chamber for opening the capsule by relative engagement of said opening device with the bottom membrane (4) under the effect of a rise in pressure of the injected liquid in the ingredient chamber (22), and—a beverage preparation machine (10) comprising a capsule holder (11) and a liquid injection device (12). wherein the liquid injection device and the inserted capsule holder are relatively moveable one to the other so as to clamp the circumferential annular flange (24) of the capsule, and—an annular support element (100) positionable between the lower surface (242) of the circumferential annular flange (24) of the capsule and the circumferential annular rim (112) of the capsule holder.