Beverage Capsule Base Structure for Reliable Plastic Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules, particularly those made of aluminum, are expensive and environmentally harmful due to high energy consumption and waste production, while plastic capsules often fail to be reliably penetrated by conventional beverage-making devices due to insufficient stiffening.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a rotationally symmetrical body with a base that includes a penetration area surrounded by a stiffening area with sectional depressions, allowing for reliable penetration by commercially available devices and made from cost-effective biopolymers using a deep-drawing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If aluminum material is used for capsule body, then manufacturing strength and penetration reliability are improved, but production cost and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from aluminum to plastic, fundamentally altering the capsule body composition to reduce environmental impact while maintaining functional requirements through design compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The base is segmented into distinct functional zones: a penetration area with reduced material thickness for easy penetration, and stiffening areas with increased structural support for maintaining capsule integrity during handling and insertion
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for capsule body, then production cost and environmental friendliness are improved, but penetration reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with non-uniform local properties: the penetration area has reduced thickness and modified material characteristics to facilitate penetration, while surrounding stiffening areas have enhanced structural support to prevent base deformation during capsule handling and machine insertion
3Stability of the object's composition
If base stiffening is increased, then capsule structural stability is improved, but penetration ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into functionally distinct zones: a penetration area with reduced structural resistance for easy needle insertion, and stiffening areas with enhanced structural support arranged in specific patterns to maintain overall base stability during handling without interfering with the penetration zone
Solution Approach 2:
Different structural properties are applied to different regions of the base: the penetration area features reduced thickness and modified material properties to facilitate penetration, while surrounding areas incorporate stiffening elements such as ribs or increased thickness to prevent base deformation and maintain capsule integrity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The capsule (1) according to the invention consists of a capsule body (2) having a side wall (3) and having a base (4) which is integral with the side wall. The capsule (1) comprises a lid (5) that covers the capsule body (2) in order to form a closed chamber (6), wherein said chamber contains a substance for preparing a beverage. The base (4) can be penetrated by a device arranged outside of the capsule (1) in order to conduct a liquid through the chamber (6). The capsule body is made of plastic, wherein the base has a penetration area (9) and a reinforcement area (10). A central area of the base is designed as the penetration area (9) and the reinforcement area (10) is arranged around the penetration area (9). The reinforcement area (10) is designed as at least one recessed section (8) in the base (4), said section(s) running substantially in the circumferential direction.