Beverage Capsule Deformable Sealing Tooth for Wide-Tolerance Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsule systems require high precision in manufacturing to ensure a perfect watertight seal, which may not be maintained when used in machines with wide construction tolerances or when the sealing edge is damaged, leading to imperfect coupling.
Innovation Solution
A capsule system with a deformable annular tooth that creates a watertight seal through lateral coupling, allowing for flexibility in sealing even when construction tolerances are not precise and the sealing edge is compromised, using a projecting annular tooth that can move towards or away from the axis to ensure a secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axial compression of the capsule by the capsule holder is used to create a watertight seal, then the seal is obtained between the capsule holder and the capsule, but high precision manufacturing is required and the seal fails when the sealing edge is damaged or tolerances are wide
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule holder incorporates an elastic element that can deform under water pressure to maintain contact with the capsule's sealing surface. This dynamic adaptation allows the sealing mechanism to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and edge damage, maintaining reliable sealing without requiring high precision manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism changes the physical state of the elastic element from a relaxed state to a compressed state under water pressure. This parameter change allows the sealing force to be applied dynamically based on the actual water pressure conditions, improving seal reliability while reducing manufacturing precision requirements
2Reliability
If the capsule holder edge is clamped between the capsule holder and contact element to obtain a watertight seal, then the seal works well with precise manufacturing, but relatively wide construction tolerances result in imperfect coupling when used in machines not intended specifically for such capsules
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element dynamically adjusts its deformation based on the actual gap between the capsule holder and contact element. When construction tolerances are wide or the machine is not specifically designed for this capsule type, the elastic element deforms more to bridge the gap, maintaining sealing reliability across different machine configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is pre-positioned in the capsule holder to be ready for deformation. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the capsule is inserted into any compatible machine, the elastic element can immediately begin deforming to establish the watertight seal, improving adaptability to different machines
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 system achieves an optimum watertight seal in various circumstances without relying on precise construction tolerances and maintains sealing even when the annular edge is damaged, ensuring consistent beverage preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a capsule holder (13) comprising an elastic element (43) arranged to be deformed under the action of water under pressure contained in the capsule (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A system for making beverages comprising a capsule (2) and a capsule holder (13). The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body (3) containing a powdered substance to be extracted, and a lid (8) associated with an upper perimetric edge (7) of the body (3). At the perimetric edge (7) there is a projecting annular tooth (9) with at least a first inner lateral face (11 ) facing inwards. The projecting annular tooth (9) is deformable relative to the first central axis (4) in such a way that the tip portion (10) can vary its distance from the first central axis (4). The first outer lateral face (12) extends at least partly either parallel with or diverging relative to the central axis of the capsule (2). The capsule holder (13) comprises a housing (14) for the capsule (2) and an annular edge (17) comprising a projecting annular element (18) and/or an annular seat (19) which in turn comprise at least a second lateral face (20). The capsule holder (13) and the capsule (2) can adopt a sealed configuration in which the second lateral face (20) is in sealed contact with the first inner lateral face (11 ) and the projecting annular tooth (9) is deformed.