Beverage Capsule Filter Projection to Prevent Piercing Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules with flexible filters are prone to damage when pierced by sharp or forceful piercing elements, leading to undrinkable beverages and system malfunctions due to the release of powdered substance and potential blockages.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a filter made of flexible material with a projection that creates a compartment to house the piercing element, preventing damage and ensuring the filter remains intact during piercing, and a supporting element that maintains the filter's shape and position, allowing for fluid communication and beverage extraction without compromising the filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flexible filter is used in the capsule, then production costs are reduced and manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the filter becomes vulnerable to damage from sharp or forceful piercing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is pre-positioned to cover the central portion of the lower wall before piercing occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the piercing element penetrates, the filter is already in place to prevent powder leakage, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing element is designed with a tip geometry that intermediates between the piercing action and the filter material. The specific tip design allows penetration through the lower wall while distributing force in a way that prevents filter damage, reconciling the contradiction between flexible filter usage and piercing reliability
2Reliability
If a rigid or semi-rigid filter with complex structure is used, then filter strength and reliability are improved, but production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire filter rigid or complex, the invention applies reinforcement or specific structural features only at critical locations where the piercing element interacts with the filter. This local enhancement provides necessary strength while maintaining overall filter simplicity and low cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies specific parameters of the filter material or structure at key locations, such as thickness, material composition, or structural density, to provide enhanced strength where needed during piercing, while keeping the rest of the filter simple and cost-effective
3Speed
If the piercing element is particularly sharp or applies great thrust, then piercing effectiveness is improved, but the filter is easily torn or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is pre-positioned to cover the central portion of the lower wall before piercing occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the piercing element penetrates, the filter is already in place to prevent powder leakage, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing element is designed with a tip geometry that intermediates between the piercing action and the filter material. The specific tip design allows penetration through the lower wall while distributing force in a way that prevents filter damage, reconciling the contradiction between flexible filter usage and piercing reliability
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 capsule maintains filter integrity and prevents powdered substance leakage, ensuring high-quality beverages across various piercing methods, while reducing production costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a filter (9) made substantially of a flexible material positioned inside the capsule (1) close to the lower wall (3), which separates the powdered food substance at least from a relevant portion of the lower wall (3)
Implementation Method 2
the capsule (1) is pierced at the lid (6), to allow the injection of water (which may be pressurised) into the capsule itself, and at a central portion of the lower wall (the relevant portion), to allow dispensing to the outside of the capsule of the beverage
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule containing a powdered food substance comprises a body including a lower wall and a lateral wall, and a lid fixed to the body. The lid and a central portion of the lower wall are pierceable to allow the injection of water into and the extraction of a beverage from the capsule. Between the lid and the lower wall, there is a permeable filter, which retains the powdered substance, the filter including a layered sheet of flexible material fixed to the body, and separating the powdered substance from the central portion. The sheet of flexible material is shaped to form, at the central portion, at least one projection towards the lid. At the projection the filter is distanced from the central portion and there is a compartment, located between the filter and the central portion, where a piercing element can be inserted following penetration through the central portion, without damaging the filter.