Beverage Capsule Lid Structure to Prevent Outlet Bypassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems using open capsules face the issue of prepared beverage bypassing the outlet due to the porous or perforate lid, leading to inefficiencies and potential loss of beverage between the capsule and the support surface.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a flexible sheet-shaped perforate lid with a specific number and diameter of openings, accompanied by an impermeable outer circumferential area to guide the beverage through the exit area and prevent bypassing, using a multilayer foil and an annular sealing member to ensure a tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the lid is made with perforate or porous material to allow beverage drainage, then beverage can pass through the lid, but prepared beverage may bypass the outlet by passing between the capsule and support surface
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with non-uniform structure: the central exit area contains perforations for beverage drainage while the outer circumferential area remains impermeable. This local differentiation allows beverage to pass through the center while preventing bypassing at the periphery where the capsule contacts the support surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is segmented into two functional zones: an exit area with perforations for drainage and an outer circumferential area without perforations for sealing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different parts of the lid structure.
2Loss of substance
If pressing force is increased to prevent beverage bypassing, then beverage bypassing is reduced, but the system complexity and force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying uniform high pressing force across the entire lid, the impermeable outer circumferential area provides localized sealing at the periphery where bypassing occurs. This reduces the overall pressing force requirement while still preventing beverage loss.
3Loss of substance
If the lid has fewer or smaller openings to prevent particle escape, then coffee particles are retained, but preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid contains numerous small perforations (typically 0.3-0.5mm in diameter) that are optimized to retain coffee particles while allowing rapid beverage flow. The high number of openings compensates for the small individual opening size, maintaining fast preparation time.
4Loss of substance
If the lid is made impermeable to prevent bypassing, then beverage bypassing is prevented, but beverage cannot drain from the capsule
Solution Approach 1:
The lid combines impermeable outer circumferential area for bypassing prevention with a central exit area containing perforations for beverage drainage. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing both functions to coexist in different regions of the same component.
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 minimizes the risk of beverage bypassing, ensuring efficient preparation time and preventing coffee particles from escaping, while maintaining the advantages of the existing system.
Implementation Method 1
The lid (9) of the capsule (2) comprises a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous material
Implementation Method 2
the lid (9) comprises an impermeable outer circumferential area (30) enclosing an exit area (32), wherein the exit area (32) is adapted to drain prepared beverage from the capsule (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
System comprising a capsule (2) for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product, comprising: a substantially rigid circumferential wall (6), a bottom (7) closing the circumferential wall at a first end (8), and lid (9) of a flexible sheet- shaped perforate and/or porous material closing the circumferential wall at a second, open, end (10) opposite the bottom, wherein the circumferential wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space (11) comprising the extractable product, wherein the lid comprises an impermeable outer circumferential area (30) and an exit area (32) being enclosed by said impermeable outer circumferential area such that, in use, the prepared beverage is drained from the capsule through the exit area. The invention further relates to a method for preparing said beverage using the above system.