Beverage Capsule Outer Sealing for Reliable Pressure Build-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage production systems face issues with inefficient sealing between the liquid inlet and the beverage draining side, leading to incomplete extraction of ingredients due to improper pressure build-up and potential hygienic problems from worn-out sealing means.
Innovation Solution
Applying sealing material to the outer surface of the capsule, which is exposed to fluid pressure, creating a sufficient flow resistance to build up pressure for opening the outlet face and ensuring proper sealing without the need for reusable sealing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable sealing components are used in the beverage production system, then the initial sealing performance is good, but the sealing reliability deteriorates over time due to wear and deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a disposable sealing means (sealing material) that is discarded after a single use. This sealing material is applied to the outer surface of the capsule and ensures reliable sealing for each beverage production cycle without the deterioration issues associated with reusable sealing components. The disposable nature guarantees consistent sealing performance while eliminating wear-related failures.
2Productivity
If fluid pressure is increased to ensure complete extraction of ingredients, then the extraction efficiency is improved, but the risk of improper pressure build-up and sealing failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing material is designed to be self-pressurizing through the application of fluid pressure during the beverage production process. The fluid pressure that is necessary for ingredient extraction automatically serves to press the sealing material against the capsule surface, creating an effective seal. This self-service mechanism ensures that the same pressure used for extraction also ensures proper sealing, eliminating the need for separate pressure control systems.
3Reliability
If sealing material is applied to the capsule outer surface, then the sealing performance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional application steps
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing material is applied to the capsule outer surface in advance, during the capsule manufacturing process, before the capsule reaches the beverage production device. This preliminary action transfers the sealing function from the device to the consumable capsule, simplifying the device structure while ensuring reliable sealing performance during use.
4Reliability
If fluid pressure is used to press sealing material against the capsule, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of water flowing outside the capsule increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing material acts as an intermediary element between the capsule and the beverage production device. This sealing material, pressed by fluid pressure, creates a reliable barrier that prevents water from flowing outside the capsule while allowing the necessary extraction process to occur. The intermediary sealing layer ensures that water remains contained within the intended flow path.
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 solution ensures complete extraction of ingredients by achieving sufficient pressure for opening the capsule outlet face, maintaining hygiene, and avoiding the deterioration of beverage quality due to worn-out sealing issues.
Implementation Method 1
having the fluid pressure reigning in the capsule enclosure space at least partially act on the sealing material, such that in turn the sealing material is pressed against one of the enclosing members thus constituting a flow resistance
Implementation Method 2
the sealing material is plastically deformed under the pressure of the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention proposes a method for producing a beverage from an ingredient-containing capsule. The method comprising the following steps: - inserting a sealed capsule into a capsule enclosure space of a beverage production device, - enclosing the capsule by a relative displacement of at least two enclosing members which define the capsule enclosure space, - opening an inlet face of the capsule and injecting a fluid under pressure into the capsule in order to open an outlet face of the capsule, the opening being assisted by the fluid pressure inside the capsule, wherein the capsule is provided at its outer surface with sealing material which is exposed to the fluid pressure in the capsule enclosure space, and - after enclosing the capsule, having the fluid pressure reigning in the capsule enclosure space at least partially act on the sealing material, such that in turn the sealing material is pressed against one of the enclosing members thus constituting a flow resistance, the flow resistance being sufficient to guarantee a pressure build-up inside the capsule.