Beverage Capsule Sealing Rim for Pressure-Stable Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules face issues with inconsistent sealing due to irregularities in the enclosing device, leading to pressure drops and potential leaks, which affect the quality of beverages like espresso-style coffee.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design with a sealing member comprising a flange-like rim and a second portion that overlaps the inner surface of the body, connected via adhesive or welding, providing enhanced sealing capabilities and adaptability to various devices by compensating for irregularities and maintaining rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member is added to the capsule to improve sealing engagement, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is integrated with the capsule structure by connecting the second portion to the body portion via adhesive or welding, merging two functional elements into a unified component that provides both structural support and sealing engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member serves multiple functions: the first flange-like rim portion provides sealing engagement with the beverage production device, while the second portion reinforces the capsule body and maintains structural integrity during the brewing process
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing member is made more compliant to compensate for device irregularities, then adaptability is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member features localized compliance at the first flange-like rim portion that contacts the device, allowing it to conform to irregularities, while the second portion maintains higher rigidity to preserve overall capsule structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member utilizes composite construction with different material properties in different regions - a softer, more compliant material at the sealing interface and a harder, more rigid material in the structural portion
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention proposes a capsule (10) for containing beverage ingredients, the capsule being designed for insertion in a beverage production device, the capsule comprising a body portion (1) having at least a circumferential sidewall (9) for enclosing an ingredients compartment (5) of the capsule, and a sealing member (8), wherein the sealing member comprises a first flange-like rim portion (8a) and a second portion (8b) which is at least partially overlapping with an inner surface (9b) of the sidewall (9) of the body portion (1).