Beverage Capsule Sidewall Sealing to Prevent Bypass Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems face challenges in achieving effective sealing during the preparation process, leading to potential bypass flows and inefficiencies in beverage production.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a cup-shaped body with an annular trough and selectively deformable side walls that form sealing interfaces with the enclosing member, allowing for pressurized liquid to flow through and interact with ingredients, while ensuring a tight seal through plastic deformation and alignment with the enclosing member's geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated sealing member is provided on the capsule, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from a separate dedicated sealing member and integrated directly into the capsule wall structure itself. The capsule wall is designed with specific geometric features (recesses, protrusions, tapered surfaces) that directly engage with the enclosing member to create sealing interfaces, eliminating the need for additional sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the capsule wall structure. The capsule wall serves dual purposes: containing the beverage ingredient and providing sealing surfaces. The enclosing member and capsule wall are designed to work together as an integrated sealing system, where the capsule wall's geometric features directly create the sealing action.
2Reliability
If a hollow sealing member is added to the capsule, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from a separate hollow sealing member and built directly into the capsule wall geometry. The capsule is formed with integrated sealing features (recesses, protrusions, tapered surfaces) that eliminate the need for additional sealing components, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed as a disposable single-use component where the sealing function is provided by the capsule wall itself rather than a reusable sealing member. This approach reduces the need for expensive, precision-manufactured reusable sealing components while maintaining effective sealing during the single use.
3Reliability
If the enclosing member is designed to receive the capsule with specific geometric features, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosing member is designed with specific geometric features (recesses, protrusions, tapered surfaces) at the sealing interface locations. These localized geometric features engage with corresponding features on the capsule wall to create effective sealing, while the rest of the enclosing member maintains a simpler structure.
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 design provides a cost-effective and efficient sealing mechanism, preventing bypass flows and ensuring effective beverage production by forming multiple sealing interfaces, which enhances the hydraulic seal and maintains the integrity of the beverage preparation process.
Implementation Method 1
the side wall is adapted to undergo plastic deformation during closure of the enclosing member
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage producing system is provided comprising a capsule containing beverage ingredients and a beverage preparation machine. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body and a lid; the cup-shaped body having a base and a side wall and the lid being sealed to the cup-shaped body. Prior to insertion, the side wall comprises: - an annular trough being dimensioned to receive an enclosing member of the beverage preparation machine on movement of the enclosing member into a closed position; - a first side wall section extending between the base and the annular trough; and - a second side wall section extending between the annular trough and a rim of the capsule. A cup-shaped body, a capsule and a method are also disclosed.