Capsule for containing beverage ingredients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules require a dedicated hollow sealing member for effective sealing, which complicates manufacturing and may lead to hygienic issues, and the sealing engagement is not always reliable.
Innovation Solution
Configuring at least one of the capsule walls to act as the sealing member, eliminating the need for a dedicated hollow sealing member and enhancing the sealing effect by using the capsule walls themselves for sealing, thereby simplifying manufacturing and improving sealing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated hollow sealing member is used, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the capsule wall itself. The capsule wall is designed with an integrated sealing structure that directly engages with the beverage production device, eliminating the need for a separate hollow sealing member. This integration maintains sealing reliability while simplifying the overall capsule structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule wall serves multiple functions: containing the beverage ingredient, providing structural integrity, and creating the sealing engagement with the device. By making the capsule wall multi-functional, the patent eliminates the dedicated sealing member while maintaining effective sealing through the wall's own structural features.
2Reliability
If a dedicated hollow sealing member is used, then sealing effect is enhanced, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is combined with the capsule wall manufacturing process. The sealing structure is formed as an integral part of the capsule wall during the same manufacturing operation, eliminating the need for separate production and assembly of a dedicated sealing member, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule wall is designed with a specific segmented or zoned structure where different portions of the wall serve different functions, including a dedicated sealing zone. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be achieved through the wall's own geometry without requiring additional components.
3Reliability
If a dedicated hollow sealing member is used, then sealing engagement is improved, but material consumption and energy use increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the capsule wall itself, eliminating the need for additional sealing materials. The capsule wall's own material and structure provide the sealing engagement, reducing overall material consumption and the energy required to produce and assemble multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule wall material serves multiple purposes: containing the beverage, providing structural support, and creating the sealing engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized sealing materials and minimizes total material consumption while maintaining effective sealing engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule for containing beverage ingredients may be designed for insertion in a beverage production device in which a liquid under pressure enters the capsule to drain a beverage from the capsule, wherein the capsule includes a circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a third wall closing the circumferential first wall at a second, open, end opposite the second wall, the first, second and third wall enclosing an inner space including the beverage ingredients, wherein the capsule includes a sealing member for achieving a sealing effect between the capsule and the beverage production device, wherein at least one of the first, second and third wall as such is configured to act as the sealing member.