Form-Retaining Beverage Pad Sealing to Prevent Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing form-retaining pads for beverage preparation suffer from hot water backflow and pressure leakages when used in beverage preparation machines, leading to suboptimal beverage quality, especially when preparing substances like instant coffee and spices.
Innovation Solution
The bottom sheet of the form-retaining pad is sealed to the outer surface of the annular circumferential wall, forming a smooth, flat surface, which prevents backflow and ensures a tight fit within the pad holder, eliminating pressure leakages and enhancing the flow of liquid through the pad.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bottom sheet is sealed to the outer surface of the annular circumferential wall at a position spaced from the protruding rib, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but hot water backflow occurs between the pad and pad holder
Solution Approach 1:
A protruding rib is introduced as an intermediary sealing element between the bottom sheet and the annular circumferential wall. The rib creates a sealing interface that prevents hot water backflow while maintaining ease of manufacture. The rib protrudes from the outer surface of the annular circumferential wall and the bottom sheet is sealed to this rib, forming an effective seal without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
2Reliability
If the bottom sheet is sealed to the protruding rib, then pressure leakages are prevented, but the sealing position is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is segmented into distinct functional elements: the annular circumferential wall, the protruding rib as a sealing element, and the bottom sheet. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the rib provides the sealing surface while the bottom sheet is sealed to it, preventing pressure leakages. The segmentation simplifies the overall design by assigning specific roles to each element.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bottom sheet rests free on the protruding elevation, then manufacturing is easier, but hot water flows back between the pad and pad holder
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding rib is designed in advance to prevent the harmful effect of hot water backflow. By creating a sealing interface with the bottom sheet before the pad is assembled into the holder, the design proactively prevents backflow from occurring. The rib's geometry and sealing arrangement are predetermined to counteract the potential backflow issue, eliminating the need for complex assembly adjustments.
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 allows for the preparation of beverages with improved quality by reducing backflow and pressure leakages, enabling the use of a variety of substances, including instant coffee and spices, without compromising the flow of water, thus ensuring better beverage preparation.
Implementation Method 1
said bottom sheet is sealed to the outer surface of the bottom wall part of the annular circumferential wall, and said bottom sheet and the outer surface of the bottom wall part of the annular circumferential wall to which it is sealed form a smooth, flat surface
Implementation Method 2
a compartmenting wall configuration therein, which compartmenting wall configuration has a grid structure which is transmissive to liquid from the top side to the bottom side
Implementation Method 3
the hot water flows through a top filter sheet to an inner space of the covering in which the water-soluble substance is present. This substance dissolves in the water
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A form-retaining pad is disclosed comprising a covering (13) having a top (15) and a bottom sheet (16), and a stiffening body (17) placed between the top and the bottom sheet. The stiffening body has an annular circumferential wall (91) having a curved cross-section and a bottom wall part (98) extending at least substantially parallel to the top and bottom sheet. The bottom wall part has a circular edge defining an open bottom area (100) and the bottom sheet is sealed to an outer surface of the bottom wall part of the annular circumferential wall, such that the bottom sheet and the outer surface of the bottom wall part to which it is sealed form a smooth surface. Furthermore an assembly of a beverage preparation machine comprising a pad holder for receiving such a form-retaining pad, a method of manufacturing such a form-retaining pad, a pre-form stiffening body for use in such a method, a method for preparing a beverage using such a form-retaining pad or such an assembly and a kit of parts comprising a plurality of said form-retaining pads are disclosed.