Capsule, a system for preparing a potable beverage from such a capsule and use of such a capsule in a beverage preparation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsule sealing systems face challenges in maintaining a fluid-tight seal at both low and high fluid pressures, particularly when the enclosing member has radially extending open grooves, which can lead to leakage issues and require complex mechanisms for initial and increased sealing forces.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a sealing member integral with the aluminum capsule flange, featuring at least one projection that exerts a radial force on the enclosing member's annular element, ensuring a satisfactory seal at both low and high pressures, and facilitating easy manufacturing and environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member is used to provide fluid sealing contact with the enclosing member, then leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and mechanisms required for initial and increased sealing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is divided into two distinct sealing portions: a initial sealing portion that contacts the enclosing member at low pressure, and a second sealing portion that contacts at high pressure. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific pressure range, achieving reliable sealing without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is designed to dynamically transition between different sealing portions based on fluid pressure. At low pressure, the initial sealing portion engages; at high pressure, the second sealing portion engages. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for complex mechanisms to switch sealing modes.
2Ease of operation
If the enclosing member has radially extending open grooves to facilitate capsule removal, then ease of operation improves, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to potential leakage paths
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is segmented into multiple portions that can engage different surfaces of the enclosing member. The initial sealing portion contacts the outer circumferential surface, while the second sealing portion contacts the inner circumferential surface near the grooves, ensuring sealing reliability despite the presence of grooves.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sealing member have different properties and contact different locations of the enclosing member. The initial sealing portion is designed for low-pressure sealing at the outer surface, while the second sealing portion is designed for high-pressure sealing near the grooves, optimizing sealing at each location.
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 solution provides a reliable fluid-tight seal with minimal leakage (0-6% of total fluid), suitable for a wide range of pressures, and is easy to manufacture, making it environmentally friendly and compatible with various beverage preparation devices.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one projection is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element
Implementation Method 2
providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.