Capsule Barrier Membrane Tear Control via Central Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules for beverage preparation face challenges in controlling the rupture behavior of barrier membranes, leading to inconsistent liquid release and potential clogging of outlet openings, which complicates manufacturing and affects flow behavior.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a rotationally symmetrical body with a support element connected to the barrier membrane, enhancing tear control by concentrating stress at the edge, and incorporating outlet openings and flow elements to direct the liquid flow effectively, while using materials like plastic, metal, or laminates for the barrier membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier membrane is used to seal the outlet opening, then the chamber is sealed against the outside atmosphere, but the tearing behavior of the barrier membrane is difficult to control and parts of the torn membrane may negatively affect the flow characteristics or reduce the cross-section of the outlet opening
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is pre-positioned in the central region of the barrier membrane before pressurization occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when internal pressure builds up, the membrane will tear in a predictable manner around the support element, with torn parts remaining attached rather than obstructing the outlet opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element acts as an intermediary structure between the barrier membrane and the outlet opening. It provides a firm connection point that mediates the stress distribution during pressurization, causing controlled tearing while preventing membrane fragments from blocking the flow path.
2Ease of operation
If built-in penetration agents are used to penetrate the barrier membrane, then the barrier membrane can be penetrated, but the capsule becomes complex to manufacture and the fluid release is still not precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The penetration function is extracted from the capsule structure itself and transferred to the beverage preparation machine. This eliminates the need for complex built-in penetration agents in the capsule, simplifying capsule manufacturing while maintaining the ability to penetrate the barrier membrane through the machine's penetration elements.
3Ease of operation
If the barrier membrane is stretched over penetration elements, then the membrane can be penetrated when pressure is applied, but the tearing behavior remains unpredictable and may affect flow characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves as a mediator that provides a firm connection point for the barrier membrane. This intermediary structure controls the stress distribution during pressurization, ensuring predictable tearing behavior that does not compromise flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element creates a localized region of firm connection in the central area of the barrier membrane. This local structural differentiation ensures that tearing occurs predictably around the support element while maintaining controlled flow characteristics through the outlet opening.
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 design allows for predictable and controlled rupture of the barrier membrane, ensuring consistent liquid release without clogging, simplifying manufacturing, and promoting turbulent flow for applications like foaming, thus improving the overall beverage preparation process.
Implementation Method 1
the edge causes a significant increase in tensile stress, so that tearing occurs in this area
Implementation Method 2
a barrier membrane, which can be ruptured under internal pressure within the chamber
Implementation Method 3
promoting turbulent flow for applications like foaming
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~9
AI summary
The capsule (1) comprises a capsule body (2) with a side wall (3) and with a base (4). The capsule body is closed by a cover (5), with the result that a chamber (6) for receiving a substance (7) is formed. An outlet opening (8) is arranged in the base (4) of the capsule and is closed off from the outside atmosphere by means of a barrier membrane (9). The barrier membrane is fixedly connected at the outer periphery (10) thereof to the capsule base. In addition, the barrier membrane is fixedly connected to a supporting element (11) preferably arranged in the centre. The barrier membrane can be torn open under the action of an internal pressure in the capsule, it being possible for the tearing behaviour to be better controlled by the supporting element.