Capsule Brewing Unit Sealing Structure for Controlled Water Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage production devices using single-use capsules experience uncontrolled leakage when no capsule is present, leading to inefficiencies in water collection and capsule removal.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a first engaging member with a series of passages on its outermost annular pressing edge, restricting the angular flow path of liquid leakage to less than 90 degrees, and an innermost pressing edge with indentations to guide liquid collection, along with a capsule cage design that includes internal ribs and grooves for centring and easy capsule retrieval, and a piercing mechanism for water injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brewing unit is closed without a capsule present, then the engaging members form a sealed configuration, but water leaks uncontrolled through the nip
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing edge is designed with non-uniform structure: a first portion with a liquid-impervious surface for sealing, and a second portion with a liquid-conductive surface that directs leakage. This local differentiation allows the same component to both seal when needed and control leakage when no capsule is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-conductive pressing edge acts as an intermediary element that intercepts leaking water and redirects it along a controlled path to the beverage outlet, preventing uncontrolled leakage while maintaining the sealed configuration of the engaging members.
2Ease of operation
If passages are provided on the pressing edge for controlled leakage, then water can be directed to a restricted angular flow path, but the sealing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing edge is segmented into distinct functional zones: a liquid-impervious sealing portion and a liquid-conductive leakage control portion with passages. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while integrating into a single component structure.
3Stress or pressure
If the capsule cage has a liquid-tight seal, then brewing pressure is maintained, but the capsule sticks due to suction or vacuum effects
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing configuration is made dynamic: during brewing, the engaging members are closed to maintain liquid-tight seal and brewing pressure; during capsule removal, the members are opened to break the vacuum seal. This dynamic operation allows the system to switch between sealed and open states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is extracted from the sealed brewing environment by opening the engaging members, which breaks the vacuum seal and eliminates the suction effect that would otherwise prevent removal.
Data Source
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AI summary
Beverage production device for producing a beverage from a single-use capsule containing a beverage ingredient, comprising : a brewing unit (1) for receiving the capsule (8) therein upon relative closing of a first and second engaging members (6, 7) forming a cavity for encasing the capsule and pressing it at a flange-like rim (9) in a liquid seal-tight manner, wherein at least one of the first and second engaging members comprises a substantially annular pressing portion (14) for applying a sealing pressure on the flange-like rim of the capsule, the first and second engaging members being configured in relative closure at the nip to leak to a liquid injected in the cavity when a capsule is not present, wherein one of at least the first or second engaging members comprises, at its annular pressing portion, flow directing means comprising at least one passage (37) arranged for controlling liquid leakage only within a limited angular radial direction when the first and second engaging members are closed at the nip.