Capsule Calibrated Orifice for Consistent Coffee Extraction Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee capsules designed for beverage production machines with relief and recessed elements face challenges in consistently controlling the extraction face opening and coffee flow quality due to factors like membrane thickness and ground coffee characteristics, leading to inconsistent extraction pressures and flow rates.

Innovation Solution

A capsule with a calibrated restriction orifice in the delivery wall, made of materials like aluminum or plastic, which generates elevated pressure through a back pressure mechanism without tearing, ensuring consistent coffee flow and compatibility with standard capsule holders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a membrane with precisely controlled thickness is used for the extraction face, then the opening control is improved, but the consistency of flow is still affected by ground coffee characteristics and perforation sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane thickness controlVSAvoidflow consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the controlling parameter from membrane thickness to orifice diameter. The delivery wall with a calibrated restriction orifice of precisely controlled diameter (e.g., 0.5-1.5mm) replaces the tearable membrane approach. This parameter change provides more reliable and consistent flow control because the orifice diameter can be manufactured with high precision and is not affected by variations in ground coffee characteristics or membrane thickness tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If the extraction face is designed to tear against relief elements, then pressure build-up is achieved, but repeated control of opening becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure build-upVSAvoidopening control consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming a calibrated restriction orifice in the delivery wall before the capsule is used. The orifice is precisely manufactured at a controlled diameter (e.g., 0.5-1.5mm) and positioned to align with the relief elements of the capsule holder. This preliminary preparation ensures that pressure build-up occurs reliably and that the opening behavior is consistent across repeated uses, eliminating the variability associated with tearable membranes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a calibrated restriction orifice is used in the delivery wall, then coffee flow consistency is improved, but the capsule structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoffee flow consistencyVSAvoidcapsule structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention simplifies the overall capsule structure by changing the controlling parameter from membrane thickness to orifice diameter. The delivery wall with a calibrated restriction orifice replaces the complex tearable membrane system, requiring precise orifice manufacturing but eliminating the need for thin, variable-thickness membranes and reducing sensitivity to ground coffee characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the delivery wall is made tearable, then opening is achieved, but pressure control and flow consistency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening mechanismVSAvoidpressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies inversion by making the delivery wall non-tearable and instead incorporating a calibrated restriction orifice. Rather than relying on the wall to tear open, the system inverts the approach by providing a pre-formed, precisely controlled opening that maintains structural integrity while enabling reliable pressure control and consistent flow. The delivery wall becomes a rigid component with a controlled aperture rather than a flexible, tearable membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution provides a consistent and controlled coffee extraction process with elevated pressure, maintaining high coffee quality and compatibility with standard capsule holders, ensuring proper support and pressure-tight arrangement.

Implementation Method 1

provides through the restriction created by the at least one calibrated orifice a certain back pressure which generates an elevated pressure in the capsule during extraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBack pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2364930B1Capsule for preparing coffee in a device comprising a cartridge holder with relief and recessed elements

Publication Date: 2018.12.05 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

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AI summary

Capsule for the production of a beverage, more particularly coffee, in a beverage production machine comprising a capsule holder with relief and recessed elements; said capsule comprising: - an inverted cup-shaped body forming a chamber containing beverage ingredients, a bottom injection wall, a sidewall; - a delivery wall which is sealed to the body; - a filtering wall placed between said chamber and the delivery wall; wherein the delivery wall comprises a calibrated orifice and in that the beverage delivery wall is not tearable against the capsule holder but provides through the restriction created by the calibrated orifice a certain back pressure which generates an elevated pressure in the capsule during extraction.