Plastic Coffee Capsule Centering Ramp Heat Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plastic espresso capsules are prone to melting when contacted by hot injection needles, leading to blocked exit openings and reduced sealing effectiveness, resulting in inefficient coffee extraction and smaller coffee capacity due to their shorter axial length compared to aluminum capsules.
Innovation Solution
A thermoformed plastic capsule with a truncated cone shape and a circumferential centering ramp at the narrower end, allowing for a larger inlet opening to avoid contact with hot injection needles, and an inwardly directed flange for secure membrane attachment, which also protects the capsule from heat during welding, maintaining the axial length of aluminum capsules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic capsules are made shorter to avoid contact with hot injection needles, then the risk of melting is reduced, but the coffee capacity and sealing effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centering ramp that utilizes the radial dimension to create a heat protection barrier. The ramp extends radially inward from the capsule wall, creating a three-dimensional structure that physically blocks heat transfer from the injection needle to the plastic capsule body, thereby protecting the capsule from melting while maintaining full axial length for optimal coffee capacity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic capsules are made shorter to avoid contact with hot injection needles, then the melting problem is reduced, but the sealing effect deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The centering ramp creates a radial heat barrier that prevents thermal conduction to the capsule body. This three-dimensional heat protection structure allows the capsule to maintain its full axial length and proper sealing geometry while being protected from the thermal effects of hot injection needles
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a larger inlet opening is created to avoid contact with hot needles, then the melting risk is reduced, but the structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capsule structure into distinct functional zones: the centering ramp forms a protective barrier structure, the inlet opening provides needle access, and the flange maintains sealing integrity. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising overall structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The centering ramp utilizes the radial dimension to create a heat protection barrier, allowing the inlet opening to be larger without compromising structural integrity. The ramp's three-dimensional structure provides both thermal protection and structural reinforcement
4Quantity of substance
If the axial length is maintained to preserve coffee capacity, then the coffee volume is improved, but the contact with hot needles increases causing melting
Solution Approach 1:
The centering ramp introduces a radial heat barrier that protects the capsule body from thermal conduction. This allows the capsule to maintain its full axial length for optimal coffee volume while the ramp's three-dimensional structure blocks heat transfer from the injection needle contact point
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 prevents melting and ensures a secure, efficient sealing process, maintaining the coffee capacity and axial length of aluminum capsules while preventing contact with hot injection needles, enhancing the sealing effect and coffee extraction performance.
Implementation Method 1
the upwards bend circular edge forms a heat protecting layer between a hot sealing tool and the centering ramp during welding the inlet membrane to the second flange
Implementation Method 2
a truncated cone-shaped capsule body of thermoformed plastic
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule which under pressure in expresso machines is suitable for extraction of coffee, including a truncated cone-shaped capsule body of thermoformed plastic having a conical side wall, the wider end of the side wall defining an outlet side of the capsule and the narrower end of the side wall defining an inlet side of the capsule. A destructible inlet sealing membrane closes the inlet opening of the capsule body and is attached to the inside of the capsule body. The capsule body further includes a circumferential centering ramp at the narrower end of the conical side wall, which translates into an inwardly directed circumferential second flange forming the circular inlet opening, the circumferential centering ramp designed to align the inlet sealing membrane with the inlet opening before welding it to the second flange. The inlet sealing membrane has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second flange to be bend upwards along the centering ramp and to at least partially cover the centering ramp when welding it to the second flange. The upwards bend edge forms a heat protecting layer between a hot sealing tool and the centering ramp during welding.