Capsule Closing Element Inclined Intermediate Portion Perforation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules for automatic dispensing machines face difficulties in perforating closing elements made of materials like aluminum or compostable films, leading to incorrect or insufficient perforations, which affect the distribution of fluid and the quality of the final product.
Innovation Solution
The capsule design features a closing element with an inclined intermediate portion that is tensioned between an outer and inner edge, facilitating easy perforation by piercing blades, even with difficult-to-perforate materials, ensuring uniform fluid distribution and improved beverage quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closing element is made of difficult-to-perforate materials (aluminum or compostable films), then the capsule meets environmental standards and provides better sealing, but the perforation process becomes difficult leading to incorrect or insufficient perforations
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element features an intermediate portion with different geometric properties (inclined shape) compared to the rest of the closing element. This localized geometric variation creates a specific zone that is easier to perforate while maintaining the overall sealing integrity of the closing element made from difficult-to-perforate materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element is pre-formed with an inclined intermediate portion before the perforation process. This preliminary geometric configuration facilitates the subsequent perforation action by creating a zone that is more accessible and easier to penetrate by the piercing blades, preventing the material from being pulled inward during perforation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the closing element is made entirely of compostable material, then the capsule is environmentally friendly, but the material is particularly difficult to perforate causing incorrect perforations
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element made of compostable material incorporates an intermediate portion with a specific inclined geometry that differs from the surrounding areas. This local geometric modification creates a preferential zone for perforation that maintains the compostable nature of the entire closing element while ensuring accurate and complete perforation by the piercing blades.
3Ease of operation
If the closing element is pulled by blades towards the inside of the cavity, then the blades can engage the closing element, but the closing element deforms and adopts a concave shape making perforation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is pre-configured with an inclined intermediate portion that protrudes or is positioned to engage the piercing blades before the perforation force is fully applied. This preliminary engagement geometry prevents the closing element from being pulled inward and deforming into a concave shape, as the inclined portion provides a mechanical advantage that maintains the closing element's planar or convex configuration during perforation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Described is a capsule (1) comprising: - a casing (2) which has an axis (Z) of longitudinal extension, the casing (2) comprising a base wall (201) and a lateral wall (202) defining an open cavity (203), designed to contain an initial product to be added to a fluid to obtain a final product, and a flange edge (204) extending from said lateral wall (202); - a covering element (3) fixed to the flange edge (204) for closing the cavity (203), which can be perforated by an extraction device of a dispensing machine in which the capsule (1) can be used; - a closing element (4) fixed to the base wall (201) which can be perforated by a fluid injection device of the dispensing machine comprising piercing blades. The base wall (201) comprises an edge region (205), which is annular and extends up to the lateral wall (202), a central region (206), and a groove (207), which is interposed between the central region (206) and the edge region (205) and is shaped to receive the piercing blades; and wherein the closing element (4) has a central portion (401), configured for being fixed to the central region (206) and an edge portion (402), configured for being fixed to the edge region (205), and wherein the central region (206) and the edge region (205) extend on respective planes which are offset from each other along the axis (Z) in such a way that an intermediate portion (403) of the closing element (4), interposed between the central portion (401) and the edge portion (402) for closing the groove (207), is inclined.