Capsule Entry Surface with Reduced Thickness Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection-molded capsules for beverages are costly due to complex manufacturing processes and often not hermetically sealed, leading to product deterioration and environmental contamination.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring an entry surface with reduced-thickness areas that open under water pressure, allowing efficient infusion without the need for puncturing mechanisms, and a sealing element for hermetic sealing, made from biodegradable materials and reinforced with elastic strengthening ribs for easy manufacturing and quality preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If injection-molded capsules are designed with complex sealing mechanisms to ensure hermetic sealing, then product quality is preserved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule utilizes a flexible entry surface made of deformable material that can be hermetically sealed through deformation during insertion into the machine's sealing chamber, eliminating complex separate sealing mechanisms while maintaining product freshness
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule employs reduced thickness areas that change their mechanical properties under pressure, allowing the entry surface to deform and seal hermetically when inserted into the machine, providing reliable sealing without additional complex components
2Reliability
If injection-molded capsules use multiple components to ensure proper water entry and sealing, then beverage quality is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule integrates the entry surface with reduced thickness areas directly into the capsule body as a single component, combining the functions of water entry control and structural integrity without requiring separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced thickness areas automatically open under water pressure without requiring external puncturing mechanisms, and the entry surface self-seals through deformation when inserted into the machine, eliminating the need for additional active components
3Ease of manufacture
If capsules are made with simple structures to reduce manufacturing cost, then production efficiency improves, but hermetic sealing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible entry surface with reduced thickness areas provides hermetic sealing through simple deformation during machine insertion, achieving reliable sealing without complex multi-component structures
Solution Approach 2:
The entry surface transitions from a closed state during storage to an opened state during use through pressure-induced deformation of the reduced thickness areas, providing dynamic functionality with a simple static structure
4Ease of operation
If capsules require puncturing mechanisms for water entry, then water injection is controlled, but machine complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reduced thickness areas automatically open under water pressure without requiring external puncturing mechanisms, and the entry surface self-seals through deformation when inserted into the machine, eliminating the need for additional active components
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 capsule ensures high-quality beverages by maintaining organoleptic properties, simplifies the beverage-making machine, and reduces waste and contamination risks through efficient and cost-effective production and use.
Implementation Method 1
letting water under pressure flow against the entry surface, the one or more reduced thickness areas open so as to allow water under pressure to enter the capsule
Implementation Method 2
reinforced with elastic strengthening ribs for easy manufacturing and quality preservation
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule (1) for obtaining beverages is shown, comprising a side wall (5) and an entry surface (6) for the entrance of water under pressure into the capsule (1), wherein the side wall (5) and the entry surface (6) form the containment volume (V) for containing the infusion product (P). The entry surface (6) comprises one or more reduced thickness areas (3) so that, letting water under pressure flow against the entry surface (6), the one or more reduced thickness areas (3) open, so as to allow water under pressure to enter the capsule (1). The capsule (1) may further comprise one or more strengthening ribs (4) provided on the entry surface (6) so as to strengthen the entry surface (6) and simplify the opening of the reduced thickness areas (3) when water under pressure flows against the entry surface (6). A method for the production of beverages is also shown, comprising the following step: flow of water under pressure against the entry surface (6) of the capsule (1) so as to open the reduced thickness areas (3) of the entry surface (6) so as to allow the water under pressure to enter the capsule (1).