Portion Capsule Filter With Reinforcing Braces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portion capsules with filter devices face the risk of breakage or cracking due to increased pressure during beverage extraction, as the filter surfaces are often unsupported and prone to stress.

Innovation Solution

The filter device is reinforced with braces extending from the frame section to the central area, creating a bridge-like structure that reduces the risk of breakage and maintains a hollow space without forming specific liquid channels, with optional radial or converging brace designs and a locking mechanism for secure placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If a planar filter device is used to create a hollow space between the capsule base and coffee powder, then the hollow space is formed successfully, but the filter surface is prone to breakage due to increased pressure during extraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehollow space volumeVSAvoidfilter surface reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is divided into multiple functional zones: a planar filter surface area and a raised frame section area. This segmentation allows the filter surface to maintain its planar shape for hollow space creation while the raised frame provides structural reinforcement to prevent breakage during extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the filter device have different structural properties. The filter surface area remains planar for optimal hollow space formation, while the frame section is raised to provide localized reinforcement where mechanical stress occurs during beverage extraction, thus preventing breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of stationary object

If the filter device is placed close to the capsule base, then the hollow space is minimized, but the filter surface is more susceptible to pressure-induced breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehollow space volumeVSAvoidfilter surface strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device transitions from a two-dimensional planar structure to a three-dimensional structure with a raised frame section. This dimensional change allows the filter surface to remain planar for hollow space creation while the vertical dimension of the frame provides structural reinforcement against pressure-induced breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a raised frame section is added to reinforce the filter surface, then the breakage risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter surface reliabilityVSAvoidfilter device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame section is merged with the filter device as an integrated component rather than a separate addition. This merging approach provides structural reinforcement to prevent breakage while minimizing additional complexity, as the frame and filter surface form a unified structure that can be manufactured as a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2391559B1Portion capsule
Publication Date: 2012.12.12 K-FEE SYSTEM GMBH
  • EP2391559B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2391559B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10

AI summary

Portion capsule (1') substance (15) in powder form extractable by way of liquid to produce a beverage, whereby a filter device (1) with a number of openings (3) is arranged between the capsule base (5) and the substance (15) and/or the capsule lid (14) and the substance, the filter device (1) having a filter surface (2) which is arranged at a distance from the capsule base (5) or lid (14) by an outer, skirt-shaped frame section (4), and whereby the filter device (1) has at least one brace (6), extending from the frame section (4) to an essentially central area of the filter surface (2), which beyond the frame section (4) is arranged at a distance from the capsule base (5) or lid (14).