Capsule Filter Membrane with Sealed Flow Regions for Stable Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems using capsules suffer from poor reproducibility of beverage quality due to deformation and rupture of filter materials under fluid pressure, leading to inconsistent coffee extraction.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a non-woven or woven fibrous material with sealed and unsealed regions, where the unsealed regions provide stable fluid flow openings and act as filters to prevent coffee grounds from escaping, while the sealed regions maintain structural integrity under pressure, ensuring consistent pressure development and beverage quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter sheet or porous filter is used in the capsule, then coffee grounds can be prevented from leaving the capsule, but the filter material deforms and ruptures under fluid pressure leading to poor reproducibility of beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The filter layer is designed with differentiated regions: sealed regions that provide structural support and resistance to fluid pressure, and unsealed regions that allow liquid flow. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different parts of the same component, maintaining both strength and filtration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter layer combines sealed and unsealed regions of non-woven or woven fibrous material to create a composite structure. This composite design integrates the strengths of different material states (sealed for structural integrity, unsealed for flow) within a single component, enabling the filter to withstand pressure while maintaining reproducible beverage quality.
2Strength
If the filter material is made more robust to prevent deformation under pressure, then structural integrity is improved, but the flow characteristics and pressure development in the capsule become less reproducible
Solution Approach 1:
The filter layer incorporates sealed regions for structural integrity and unsealed regions for controlled flow, with the distribution and size of these regions precisely controlled during manufacturing. This local differentiation allows the filter to provide both robustness and reproducible pressure development characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process controls parameters such as the proportion, size, and distribution of sealed versus unsealed regions in the filter layer. By optimizing these parameters, the filter achieves the right balance between structural strength and reproducible flow characteristics, ensuring consistent pressure development across capsules.
3Productivity
If a single unsealed region is provided in the filter sheet, then liquid can flow through, but the filter provides insufficient structural support under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The filter layer is designed with multiple unsealed regions distributed across sealed regions, creating a network of flow paths. The sealed regions provide structural support while the unsealed regions enable liquid flow. This spatial distribution resolves the contradiction by providing both flow capability and structural strength simultaneously.
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 enhances the reproducibility and quality of the prepared beverage by maintaining stable fluid flow and preventing coffee grounds from escaping, resulting in a more consistent brewing experience across capsules.
Implementation Method 1
Sealing the non-woven and/or woven material may be done by heating and/or melting the non-woven and/or woven material locally
Implementation Method 2
the non-woven and/or woven material in the second regions may act as a filter preventing coffee grounds from leaving the capsule
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1), method and capsule (2) for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product. The system comprises an exchangeable capsule, and an apparatus (104) comprising a receptacle (106) for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device (126) for supplying a fluid to the exchangeable capsule. The exchangeable capsule comprises a circumferential wall (18), a bottom (12), and a lid (16). The wall, bottom and lid enclose an inner space (20) comprising the extractable product. The capsule comprises an exit area to allow draining from the prepared beverage from the capsule there through, wherein the exit area comprises a filter layer (36). The filter layer comprises a layer of non-woven and/or woven fibrous material with at least one first region where the non-woven and/or woven material has been sealed to prevent egress of liquid there through and at least one second region where the non-woven and/or woven material has not been sealed to allow egress of liquid there through.