Capsule Flange Bellows for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee capsules face challenges in achieving a reliable seal due to dimensional instability, production tolerances, and wear, leading to potential leaks and increased production costs, especially when used with Nespresso-compatible capsules made of plastics.
Innovation Solution
A radially extending bellows with plastic and/or elastic deformation capabilities is integrated between the welding surface and the peripheral external thickened portion of the capsule flange, providing radial and axial tolerance compensation for the brewing chamber-closing device, eliminating the need for additional sealing elements and enhancing compatibility across various capsule designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing rings or sealing means are added to the coffee capsule flange, then the sealing effect is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the flange structure itself by integrating a radially extending bellows directly into the flange. This eliminates the need for separate sealing rings or additional sealing elements, as the bellows forms an integral part of the flange that provides sealing through its deformable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows is designed as a flexible, deformable structure that can elastically or plastically deform to compensate for dimensional variations and wear. This flexible structure creates multiple sealing points along its folds, providing effective sealing without requiring additional sealing materials.
2Reliability
If sealing rings are used on the espresso machine, then the seal is improved, but they wear rapidly and become untight due to soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure is designed to self-adjust and self-seal through its deformable nature. It automatically compensates for wear and dimensional variations without requiring external adjustment or replacement, maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout its service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows transitions from a static sealing structure to a dynamic one that can deform and adapt. This dynamic capability allows it to maintain sealing contact despite wear, soiling, or dimensional changes in the brewing chamber-closing device.
3Reliability
If additional sealing elements are applied to the flange, then the seal is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is combined with the existing flange structure through the integrated bellows, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements. This merger reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving sealing effectiveness.
4Reliability
If high clamping pressure is applied to achieve seal, then the sealing effect is improved, but the capsule deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure is specifically designed to be deformable, allowing it to absorb and compensate for capsule deformation under clamping pressure. This flexibility enables the bellows to maintain sealing contact without requiring excessive clamping force that would deform the capsule.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows changes its physical state from rigid to flexible/deformable, allowing it to adapt to dimensional variations and wear in the brewing chamber-closing device. This parameter change enables effective sealing with reduced clamping pressure.
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
This design achieves a superior sealing effect with multiple sealing points, effectively compensating for radial and axial tolerances, reducing production costs, and ensuring a consistent seal even with different capsule designs and soiling conditions.
Implementation Method 1
said bellows being able to be plastically and/or elastically deformed
Implementation Method 2
said bellows being able to be plastically and/or elastically deformed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Coffee capsule (2) containing a capsule part (1). The capsule part (1) is a frustoconical plastics part with a conical side wall (4), and has a top part (5) integrally formed on the small frustoconical diameter and an outwardly protruding peripheral flange (3) integrally formed on the large frustoconical diameter. The peripheral flange (3) has a surface (8) on the top part side as well as an outlet clamping surface (9) opposing the surface on the top part side and a peripheral external thickened portion (10). A tearable membrane (12) is welded onto the outlet clamping surface (9). A radially extending bellows (13) between the welding surface (11) and the peripheral external thickened portion (10) can be plastically and/or elastically deformed, having a sealing effect with radial and axial tolerance compensation for a brewing chamber-closing device of the espresso machine.