Capsule Flat Facets Watertight Seal Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current capsules for infusion products fail to achieve a perfectly watertight seal between the cup and the percolation chamber elements, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in mechanical strength under pressure and temperature, and are often restricted to use with specific manufacturer-branded machines.
Innovation Solution
The capsule features a cup with a slightly truncated-cone or cylindrical shape, incorporating flat facets along the upper edge and external side wall, which cooperate with corresponding projections in the percolation chamber to ensure precise centering and a watertight seal, enhancing mechanical strength and compatibility with specific quality standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional smooth capsule designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but watertight sealing and mechanical strength under pressure are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies flat facets only at specific locations (upper edge perimetral contour and external face close to bottom wall) rather than throughout the entire capsule. This localized application provides sealing surfaces where needed while maintaining the overall simplicity of the capsule structure and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule design introduces asymmetric flat facets on the otherwise rotationally symmetric cylindrical or truncated-cone body. These facets create specific orientation features that enable reliable sealing with the percolation chamber elements while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple geometric modifications.
2Strength
If capsules are designed for universal compatibility, then adaptability increases, but mechanical strength and precise centering under pressure decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The flat facets are positioned at specific locations (upper edge and lower external face) to provide localized sealing and centering functions. This localized feature approach ensures reliable mechanical engagement with corresponding projections in the percolation chamber, providing strength and precision without requiring complete redesign for different machine types.
Solution Approach 2:
The facets are pre-formed on the capsule body during manufacturing, establishing precise geometric features before the capsule is used. This preliminary formation of sealing and centering features ensures consistent mechanical strength and centering performance across all capsules, while the simple geometric nature maintains broad compatibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The capsule for infusion products comprises a cup (2) made of plastic material having a bottom wall (4) and a side wall (3) provided with an upper edge (5). The main characteristic of the present invention consists of the fact that the body defining the cup (2) has, as preferred, a slightly truncated-cone shape or a cylindrical shape, and is provided with at least a facet (6 and/or 7) made, as preferred, along the perimetral contour of the upper edge (5) of the side wall (3) and/or on the external face of the side wall (3) close to the bottom wall (4).