Beverage Capsule Holder Sealing With Radial Annular Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage-making systems face issues with watertight seals between capsules and holders, requiring precise axial pressure and sophisticated construction techniques, which increases production costs and limits compatibility with capsules lacking resilient sealing members or indentations on the capsule holder.
Innovation Solution
A system that creates a watertight seal laterally between the capsule and the capsule holder using a movable contact element and angled annular projections, allowing for deformation and seal creation without relying on axial pressure or precise construction, and is compatible with capsules having or lacking resilient sealing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axial pressure is used to create a watertight seal between the capsule and capsule holder, then the seal effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from axial sealing (vertical pressure direction) to radial sealing (horizontal compression direction). The capsule holder compresses the capsule radially from the sides, creating a watertight seal through lateral deformation of the capsule material rather than through axial pressure on the capsule bottom or lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the elastic deformation of the capsule's thin-walled structure to create the seal. The capsule body, being made of flexible material, deforms radially under compression from the capsule holder's sealing surfaces, allowing it to conform to the holder's internal geometry and form a watertight connection without requiring complex mechanical sealing components.
2Reliability
If resilient sealing members are added to the capsule, then the watertight seal is improved, but the manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule structure itself provides the sealing function through its inherent elastic properties. The capsule body deforms under radial compression to create the seal, eliminating the need for separate resilient sealing members. The capsule's own material properties are utilized to achieve the sealing effect, making the system self-sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the capsule's existing material properties throughout its structure to provide sealing functionality. Rather than adding heterogeneous materials like rubber seals or gaskets, the solution relies on the homogeneous elastic behavior of the capsule's own material, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing component variety.
3Reliability
If precise axial pressure calibration is used for sealing, then the seal reliability is improved, but the ease of operation and detaching capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is dynamic rather than static. During insertion, the capsule is compressed radially to form the seal. During extraction, the removal of compressive force allows the capsule to return to its original shape, automatically breaking the seal. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for precise pressure calibration to maintain sealing while enabling easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing process follows a periodic cycle: compression during insertion creates the seal, and decompression during extraction breaks the seal. This periodic application and removal of radial force allows the system to achieve reliable sealing during operation while maintaining ease of removal when the cycle reverses, without requiring complex pressure control mechanisms.
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 solution reduces dependence on axial pressure for sealing, simplifies construction, and lowers production costs while maintaining a secure watertight seal, even with uneven or indented capsule holder surfaces and non-resilient capsules.
Implementation Method 1
the capsule and the capsule holder are in a sealed configuration in which the annular edge of the capsule holder is coupled with the capsule with a watertight seal... allowing for deformation and seal creation
Data Source
AI summary
A system for making beverages includes a capsule and a capsule holder including an annular edge at the top of which there is a projecting annular element and/or respectively an annular seat. The capsule includes a body including a lower wall, a lateral wall and a perimetric edge on which there is an annular groove having a bottom zone and two inner lateral faces, and/or respectively there is an annular tooth having a tip portion and two outer lateral faces. The capsule holder and the capsule can adopt a sealed configuration where the projecting annular element, inserted in the annular groove, is in sealed contact with at least one of the inner lateral faces, and/or respectively the annular seat receives inside it the annular tooth and is in sealed contact with at least one of the outer lateral faces.