Beverage Capsule Inlet Wall Structure for Reliable Perforation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capsules made of softer materials like plastic polymers are difficult to perforate, leading to irregular solvent distribution and beverage quality, and existing reinforcement solutions either fail to provide adequate support or increase material usage, resulting in heavier, less environmentally friendly capsules.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring sunken portions on both the lateral and inlet walls, which provide additional rigidity without increasing material thickness, allowing for effective perforation and efficient brewing liquid injection, and can be produced using eco-friendly materials like bioplastics with oxygen and gas barrier layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If capsules are made of softer plastic polymer materials, then environmental friendliness and ease of manufacture are improved, but perforation difficulty increases leading to irregular solvent distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule wall is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thinner inlet wall portion (0.1-0.3mm) specifically at the piercing location, while other parts of the capsule maintain sufficient thickness for structural integrity. This local variation in thickness enables reliable perforation by piercing means while maintaining overall capsule strength and using eco-friendly plastic materials.
2Reliability
If reinforcing members are added to plastic capsules, then perforation reliability is improved, but material usage increases resulting in heavier capsules
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding reinforcing members throughout the capsule, the invention uses localized thickness variation - a thinner inlet wall portion (0.1-0.3mm) precisely where piercing is needed. This approach provides perforation reliability without the need for additional reinforcing members, thereby avoiding increased material usage and capsule weight.
3Strength
If capsule wall thickness is increased, then structural integrity is improved, but perforation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule employs non-uniform wall thickness with a thinner inlet wall portion (0.1-0.3mm) at the piercing location and thicker walls elsewhere. This local thickness variation ensures easy perforation at the inlet wall while maintaining sufficient structural integrity in other parts of the capsule through the thicker wall sections.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform capsule wall thickness is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but perforation reliability for soft materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is manufactured with a specific local thickness variation - a thinner inlet wall portion (0.1-0.3mm) at the piercing location - which can be integrated into the molding process. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable perforation of soft plastic materials at the designated inlet wall area.
Data Source
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AI summary
A capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprises a lateral wall, an inlet wall and a lower wall forming a hollow body having a substantially central axis, the inlet wall extends from a peripheral end of the lateral wall towards said central axis and a plurality of sunken portions are extending on both lateral and inlet walls across the edge between said walls each portion connecting together the lateral wall and the inlet wall.