Capsule with actuation projection and system for preparing edible product based upon said capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule designs for brewing devices, particularly those made of rigid materials, tend to slip during pressurized fluid injection due to lack of secure engagement and angular positioning, especially in systems with multiple injection outlets.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a lid-like construction with a recessed passageway wall and a weakened material region, where the passageway wall has a projection element that extends axially to engage with the brewing device's injection mechanism, providing a lever-like force for secure retention and reliable fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a capsule is made of rigid material with substantial thickness, then structural strength and oxygen barrier are improved, but the capsule slips during pressurized fluid injection due to lack of secure engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule wall is segmented into different thickness zones: a first zone with substantial thickness for strength and barrier properties, and a second zone with reduced thickness for controlled breaking. This segmentation allows the capsule to maintain overall structural integrity while providing a specific region that can be reliably opened by pressurized fluid injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule envelope has non-uniform wall thickness with locally differentiated properties. The reduced thickness zone is strategically positioned to be the weakest point, ensuring that breaking occurs predictably at this location during injection, while other zones maintain sufficient thickness for structural support and barrier function.
2Reliability
If a capsule has reduced thickness zone for fluid passage, then reliable opening to pressurized flow is achieved, but the capsule may break holing the exterior envelope instead of controlled opening
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is pre-formed with a specific geometric configuration including a conical bottom and a reduced thickness zone positioned at a predetermined location. This preliminary structuring ensures that when pressurized fluid is injected, the force is concentrated on the pre-weakened zone, guiding the breaking to occur in a controlled manner rather than causing uncontrolled holing of the envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from considering only wall thickness to incorporating geometric dimensioning in multiple dimensions. The conical bottom geometry and the specific positioning of the reduced thickness zone create a three-dimensional structure that directs fluid flow and breaking forces along predetermined paths, preventing harmful uncontrolled breaking while ensuring reliable fluid passage.
3Productivity
If multiple pressurized water injection outlets are used, then brewing efficiency is improved, but capsule slippage and rotation increase due to uneven force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule features an asymmetric conical bottom geometry with the reduced thickness zone positioned off-center rather than symmetrically. This asymmetric design creates a natural engagement point that interacts with the injection outlets to provide both the force needed for efficient brewing and the mechanical constraint that prevents slippage and rotation, maintaining stable angular positioning.
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
Ensures reliable mechanical engagement and sealed opening of the capsule, preventing slippage and ensuring consistent beverage preparation by concentrating the pressurized flow effectively on the weakened material region.
Implementation Method 1
said projection element can be impinged by a flow injection part of said brewing device and thereby exert a lever-like mechanic force upon said weakened material region
Implementation Method 2
said weakened material region is adapted for breaking under action of a pressurized fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a capsule (1) presenting at least one first construction element (2) configured in a container-like shape, and a second construction element (3) configured in a lid-like shape, adapted so as to contain an individual portion of an edible substance, whereby said second construction element (3) presents a passageway wall (4) that is surrounded in at least most part of respective perimeter by a weakened material region (41) provided as a reduction of thickness in at least one of the upstream and downstream sides of said passageway wall (4), and that presents a projection element (7) adapted so that can be actuated mechanically.The present invention further refers to a system for preparing edible products including a capsule (1), an apparatus for preparing edible products comprising at least one brewing device (10) presenting injection means (13) adapted so that exert a mechanic pressure upon the passageway wall (4) on a region of the passageway wall (4) opposite to the region of weakened material region (41).