Beverage Capsule Ridge Sealing for Wear-Resistant Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems face issues with sealing engagement wear, degradation, and fouling due to material differences between the capsule and enclosing member, particularly when the enclosing member is softer than the capsule, leading to quality deterioration over time.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a plurality of substantially concentric circumferential ridges made of the same material as the cup, which can abut the enclosing member to form a sealing engagement, allowing for misalignment tolerance and easy adaptation to irregularities, thereby maintaining a consistent seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the enclosing member material is softer than the capsule material at the sealing location, then easier sealing engagement is obtained, but the enclosing member material is subject to wear, degradation and fouling over time
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule incorporates a sealing element made of softer material specifically at the sealing location, while the rest of the capsule body maintains its original material properties. This localized application of soft material enables effective sealing engagement with the enclosing member without requiring the entire enclosing member to be soft, thereby preventing wear and degradation of the enclosing member over time.
2Reliability
If the enclosing member material is harder than the capsule material at the sealing location, then wear and fouling of the enclosing member is reduced, but sealing engagement may be upset by irregularities in the enclosing member
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element with differentiated material properties is provided at the sealing location of the capsule. This sealing element comprises a softer material that can deform to accommodate irregularities in the harder enclosing member surface, ensuring consistent sealing engagement even when the enclosing member has scratches or crevices.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule employs a composite structure combining different materials: the main capsule body material and a softer sealing element material. This composite approach allows the sealing location to have the compliance needed for reliable sealing while the enclosing member maintains its hardness and resistance to wear and fouling.
3Ease of manufacture
If the capsule material at the sealing location is the same as the circumferential wall material, then manufacturing ease is greatly improved, but the sealing engagement becomes sensitive to enclosing member irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using uniform material throughout the capsule, the invention applies a specialized sealing element with softer, more compliant material specifically at the sealing location. This localized differentiation sacrifices some manufacturing simplicity but dramatically improves sealing reliability by allowing the sealing surface to adapt to enclosing member irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is constructed as a composite structure with at least two different materials: the main capsule body material and a softer sealing element material. The sealing element can be integrated into the capsule structure while maintaining material differentiation, achieving both functional performance and acceptable manufacturability.
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
The ridge design ensures a durable and effective sealing engagement, reducing wear and fouling, and allowing for easy manufacturing and adaptability to irregularities in the enclosing member, thus maintaining beverage quality and extending the lifespan of the brewing device.
Implementation Method 1
the material of the capsule at the location of the sealing engagement may be compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule, system and method are usable for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage using an extractable product. The system includes a capsule comprising a cup having a circumferential wall, a bottom at a first end, and a flange-like rim at a second end. The capsule further includes a lid, in use, connected to the flange-like rim. The wall, bottom and lid, in use, enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. The cup further includes a plurality of substantially concentric circumferential ridges extending outwardly of the cup, wherein the ridges are made of the same material as the cup. The system further includes a beverage brewing device comprising an enclosing member for enclosing the capsule. In use, at least one of the ridges abuts against at least a portion of the enclosing member, such that a sealing engagement between the capsule and the enclosing member is formed.