Beverage Capsule Scoring Line for Compostable Lid Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compostable beverage capsules are not ideal for use in coffee machines designed for non-compostable capsules, leading to inconsistencies in beverage quality and preparation.

Innovation Solution

A beverage capsule with a cup-shaped main body and a sealing lid featuring a scoring line that weakens the lid, allowing it to be torn open by hand, enabling separate disposal of the ingredients and capsule, and ensuring compatibility with widespread machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If compostable materials are used for the capsule, then environmental friendliness is improved, but compatibility with machines designed for non-compostable capsules deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidmachine compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule is segmented into two distinct parts: a reusable main body made of non-compostable material (aluminum or plastic) that ensures machine compatibility, and a removable insert made of compostable material that holds the beverage ingredients. This segmentation allows the capsule to function in standard machines while the insert can be separately composted, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and machine compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the lid is made strong and sealed, then beverage preparation quality is improved, but ease of opening by hand deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation qualityVSAvoidease of opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A scoring line is pre-formed on the lid during manufacturing, creating a predetermined weak point that guides where the lid will break when force is applied. This preliminary action allows the lid to maintain full structural integrity and sealing strength during storage and machine operation, while enabling easy manual opening by simply applying force at the scored location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the lid is weakened by a scoring line, then ease of opening by hand is improved, but structural integrity during machine operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The scoring line creates a localized area of reduced strength on the lid, concentrating the weakness to a specific small region. The rest of the lid maintains its full structural integrity and sealing capability. This local quality approach allows the lid to be easily opened by hand at the scored location while remaining strong enough to withstand machine operation and maintain beverage freshness during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4541729A1Beverage preparation capsule and method of producing the same

Publication Date: 2025.04.23 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

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AI summary

A capsule (10, 32) configured for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule (10, 32), the capsule (10, 32) comprising: a cup-shaped main body (12) including a bottom wall (14) and a side wall (16), a sealing lid (18) connected to the side wall (16), wherein the lid (18), the bottom wall (14), and the side wall (16) define a compartment for holding beverage preparation ingredients therein, and a scoring line (24, 34) extending on the lid (18) and being configured for weakening the lid (18).