Compostable Capsule Scoring Line for Machine Compatibility

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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 side and/or bottom walls, allowing manual opening and separation of ingredients from the capsule for eco-friendly disposal or recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidmachine compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule is divided into two separable parts: a compostable capsule body containing the beverage ingredient and a separate non-compostable lid. This segmentation allows the capsule body to be environmentally friendly while the lid maintains compatibility with existing machine piercing mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and machine compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If capsule wall thickness is reduced for easier opening, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidcapsule wall strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A scoring line is pre-formed on the capsule body at the location where opening is desired. This preliminary action creates a controlled weakness in the capsule wall that guides the opening process, allowing the capsule to be easily torn open by hand without requiring thin walls throughout, thus maintaining both ease of opening and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If scoring line depth is increased for easier tearing, then ease of operation is improved, but capsule integrity during beverage preparation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tearingVSAvoidcapsule integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The scoring line is applied locally only at specific portions of the capsule body where opening is desired, rather than throughout the entire capsule. This localized approach creates easy-tear zones without compromising the overall structural integrity of the capsule during beverage preparation, as the scoring line depth and extent are controlled to maintain reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4530219A1Beverage preparation capsule and method of producing the same

Publication Date: 2025.04.02 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

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AI summary

A capsule (10) configured for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule (10) is provided. The capsule (10) comprises: 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) extending on the side wall (16) and being configured for weakening the side wall (16).