Brewing Capsule Seal Structure for Pressure-Driven Coffee Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing systems face challenges in achieving high-quality brewed beverages when the capsule is not completely filled with compressed extraction material, as the extraction material can loosen during transport and the additional mechanical parts required for compression complicate the brewing process.
Innovation Solution
A brewing process where the brewing liquid is used to compress the capsule by piercing the capsule wall with perforation elements, utilizing the elastic properties of the capsule seal to maintain pressure and ensure the extraction material remains compact, even if the capsule is not fully filled, and using a brewing module with injector and discharge devices that create pressure to facilitate brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the capsule is not completely filled with compressed extraction material, then the capsule structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the extraction material can loosen during transport and brewing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction material is compressed into a tablet form before being placed in the capsule. This preliminary compression action ensures the material remains stable during transport and storage, eliminating the need for complex mechanical compression mechanisms during the brewing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical compression mechanisms (such as lateral pressure bolts) with a pre-compressed tablet structure. The tablet is designed to maintain its compact form through its own structural integrity rather than requiring external mechanical forces during brewing.
2Reliability
If lateral pressure bolts are used to compress the capsule during brewing, then the extraction material remains compact, but additional mechanical parts are required and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The compression function is extracted from the brewing mechanism and transferred to the capsule design itself. The capsule structure includes features such as a deformable bottom or flexible walls that enable automatic compression when the capsule is inserted into the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for lateral pressure bolts or other complex mechanical compression devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed to compress itself automatically during the brewing process. When the capsule is inserted into the brewing chamber, the brewing chamber's geometry or the insertion action itself causes the capsule to deform and compress the extraction material, without requiring any additional mechanical components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the capsule is compressed during transport, then the extraction material remains stable, but the capsule requires additional mechanical structures that complicate the brewing process
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction material is pre-compressed into a tablet form during manufacturing, before the capsule is sealed. This preliminary action ensures stability during transport and storage without requiring any complex mechanical structures in the final capsule design.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction material tablet may be formed using compressed coffee grounds or other extraction materials bound together through compression and binding agents, creating a stable composite structure that maintains its form during transport and brewing without requiring additional mechanical support structures.
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
This method allows for a high-quality brewed beverage by maintaining internal pressure and ensuring the extraction material remains compact, even in partially filled capsules, without the need for additional mechanical parts, and stabilizes the capsule during brewing and ejection.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the elastic properties of the capsule seal to maintain pressure
Implementation Method 2
A brewing process where the brewing liquid is used to compress the capsule by piercing the capsule wall with perforation elements, utilizing the elastic properties of the capsule seal to maintain pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 8~9
AI summary
The preparation system for a brewed product has: - a machine for preparing the brewed product, which machine has a brewing module, which brewing module has an injector (4) for introducing a brewing liquid into the capsule and a discharge device (3) for discharging a brewed product, wherein the injector and the discharge device each have at least one perforation element (11, 12), - the injector having an elastic capsule seal (43) and the brewing module forming a brewing chamber for a capsule when closed, - and the machine also having a liquid pump for conveying the hot brewing liquid under pressure into the brewing chamber, and - a closed capsule with a capsule wall which has a cover surface (1.1) on the extraction side, a cover surface (1.2) on the injection side and a circumferential lateral surface (1.2) extending between the cover surface on the extraction side and the cover surface on the injection side 1.3) has, and with an extraction material surrounded by the capsule wall inside the capsule; - and wherein the capsule seal (43) has at least one circumferential sealing feature (48) that protrudes radially inwards to such an extent that the circumferential lateral surface (1.3) is locally deformed when the brewing chamber is closed and is displaced inward along the sealing feature.