Capsule Sealing Lip Design for Single-Material Recyclability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules for liquid food preparation face challenges in achieving simple and reliable sealing, are costly to produce, and difficult to recycle due to additional material requirements and deformation issues during sealing processes.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a hollow sealing lip with legs forming a right angle to the sealing surface, capable of absorbing significant force without deformation, allowing for a one-piece construction and easy integration with machine receptacles, optimizing sealing through precise dimensions and material selection for cost-effectiveness and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element made of different material is arranged on the flange, then sealing reliability is improved, but production cost increases and recycling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is integrated directly into the capsule body made of aluminum, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements made of different materials. The sealing lip is formed as an integral part of the capsule body through the forming process, combining the structural and sealing functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip is designed with specific geometric parameters including a height of 0.5-1.5 mm, a width of 0.3-0.8 mm, and a radial distance of 15-17 mm from the central axis. These precise dimensional parameters enable the sealing function to be achieved through the aluminum capsule body material itself without requiring additional sealing materials.
2Reliability
If a sealing element made of different material is arranged on the flange, then sealing reliability is improved, but recycling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is integrated directly into the capsule body made of aluminum, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements made of different materials. The sealing lip is formed as an integral part of the capsule body through the forming process, combining the structural and sealing functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The entire capsule body including the sealing lip is made of the same aluminum material, ensuring material homogeneity. This allows the entire capsule to be recycled together without the need to separate different materials, simplifying the recycling process.
3Reliability
If the capsule is severely deformed under the enclosing element, then sealing is achieved, but high forces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is designed with specific geometric parameters including a height of 0.5-1.5 mm, a width of 0.3-0.8 mm, and a radial distance of 15-17 mm from the central axis. These precise dimensional parameters enable the sealing function to be achieved through the aluminum capsule body material itself without requiring additional sealing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip features a curved outer peripheral line with a specific radius of curvature that allows it to adapt to the enclosing element's surface. This curvature enables the sealing lip to deform elastically and conform to the receptacle geometry, achieving reliable sealing with reduced enclosing forces compared to severe deformation approaches.
4Reliability
If additional material and process steps are used for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is integrated directly into the capsule body made of aluminum, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements made of different materials. The sealing lip is formed as an integral part of the capsule body through the forming process, combining the structural and sealing functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The aluminum capsule body material serves multiple functions: it provides the structural integrity of the capsule, enables sealing through the integrated sealing lip, and ensures recyclability. The sealing lip itself serves dual purposes by providing both structural support and sealing functionality.
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 capsule achieves a reliable and inexpensive seal with reduced material usage, ensuring stability and longevity, while allowing for efficient recycling and cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing lip is shaped and dimensioned in such a way that it can absorb at least a force of 500 N, preferably at least 650 N, particularly preferably at least 800 N, essentially without plastic deformation
Data Source
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AI summary
System comprising a capsule (1) and a capsule receptacle (31) of a preparation machine (30), wherein a sealing lip (10) corresponds with a groove (33) of the capsule receptacle (31) such that the sealing lip (10) is received in the groove (33) and enables a tight connection with a contact surface (32) of the capsule receptacle (31).