Beverage Capsule Sealing Projections for Receptacle Irregularities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage brewing systems face issues with sealing engagement between capsules and receptacles due to surface irregularities, leading to potential leakages and quality deterioration over time.
Innovation Solution
The capsule design incorporates projections on its surface, particularly on the flange-like rim, which form a sealing engagement with the receptacle, mitigating irregularities such as recesses, protrusions, and wear by providing a flexible and deformable structure that adapts to the receptacle's surface, ensuring a reliable seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the capsule material at the sealing location is the same as the circumferential wall material, then the capsule can be manufactured with great ease, but the sealing engagement may be upset by surface irregularities of the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is designed with a sealing portion made of a first material and a circumferential wall made of a second material, allowing different local properties. The sealing portion uses a softer material that can deform to accommodate receptacle surface irregularities, while the circumferential wall uses a harder material for structural integrity and resistance to wear and degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule employs a composite structure with two different materials: a softer first material for the sealing portion and a harder second material for the circumferential wall. This composite approach combines the sealing benefits of soft, deformable material with the structural advantages of hard, durable material, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and sealing reliability.
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 design effectively reduces leakages and maintains sealing quality by accommodating surface irregularities, enhancing the durability and performance of the brewing system.
Implementation Method 1
the material of the capsule at the location of the sealing engagement may be compressed
Implementation Method 2
providing a flexible and deformable structure that adapts to the receptacle's surface
Data Source
AI summary
A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage with a beverage brewing device is disclosed. The beverage brewing device comprises a receptacle for receiving the capsule. The capsule comprises a cup comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid in use connected to the cup at a second end of the circumferential wall opposite the bottom. The wall, bottom and lid, in use, enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. At least a portion of a surface of the capsule conceived to, in use, interact with the receptacle is provided with at least one projection for forming a sealing engagement with the receptacle.