Beverage Capsule Sealing Rim for Receptacle Surface Irregularities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage brewing systems face issues with sealing engagement due to surface irregularities between capsules and receptacles, 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 enclosing member material is softer than the capsule material at the sealing location, then the capsule material is easier to manufacture, but the enclosing member material is subject to wear and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material hardness parameter by making the enclosing member harder than the capsule material at the sealing location, reversing the conventional approach. This resolves the contradiction by preventing wear and degradation of the enclosing member while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through the complementary groove design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a circumferential groove with a curved cross-section that receives an elastomeric sealing member. This curved geometry allows the elastomeric material to deform and conform to surface irregularities, compensating for the harder enclosing member material while maintaining reliable sealing over time
2Reliability
If the capsule and enclosing member are pressed against each other along a circumferential line, then sealing engagement is formed, but leakage occurs due to surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional circumferential line contact with a circumferential groove having a curved cross-section. This groove receives an elastomeric sealing member that can deform to conform to surface irregularities, preventing leakage while maintaining sealing engagement formation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an elastomeric sealing member within the circumferential groove that acts as a flexible element. This elastomeric material deforms to accommodate surface irregularities on both the capsule and enclosing member, preventing leakage paths that would occur with rigid line contact
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
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.