Capsule Sealing Member Step Deformation for Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules with integrally formed sealing members suffer from manufacturing defects and reduced sealing efficiency due to material stress and mismatched dimensions with the beverage preparation machine, leading to leaks and beverage dilution.
Innovation Solution
A capsule with a flange-like rim and sealing member made from a single piece of metallic material, featuring a dedicated surface in the form of a step that deforms to create a profile matching the engagement member's sealing profile, generating axial and radial forces for enhanced sealing without additional materials or complex manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated sealing member of different material is applied to the capsule body, then sealing between the capsule and engagement member is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to multiple materials and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is integrated into the capsule body as a single-piece structure made from the same metallic material, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and assembly operations. This merging of functions maintains sealing effectiveness while simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member and capsule body are made from the same metallic material, ensuring homogeneous material properties throughout the structure. This eliminates material interfaces and associated assembly complexity while maintaining sealing performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances are not tightly controlled in capsule dimensions, then manufacturing cost decreases, but sealing tightness between capsule and engagement member is reduced leading to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member incorporates a stepped configuration with specific geometric parameters that create mechanical interference engagement with the engagement member. This geometric design compensates for dimensional variations and maintains sealing tightness across a range of manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member's stepped geometry is designed in advance to accommodate and compensate for potential dimensional variations. The mechanical interference fit provides a built-in tolerance compensation mechanism that ensures reliable sealing without requiring extremely tight manufacturing controls.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing member is made from the same material as the capsule body, then manufacturing process is simplified, but sealing efficiency may be reduced compared to elastic materials
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member incorporates curved and stepped geometric features that create mechanical interference engagement. The specific contours and angles of the stepped configuration enable effective sealing through geometric interlocking rather than relying on material elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is divided into distinct stepped sections with different functions: an engagement portion for mechanical interference with the engagement member, and a sealing portion for creating the fluid barrier. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining integral construction.
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 solution provides a reliable, efficient, and tolerant sealing structure that reduces manufacturing costs and defects, ensuring effective tightness between the capsule and the beverage preparation machine, preventing leaks and maintaining beverage quality.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one step is plastically deformed and the capsule comprises, at the location of the at least one step, a flange-like rim having a profile corresponding to the shape of the sealing profile of the capsule engagement member
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a capsule (10) designed for preparing a beverage upon injection of liquid into the capsule by means of a beverage preparation machine (20), the capsule (10) having a longitudinal axis (y) and comprising a cup-shaped base body (1) being provided with a closed end (1a) and lateral sidewalls (1b) for holding beverage preparation ingredients and a flange-like rim (2) arranged at an open end (1c) of the base body (1) and radially ending with a curled outer edge (2c); in which—the capsule (10) is in a first state before being used in the beverage preparation machine, wherein the capsule further comprises a sealing member (3) for providing a fluid sealing engagement with a sealing profile of a capsule engagement member (21) of the beverage preparation machine (20), said sealing profile having at least one sealing surface (21a, 21b, 21c), wherein the base-body (1), the flange-like rim (2) and the sealing member (3) are made integrally from metallic material such as aluminum as a one piece element, and wherein the sealing member (3) comprises at least one dedicated surface (4) located at the junction between the sidewalls (1b) of the base body (1) and the flange-like rim (2), said dedicated surface (4) being in the form of at least one step extending over the flange-like rim (2), and in which—the capsule (10) is in a second state after being used in the beverage preparation machine. The capsule is characterized in that, in the second state, after engagement between the sealing profile of the capsule engagement member (21) and the at least one step of the dedicated surface (4), the at least one step is plastically deformed and the capsule (10) comprises, at the location of the at least one step (4), a flange-like rim (2) having a profile corresponding to the shape of at least one of the sealing surface (21a, 21b, 21c), said profile presenting at least three contiguous surfaces (S1, S2, S3) having each a different orientation.