Capsule Packaging Separation for Recycling Coffee Grounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The recycling of used capsules containing residual food or beverage ingredients is challenging due to the need for separate processes for the capsule material and the organic ingredient, with existing methods being complex and energy-intensive, and often resulting in plastic capsules being incinerated or sent to landfills rather than being recycled.
Innovation Solution
A capsule-treatment machine that mechanically opens and separates metal or plastic capsules from their contents, using rotatable shock members and sieves to collect the packaging and ingredients separately, allowing for efficient recycling without the need for a drying step and enabling use at home or in public places.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If industrial separation processes are used to separate aluminium capsules from coffee grounds, then separation can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex industrial mechanical separation systems with a simple manual apparatus consisting of a container, lid, and basic manual operations. The separation is achieved through simple mechanical actions like shaking and pouring rather than complex industrial equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention accepts that plastic capsules cannot be easily recycled and provides a simple separation method that allows the organic material to be composted while the plastic capsule is disposed of. This acknowledges the limited recyclability of plastic capsules while still providing an environmentally friendly solution
2Reliability
If drying and suction processes are used to separate coffee grounds from capsules, then separation can be achieved, but significant energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive thermal drying and suction processes with simple manual mechanical operations. The separation is achieved through hand-shaking and pouring actions that require no external energy input beyond manual effort
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to be self-operating through manual actions. The user simply shakes the container and pours the contents through the sieve, with no external power source or complex mechanisms required
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic capsules are sent to landfills or incinerated, then disposal is simple, but environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the organic material from the plastic capsule through a sieve during the separation process. This allows the organic coffee grounds to be collected for composting while the plastic capsule can be separately disposed of, thereby reducing environmental pollution
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers the organic material from used capsules for composting or other beneficial uses, while the plastic capsule housing can be discarded. This approach maximizes resource recovery and minimizes environmental harm from plastic waste
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
Facilitates the efficient separation and recycling of capsule packaging and ingredients, reducing energy consumption and promoting environmentally friendly recycling practices by allowing for separate collection and treatment of materials through standard recycling channels.
Implementation Method 1
means for opening the capsule packaging fed to the machine and removing the capsule ingredient from the opened capsule packaging, characterised in that the opening and removal means are arranged to rotate relatively to the fed capsule and to intercept the capsule
Implementation Method 2
The machine comprises: means for opening the capsule packaging fed to the machine and removing the capsule ingredient from the opened capsule packaging
Data Source
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AI summary
A capsule-treatment machine (1) is arranged for separating a packaging of a capsule, in particular made of metal such as aluminium and/or plastic, from a capsule food or beverage ingredient contained therein. The machine comprises: means (10,11,12,15,15',151) for opening capsule packaging fed to such machine and removing the capsule ingredient from the opened capsule packaging; means (13,13',132) for parting the opened capsule packaging from the capsule ingredient; means (11,14') for collecting the opened capsule packaging; and means (14) for collecting the capsule ingredient.