Coffee Capsule Degassing Valve Layout to Protect Piercing Tips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules with degassing valves arranged on the upper lid face issues such as increased piercing force requirements, lid thickness, wear of piercing tips, and potential damage to the valve, which affect the functionality and freshness of the coffee.
Innovation Solution
The degassing valve is integrated into the container body, specifically near the first base or side wall, allowing gases to escape without affecting the lid thickness or requiring modified machines, and is protected from damage by being embedded within the capsule structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the degassing valve is arranged on the upper lid, then gases can escape from the chamber, but the piercing tips require increased force to pierce the valve and lid
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing valve is extracted from the upper lid and relocated to the lower base of the capsule. This separation allows the upper lid to be pierced by standard piercing tips without the additional resistance of a valve component, thereby reducing the required piercing force while maintaining the gas escape function through the valve's new position at the lower base.
2Reliability
If the degassing valve is arranged on the upper lid, then gases can escape from the chamber, but the overall thickness of the lid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing valve is removed from the upper lid structure and repositioned at the lower base. This extraction eliminates the need for the lid to accommodate the valve thickness, thereby maintaining the original lid thickness and avoiding the need for modified piercing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the degassing valve is arranged on the upper lid, then gases can escape from the chamber, but the piercing tips experience increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing valve is extracted from the upper lid and relocated to the lower base. This relocation ensures that the upper lid remains a simple, thin structure that can be pierced easily by standard tips, thereby reducing wear on the piercing tips and extending their service life.
4Reliability
If the degassing valve is arranged on the upper lid, then gases can escape from the chamber, but the valve is exposed to possible damage during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing valve is nested within the lower base structure of the capsule, where it is protected by the surrounding capsule walls. This nesting arrangement shields the valve from external damage during transport and storage, while the valve remains functional for gas escape when the capsule is properly inserted into the beverage preparation machine.
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 prevents wear of piercing tips, maintains lid thickness, ensures compatibility with standard machines, and protects the valve from damage, preserving coffee freshness and organoleptic characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a degassing valve (6) that allows the gases to escape from the closed chamber (21) while preventing any air from entering the closed chamber (21)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing a liquid product from soluble or extractable products using a pressurized extraction fluid in a machine may include: providing a capsule including: a container body defining a closed chamber housing the soluble or extractable products; an injection lid; a dispensing lid; and a degassing valve including: a valve body having a recess, a membrane inside the recess, wherein the membrane is movable between first and second operating positions, and holding means to prevent loss of the membrane; supplying the pressurized extraction fluid through an injection element of the machine; using the fluid to force the degassing valve to remain in a closed configuration; using the fluid to open the injection lid and only thereafter to enter the closed chamber; producing a beverage using the fluid and the soluble or extractable products; and opening the dispensing lid to release the produced beverage from the capsule.