Coffee Capsule Inlet Wall Structure for Reliable Blade Perforation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capsules made of elastic materials like polymers are difficult to pierce repeatedly, leading to poor flow distribution and quality of extraction, and can damage the injection device due to blunting of piercing members.
Innovation Solution
The capsule design includes locally reinforcing members on the inlet wall to enhance rigidity during perforation, combined with a thin delivery wall and a sealing mechanism that facilitates easy penetration by the blades, ensuring consistent flow distribution and maintaining device integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If capsules are made of elastic materials like polymers to improve biodegradability and reduce environmental impact, then environmental compatibility is improved, but the capsules become difficult to pierce repeatedly and can damage the injection device
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule incorporates a pre-formed weakening zone at the inlet wall before use. This zone is created during capsule manufacturing by providing a localized region with reduced thickness and/or modified material properties, preparing the capsule in advance for easy and consistent perforation by the injection device blades without damaging the piercing members.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule structure features a non-uniform wall thickness with a specific zone having different properties than the rest of the capsule. The weakening zone has reduced thickness and/or altered material characteristics compared to the main capsule body, creating a localized area that is easier to pierce while maintaining the overall structural integrity and environmental benefits of the polymer material.
2Ease of operation
If the inlet wall is made thin to facilitate easy perforation, then ease of operation is improved, but the structural strength and rigidity of the capsule is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule employs varying wall thickness across different regions: the inlet wall contains a localized weakening zone with reduced thickness for easy perforation, while other portions of the inlet wall and the side walls maintain sufficient thickness to provide the necessary structural strength and rigidity for capsule handling and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet wall is functionally segmented into different zones: a weakening zone specifically designed for perforation and other zones maintaining full thickness for structural support. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function optimally without compromising overall capsule integrity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If repeated perforation of elastic material capsules is attempted to maintain device reusability, then device lifespan is extended, but the piercing members become blunt and flow distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The weakening zone is pre-formed during capsule manufacturing to facilitate single-use reliable perforation. This preliminary preparation ensures that the first perforation by the injection device blades creates optimal flow distribution channels, eliminating the need for repeated perforation attempts and preventing blade blunting while maintaining device reusability for subsequent capsules.
Data Source
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AI summary
Capsule (1) for the preparation of a coffee extract from coffee contained in the capsule and hot water injected under pressure in the capsule by a water injection device, said capsule comprising: a frusto-conical body (2) comprising a rim (3), a sidewall (4) and an inlet wall (5); the inlet wall comprising a flat or convex portion (6), a lower delivery wall (7) sealed to the rim (3) of the body, a predosed amount of coffee in the capsule, wherein the flat convex portion (6) has a structure (8; 80, 81, 82, 83; 84; 85, 86, 87, 88) in relief or in recess, wherein the structure in relief or in recess is arranged for facilitating penetration of blades belonging to the injection device and extends on a substantially circular path of predetermined radius R1 equal to the radius R2 of the circular path along which the blades (20, 21, 22) of the injection device extend.