Collapsible capsules and supplemental devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible capsules often collapse randomly, forming closed cavities that can trap encapsulated ingredients, leading to incorrect dosing when the ingredients are in powdered form.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible capsule design featuring a first annular body portion with a larger diameter and a second annular body portion with a smaller diameter, along with an intermediate portion, that folds inwardly upon pressure application to achieve a predefined shape, ensuring complete removal of ingredients without forming closed cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional collapsible capsule is used, then the capsule can be collapsed to empty ingredients, but the capsule collapses in a random manner forming closed cavities that trap ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule body is divided into multiple annular portions (first annular body portion, second annular body portion, and intermediate annular body portion) with different diameters and thicknesses. This segmentation allows controlled folding along specific regions, preventing random collapse patterns that create trapped cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the capsule have different wall thicknesses - the first annular body portion has a greater thickness than the intermediate annular body portion. This local quality variation creates predetermined folding zones that guide the collapse pattern, ensuring ingredients are pushed outward rather than trapped.
2Strength
If the capsule wall thickness is increased to prevent collapsing deformation, then the capsule structural integrity is improved, but the capsule cannot collapse properly to empty ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is segmented into portions with different thicknesses, allowing the overall structure to maintain integrity while specific thinner regions enable controlled collapse. The first annular body portion has greater thickness for structural support, while the intermediate portion has lesser thickness to facilitate folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness varies locally across different capsule portions. The first annular body portion has a greater thickness to maintain structural integrity, while the intermediate annular body portion has a lesser thickness to enable controlled deformation and folding during collapse.
3Device complexity
If the capsule collapses randomly, then the collapsing process is simple, but closed cavities are formed that prevent complete ingredient removal
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule body is divided into multiple annular portions with different diameters and thicknesses, creating predetermined folding zones. This segmentation provides inherent collapse guidance without requiring complex external mechanisms, achieving controlled collapse patterns through simple structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
Variations in wall thickness across different capsule portions create natural folding preferences. The intermediate annular body portion with lesser thickness folds more easily, guiding the collapse pattern in a controlled manner without adding mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible capsule including a first annular body portion having a first annular body portion proximal end, a first annular body portion distal end and a first annular body portion diameter, the first annular body portion proximal end comprises an opening, a second annular body portion having a second annular body portion proximal end, a second annular body portion distal end and a second annular body portion diameter that is smaller than the first annular body portion diameter, the second annular body portion distal end is a closed end, and an intermediate annular body portion extending from the first annular body portion distal end to the second annular body portion proximal end.