Composite Beverage Capsule Wall for Stable Oxygen Barrier Piercing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellulose pulp-based beverage capsules experience detachment of the oxygen barrier during water injection, leading to machine blockages and incorrect beverage dispensing due to the piercing of the capsule wall by the water injection member.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a cup-shaped body with a lateral wall made of cellulose pulp and a bottom wall comprising between 0% and 60% cellulose pulp and 40% to 100% polymer, integrated with an oxygen barrier liner, ensures stable attachment and prevents detachment during piercing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capsule wall is made of cellulose pulp to maintain environmental sustainability, then the biodegradability is improved, but the oxygen barrier detachment occurs during water injection
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule wall is constructed as a composite structure with an inner polymer layer (providing oxygen barrier properties) and an outer cellulose pulp layer (providing biodegradability). This composite design allows the capsule to maintain both environmental sustainability and reliable oxygen barrier attachment during the beverage preparation process, preventing detachment and machine blockage.
2Reliability
If the oxygen barrier liner is attached to the cellulose pulp wall to prevent oxidation, then the beverage quality is improved, but the detachment occurs when the piercing member penetrates the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The inner polymer layer serves as both the oxygen barrier and the attachment substrate. When the piercing member penetrates the capsule wall, it passes through the cellulose pulp layer and the polymer layer together, maintaining barrier integrity and preventing detachment during the water injection process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the capsule is made entirely of cellulose pulp to maximize biodegradability, then the environmental impact is reduced, but the structural integrity during piercing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule wall combines a polymer inner layer (providing structural strength and oxygen barrier properties) with an outer cellulose pulp layer (providing biodegradability). This composite structure maintains sufficient wall strength to prevent barrier detachment during piercing while preserving environmental sustainability through the biodegradable outer layer.
Data Source
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AI summary
A capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation device (10) and a method for manufacturing said capsule are described. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body (1) and a cover (2) for closing the cup-shaped body (1). The cup-shaped body (1) comprises a bottom wall (4), a lateral wall (5) and an annular flange (3) for the cover (2) to seal thereon. The lateral wall (5) is made at least of a first structural layer (5A) and the bottom wall (4) is made at least of a second structural layer (4A). The cup-shaped body (1) comprises an oxygen barrier liner (14) attached to the inner surface (5C) of at least the first structural layer (5A) of the lateral wall (5). The oxygen barrier liner (14) comprises at least a polymer, preferably a biopolymer. The bottom wall (4) is suitable for being pierced by a piercing member (12) of the beverage preparation device (10). The first layer (5A) of the lateral wall (5) and the second layer (4A) of the bottom wall (4) are made of different materials: the first structural layer (5A) of the lateral wall (5) is made of cellulose pulp, and the second structural layer (4A) of the bottom wall (4) comprises between 0% and 60% of cellulose pulp and between 40% and 100% of a polymer, preferably a biopolymer.