Compostable Capsule Lid Structure for Moisture and Pressure Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current coffee capsules are not compostable, and there is a lack of a compostable lid that meets the requirements of resistance to moisture and pressure, while preventing coffee powder from passing through during brewing, which is essential for use in coffee machines.
Innovation Solution
A compostable lid composed of a multilayer complex including a non-woven material with at least 50% biodegradable fibers, an adhesive layer suitable for food contact, and a vegetable parchment support, which is heat-sealable and resistant to pressure and moisture, preventing coffee powder from passing through during brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a compostable lid is used to seal a capsule, then the capsule becomes compostable and environmentally friendly, but the lid may not have sufficient resistance to moisture and pressure during brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is constructed as a multilayer composite structure comprising a non-woven material layer (at least 50% biodegradable fibers), an adhesive layer, and a vegetable parchment support layer. This composite structure combines the compostability of natural fibers with the functional properties of vegetable parchment to achieve both environmental friendliness and brewing resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that at least 50% by weight of the fibers in the non-woven material must be biodegradable, and the vegetable parchment layer provides specific functional properties. By controlling the composition parameters and layer structure, the lid achieves the desired balance between compostability and performance under brewing conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a compostable lid is used to seal a capsule, then the capsule becomes compostable, but the lid must prevent coffee powder from passing through during brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The multilayer composite structure with vegetable parchment support provides a dense, fine-pored barrier that effectively filters coffee powder particles during brewing, while the non-woven material layer with biodegradable fibers maintains compostability. The combination of layers creates both filtration capability and environmental compatibility.
3Reliability
If a multilayer complex with non-woven material and vegetable parchment is used, then the lid achieves compostability and brewing resistance, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into distinct functional layers: a non-woven material layer providing structure and compostability, an adhesive layer for bonding, and a vegetable parchment support layer providing brewing resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through standardized layer assembly.
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
The compostable lid effectively seals coffee capsules, maintaining integrity under brewing conditions, ensuring no coffee powder passes through and meeting compostability standards, while being easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a non-woven material comprising fibers, of which at least 50% by weight of the fibers are composed of biodegradable fibers; an adhesive layer suitable for coming into contact with food; and a support composed of a vegetable parchment
Implementation Method 2
resistance to moisture and pressure, while preventing coffee powder from passing through during brewing
Implementation Method 3
resistant to pressure, moisture and is easily integrated into existing capsule manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
A compostable lid intended to seal a beverage capsule is provided. The lid is composed of a multilayer complex successively comprisinga non-woven material wherein atleast 50% by weight of the fibers are composed of polylactic acid (PLA), an adhesive layer suitable for coming into contact with food, and a support layer composed of a vegetable parchment.