Compostable Capsule Delivery Wall for Stable Pressure and Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-serve beverage capsules face challenges in achieving consistent and reproducible opening processes due to material properties, particularly when using alternative materials like bioplastics, which lack the reliability and durability of aluminum, leading to inconsistent beverage quality and difficulty in recycling.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a delivery wall composed of multiple biodegradable layers, including a retention layer and a filter layer, arranged in a specific orientation to enhance pressure resistance and filtering capabilities, while maintaining beverage quality and facilitating compostability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If aluminium is used for the extraction face, then pressure resistance and durability are improved, but recyclability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from aluminium to biodegradable materials (paper, cardboard, bioplastics) while adjusting the structural parameters (layered configuration, thickness between 0.5-5mm) to achieve comparable pressure resistance. This allows the capsule to maintain structural integrity during beverage preparation while becoming compostable at end-of-life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material structures, specifically layered configurations combining different biodegradable materials (e.g., paper layers with bioplastic coatings) to achieve the necessary mechanical properties for pressure resistance while maintaining compostability. The multi-layer approach allows optimization of both structural performance and environmental compatibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If biodegradable materials are used for the capsule, then recyclability is improved, but shelf-life and barrier properties worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite structures with multiple biodegradable layers, where inner layers provide barrier properties (e.g., coated paper or bioplastic layers) and outer layers provide structural integrity. This layered approach enables the capsule to resist moisture and oxygen penetration during storage while remaining fully compostable after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the thickness parameter of biodegradable layers (0.5-5mm) and adjusts material composition to enhance barrier properties against moisture and oxygen, thereby extending shelf-life while maintaining compostability. The specific thickness and material selection ensure adequate protection during storage periods.
3Strength
If the extraction face is made stiffer, then pressure built-up is improved, but tearability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the thickness parameter of the biodegradable extraction face to a specific range (0.5-5mm) that provides sufficient stiffness for pressure built-up during beverage preparation. This controlled thickness ensures the capsule can withstand internal pressure while remaining tearable by the machine's opening mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs layered composite structures where certain layers provide stiffness for pressure resistance while other layers are designed to be tearable. The combination of materials with different mechanical properties allows the extraction face to maintain structural integrity during brewing but separate cleanly during the opening process.
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 design ensures consistent beverage preparation with improved crema formation and reduced particle concentration, while allowing for easy composting and reducing environmental impact by using biodegradable materials.
Implementation Method 1
a filter layer for filtering out particles from the prepared beverage dispensed via the delivery wall
Implementation Method 2
each of the filter layer, the retention layer, the barrier layer and the first adhesive layer is made of biodegradable material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
1.A capsule (100) for preparing a beverage in a beverage production machine, wherein the capsule (100) comprises: - a capsule body (200) with a sidewall (210) delimiting a chamber (250) for containing a substance (500) for the preparation of the beverage, and a rim portion (211); - an injection wall (220) for injecting a fluid in the chamber (250) for preparing the beverage upon interaction of the fluid with the substance (500); and - a delivery wall (300) being connected to the capsule body (200) to close the chamber (250), wherein the delivery wall (300) comprises in a layered manner: o a retention layer (320) being adapted to be opened upon interaction with opening elements under the effect of rising pressure of the fluid being injected into the capsule (100), o a filter layer (310) for filtering out particles from the prepared beverage dispensed via the delivery wall (300), the filter layer (310) is provided opposite to the chamber (250) with respect to the retention layer (320), o a moisture and/or oxygen barrier layer having a barrier function against liquid and/or gaseous substances entering and/or leaving the chamber (250), and o a first adhesive layer covering, at least partially, the delivery wall (300), preferably the retention layer (320) on the side of the delivery wall (300), preferably the retention layer (320) that is oriented towards the chamber (250) for joining the delivery wall (300) to the capsule body (200), preferably to the rim portion (211); and wherein each of the filter layer (310), the retention layer (320), the barrier layer and the first adhesive layer is made of biodegradable material. The invention also relates to the use of said capsule.