Compostable lid intended to seal a capsule and a capsule sealed by the lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coffee capsules are not compostable, and there is a lack of a satisfactory compostable lid that is resistant to moisture and pressure, while also preventing coffee powder from passing through during brewing.
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
1Reliability
If traditional materials (aluminum, plastic composites) are used for the lid, then the lid provides good pressure and moisture resistance, but the capsule becomes non-compostable
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is constructed as a composite material system consisting of a non-woven material layer (providing structure and filtration), an adhesive layer (providing bonding), and a vegetable parchment support (providing moisture and pressure resistance). This composite structure achieves the required mechanical properties while being fully compostable, resolving the contradiction between reliability and environmental impact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a compostable lid is used, then the capsule becomes compostable, but the lid may lack sufficient resistance to pressure and moisture during brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-layer composite structure where each layer contributes specific properties: the non-woven material provides compostability and structure, the adhesive layer ensures bonding integrity under pressure, and the vegetable parchment layer delivers moisture and pressure resistance. Together, these compostable layers achieve the required reliability without compromising compostability.
3Device complexity
If the lid is made from a single material layer, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously provide filtration, sealing, and compostability
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into three distinct functional layers: a non-woven material layer for structure and coffee powder filtration, an adhesive layer for sealing to the capsule rim, and a vegetable parchment support for moisture and pressure resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and compostability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer composite structure combines materials with complementary properties to achieve multi-functionality: the non-woven material provides filtration and structure, the adhesive provides sealing, and the vegetable parchment provides barrier properties. This composite approach enables a single lid component to fulfill multiple functions without excessive complexity.
4Reliability
If heat-sealable fibers are added to the non-woven material, then the lid achieves proper sealing to the capsule, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-woven material incorporates heat-sealable fibers that change their physical state when exposed to heat, enabling sealing to the capsule rim. This parameter change (from non-sealable to sealable upon heating) provides reliable sealing without requiring complex manufacturing processes, as the sealing function is activated simply by applying heat during the closing operation.
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 meets the requirements for use in coffee machines, maintaining integrity under pressure and temperature conditions, ensuring no powder passes through during brewing and adhering to EN 13432 compostability standards.
Implementation Method 1
The lid is composed of a multilayer complex successively comprising: 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
The lid is composed of a multilayer complex successively comprising: 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 3
a support composed of a vegetable parchment
Data Source
AI summary
A compostable lid intended to seal a beverage capsule is provided. The lid is composed of a multilayer complex successively comprising a non-woven material wherein at least 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.