Cuboid Coffee Capsule Sealing for Pressure Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee capsule systems face challenges with material efficiency, packaging complexity, and turbulence during brewing, particularly due to the conical shape and need for precise sealing under pressure, which complicates extraction and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A cube or parallelepiped-shaped capsule without protruding collars, made of a uniform material, allowing for compression from multiple sides and improved packability, with a brewing module design that includes a compression mechanism and a brewing chamber that accommodates the capsule shape for efficient extraction under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conical capsules with collars are used for sealing during brewing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the collar component from the capsule structure entirely. The sealing function previously performed by the collar is replaced by a sealing surface directly formed on the capsule body in the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for protruding collars and reducing structural complexity while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged into the capsule body itself rather than being a separate collar component. The brewing chamber is designed with a sealing surface that directly interfaces with the capsule, combining the capsule structure with the sealing mechanism and eliminating additional parts
2Productivity
If extraction material is strongly compressed to reduce turbulence, then extraction efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction material is pre-compressed into a compacted cake form before being placed in the capsule. This preliminary compression action is performed during the filling process, allowing the material to be densely packed without requiring complex compression mechanisms during brewing, thereby improving extraction efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The density and compression state of the extraction material are changed as a process parameter. By controlling the compression degree during filling, the system achieves optimal extraction efficiency without requiring complex variable compression mechanisms, simplifying the manufacturing process
3Reliability
If aluminum capsules are used for shelf life, then preservation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule material is changed from aluminum to biodegradable plastic, representing a parameter change in material composition. This substitution maintains the hermetic sealing capability and shelf life requirements while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with aluminum production and disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adopts disposable biodegradable plastic capsules that can be easily manufactured and disposed of with minimal energy input compared to aluminum. These single-use capsules maintain adequate shelf life through hermetic sealing while avoiding the high energy costs of aluminum production and recycling
4Use of energy by stationary object
If polypropylene capsules are used to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but piercing mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule wall thickness is optimized locally to achieve the right balance between piercability and pressure resistance. By controlling the wall thickness parameter, the capsule becomes sufficiently thin to be easily pierced by simple piercing mechanisms while remaining strong enough to withstand brewing pressures, eliminating the need for complex piercing systems
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 cube-shaped capsule design enhances material efficiency, reduces packaging waste, and improves extraction efficiency by allowing compression and even pressure distribution, while the brewing module ensures effective sealing and extraction without the need for additional sealing films or collars.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for compression from multiple sides
Implementation Method 2
a brewing module design that includes a compression mechanism and a brewing chamber that accommodates the capsule shape for efficient extraction under pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~10
AI summary
A coffee brewing device comprises a capsule (1) with an internally pressure-resistant capsule wall and a coffee machine with a brewing module. The capsule wall surrounds a closed interior filled with coffee. It can be perforated by closing a brewing chamber of the coffee machine with perforation elements (111, 112) of an injector or discharge device (103, 104) in order to introduce an extraction liquid under pressure and to discharge the extraction product formed inside the capsule (1) after the brewing process. Except for a possible circumferential rim projecting laterally by a maximum of 1.5 mm, the capsule has the shape of a cube or cuboid. The brewing module forms a brewing chamber that at least partially surrounds the capsule during the brewing process, the brewing chamber being adapted to the shape of the capsule.