Infusion Packaging With Hollow Cylindrical Stiffener
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems for infusing substances like ground coffee or tea leaves lack sufficient mechanical strength and transverse stiffness, making assembly difficult and unsatisfactory, especially when used with drinks-making machines.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system comprising two layers of filter material enclosing a reinforcing sheet with a hole, combined with a hollow cylindrical part that provides stiffness in both main directions, allowing for adjustable volume without modifying the outer dimensions, and eliminating the need for direct joining of the reinforcing sheet and cylindrical part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a peripheral ring with two filter material sheets is used to enclose the substance, then the packaging structure is simple, but the mechanical strength and transverse stiffness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines filter material sheets with a reinforcing sheet made of composite material (paperboard coated with polymeric material) to create a packaging structure that maintains simplicity while significantly improving mechanical strength and transverse stiffness. The reinforcing sheet acts as a structural backbone that the filter material can be joined to, providing the necessary rigidity without complicating the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging structure is divided into distinct functional components: filter material sheets for filtration, a reinforcing sheet for structural support, and a sealing flange for closure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining an overall simple structure that is easy to manufacture and assemble.
2Ease of manufacture
If the packaging structure uses multiple separate components (ring, sheets), then assembly is difficult and mechanical strength is poor, but integrating all functions into one component increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtration function (filter material), structural support function (reinforcing sheet), and sealing function (sealing flange) into a single integrated packaging structure. The filter material is joined to the reinforcing sheet, which includes an integrated sealing flange, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying assembly while maintaining structural integrity.
3Volume of stationary object
If the volume for receiving substance is fixed by the outer dimensions, then the outer dimensions must be changed to adjust volume, but this increases the overall size of the packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hollow cylindrical part that can be adjusted in height while maintaining a constant outer diameter. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the infusion volume to be varied by changing the cylindrical part's dimensions, not the overall packaging size. The reinforcing sheet with its sealing flange provides a fixed outer boundary, while the internal volume is made adjustable.
4Ease of manufacture
If the reinforcing sheet and cylindrical part are not joined, then assembly is easier, but the mechanical strength and cohesion are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging structure is designed so that the filter material sheets themselves provide the joining function. The filter material is joined to the reinforcing sheet and sealing flange, creating a cohesive structure without requiring additional fastening mechanisms. The structure serves itself by using the filter material's joining capability to maintain both assembly simplicity and mechanical strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging article for a substance to be infused, includes two layers (2, 3) of filter material enclosing a reinforcement sheet (4) equipped with a hole (5). This packaging is such that it includes a hollow cylindrical part (6) for transverse stiffening, the outer wall of which is placed on the hole (5) of the reinforcement sheet (4), and delimiting, with the layers (2, 3), a volume for receiving a substance to be infused. Application to pre-dosed packages of a substance to be infused, such as ground coffee or tea leaves.