Layered Compostable Cartridge Bottom Wall for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cartridges for preparing beverages, such as coffee, face issues with compostability and thermal stability, as compostable materials used in their construction soften or melt at high temperatures, leading to uncontrolled behavior, rupture, or obstruction of perforation orifices, especially under high pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with a layered bottom wall structure, comprising a first compostable material that softens at high temperatures and a second compostable material that remains stable, ensuring proper perforation and fluid extraction without excessive elongation or rupture, utilizing materials like polysaccharides and paper-based materials respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If compostable materials are used in cartridge construction, then environmental compliance is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall is divided into multiple functional layers: a first compostable layer (polysaccharide-based) that provides biodegradability, a second compostable layer (paper-based) that provides thermal stability, and a barrier layer that prevents moisture migration. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while working together to resolve the contradiction between compostability and thermal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures combining different compostable materials with complementary properties. The polysaccharide-based material provides compostability while the paper-based material provides thermal resistance, creating a composite bottom wall that satisfies both compostability requirements and thermal stability needs during beverage preparation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If compostable materials are used in cartridge construction, then biodegradability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall structure is segmented into multiple layers with distinct functions: the polysaccharide layer provides biodegradability, the paper layer provides structural strength under pressure, and the barrier layer maintains fluid containment. This segmentation allows the cartridge to maintain structural integrity during high-pressure beverage dispensing while remaining fully biodegradable.
Solution Approach 2:
Composite material construction combines biodegradable polysaccharides with paper-based materials to create a bottom wall that achieves both high biodegradability and sufficient structural strength to withstand the pressures encountered during espresso preparation and dispensing operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-layer compostable material is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but functional performance deteriorates at operating temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall is segmented into multiple manufactured layers, each with specific functional properties. The polysaccharide layer is manufactured for biodegradability, the paper layer for thermal stability, and the barrier layer for moisture resistance. This segmentation improves functional performance while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through integrated forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Composite material construction combines multiple compostable materials with different functional properties into a unified bottom wall structure. This composite approach maintains manufacturing simplicity through co-forming or lamination processes while achieving superior functional performance at operating temperatures compared to single-layer materials.
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 layered structure maintains structural integrity and ensures proper fluid extraction and perforation, preventing uncontrolled behavior and obstruction, similar to non-compostable materials, while being compliant with composting standards.
Implementation Method 1
a first compostable material (1420), designed to undergo softening/melting at the temperatures of the liquid/steam introduced into the cartridge (10) in the process of preparation described
Implementation Method 2
coupling, within the bottom wall (142), of at least one layer of a first compostable material (1420), designed to undergo softening/melting at the temperatures of the liquid/steam introduced into the cartridge (10)
Data Source
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AI summary
A cartridge (10) containing a dose (12) of at least one substance, such as powdered coffee, for preparing a liquid product by means of liquid and/or steam introduced at a given temperature into the cartridge (10) comprises a casing (14) containing the aforesaid dose (12) with a side wall (140) and a bottom wall (142) through which the liquid product flows out from the cartridge (10). The aforesaid bottom wall (142) has a layered structure with: at least one layer (1420) made of a first compostable material designed to undergo softening and/or melting at a temperature ranging between 70°C and 120°C; and - at least one layer (1422) made of a second compostable material that does not undergo appreciable softening and/or melting at said temperature.