Loose Sealing Element Capsule for Oxygen Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules for preparing edible products, such as aromatic beverages, face challenges in providing a simple and effective retention mechanism for sealing means, which affects the sealing efficiency when subjected to pressurized flows in brewing devices.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a sealing element that can be retained loosely near the rim region and is pushed against the container part's sidewall by the device's confining parts during operation, ensuring effective sealing with minimal material and energy usage, using a container part material that provides an oxygen barrier like aluminum or plastic composite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing means are provided as an integral piece or attached by welding/adhesive, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing means is divided into a separate component from the container part, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. The sealing means can be a loose piece or separately attached, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing means is extracted from the integral structure and provided as a separate component that can be loosely retained or separately attached to the container part, reducing manufacturing complexity while preserving sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If sealing means are injection moulded over the container part, then sealing efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing means is provided as a separate component rather than being injection moulded as an integral part, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective sealing when the sealing means is pushed against the rim region.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing means is designed to be self-retaining through loose retention in the container part, eliminating the need for complex injection moulding processes while achieving effective sealing through the pushing action during operation.
3Device complexity
If sealing means are provided as a loose piece, then device complexity is reduced, but retention and sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing means is preliminarily positioned in a loose retained state within the container part, allowing it to be easily installed while ensuring it remains in place during operation. The confining parts then push the sealing means into the sealing position, ensuring reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The confining parts act as intermediaries that push the loose sealing means into the sealing position against the rim region, ensuring both easy installation and reliable sealing without requiring complex attachment mechanisms.
4Reliability
If complex retention mechanisms are used for sealing means, then sealing reliability is improved, but material usage and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is extracted from complex mechanical structures and achieved through simple loose retention features in the container part, reducing material usage while maintaining sealing reliability through the pushing action of confining parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing means is designed as a simple, easily replaceable component with loose retention, using minimal material while ensuring reliable sealing for each use cycle, aligning with the disposable nature of single-use capsules.
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
This design enhances sealing efficiency while reducing material and energy consumption, ensuring reliable operation and improved beverage preparation by maintaining a secure seal during pressurized flows.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing means can be impinged by one of the capsule confining parts of said product preparation device being thereby pushed relative to the side wall of container part and pressed upon the rim region
Implementation Method 2
The container part of said capsule is provided in a material that provides oxygen barrier, such as known in prior art, including in aluminium or aluminium alloy, and in plastic or in a plastic composite
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a capsule (1) adapted for containing an edible substance in sealed manner relative to oxygen and to be used in a beverage preparation device (10), whereby said capsule (1) presents a container part (2) and a sealing element (4) of annular shape provided as a loose piece, so that can be displaced along the side wall (22) and in the proximity of the upstream oriented surface of the rim region (24) of said container part (2), whereby said sealing element (4) is adapted so that can be pressed against said upstream-oriented surface of said rim region (24) when said capsule (1) is inside a product preparation device (10) in a position of readiness for preparing the product. The present invention further refers to a process of preparation of an edible product based upon a capsule (1) according to the present invention.