Method and device for applying a sealing member onto a beverage capsule
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying sealing members to beverage capsules are complex, costly, and lack control over the shape, position, size, and amount of sealing material, with processes like heating and curing being time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the deposition of molten thermoplastic polymer material onto the capsule's flange, followed by pressing with a punch-die to conform it into a precise annular sealing member, allowing for controlled shape, thickness, and surface area, using a circumferential dispensing nozzle and a pressing apparatus with adjustable surfaces to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating and curing operations are used to apply sealing material, then the sealing member can be formed, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the sealing material from requiring thermal curing to being thermoplastic. The material is applied in molten state and then cooled to solidify, eliminating the need for heating and curing operations while maintaining sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating and curing operations) with a mechanical field (cooling and solidification process). The sealing material is formed by controlled cooling rather than thermal curing, significantly reducing process time
2Manufacturing precision
If complex injection-moulding processes are used, then sealing members can be produced, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing material application step from the complex injection-moulding process. Instead of using full injection-moulding, the material is simply deposited onto the capsule flange and then pressed into shape, eliminating unnecessary process complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the sealing material in a pre-molten state directly onto the capsule flange before shaping. This preliminary deposition simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for complex in-situ melting and forming operations
3Area of stationary object
If viscous sealing material is applied and then heated to migrate, then sealing coverage can be achieved, but control over shape and position is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal migration with mechanical pressing. The molten material is pressed into the desired shape and position by a die under pressure, providing precise control over sealing member geometry and location rather than relying on thermal diffusion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-positions the sealing material in molten state and then applies mechanical pressure to conform it to the exact desired shape and position. This preliminary placement combined with controlled pressing ensures both adequate coverage and precise positioning
4Reliability
If more sealing material is applied to ensure coverage, then sealing reliability improves, but material usage and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the state of the sealing material to molten, which allows it to flow and conform to the capsule flange surface under pressure. This eliminates the need to over-apply material to ensure coverage, as the molten material naturally distributes itself to fill the required area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the sealing material in the exact amount needed for complete coverage when in molten state, rather than applying excessive material to account for poor distribution. The controlled pressing ensures uniform distribution without waste
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 approach simplifies and speeds up the sealing process, enabling precise control over the sealing member's configuration, reducing material usage, and improving sealing performance while reducing production time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
pressing by a punch-die the thermoplastic polymer material while the material still being plastically deformable so as to conform it, preferably into its final shape
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for applying a sealing member onto the cup-shaped container of a capsule intended for producing a beverage in a beverage production device, wherein the container has a bottom wall, a side wall with an outer surface, an open end and an annular flange which extends from the side wall of the container at the open end; the flange comprising a flange outer surface merging with the outer surface of the side wall at a transition area an flange inner surface opposite to the outer surface for being sealed with a beverage delivery wall, the method comprising the steps of: depositing molten thermoplastic polymer material by a depositing apparatus onto the outer surface of the annular flange and/or onto the transition area, subsequently pressing the thermoplastic polymer material by a punch-die while the material still being plastically deformable so as to conform it in its final shape onto the outer surface of the annular flange and/or onto the transition area thereby forming it into an annular sealing member attached to the container.