Non-Woven Filter Element for Beverage Capsules to Reduce Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portion capsules for beverage production experience high pressure loss due to filter elements, requiring excessive overpressure from brewing machines.
Innovation Solution
A portion capsule design featuring a filter element made of non-woven fiber material with a tensioned side wall and central area attached to the capsule floor, reducing pressure loss by providing a larger filter surface and defined position within the capsule body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter element is used in portion capsules, then filtration of beverage substrate is achieved, but pressure loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is transformed from a flat structure to a three-dimensional cup-shaped structure with a bottom and side walls. This dimensional change increases the filter surface area without increasing the footprint in the capsule, allowing more filtration area to be packed into the same space, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining filtration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element's physical parameters are changed by forming it into a cup shape with specific dimensions (bottom area, side wall height, opening diameter). This shape transformation increases the surface area-to-volume ratio, providing greater filtration surface area within the constrained capsule space, thus reducing pressure loss
2Productivity
If pump pressure is increased to overcome filter element resistance, then beverage extraction is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By transforming the filter element into a three-dimensional cup shape, the invention increases the filter surface area available for beverage extraction. This allows water to flow through a larger area of the filter, reducing resistance and enabling effective extraction at lower pump pressures, thus decreasing energy consumption
3Loss of energy
If filter element surface area is increased, then pressure loss is reduced, but filter element complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is constructed as a thin-walled cup-shaped structure made from flexible filter material. This allows the filter to achieve a three-dimensional form that increases surface area while remaining simple in construction - essentially a formed sheet of filter material with a bottom and side walls, rather than a complex multi-component assembly
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 solution allows for efficient beverage extraction with a pump pressure of approximately 2 bar or less, maintaining a hermetically sealed environment and preventing filter element piercing, while ensuring a low pressure loss and effective filtration.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element is arranged in the cavity and the filter element made of non -woven fiber material
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a capsule body. Said capsule body has a capsule bottom, a side wall, a collar edge, and a lid. A cavity for accommodating a powdery, granular, or liquid beverage substrate is formed between the capsule bottom and the lid. A filter element is arranged in the cavity, and the filter element is produced of non-woven fiber material.