Offset Capsule Filter Layout for Clean Emptying Under Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules for preparing nutritional products face challenges such as high costs and environmental impact due to excessive filter and packaging material, filter deformation under liquid pressure, and difficulty in ensuring complete emptying without contamination, as well as the need for complex cleaning systems.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design with a filter having a smaller filtering surface offset from the compartment's mouth, supported by a flange-like rim and a rigid casing, using a microporous membrane with a pore size of less than 0.2 microns, and a gas inlet bypassing the filter to facilitate efficient liquid filtration and emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large filter surface is used to cover the compartment containing ingredients, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter deforms under liquid pressure and requires thick rigid plastic elements for support
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is repositioned from a horizontal orientation covering the compartment mouth to a vertical orientation in the liquid flow path. This dimensional change allows the filter to be supported by the capsule wall structure rather than requiring independent rigid support elements, eliminating deformation while maintaining filtration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is extracted from the compartment cover structure and repositioned to a separate location in the liquid flow path. This separation removes the conflicting requirements of needing both large filtration area and rigid support, as the filter can now be a thin, flexible membrane supported by the capsule wall rather than requiring thick plastic elements.
2Strength
If a large filter surface and thick rigid plastic elements are used, then filter support is improved, but the overall price of the capsule increases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is implemented as a thin, flexible microporous membrane rather than a rigid structured element. This thin film is supported by the capsule wall geometry, eliminating the need for expensive thick plastic support elements and reducing overall capsule manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate filter support.
3Reliability
If a filter is placed above the compartment, then filtration is achieved, but the support of the filter becomes difficult and requires relatively thick and rigid plastic elements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is repositioned from a horizontal placement above the compartment to a vertical orientation in the liquid flow path. This dimensional repositioning allows the filter to be integrated into the capsule wall structure, using the wall itself as support rather than requiring separate thick rigid support elements, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
4Reliability
If the filter surface is large, then filtration capacity is improved, but material consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is implemented as a thin flexible microporous membrane that can be efficiently supported by the capsule wall geometry. This approach maximizes filtration capacity per unit area while minimizing material consumption, reducing both cost and environmental impact compared to rigid structured filters requiring thick support elements.
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 reduces material consumption and costs, minimizes deformation, ensures complete emptying, and prevents contamination, while maintaining effective filtration and antimicrobial protection.
Implementation Method 1
a filter adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid, wherein the filter has a filtering surface smaller than the cross section of the mouth of the compartment
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Capsule for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid in the capsule, said capsule comprising: at least one compartment (13) containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, a filter (18) adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid, wherein the filter (18, 20) has a filtering surface (F) smaller than the cross section (C) of the compartment and at least a part of its filtering surface (F) is preferably offset relative to the cross section (C) of the compartment when viewed in the axial projection of the capsule.