Paper Capsule Annular Edge Sealing with Hydrophobic Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paper capsules for infused beverages often experience sealing issues and water infiltration problems at the annular peripheral edge, which affects the optimal operation and quality of the beverage preparation.
Innovation Solution
A paper capsule design featuring an annular peripheral edge with a reinforcing element and a liquid-proofing glue or resin layer applied to the head surfaces, ensuring a secure seal and preventing water infiltration during the infusion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If paper material is used to make capsules, then environmental sustainability is improved, but sealing performance and water infiltration resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines paper material with a hydrophobic coating layer to create a composite structure. The paper base provides sustainability while the hydrophobic coating (wax, resin, or polymer) applied to the annular peripheral edge provides water resistance and sealing performance, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic coating is applied selectively only to the annular peripheral edge of the paper capsule, not the entire surface. This localized treatment provides water resistance exactly where needed for sealing against the bearing surface, while maintaining the overall paper material benefits
2Ease of manufacture
If the annular peripheral edge is made from paper material, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but water infiltration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating is applied to the annular peripheral edge during the capsule manufacturing process, before the capsule is filled and used. This preliminary treatment ensures water resistance is built-in from the start, preventing water infiltration issues during operation while maintaining simple manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The annular peripheral edge becomes a composite structure combining paper material with hydrophobic coating, maintaining the ease of paper manufacturing while adding water infiltration resistance through the coating layer
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 effectively reduces water infiltration, ensuring optimal operation and quality of infused beverages by creating a reliable seal at the annular peripheral edge, even when made of paper material.
Implementation Method 1
at least one liquid-proofing glue or resin layer applied at least at and covering said head surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A capsule (100) for machines for preparing infused beverages is described, comprising: a body (2) shaped like a bowl, comprising a side wall (4) extending around an axis (X-X) and a bottom wall (3); said body being made of paper or paper material; said body (2) being sized so as to contain a predetermined amount of a powdered preparation for preparing an infused beverage; said capsule (100) being further provided with an annular peripheral edge (18) designed to abut against a bearing surface of an infusion chamber of an infusion assembly when the capsule (100) is inserted into said chamber; said annular peripheral edge (18) comprising a first annular portion (19) made integrally with said bowl body (2); said first annular portion (19) having a head surface (26) arranged substantially parallel to the axis (X-X) at its radially outer perimeter; and an annular reinforcing element (20) comprising a second annular portion (21) applied to said first annular portion (19), said second annular portion (21) having a head surface (26) arranged substantially parallel to the axis (X-X) at its radially outer perimeter; at least one liquid-proofing glue or resin layer applied at least at and covering said head surfaces (26, 27). A process for making said capsule is also described.