Reinforced Beverage Capsule Lid for Centrifugal Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capsules used in beverage preparation devices often suffer from deformation or breakage due to lack of support during liquid injection, as the centrifugal forces exerted on the lid member can cause it to detach from the rest of the capsule.
Innovation Solution
The capsule design incorporates reinforcement members on the lid member that protrude axially from the upper wall, providing support during beverage extraction and transferring axial forces to the rotary engagement member, thereby preventing deflection and separation of the lid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid member is positioned at a distance from the rotary engagement member to allow beverage flow, then the beverage can flow towards the collecting means, but the lid member may be deformed or broken due to lack of support under centrifugal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The lid member is segmented by incorporating multiple reinforcement members (radial and circumferential) that divide the lid structure into supported zones. These reinforcement members are positioned at specific intervals to provide localized support against centrifugal forces while maintaining the overall integrity of the lid and allowing beverage flow through the gaps between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement members extend in the axial dimension (perpendicular to the lid surface) to provide support against the centrifugal forces acting in the radial direction. This adds a third dimension of structural support without interfering with the two-dimensional beverage flow path across the lid surface.
2Strength
If the lid member is supported closely to the rotary engagement member, then the lid member is well supported during rotation, but the beverage flow path is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement members provide localized support only at specific positions on the lid member where centrifugal forces are most intense, rather than uniformly supporting the entire lid. This allows the lid to maintain sufficient strength at critical points while leaving other areas open for beverage flow.
3Strength
If the lid member is made more robust to resist centrifugal forces, then the lid member is less likely to deform or break, but the capsule complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement members are asymmetrically positioned on the lid member, with higher density in regions experiencing greater centrifugal forces (typically outer regions) and lower density in regions with less stress. This asymmetric distribution provides targeted strength where needed while minimizing overall structural complexity.
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 reinforcement members effectively prevent deformation and breakage of the lid member by distributing the centrifugal forces, ensuring reliable beverage preparation without lid detachment from the capsule.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure of liquid in the capsule increase gradually from the centre to the periphery of the lid due to the generated centrifugal forces
Data Source
AI summary
Capsule (1) for containing beverage ingredients for producing a beverage in a beverage preparation device upon liquid injection into the capsule and by rotating the capsule about its central axis in the device, the capsule comprising:—a side wall (2a), a bottom wall (2b), an opening (2c) and a flange-like rim (2d), and—a lid member (3) attached to the flange-like rim (2d) and/or to the side wall and at least partially covering the opening, wherein the lid member (3) comprises an upper wall (3a) in recess relative to the flange-like rim and/or to the side wall towards the opening of the capsule and which comprises a central inlet (4) and peripheral outlet apertures (5) for the beverage release by effect of centrifugal forces, wherein the lid member (3) further comprises reinforcement members (6) protruding from the upper wall (3a) in axial direction.