A cellulose-fiber-based capsule with a semi-permeable substantially rigid integrally made cellulose-fiber-based material side wall and base wall act as a porous structure liquid-diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biodegradable cellulose-fiber-based capsules face challenges in maintaining structural integrity during brewing, are expensive to manufacture, and do not meet industrial compostability requirements, leading to environmental issues due to incineration, with uneven wetting and channelling causing poor extraction.
Innovation Solution
A cellulose-fiber-based capsule with a semi-permeable, substantially rigid side and base walls made from integrally formed cellulose-fiber material, eliminating the need for additional strengthening measures and complex oxygen barriers, allowing even liquid diffusion and uniform wetting without piercing, and ensuring industrial compostability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cellulose-fiber-based capsules use additional plastic liners and strengthening measures to maintain structural integrity during brewing, then the capsule can withstand high liquid pressure, but the manufacturing cost increases and industrial compostability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a cellulose-fiber-based capsule body with an integrated porous liquid-diffusing layer. This composite design eliminates the need for separate plastic liners while maintaining structural integrity and enabling industrial compostability, as the porous layer is formed from the same compostable cellulose material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a porous liquid-diffusing layer within the cellulose-fiber-based capsule body. This porous structure allows uniform liquid distribution while maintaining mechanical strength, eliminating the need for additional strengthening measures and reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Strength
If cellulose-fiber-based capsules use additional plastic liners and strengthening measures to maintain structural integrity during brewing, then the capsule can withstand high liquid pressure, but the capsule does not meet industrial compostability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses homogeneous cellulose-fiber-based material throughout the capsule body, including the integrated porous liquid-diffusing layer. This homogeneity ensures the entire capsule is compostable, eliminating the harmful effect of non-compostable plastic liners while maintaining structural integrity through the unified material structure.
3Ease of operation
If traditional capsules require piercing to allow liquid entry, then liquid can enter the capsule, but uneven wetting and channelling occur causing poor extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the piercing method with a porous liquid-diffusing layer that allows liquid to enter the capsule uniformly across its surface. This porous structure eliminates channelling and ensures even wetting of the coffee grounds, improving extraction uniformity while maintaining ease of liquid entry.
4Reliability
If capsules use complex multi-layer oxygen barrier liners to maintain freshness, then the substance stays fresh longer, but the manufacturing complexity increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a homogeneous cellulose-fiber-based material for the entire capsule body, eliminating complex multi-layer oxygen barrier liners. The integrated porous liquid-diffusing layer provides sufficient functionality without increasing manufacturing complexity or harming environmental friendliness, as the entire structure is compostable.
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 provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly capsule with improved extraction efficiency and flavor consistency, meeting industrial compostability standards and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the integrally made cellulose-fiber-based material side wall, base wall and flange are semi-permeable for pressurized liquid to pass through them
Implementation Method 2
the integrally made cellulose-fiber-based material side wall, base wall and flange act as a porous structure liquid-diffuser
Implementation Method 3
the integrally made cellulose-fiber-based material side wall, base wall and flange are semi-permeable for pressurized liquid to pass through them while retaining the substance
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A cellulose-fiber-based capsule (C) has a cup-like capsule body (CB) of which a side wall (SW), base wall (BW) and flange (F) are integrally made out of a same cellulose-fiber-based material, wherein the integrally made cellulose-fiber-based material side wall (SW), base wall (BW) and flange (F) are substantially rigid in order for the capsule body (CB) to remain shape prior to insertion in the beverage production machine. According to the invention the substantially rigid integrally made cellulose-fiber-based material side wall (SW) and base wall (BW) are semi-permeable for pressurized liquid to pass through them while retaining substance in order for the side wall (SW) and base wall (BW) to act as a liquid-diffuser for the pressurized liquid to permeate through the side wall (SW) and base wall (BW) into the substance in the capsule (C).