Single-Serve Capsule Brewing Assembly with Universal Sealing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing systems for single-serve capsules face issues with sealing, leading to partial outflow of pressurized water and inadequate pressure to tear the sealing sheet, limiting consumer choice due to proprietary closed systems.
Innovation Solution
A brewing assembly with a hydraulic cylinder and a cup-shaped body that engages the capsule's flange with a reduced-thickness end part, ensuring a fluid-tight seal independent of the capsule's sealing elements, allowing for the use of various capsules without specific sealing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flange is clamped between the fixed part and the cup-shaped body to seal the capsule, then the capsule is secured for brewing, but the flange fails to provide sufficient sealing, causing partial outflow of pressurized water and inadequate pressure to tear the sealing sheet
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated sealing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the flange and the cup-shaped body. This sealing member specifically engages with the flange to create an effective seal, preventing water leakage and ensuring sufficient pressure buildup. The sealing member acts as a mediator that enhances the sealing capability without requiring changes to the fundamental clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sealing parameters by introducing a sealing member with specific material properties and geometric features optimized for sealing. The sealing member may have enhanced friction coefficients, specific hardness, or tailored surface characteristics that enable effective sealing at lower clamping forces, thereby improving both sealing effectiveness and pressure generation.
2Reliability
If proprietary sealing systems are used to ensure reliable sealing, then sealing performance improves, but consumer choice is limited due to system compatibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is designed with universal engagement features that can accommodate various flange configurations and capsule types. By creating a standardized sealing interface that works with different capsule designs, the system achieves both reliable sealing and broad compatibility, allowing consumers to use different capsule brands and types in the same brewing device.
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 ensures effective sealing and pressure application for beverage production, widening the choice of usable capsules and improving operational reliability and thermal performance by reducing thermal stress on components.
Implementation Method 1
a brewing assembly with a hydraulic cylinder and a cup-shaped body that engages the capsule's flange
Implementation Method 2
injection of the pressurized water through the supply channel causes a pressure increase inside the cup-shaped body and the capsule, and pushes the capsule sealing sheet against the protruding elements
Data Source
AI summary
A system for producing beverages from single-serve capsules; the system includes a capsule including a cup-shaped container with a flange, and a brewing assembly including a pressurized water injection assembly and a beverage extraction assembly relatively movable from and towards a closed configuration, in which the injection and extraction assemblies define therebetween a brewing chamber for the capsule.