Variable Rib Beverage Filter Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for beverage preparation, such as coffee and tea, are prone to deformation, making them difficult to handle in high-speed packaging and filling machines, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of filtering and permeable containers with variable-length longitudinal stiffening ribs, which enhance stability and rigidity, allowing for optimized handling in both domestic and industrial automatic machines, and the use of a thermoforming process to create these containers from a flat strip of permeable material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capsule packages or filter cartridges are used for beverage preparation, then the container provides permeability and filtering function, but the structure becomes unstable and easily deformed during handling in high-speed packaging machines
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is segmented into multiple zones with different rib configurations. Longitudinal stiffening ribs are positioned at specific locations (upper portion and lower portion) to provide localized structural support where needed most, while maintaining flexibility in other regions for proper beverage flow and extraction
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the container body have different structural qualities - the upper and lower portions have longitudinal stiffening ribs while the middle portion remains relatively open for flow. The ribs themselves have varying depths and widths at different locations, creating local structural variations that optimize both stability and function
2Productivity
If the container body is made flexible and permeable for brewing, then beverage extraction is improved, but the container becomes prone to deformation in high-speed handling
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses variable-depth longitudinal stiffening ribs that change parameters along their length. The ribs have maximum depth in the upper portion and gradually decrease in depth toward the bottom, creating a gradient of structural reinforcement that provides stability during high-speed handling while maintaining the necessary flexibility for beverage brewing
3Reliability
If stiffening ribs are added to the container body, then structural stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening ribs are merged with the container body as an integrated structure formed in a single thermoforming process. The ribs are created by indenting the forming tool during the forming process itself, rather than adding them as separate components, which simplifies manufacturing despite the added 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 solution provides stable and rigid containers that can be efficiently handled in high-speed machines, maintaining the organoleptic properties of the substances and allowing for easy integration into various brewing devices like moka pots and espresso machines.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering and permeable container for substances suitable for the preparation of beverages, such as water-soluble substances or coffee, tea, herbal tea or the like, made by means of thermoforming starting from a flat strip of permeable, filtering and thermoformable material
Data Source
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AI summary
Filtering and permeable container for substances (6) suitable for the preparation of beverages, the container being made by means of thermoforming starting from a flat strip (1) of permeable, filtering and thermoformable material, wherein the body (2) of the container comprises longitudinal stiffening ribs (4) wherein the length of the ribs (4) is variable along the surface of the body (2). The container can be adapted to contain water-soluble products or coffee, tea, herbal tea, or similar substances adapted to obtain hot or cold beverages.