Capsule retaining system

A capsule retaining device, comprising:

• a sleeve wall having an inner wall surface forming an insertion channel extending through an entirety of the sleeve wall;
• a lip over a top of the insertion channel and extending toward a center of the insertion channel;
• a base over the lip and extending in a direction different from a longitudinal direction of the sleeve wall;
• and
• an annular seal against the lip and within the insertion channel,
• wherein
• the inner wall surface further comprises a first recess and a second recess along the inner wall surface, and the second recess is between the lip and the first recess, and
• the inner wall surface further comprises a first flexible retaining element in the first recess and a second flexible retaining element in the second recess, wherein
• the second flexible retaining element has a thickness in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the sleeve wall, the thickness of the second flexible retaining element is less than a thickness of the first flexible retaining element, and
• the first flexible retaining element has a first inner diameter of a top end less than a second inner diameter of a lower end.

A method of applying a capsule to a holding device, the method comprising:

• providing the holding device having a capsule guiding sleeve, wherein the capsule guiding sleeve further comprises an insertion channel extending through an entirety of the capsule guiding sleeve;
• aligning a capsule containing a liquid to an opening of the insertion channel;
• inserting the capsule into the insertion channel;
• retaining the capsule by engaging a lower capsule neck with a first flexible retaining element located in a first recess along an inner wall surface of the insertion channel, wherein the first flexible retaining element has an asymmetric cross-sectional profile to provide different degrees of resistance;
• adjusting the capsule to a centered-position of the insertion channel by engaging an upper capsule neck with a second flexible retaining element, wherein the second flexible retaining element is located in a second recess along the inner wall surface of the insertion channel;
• and
• pressing a top end of the upper capsule neck against an annular seal, wherein the annular seal is against a lip at an end of the insertion channel.