Beverage machine, beverage consumable, and methods of forming a beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage machines require manual adjustment of brew parameters and generate significant packaging waste due to individually packaged beverage ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A beverage machine and consumable system that encodes information through a pattern of through-holes in the consumable, allowing the machine to automatically set brew parameters and eliminate the need for separate packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of brew parameters is used, then the machine operation is simple, but the brewing efficiency and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable package performs self-identification through encoded information (barcodes, RFID tags, or physical patterns) that the machine automatically reads and processes. The system eliminates manual parameter adjustment by having the consumable itself provide the necessary information about brewing requirements, enabling automatic machine configuration and improving brewing efficiency without complex user interaction.
2Reliability
If individually packaged beverage ingredients are used, then the beverage quality is maintained, but packaging waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the packaging function with the information carrier function into a single integrated consumable package. The package structure itself (through-holes, patterns, or attached labels) serves both as the container for beverage ingredients and as the medium for encoding brewing information, eliminating the need for separate packaging materials and reducing waste while maintaining beverage quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumable package is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the beverage ingredients, provides structural integrity for handling, and encodes brewing information through its physical pattern or attached identifier. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate packaging components, reducing overall packaging waste while preserving beverage quality.
3Device complexity
If a pattern of through-holes is used to encode information, then the consumable structure is simple, but the information encoding capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The information encoding is segmented into multiple discrete elements (individual through-holes positioned at specific locations and orientations) rather than requiring a single complex structure. Each hole's position, size, or orientation can represent different data points, allowing the simple physical pattern to convey comprehensive brewing information including ingredient type, brewing parameters, and preparation instructions through combinatorial encoding.
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
Automated brew parameter adjustment and reduced packaging waste by using a beverage consumable that encodes information for the machine to set optimal brewing conditions, enhancing user convenience and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is configured to provide light into the space of the consumable holder, and a detector is configured to detect light from the light source passing through a beverage consumable positioned in the space of the consumable holder
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects described herein relate to improvements in beverage machines and methods of brewing beverages therein. According to some embodiments, a beverage consumable includes one or more through-holes configured to encode information. A beverage machine may include a light source configured to pass light through the through-holes of the beverage consumable. The beverage machine may include a detector to detect a pattern of light that has passed through the through-holes of the beverage consumable. Information such as, but not limited to, beverage consumable type and brew parameters, may be encoded by the through-holes of the beverage consumable. In some embodiments, the beverage consumable may be in the form of a compacted beverage tablet that does not require packaging to retain its shape.