Beverage Pod Outlet Rib Structure for Piercing-Free Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-serve beverage brewing systems face challenges with the piercing of beverage pods for water injection and beverage exit, leading to costly and complex manufacturing, as well as materials that are not cost-effective or recyclable.
Innovation Solution
A beverage delivery pod design featuring a rigid outer member with an open top and outlet opening at the bottom, incorporating an internal filter supported by ribs, allowing for unobstructed beverage flow without requiring the bottom to be pierced, and using recyclable materials like biodegradable polymers and non-metallic films for cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pod requires piercing for water injection and beverage exit, then the brewing system can function, but the manufacturing becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bottom piercing mechanism from the brewing system by extracting this function entirely. The pod is designed with a pre-formed outlet opening at the bottom that allows beverage exit without piercing, eliminating the need for complex piercing mechanisms while maintaining brewing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet opening is pre-formed during pod manufacturing rather than being created during brewing. This preliminary action of creating the opening during production simplifies the brewing process and reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for bottom piercing mechanisms
2Ease of manufacture
If a large attachment surface is used for the filter, then filter attachment is simplified, but the free flow area is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment surface is designed with non-uniform characteristics - the ribs provide localized attachment zones with adequate surface area for secure filter attachment, while the spaces between ribs maintain open flow paths. This local differentiation allows both secure attachment and high flow rate to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
The filter attachment surface is extended into the third dimension by adding vertical ribs that rise from the bottom surface. This creates a three-dimensional attachment structure that provides sufficient attachment area without blocking the horizontal flow paths, effectively adding a vertical dimension to the attachment function
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used for the pod, then manufacturing is straightforward, but recyclability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The pod is constructed from homogeneous biodegradable polymer materials throughout, eliminating the need for complex multi-material assemblies. This uniform material composition simplifies both manufacturing and end-of-life processing, as the entire pod can be composted or degraded together without separation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embraces the disposable nature of single-serve pods by using inexpensive biodegradable materials that are optimized for single use and then disposed of through composting or degradation. This approach prioritizes ease of manufacture and environmental friendliness over durability, accepting the pod as a short-lived component
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 pod design facilitates efficient beverage dispensing without piercing the bottom, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances recyclability, while maintaining a high free flow area through the filter, thus improving the overall efficiency and sustainability of the brewing process.
Implementation Method 1
an internal filter adjacent a bottom portion of the outer member... The filter, which may be substantially planer, is supported above the outlet opening and the beverage outlet flow paths by the ribs
Implementation Method 2
Beverage outlet flow paths are disposed between adjacent ribs and directed toward the outlet opening
Data Source
AI summary
A pod containing one or more beverage ingredients is provided, where the pod comprises a generally rigid outer member (12) with an open top and an outlet opening in the bottom, with an internal filter (16) adjacent a bottom portion of the outer member, one or more beverage ingredients disposed above the filter, and a lid (14) closing the open top. The outer member has an outer peripheral sidewall (20) defining the open top and extending downwardly from the open top toward the bottom portion and inwardly converging toward the outlet opening. The bottom portion of the sidewall defines a plurality of ribs (36) extending inwardly in the interior of the outer member toward the outlet opening. Beverage outlet flow paths are disposed between adjacent ribs and directed toward the outlet opening. The filter is supported above the outlet opening and the beverage outlet flow paths by the ribs.