Package for storing individual portion of beverage precursor for preparing a beverage therefrom, strip of such packages, and system comprising a beverage preparation apparatus and at least such a package
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee packages struggle with reliable opening and separation of individual portions for dispensing into beverage preparation devices, leading to issues with oxidation and aroma loss, as well as complex recycling processes.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring sealed packaging sheets with a ridge configuration that cooperates with a protrusion part of the dispensing device to facilitate easy opening and separation of coffee portions, using formable flexible materials with oxygen and humidity barrier properties, and a compostable material composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed packaging sheets are used to protect coffee portions, then oxidation protection is improved, but opening reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The package is pre-formed with a ridge structure on the packaging sheet that aligns with a protrusion part in the dispensing device. This preliminary structural configuration enables the dispensing device to reliably engage and open the package without requiring complex opening mechanisms or manual intervention, thus maintaining both protection and opening reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed packaging sheets are used to protect coffee portions, then aroma preservation is improved, but separation ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ridge structure is pre-formed on the packaging sheet during manufacturing, creating a built-in separation feature that works cooperatively with the dispensing device's protrusion part. This allows individual portions to be easily separated and dispensed while maintaining the sealed protection of the packaging sheets throughout storage and handling.
3Reliability
If complex packaging structures are used to ensure reliable opening, then opening reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging structure is segmented into simple functional elements: a ridge on the packaging sheet and a corresponding protrusion part in the dispensing device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (the ridge provides engagement points, the protrusion part provides the opening force) without requiring complex integrated structures, thus maintaining opening reliability while minimizing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ridge structure is pre-formed on the packaging sheet during manufacturing, creating a built-in engagement feature that simplifies the dispensing device design. Instead of requiring complex opening mechanisms, the dispensing device only needs a simple protrusion part to engage with the pre-formed ridge, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable opening.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If non-compostable materials are used for packaging, then barrier properties are improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging sheet uses a composite material structure that combines compostable materials with barrier properties. This allows the packaging to maintain effective protection against oxidation and moisture while being environmentally compatible and compostable, resolving the contradiction between performance and environmental sustainability.
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
Ensures reliable and efficient dispensing of coffee portions while protecting against oxidation and external factors, simplifying recycling by enabling easy handling and composting of packaging materials.
Implementation Method 1
the sheets being sealed together about the portion... in a substantially oxygen impervious manner
Implementation Method 2
formable flexible materials with oxygen and humidity barrier properties
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a package (11) containing one portion of beverage precursor (2) for preparing a beverage in a beverage preparation apparatus (100). The package comprises a pair of packaging sheets (12, 13) sealed to one another for enclosing and sealing the portion of beverage precursor (2) individually in a substantially oxygen and external humidity impervious manner by the sheets being sealed together about the portion (2). In the package, the sheets (12, 13) are forming a cavity (14, 15) covering the beverage precursor portion (2) on each side, wherein the cavity (14, 15) is provided with a ridge (18, 19) on at least one of the sheets (12, 13), the ridge (18, 19) being configured to cooperate with a protrusion part (31, 41) of the beverage preparation apparatus (100). The invention also relates to a package strip (10) comprising a plurality of packages (11) and to a system comprising a beverage preparation invention apparatus (100) and at least one package strip (10), wherein the apparatus (100) comprises a dispensing device (110) which comprises a protrusion part (31,41) which cooperates with the ridge (18, 19) of one package (11).