Coffee Capsule Adaptor Venting for Steeping and Air Lock Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cartridge-type coffee making machines, such as Keurig and Nespresso, suffer from inadequate extraction of flavors from brewable materials like tea leaves due to rapid water flow, which prevents sufficient steeping time and leads to air lock issues, resulting in incomplete flavor extraction.
Innovation Solution
A brewable beverage making cup adaptor with a design that includes a cup body with a discharge opening at the lower end, an inlet opening for pressurized water, and a third opening for air removal, featuring a float valve and annular air chamber to manage air pressure and prevent vapor lock, ensuring proper mixing and extraction of flavors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outlet opening has a greater area than the inlet opening in the refillable basket, then the device can be inserted in the Keurig machine without puncturing devices, but the hot water flows very rapidly out through the outlet discharge opening with very little steeping or residence time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow parameters by providing a flow restriction in the outlet discharge opening that is normally closed and opens only after the chamber is filled with hot water. This allows the system to transition from a restricted flow state during filling to a controlled flow state during brewing, maintaining adequate steeping time while enabling easy insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing an air vent that is initially open to allow air escape during filling, then automatically closes after the chamber is filled. This preliminary opening of the air vent enables the subsequent closing action that restricts water flow and maintains steeping time.
2Productivity
If the water flows quickly into and out of the cartridge, then the brewing process is fast, but there is not sufficient time to extract the flavor from the materials in the cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter by introducing a flow restriction in the outlet discharge opening that opens after filling. This restriction slows down the water flow during the brewing phase, allowing sufficient contact time between hot water and brewable material for proper flavor extraction, while still maintaining a relatively fast overall brewing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the sequential operation of the air vent and flow restriction mechanisms. The air vent opens first during filling, then closes after filling completes. Subsequently, the flow restriction opens to control water flow during brewing. This periodic sequence of opening and closing actions enables both fast filling and adequate steeping time.
3Device complexity
If the only inlet opening is the punched hole in the foil lid, then the structure is simple, but there is nowhere for the air to escape and the pocket of air prevents the water from rising in the packet to properly mix with all of the coffee grounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the opening functions by providing separate openings for water inlet and air escape. The air vent is positioned at the upper end of the chamber wall, distinct from the water inlet opening, allowing air to escape independently while water enters through the inlet opening. This segmentation prevents air pockets from forming and blocking water flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the air vent) that mediates between the water inlet and the chamber interior. The air vent provides a dedicated escape path for air bubbles, allowing water to rise and mix properly with the brewable material without being blocked by trapped air pockets.
4Device complexity
If the inlet opening and outlet opening are the same size, then the structure is simple, but the water quickly flows through the coffee and out the punched outlet hole with no steeping or residence time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the outlet opening parameter by providing a flow restriction that is normally closed and opens only after the chamber is filled with hot water. This dynamic parameter change allows the system to maintain a simple structure during filling while creating flow resistance during brewing to extend residence time and enable proper steeping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the outlet discharge opening flow restriction movable between closed and open states. The restriction automatically opens after the chamber is filled, transforming the outlet from a blocked state to a controlled flow state. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain simple geometry while achieving extended steeping time through controlled flow resistance.
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 adaptor enhances flavor extraction by allowing controlled air release, increasing pressurization, and promoting turbulence, thereby improving the interaction between hot water and brewable materials, resulting in better flavor extraction and preventing air lock issues.
Implementation Method 1
a third opening for air removal, featuring a float valve and annular air chamber to manage air pressure and prevent vapor lock
Implementation Method 2
arrangement fluidly connected with the chamber for preventing liquid in the chamber from exiting through the third opening
Implementation Method 3
provides agitation and turbulence of the hot water entering the adaptor or packet, providing an improved mixing of the water with the material therein
Implementation Method 4
provides agitation and turbulence of the hot water entering the adaptor or packet
Implementation Method 5
better force the water into the brewable material, particularly where the material consists of tea leaves, to better extract the flavor from the tea leaves
Implementation Method 6
pressurizes the adaptor or packet once it is filled with hot water and the air escapes therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A brewable beverage making cup adaptor for cartridge type coffee making machines of the type having an inlet spout for supplying pressurized hot water, includes a cup body defining a chamber for holding a brewable material; a lower closure closing a lower end of the cup body, and including a small discharge opening through which a brewed liquid is discharged; an upper cover closing an upper end of the cup body, and including an inlet opening adapted to be positioned below the inlet spout for the supply of pressurized water to the cup body, and an offset valve opening for fluidly connecting the chamber with ambient atmosphere; and a valve for closing the valve opening when the chamber is filled at least at a predetermined level with the pressurized water and for opening the valve opening when the pressurized water in the chamber falls below the predetermined level.