Coffee Capsule Filter and Carrier Disk for Low-Foam Brewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsules fail to produce crema-free coffee with the characteristics of filter coffee, as they often result in excessive foam and bitterness due to high pressure brewing and inadequate design for ergonomic use and in-cup results.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design featuring a rigid body with a circumferential sidewall, a base wall, a flange, a lid, and a filter element with a carrier disk that has preformed outlet openings, allowing for brewing at lower pressures and minimizing crema formation, while maintaining the freshness and aroma of coffee.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure brewing is used in conventional capsules, then extraction efficiency is improved, but excessive foam and crema are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into two functional parts: a base wall for water injection and a lid with filter element for beverage outlet. This segmentation allows separate optimization of extraction (base wall) and filtration (lid), enabling efficient extraction while preventing excessive crema formation through the filter element
Solution Approach 2:
A filter element with porous structure is integrated into the lid, allowing it to filter the beverage while controlling foam and crema formation. The porous material enables liquid passage while trapping air bubbles and reducing foam, achieving crema-free beverage without compromising extraction efficiency
2Speed
If high pressure brewing is used, then extraction speed is improved, but bitterness and excessive acidity are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The porous filter element in the lid not only filters the beverage but also moderates the extraction process by controlling water flow and contact time, reducing excessive extraction that leads to bitterness and acidity while maintaining adequate extraction speed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the brewing parameters by using a removable lid that can be partially or fully removed, allowing control over pressure and contact time. This enables optimization of extraction speed while avoiding over-extraction that causes bitterness, adapting the process to achieve balanced flavor
3Reliability
If the capsule is designed for hermetic sealing, then freshness is maintained, but ergonomic use and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to be removable rather than permanently fixed, transforming the capsule from a static hermetic seal to a dynamic system. The lid can be partially or fully removed based on user preference, balancing freshness maintenance during storage with ease of operation during use, allowing users to peel back only what is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is pre-designed with specific removal characteristics (peelable, snap-off, or slide-off) that facilitate easy opening. This preliminary design of the removal mechanism ensures that users can easily access the beverage ingredient without complex operations, while the lid remains securely attached during storage to maintain freshness
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 capsule produces coffee with limited foam and crema, achieving a smooth, aromatic, and sweet flavor profile similar to filter coffee, with reduced acidity and bitterness, and is designed for easy recycling and manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element positioned in the inner space of the capsule between the beverage ingredient and the lid
Implementation Method 2
the carrier disk is provided between the lid and the filter, said carrier disk comprising multiple preformed outlet openings suitable for draining the prepared beverage from the inner space
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to capsule for preparing a beverage comprisinga substantially rigid capsule body having a circumferential sidewall extending around an inner space of the capsule, said inner space being at least partially filled with a beverage ingredient suitable for preparing the beverage,a base wall covering the inner space at a first end of the sidewall,a flange arranged circumferentially at a second end of the sidewall of the base body,a lid covering the inner space at a second end of the sidewall opposite the base wall and tightly closing the capsule, anda filter element positioned in the inner space of the capsule between the beverage ingredient and the lid; anda carrier disk provided in the inner space of the capsule,wherein the lid is removably attached to the flange for use of the capsule in a beverage preparation device, andwherein the carrier disk is provided between the lid and the filter, said carrier disk comprising multiple preformed outlet openings suitable for draining the prepared beverage from the inner space when the capsule is used in the beverage preparation device.The invention also relates to a system comprising said capsule to a manufacturing method for manufacturing said capsule and to the use of said capsule.