Coffee Cartridge Filter Fixation for Smooth Low-Froth Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee cartridges face challenges in producing coffee without froth, as they often experience high flow resistance and leakage of coffee powder during brewing, making it difficult to prepare both espresso and filter coffee effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design featuring a cup-like shape with a lower filter element and annular groove to securely fix the filter, and a gas-tight foil-covered aperture to prevent pressure build-up, ensuring smooth water flow and preventing coffee powder from escaping, allowing for the production of coffee with or without froth in various machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cartridge is designed with a sieve-like member and stampings to distribute brewing water, then espresso coffee can be prepared with froth, but the cartridge presents high flow resistance that prevents preparation of normal filter coffee
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into two distinct portions: an upper portion with a sieve-like member for espresso preparation, and a lower portion with a filter element for filter coffee preparation. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the cartridge to handle both coffee types effectively without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to water flow distribution by creating separate flow paths through the upper and lower portions of the cartridge. The brewing water can be distributed across different vertical zones, with the upper portion handling high-pressure espresso extraction and the lower portion providing low-resistance filter coffee flow.
2Reliability
If the lower filter is not securely fixed in the cartridge, then the cartridge structure remains simple, but coffee powder can flow out together with the beverage
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, with the filter element specifically positioned in the lower portion. This segmentation allows the filter to be securely fixed in the lower section while keeping the upper section structure simple for espresso preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible foil member is used to secure the filter element in the lower portion of the cartridge. The foil can be crimped or sealed to hold the filter in place, providing a simple yet effective fixation mechanism that prevents coffee powder leakage without adding complex structural elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If brewing water is injected under high pressure to create froth, then espresso coffee quality is improved, but coffee powder may escape through the cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is segmented into an upper portion for high-pressure espresso extraction and a lower portion for low-pressure filter coffee preparation. The brewing water is distributed to both portions simultaneously, allowing froth formation in the upper portion while the lower portion maintains containment with its secured filter element.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cartridge are given different structural qualities: the upper portion has a sieve-like member with larger apertures suitable for high-pressure espresso and froth formation, while the lower portion has a filter element with smaller apertures and secure fixation to prevent coffee powder escape during high-pressure brewing.
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 cartridge effectively prevents froth formation and maintains coffee powder freshness by ensuring smooth water flow and secure containment, enabling the preparation of coffee beverages that resemble filter coffee in taste and appearance using conventional espresso machines.
Implementation Method 1
a cartridge body having a cup-like shaped lower portion and a cover portion, wherein the cup-like shaped lower portion has a bottom portion and an upper region
Implementation Method 2
the cup-like shaped lower portion is provided with an annular groove in which a peripheral edge portion of the filter engages for clampingly fix the lower filter element to the cup-like shaped lower portion of the cartridge
Implementation Method 3
a lower filter element located inside the cup-like shaped lower portion between the coffee powder and the bottom portion
Implementation Method 4
the bottom portion of the cartridge body having a passage covered by a gas-tight foil member
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge containing one serving of coffee powder for preparing a coffee beverage comprises a cartridge body having a cup-like shaped lower portion and a cover portion; the cup-like shaped lower portion having a bottom portion and a upper region; and a lower filter element located inside the cup-like shaped lower portion between the coffee powder and the bottom portion; in which the interior of the cup-like shaped lower portion of the cartridge is provided with engaging means, and in which the lower filter element is provided with a peripheral edge portion engaging the engaging means for clampingly fix the lower filter element to the cup-like shaped lower portion of the cartridge. In the preferred embodiments the engaging means are constituted by a groove provided in the interior or the exterior of the cup-shaped lower portion.