Coffee Cartridge Breakable Bottom for Pressure Aroma Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee and soluble product cartridges face issues with aroma preservation due to exposure to the environment in hard cartridges and poor quality beverages from flexible cartridges that cannot withstand high pressure and temperature.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge design with a container, filter, and lid featuring micro-perforations and breakable portions at the bottom to allow optimal pressurization and aroma extraction, ensuring the beverage is of high quality without additional packaging costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hard cartridges with holes in top and bottom walls are used, then beverage extraction is enabled, but product aroma is exposed to environment and high pressure cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is pre-filled and hermetically sealed before use, performing the aroma preservation action in advance. The breakable bottom design is prepared beforehand to enable pressure buildup and controlled extraction when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom wall transitions from a sealed state (maintaining pressure and aroma) to a broken state (enabling extraction) through pressure-induced breaking. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by sequentially achieving both preservation and extraction.
2Reliability
If flexible cartridges with breakable membrane are used, then aroma preservation is improved, but beverage quality deteriorates due to inability to withstand high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge uses a flexible container with a breakable bottom instead of a rigid membrane. This flexible structure can withstand pressure buildup better than thin membranes while still allowing controlled breaking for extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is hermetically sealed before use to preserve aroma, and the breakable bottom is prepared in advance to enable proper pressure extraction when needed, ensuring both aroma preservation and beverage quality.
3Reliability
If hard cartridges require additional airtight packaging, then aroma preservation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge container itself is designed to provide both structural support and hermetic sealing functions, merging the container and packaging into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate outer packaging while maintaining aroma preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom wall is designed with specific thickness and material properties that allow it to be broken by pressure. This parameter change enables the cartridge to transition from a sealed preservation state to an extraction state without additional packaging.
4Ease of manufacture
If flexible cartridges are used, then packaging cost is reduced, but filter blockage occurs requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge uses a flexible container with a breakable bottom that allows controlled extraction. This design reduces packaging costs while managing the extraction process to minimize filter blockage compared to traditional flexible cartridges.
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 ensures the release of complete aromas and fragrances into the beverage, producing high-quality drinks while being cost-effective and versatile for various extraction machines.
Implementation Method 1
hot water under pressure is injected onto the top wall of the cartridge and passes through the holes in the top wall
Implementation Method 2
the bottom of the container has breakable portions which yield when the inside of the cartridge reaches a pre-set pressure, so as to create an aperture for the extraction of the beverage
Implementation Method 3
a filter which retains the product in powder form and leaves through the holes in the bottom wall of cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge (1) for coffee and for soluble products is described, which comprises a container (2) designed to contain the coffee or the soluble product, a lid (6) placed on the top of the container so as to define an upper wall designed to allow hot water under pressure to enter the container (2) in order to produce the beverage, a filter (4) designed to be positioned inside the container (2) above a bottom wall (20) of the container. The bottom wall (20) of the container has at least one breakable portion (28) designed to break when the liquid inside the cartridge reaches a pre-set pressure, so as to form at least one aperture (130) to allow the beverage to be extracted from the cartridge (1)a.