Coffee Holder Lid Recess for Tamped Flavor Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee makers fail to extract the full flavor from coffee grounds due to the loose packing of coffee, which allows water to pass through without adequately contacting the grounds, resulting in a less rich flavor.
Innovation Solution
A coffee maker and holder system that cooperates to tamp the coffee grounds, using a top or bottom tamping spring, or a tamper mechanism activated by a solenoid or hydraulic actuator, to compact the coffee and ensure optimal extraction of flavors during brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If coffee grounds are loosely packed in the filter, then coffee preparation is simple and quick, but water passes through freely without obtaining full flavor
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee grounds are tamped (compacted) before the brewing process begins. This preliminary action of compacting the coffee grounds in the filter ensures that water will properly contact and extract flavor during brewing, rather than simply passing through loose grounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the coffee grounds is changed from loose to compacted/tamped. This parameter change in density and packing arrangement of the coffee grounds transforms the brewing process from water passing freely to water properly extracting flavor through the compacted bed.
2Reliability
If coffee grounds are tamped to compact state, then flavor extraction is improved, but device complexity increases due to tamping mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the tamping action automatically as part of the brewing process itself. The brewing mechanism provides the tamping action, eliminating the need for a separate manual tamping step or complex dedicated tamping device, thus achieving self-service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamping function is merged with the brewing mechanism. Instead of having separate systems for tamping and brewing, the patent integrates the tamping action into the brewing process, combining multiple functions into a unified system that reduces overall complexity.
3Reliability
If manual tamping is required, then flavor extraction is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional preparation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The tamping action is built into the brewing process as a preliminary step that occurs automatically before water flows through the coffee. This eliminates the need for separate manual tamping time, as the compacting action is already performed as part of the automated brewing sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing system performs the tamping action automatically without requiring user intervention or additional time for manual preparation. The system serves itself by integrating the tamping function into its automated operation, eliminating time loss associated with manual steps.
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 tamping mechanism ensures that the water effectively extracts the full flavor from the coffee grounds, resulting in a richer and more flavorful coffee, as the compacted coffee allows for better contact with the brewing water.
Implementation Method 1
The coffee holder may include a top tamping spring, a bottom tamping spring
Implementation Method 2
The actuator may be a solenoid actuator
Implementation Method 3
or a hydraulic actuator actuated by water pressure of heated water used for brewing
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee holder includes a holder body and a holder lid. The holder body includes a holder base, a holder sidewall extending from the base and defining an interior configured to receive loose coffee, and an open receiving end opposite the base. The holder lid is configured to engage the holder body to cover the open receiving end. The holder lid includes a recessed portion that extends into the holder body interior when the holder lid engages the holder body, and a passage in the recessed portion configured to allow fluid to flow into the holder body interior from the recessed portion.