Coffee making apparatus comprising an extraction sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee-making systems using pre-packed cartridges are limited by the pre-roasted and pre-ground coffee, which compromises the organoleptic qualities of brewed coffee, and generate environmental waste due to non-recyclable materials.
Innovation Solution
A coffee cartridge system that allows users to grind and roast unroasted or part-roasted coffee beans before brewing, using a grinding and infusion assembly with sealing elements to retain coffee grounds during extraction, and a biodegradable cartridge design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-roasted and pre-ground coffee powder is used in cartridges, then convenience of operation is improved, but the organoleptic qualities of brewed coffee deteriorate due to loss of volatile aromatic components
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs roasting and grinding actions just before brewing (preliminarily), rather than doing these actions long in advance. Whole coffee beans are roasted and ground immediately before extraction, preserving volatile aromatic components while maintaining the convenience of automated operation.
2Strength
If heat-resistant polymer/metal composite cartridges are used, then structural strength is improved to withstand brewing pressure, but environmental harm increases due to non-recyclability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a biodegradable cartridge body (made from materials like plant-based plastics or paper) with a separate reusable extraction chamber (made from heat-resistant materials like stainless steel). This allows the disposable part to be environmentally friendly while the reusable part provides the necessary structural strength for withstanding brewing pressure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If an extraction sleeve is introduced to enable grinding and roasting, then coffee quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions (roasting, grinding, and extraction) into a single integrated extraction sleeve assembly. The extraction sleeve contains both the grinding mechanism and the roasting chamber, allowing all operations to occur within one component that is inserted into the brewing device, thereby improving coffee quality without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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
This system enhances the quality of brewed coffee by preserving volatile aromatic components and reduces environmental impact through the use of compostable materials.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing rim of the extraction sleeve forms a face pressure seal with the peripheral sealing portion of the slidable wall of the cartridge, which seal isolates the exposed beans from the rest of the cartridge and contains them within an extraction chamber
Implementation Method 2
the grinder being adapted to rotate and reciprocate between a retracted and an extended position within the extraction sleeve, whereby rotation in said extended position levitates the beans off the inner surface of the slidable wall and fragments them to form coffee grounds
Implementation Method 3
the infuser head being co-axial with the extraction sleeve and adapted to reciprocate between a retracted and an extended position within the extraction sleeve and to deliver hot water to coffee grounds within the extraction chamber, whereby coffee is extracted to yield a coffee brew
Implementation Method 4
a first seal, being a linear shaft seal for preventing a flow of coffee brew between the infuser head and inner surface of the extraction sleeve during extraction of the coffee grounds
Implementation Method 5
a second seal, being a static seal for preventing a flow of coffee brew between the infuser head and grinder spindle when the grinder is not rotating and in the retracted position
Implementation Method 6
a third seal, being a rotary shaft seal for preventing the movement of coffee grounds between the infuser head and grinder spindle when the grinder is rotating in the extended position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(d)
AI summary
System for roasting, grinding, brewing and dispensing coffee comprising a grinding and infusion assembly comprising a tubular extraction sleeve (114), infuser head (122) and blade grinder (118), wherein the system further comprises a first seal (130), being a linear shaft seal for preventing a flow of coffee brew between the infuser head (122) and inner surface of the extraction sleeve (114) during extraction of the coffee grounds; a second seal (132), being a static seal for preventing a flow of coffee brew between the infuser head (122) and grinder spindle (136) when the grinder is not rotating and in the retracted position; and a third seal (134) being a rotary shaft seal for preventing the movement of coffee grounds between the infuser head (122) and grinder spindle (136) when the grinder is rotating in the extended position.