Coffee pod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-serve coffee pods can buckle during use, causing interference with beverage creation, and often have unadhered filter portions that allow coffee grinds to bypass the filter and contaminate the beverage.
Innovation Solution
A coffee pod design featuring an inwardly sloped wall for improved filter adherence and a foot structure with an outwardly tapering side wall and stacking shoulder to resist buckling, combined with a cost-efficient material usage to minimize deformation during piercing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bottom wall and sidewall are pierced during use, then water can be delivered to coffee and beverage can be dispensed, but the sidewall and bottom wall can buckle due to compression forces
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is divided into distinct functional zones: an inwardly sloped upper sidewall for filter adherence, a vertical middle sidewall for structural support, and an outwardly flared bottom portion for buckling resistance. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function without compromising overall structural integrity during piercing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the container body have different geometric properties tailored to local requirements: the upper sidewall slopes inward to maximize filter contact area, the middle portion maintains vertical orientation for strength, and the bottom portion flares outward to resist compression during needle piercing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between operability and stability.
2Reliability
If a filter is adhered to the sidewall, then coffee grinds can be filtered, but unadhered portions of the filter can allow coffee grinds to bypass the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The inwardly sloped sidewall creates a curved surface that naturally conforms to the filter's shape, maximizing contact area and adherence. This curvature eliminates flat surfaces where filters might detach, ensuring reliable sealing against grind bypass while maintaining effective filtration.
3Ease of manufacture
If cost-efficient materials are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the container body may be more susceptible to deformation during piercing
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is pre-formed with an outwardly flared bottom portion and vertical sidewall sections that inherently resist buckling before piercing occurs. This preliminary structural preparation allows cost-efficient materials to maintain sufficient strength during piercing operations without requiring expensive material upgrades.
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee pod is described with an improved sealing surface for a filter disposed within the pod. The improved sealing surface provides better adherence between the filter and a sidewall of the pod so that unadhered portions are minimized and operation is improved. A coffee pod is also described with an improved foot structure having a configuration and thickness designed to minimize buckling while also utilizing a cost-efficient amount of material.