Coffee Pod Filter with Hemispherical End and Large Base Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single serving coffee cup pods are inefficient, leading to lower extraction of dissolvable coffee and coffee ground particulates in the brewed coffee due to inadequate side walls and back pressure issues.
Innovation Solution
A single serving coffee cup pod with a generally cylindrical frame and a base forming a chamber, equipped with a filter having an elongated body and a hemispherical filter end, featuring a significantly larger opening in the base to reduce back pressure and allow for better water flow and coffee extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a small opening is used in the base to control water flow, then water flow can be regulated, but back pressure increases causing poor coffee extraction and excessive particulate passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of opening size from small to large, fundamentally altering the back pressure dynamics. The large opening in the base reduces back pressure, allowing water to flow freely through the coffee grounds without excessive resistance, thereby improving extraction quality while maintaining water flow control through the filter structure rather than opening size
2Ease of manufacture
If inadequate side walls are used in the pod structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but coffee ground particulates pass through to the brewed coffee
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing side walls only in specific regions where needed for particulate containment, rather than requiring complete enclosure. The side walls are strategically positioned to intercept coffee ground particulates while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, balancing structural requirements with ease of production
3Speed
If coffee grounds are not compressed into a dense filtration bed, then water flow is faster, but extraction of dissolvable coffee is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by compressing the coffee grounds into a dense filtration bed before water is introduced. This pre-compression creates the optimal filtration structure that enhances extraction efficiency, ensuring that when water flows through, it encounters sufficient resistance to extract dissolvable coffee compounds while maintaining controlled flow speed
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 design enhances coffee flavor extraction by compressing the coffee grounds and forming a dense filtration bed, minimizing back pressure and particulate passage, resulting in a higher quality brewed coffee.
Implementation Method 1
The design enhances coffee flavor extraction by compressing the coffee grounds and forming a dense filtration bed
Implementation Method 2
A filter is located in the chamber. The filter has an elongated body with a hemispherical filter end extending downwardly therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A single serving coffee cup pod includes a generally cylindrical frame extending a length of the pod and a base attached to the frame, forming a chamber. A filter is located in the chamber. The filter has an elongated body with a hemispherical filter end extending downwardly therefrom. An opening is formed in the base.