Coffee Portion Packaging With Multi-Plane Arms for Grounds Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portion packages for brewing beverages, such as coffee, face issues with insufficient expansion of coffee grounds during brewing, retention of fresh aroma, and accidental opening due to impact loads.
Innovation Solution
A portion packaging design featuring a container made of filter material with a support body having pivotable arms that interlock in multiple planes, providing stability and ensuring secure closure until activated by liquid swelling or manual opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the container is closed with a simple flap structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability under impact loads deteriorates and accidental opening occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane flap closure to a multi-plane arm closure system. The arms are arranged in at least two different planes when closing the container, creating a three-dimensional locking structure that provides superior stability under impact loads while maintaining manageable complexity through the geometric arrangement of the arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system is divided into multiple pivotable arms that can independently pivot and lock into position. Each arm acts as a separate segment that contributes to the overall closure stability, allowing the system to distribute impact forces across multiple segments rather than relying on a single complex structure.
2Loss of substance
If the container is sealed tightly to maintain aroma, then the loss of substance (aroma) is reduced, but the expansion of extraction material during brewing is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic open state during brewing. The pivotable arms are designed to remain closed during handling and storage to preserve aroma, then pivot open when liquid is introduced to allow extraction material expansion. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between aroma retention and material expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are pre-positioned in a closed locking state during storage and handling to prevent aroma loss. When brewing begins and liquid contacts the extraction material, the arms pivot open as a preliminary action to accommodate expansion, ensuring both aroma preservation during transport and proper expansion during brewing.
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 ensures stable closure under impact, allows controlled opening, and maintains aroma by allowing coffee grounds to expand during brewing, enhancing handling and brewing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a container (2) made of filter material, shown open in FIG. 1, around which a support body (3) is arranged in an annular shape
Implementation Method 2
Coffee grounds are inserted into a liquid-permeable filter material, which can then be flushed with hot water to prepare coffee
Data Source
AI summary
A portion packaging for producing a beverage, in particular coffee, includes a container made of a filter material in which an extraction material is arranged and a support body which is connected to the filter material. The support body has multiple pivotal arms which can be pivoted from a position which closes the container and into a position which opens the container. The pivotal arms of the support body are arranged one above the other on at least two planes when the portion packaging is closed.