Coffee Storage Container with Floating Ceiling to Reduce Oxidation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee storage containers introduce air, humidity, and light into the container when coffee is removed, leading to staleness and degradation of coffee quality.
Innovation Solution
A coffee storage container with a floating ceiling and dispenser that reduces the storage space volume as coffee is dispensed, preventing air, humidity, and light from entering by maintaining an air seal and using an opaque design to keep coffee fresh and flavorful for longer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If coffee is stored in a conventional container and removed by opening the container, then coffee can be dispensed, but air, humidity, and light enter the container causing coffee to become stale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that seals the container opening while allowing coffee to be dispensed through it. The membrane acts as a barrier to air, humidity, and light while permitting coffee removal, thus protecting the coffee from harmful environmental factors during the dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane serves as an intermediary element between the coffee and the external environment. It mediates the dispensing process by allowing coffee to pass through while blocking harmful factors like air, humidity, and light, thus enabling coffee removal without direct exposure to the environment.
2Ease of operation
If the container is opened to remove coffee, then coffee can be accessed, but the storage volume increases and allows air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic flexible membrane that moves and deforms as coffee is dispensed. The membrane adjusts its position and shape to maintain a tight seal while accommodating the decreasing coffee volume, thus preventing air entry and maintaining optimal storage volume throughout the dispensing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane dynamically adapts its configuration as coffee is removed, maintaining a seal that prevents air entry while accommodating volume changes. This flexible structure allows coffee removal without creating excess storage space that would allow air penetration.
3Device complexity
If conventional containers are used, then coffee storage is simple, but coffee quality degrades due to oxidation and exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane provides an effective barrier against air, humidity, and light while maintaining a relatively simple container structure. This single flexible component delivers reliable coffee protection without requiring complex multi-layered or mechanically complex sealing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane creates and maintains an inert or controlled atmosphere within the container by preventing external air entry. This protects the coffee from oxidation and degradation, ensuring coffee freshness and quality reliability throughout storage and dispensing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee storage container provides for the removal of coffee without introducing air into the remaining coffee within the container. The container includes a container body defining an internal chamber, a dispenser, and a floating ceiling. The dispenser includes a top side located within the internal chamber that provides a resting surface for coffee stored in the internal chamber. The dispenser dispenses the coffee through a bottom side of the dispenser. The floating ceiling is located within the internal chamber above the dispenser. The floating ceiling rests on the coffee stored in the internal chamber and moves downwards with a top level of remaining coffee in the internal chamber as the coffee is dispensed through the bottom side of the dispenser. The floating ceiling and the top side of the dispenser define a storage space for the coffee that decreases in volume as the coffee is dispensed by the dispenser.