Coffee Tablet Multi-Step Compaction for Drip Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in determining the correct dose of coffee for brewing different sizes of coffee pots and in adjusting the strength of brewed coffee, as existing solutions like standardized filter packs, single-serving pods, and instant coffee tablets are limited in versatility and preference.
Innovation Solution
Development of coffee tablets made through a multi-step compaction process that ensures a hardness of at least 30 N and friability of no greater than 10%, allowing them to disintegrate readily in automatic drip coffee makers, with varying compositions including high percentages of ground roast coffee, propylene glycol, and instant coffee to enhance mechanical properties and brewing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If single-serving pods are used, then single cup brewing is enabled, but machine compatibility is limited and versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee tablets are designed to be universally compatible with multiple types of brewing machines including automatic drip coffee makers, single cup brewers, and espresso machines. The tablets can be used in various formats (whole tablets, broken pieces, or powder) to serve different brewing needs and machine types, making them multi-functional and adaptable to different brewing scenarios.
2Manufacturing precision
If standardized filter packs are used, then correct dosing is provided, but flexibility in serving size adjustment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee tablets are designed to be breakable into smaller pieces or can be ground into powder, allowing consumers to segment the coffee dose according to their desired serving size. This segmentation capability enables precise dosing control while maintaining flexibility, as users can use the entire tablet for large pots or break it into portions for single servings.
3Ease of operation
If instant coffee tablets are used, then ease of brewing is improved, but coffee quality and consumer preference are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee tablets are made from a composite of ground roast coffee and instant coffee in specific ratios. This composite structure combines the convenience of instant coffee (rapid dissolution and brewing) with the quality and flavor characteristics of ground roast coffee. The ground roast coffee component maintains aroma and taste authenticity, while the instant coffee component ensures easy dissolution and brewing convenience.
4Strength
If multi-step compaction process is applied, then tablet hardness and structural integrity are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-step compaction process includes a preliminary compression step that pre-compacts the coffee mixture before final tablet formation. This preliminary action creates a more uniform density distribution and reduces voids in the tablet structure, resulting in improved hardness and structural integrity. The pre-compaction also facilitates better binding of coffee particles, enhancing overall tablet strength without requiring excessively high final compression forces.
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 coffee tablets provide a convenient and adjustable way to brew coffee, offering improved hardness, friability, and brewing efficiency, enabling precise control over coffee strength and quantity, and are compatible with various automatic drip coffee makers.
Implementation Method 1
a first compression and a separate second compression are carried out in the same compaction die
Implementation Method 2
the coffee tablet obtained exhibits a hardness of at least about 30 N (Newtons)
Implementation Method 3
readily disintegrates when contacted with hot water during brewing
Implementation Method 4
extract coffee compounds from the tablet during brewing
Data Source
AI summary
A ground roast coffee tablet which is capable of being brewed in a conventional automatic drip coffee maker, and which exhibits sufficient strength to withstand all aspects of manufacture, handling, packaging, transport without breakage but also readily disintegrates when contacted with hot water during brewing, is made by subjecting conventional ground, roasted coffee to a multi-step compaction process in which at least two compression steps are carried out in the same compaction die.