Enhanced compacted tablet and system for extraction of beverages comprising said compacted tablet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compacted coffee tablets lack optimal structural resistance and efficient coffee extraction due to suboptimal shape configurations, which affects the quantity of material used and extraction efficacy in beverage preparation.
Innovation Solution
A compacted coffee tablet design featuring distinct upstream and downstream cavities, with a majority of the coffee volume in the intercalary portion and a smaller portion in the upstream-oriented region, optimized for better structural resistance and coffee extraction, along with a specific coffee mass and granulometry distribution, and a beverage preparation system incorporating these tablets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a compacted coffee tablet is designed with traditional shapes, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the structural resistance is insufficient and material usage is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet is divided into distinct functional zones: an upstream-oriented portion with a cavity for beverage accumulation, a downstream-oriented portion with a cavity for beverage collection, and an intercalary portion connecting them. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific function while collectively providing enhanced structural resistance and optimized material distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tablet are designed with different properties: the upstream portion has a cavity for temporary accumulation, the downstream portion has a cavity for collection, and the intercalary portion provides structural connection. The coffee mass and granulometry are specifically distributed in each region to optimize both structural integrity and extraction efficiency locally.
2Productivity
If the tablet configuration is optimized for extraction, then coffee extraction efficiency improves, but the structural resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet employs local quality optimization by distributing coffee mass and granulometry differently across regions. The intercalary portion maintains structural integrity while the upstream and downstream portions are configured for optimal extraction and beverage accumulation, respectively. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of structural resistance and extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional two-dimensional tablet designs to a three-dimensional configuration with varying depths and cavity structures. The upstream-oriented portion, downstream-oriented portion, and intercalary portion create vertical and horizontal dimensionality that enhances both structural strength through distributed mass and extraction efficacy through optimized flow paths.
3Productivity
If more coffee material is used to improve extraction, then extraction efficacy increases, but the quantity of material used increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes extraction efficacy by changing parameters such as coffee granulometry distribution and mass distribution across different tablet regions rather than uniformly increasing total material. The specific granulometry and mass allocation in the intercalary versus upstream/downstream portions maximizes extraction efficiency while minimizing total material consumption.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention discloses a compacted coffee tablet (1), in particular a tablet of compacted roast and ground coffee beans, presenting an advantageous configuration in terms of compaction process, maintenance of shape and efficiency of coffee extraction, in particular of espresso type coffee. The present invention further discloses beverage preparation systems including said compacted coffee tablet (1).