Compacted Coffee Tablets Balancing Strength and Pressurized Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing compacted coffee tablets for espresso-type beverages face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and efficient extraction due to the physicochemical properties of roast and ground coffee beans, particularly when subjected to pressurized flows above 5 bar, leading to issues like particle crushing, blockage, and reduced extraction efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A process involving successive compaction cycles with controlled forces and parameters, such as Hausner index, granulometry, and humidity, to produce tablets with specific hardness and porosity ranges, ensuring resistance to rupture and permeability for pressurized flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If compaction pressure is increased to maintain tablet structural integrity, then tablet strength improves, but extraction efficiency deteriorates due to reduced porosity and flow blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling compaction pressure within a specific range (5-50 kN) and adjusting particle characteristics (Hausner index <1.30, granulometry distribution) to achieve optimal balance between tablet strength and extraction efficiency. This resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal parameter window where both requirements are satisfied simultaneously.
2Strength
If compaction force is increased to prevent tablet rupture under pressurized flow, then mechanical resistance improves, but particle crushing increases leading to blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes parameters by optimizing the compaction force range (5-50 kN) and controlling particle properties (Hausner index, granulometry) to prevent both tablet rupture and excessive particle crushing. This resolves the contradiction by establishing parameter boundaries that avoid both harmful extremes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-conditioning the coffee particles through controlled grinding to achieve specific granulometry and Hausner index values before compaction. This preparation ensures that particles are optimally sized and distributed to withstand compaction forces without excessive crushing, while still forming structurally intact tablets.
3Stability of the object's composition
If compaction pressure is increased to reduce tablet disintegration, then tablet stability improves, but flow permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing compaction pressure (5-50 kN) and particle characteristics (Hausner index <1.30, specific granulometry ranges) to achieve the optimal balance between tablet stability and flow permeability. This resolves the contradiction by finding parameter values that maintain tablet integrity while preserving sufficient porosity for pressurized flow extraction.
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 process achieves compacted coffee tablets with enhanced mechanical resistance and flow permeability, enabling efficient extraction of espresso coffee without breaking or blocking, while improving production capacity and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a process involving successive compaction cycles with controlled forces and parameters
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses industrial processes of compaction of roast and ground coffee to obtain compacted coffee tablets (1) adapted for preparing coffee-based beverages by means of extraction by a pressurized flow with a flow pressure bigger than 5 bar, including beverages of the espresso type and similar, and presenting advantageous features in terms of extraction efficacy and form keeping of the compacted coffee tablet, as well as in terms of production efficiency and capacity. The present invention further discloses compacted coffee tablets (1) adapted for preparing coffee-based beverages and presenting advantageous features in terms of efficacy of coffee extraction by a pressurized extraction flow.