Filter Capsule for Post-Filtration of Pressure-Extracted Coffee

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee brewing methods, particularly pressure-extracted coffee specialties, result in beverages with high particle and emulsified oil content, leading to clogging issues and an undesirable 'crema' that affects taste and appearance, while classic filter coffee lacks these components, resulting in a less desirable taste and longer brewing times.

Innovation Solution

A filter capsule for post-filtration of extracted coffee, comprising a housing with a filter element that separates suspended particles and emulsified oils, allowing for the production of a coffee product with a low particle content and 'crema' similar to classic filter coffee, while maintaining the speed of pressure-extracted coffee preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pressure extraction is used to prepare coffee specialties, then brewing speed is improved, but particle content and crema formation increase leading to clogging and undesirable taste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrewing speedVSAvoidparticle content and crema
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brewing system is segmented into two distinct stages: first, pressure extraction through a brewing sieve to rapidly extract coffee components; second, post-filtration through a filter capsule containing filter element to remove particles and crema. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast brewing and clean coffee output by separating the extraction function from the filtration function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A filter capsule containing a filter element is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressure extraction system and the final coffee output. This intermediary performs the post-filtration function, removing harmful particles and crema while allowing the beneficial extracted coffee components to pass through, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If classic filter coffee is brewed without pressure, then particle content is reduced, but brewing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle contentVSAvoidbrewing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Pressure extraction is performed as a preliminary action to rapidly extract coffee components and create crema, followed by post-filtration to remove the unwanted particles. This preliminary high-speed extraction followed by filtration achieves both speed and low particle content, avoiding the long brewing times of traditional filter coffee.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The brewing process is divided into two functional segments: pressure extraction (for speed and completeness) and post-filtration (for particle removal). This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, achieving fast brewing without excessive particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If brewing sieve aperture is increased to prevent clogging, then brewing speed is improved, but particle content in the coffee increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrewing speedVSAvoidparticle content
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration function is segmented into two stages: the brewing sieve with larger apertures for rapid extraction, and a separate filter capsule with finer filtration for particle removal. This allows the brewing sieve to operate at high speed without clogging while the filter capsule handles the particle removal task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter capsule acts as an intermediary filtration stage that receives the particle-rich coffee from the brewing sieve and removes the unwanted particles and crema, allowing the brewing sieve to maintain large apertures for speed without compromising final coffee quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 filter capsule effectively removes fine components and 'crema' from pressure-extracted coffee, producing a coffee product with a taste closer to classic filter coffee, offering versatile taste experiences and quick preparation in various volumes, while being inexpensive and easy to handle.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one filter element being arranged in an interior space of the housing... it is possible to subject coffee extracted on a brewing sieve to post-filtration, so that suspended particles and emulsified oils of a certain size are separated from the coffee by the filter element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3496579B1Filter capsule for the post-filtration of coffee, and use of the same
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 WMF GROUP GMBH
  • EP3496579B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3496579B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3496579B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a filter capsule for the post-filtration of extracted coffee, the filter capsule being characterized in that it contains, or consists of, a housing and at least one filter element. The housing contains, or consists of, a base, at least one side wall and at least one cover, wherein the at least one filter element is arranged in an interior of the housing. The filter capsule according to the invention makes it possible for coffee extracted in a brewing sieve to be subjected to post-filtration, in which case suspended particles and emulsified oils of certain magnitudes are separated off from the coffee by the filter element of the filter capsule to give a new type of coffee. The invention therefore proposes the use of the filter capsule according to the invention for the post-filtration of coffee.