Filter-Guarded Beverage Cartridge for Piercing and Volume Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage cartridges face challenges in maximizing the volume for beverage media while maintaining a compact size to be compatible with existing machines, and in preventing filter damage from piercing elements.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a filter guard that contacts the piercing element to prevent damage to the filter, allowing the filter to be positioned closer to the bottom of the cartridge without increasing the overall size, and includes a frustoconical container shape with a disc-shaped filter guard to enhance liquid flow and protect the filter during piercing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the filter is positioned closer to the bottom of the cartridge, then the volume for beverage medium is increased, but the filter becomes vulnerable to damage from piercing elements
Solution Approach 1:
A filter guard is introduced as an intermediary component between the piercing element and the filter. The filter guard contacts the piercing element first, preventing direct contact with the filter, thereby protecting the filter from damage while allowing the filter to be positioned closer to the bottom of the cartridge for increased beverage medium volume
2Volume of moving object
If the overall cartridge size is increased to hold more beverage medium, then the beverage medium volume is increased, but the cartridge becomes incompatible with existing beverage machines
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge employs a frustoconical shape that optimizes internal volume distribution. By tapering the container toward the bottom, the design maximizes beverage medium capacity within the same external dimensions, allowing increased volume without increasing overall cartridge size, thereby maintaining compatibility with existing beverage machines
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for forming a beverage includes a container defining an interior space, a filter, a beverage medium contained in the interior space, and a filter guard. The filter may be arranged so that liquid that interacts with the beverage medium flows through the filter to exit the interior space. The container may include a surface arranged to be pierced by a piercing member to permit beverage to exit the container. The filter guard may be arranged to contact the piercing member to resist damage to the filter when the container surface is pierced. In one embodiment, the filter guard and filter may be in contact with the container surface that is pierced, yet damage to the filter that might be caused by the piercing element may be avoided.