Gradient-Pore Beverage Capsule Filter for Crema-Free Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portion capsules for beverage production, such as coffee, often result in foaming or crema formation when used in high-pressure extraction machines, which is undesirable for certain types of coffee drinks like filter coffee.
Innovation Solution
A portion capsule design featuring a filter element with distinct pore sizes, where the side facing the beverage substrate has a smaller average pore size than the side facing the capsule base, made from open-pored fleece or felt, reducing abrupt pressure loss and foam formation during extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional filter element with uniform pore size is used, then effective filtering is achieved, but abrupt pressure loss occurs and foam formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed with spatially varying pore sizes: a first area facing the beverage substrate with smaller average pore size for effective filtering, and a second area facing the capsule base with larger average pore size to reduce abrupt pressure loss and minimize foam formation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between filtering effectiveness and foam reduction.
2Productivity
If high-pressure extraction is used, then beverage extraction efficiency is improved, but foam formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element incorporates a second area with larger average pore size facing the capsule base, which allows the beverage to relax gradually as it passes through, reducing the abrupt pressure loss that causes foam formation during high-pressure extraction. This enables maintaining high extraction efficiency while minimizing harmful foam.
3Measurement precision
If a filter element with small pore size is used, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but pressure loss increases and foam formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element differentiates pore size by location: the first area with smaller pores provides effective filtering, while the second area with larger pores reduces pressure loss. This spatial differentiation allows the system to achieve both effective filtering and reduced energy loss simultaneously.
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
Enables the production of crema-free filter coffee even with high-pressure coffee machines, while maintaining effective filtering and preventing the washing out of fine particles into the beverage, thus ensuring a clean and desirable beverage quality.
Implementation Method 1
the extraction liquid can already relax as it passes through the filter element, so that no abrupt pressure loss occurs on the underside of the filter element
Implementation Method 2
the felt and/or fleece also has an average first pore size in a first area facing the beverage substrate and an average second pore size in a second area facing the capsule base, wherein the first pore size is smaller than the second pore size
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
AI summary
A portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a capsule body (2) with a capsule base (3) and a filling side (4) is proposed, wherein a hollow space (100) for the acceptance of a beverage substrate (101) in liquid or powder form is formed between the capsule base (3) and the filling side (4) and a filter element (7) is arranged between the beverage substrate (101) and the capsule base (3), wherein the filter element (7) comprises an open-pored felt and/or non-woven material, and wherein the felt and/or non-woven material has an average first pore size in a first region (200) facing the beverage substrate (101) and an average second pore size in a second region (201) facing the capsule base (3), the first pore size being smaller than the second pore size.