Low- and High-Pressure Pod Assembly with Peelable Filter Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-serve pod systems for brewing beverages face issues with contamination due to clogging and bacterial growth in the outlet needle, which affects the taste and quality of the beverage.
Innovation Solution
A method of assembling a beverage pod with a filter extension that is releasably sealed to a container rim, allowing separation with a predetermined force, and sealed with a lid using heat to maintain the seal, minimizing the need for an outlet needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an outlet needle is used to drain the beverage from the pod, then the beverage can be effectively drained, but the outlet needle can get clogged and contaminated with bacteria and mold, affecting beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the outlet needle component entirely from the system. Instead of using a needle to drain the beverage, the invention uses a filter basket with filtration holes that allows beverage to drain directly into the cup without requiring a piercing outlet needle, thereby eliminating the source of contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable filter basket that is discarded after single use. This disposable component prevents contamination accumulation because each new pod comes with a fresh, sterile filter basket, eliminating the need to clean and maintain reusable outlet needles
2Reliability
If the filter extension is sealed to the container rim with strong sealing force, then the seal integrity is improved, but the separation of the filter extension from the rim becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic sealing system where the filter extension is sealed to the container rim during brewing to maintain pressure and prevent leakage, but can be easily separated after brewing by applying upward force. The seal transitions from a strong bonded state during use to a separable state after use
Solution Approach 2:
The filter extension is pre-formed with a rim that is designed to be sealable to the container rim. The sealing surface is prepared in advance with the appropriate geometry and material properties to achieve reliable sealing when pressed together, yet allows for easy separation afterward
3Strength
If heat sealing is applied to seal the lid to the filter extension, then the seal strength is improved, but the sealing force between the filter extension and rim may increase, making separation more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat sealing locally only to the lid and filter extension assembly, leaving the filter extension-to-rim interface unaffected. The thermal sealing is concentrated at the lid attachment point, ensuring strong lid sealing without transferring excessive heat or force to the rim interface that would compromise separation ease
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 solution ensures clean and uncontaminated beverage extraction by eliminating the need for an outlet needle, preventing bacterial growth, and maintaining the integrity of the beverage quality.
Implementation Method 1
sealing peelably the extension to the rim where a predetermined amount of sealing force is formed between the extension and the rim such that an application of force upon the extension of at least the predetermined amount of sealing force separates the extension from the rim
Implementation Method 2
sealing a lid to the extension with heat to minimize increasing the predetermined amount of sealing force between the extension and the rim
Data Source
AI summary
A system of assembling first and second types of pods includes a first assembly apparatus for packing first type of pods such as low-pressure coffee pods, and a second assembly apparatus for partially packing second types of pods where a second type of filter is packed with a second beverage ingredient without a container. The assembled filter with the second beverage ingredient is passed to the first assembly apparatus where the outer container and the lid may be applied to assemble the second type of pods to brew high-pressure beverages such as espresso. The second type of pods can optionally include a third beverage ingredient separated by a perforated barrier between the second and third beverage ingredients.