Pressure-Reduction Extraction Method for Enhanced Coffee Flavor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for extracting coffee liquids, such as immersion and permeation methods, fall short in producing a more flavorful beverage.
Innovation Solution
A beverage producing apparatus that includes a bean processing unit to grind coffee beans and an extracting unit with a fluid supply system to control air and water pressure, allowing for a combination of immersion and permeation extraction techniques to enhance flavor extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional immersion method is used, then the extraction process is simple, but the beverage flavor quality is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines immersion extraction and permeation extraction into a single integrated extraction chamber system. The extraction target is immersed in liquid while pressurized gas is simultaneously supplied to promote permeation, allowing both extraction mechanisms to work together to improve beverage flavor quality while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressurized gas into the extraction chamber to create bubbles that enhance liquid penetration through the extraction target. This pneumatic-hydraulic combination promotes more efficient permeation extraction, improving the quality and flavor of the extracted beverage while maintaining a relatively simple process structure.
2Productivity
If conventional permeation method is used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but the beverage flavor quality remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges immersion extraction and permeation extraction in the same extraction chamber. The extraction target is fully immersed in the liquid medium while pressurized gas is supplied to enhance permeation, allowing both extraction mechanisms to work synergistically to achieve superior beverage flavor quality while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
3Productivity
If pressurized gas is supplied to extraction target, then permeation extraction is enhanced, but extraction target may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the parameters of pressurized gas supply, including pressure levels and gas flow rates, to enhance permeation extraction while preventing damage to the extraction target. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves improved extraction efficiency while maintaining the structural integrity of the extraction target.
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 apparatus effectively extracts a more flavorful coffee liquid by optimizing the extraction process through controlled pressure and temperature conditions, improving the efficiency and quality of the coffee beverage.
Implementation Method 1
a permeation method (for example, JP 2003 - 024 703 A) of making hot water permeate through ground beans
Implementation Method 2
Pressure in a closed extraction chamber is reduced, leading to bubble formation in the liquid
Implementation Method 3
Pressure in a closed extraction chamber is reduced, leading to bubble formation in the liquid
Implementation Method 4
Extraction is then completed by pushing a piston downwards
Data Source
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AI summary
An extracting method of extracting a beverage liquid from an extraction target includes a pressure reduction step of switching an interior of an extraction container in which the extraction target and a liquid are stored from a first air pressure to a second air pressure lower than the first air pressure, and an extraction step of extracting the beverage liquid from the extraction target. The first air pressure is an air pressure at which the liquid at a predetermined temperature does not boil, and the second air pressure is an air pressure at which the liquid that does not boil at the first air pressure boils. The switching from the first air pressure to the second air pressure is done by releasing the air pressure in the extraction container.