Reusable Coffee Capsule Insert With Adjustable Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portion coffee machines generate significant waste and environmental pollution due to non-recyclable capsules and complex separation of recyclable materials, with existing reusable solutions being difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A reusable insert for portion coffee machines featuring a pot-shaped body with a sealing ring and filter membrane that can be permanently integrated, allowing for adjustable flow resistance to optimize coffee extraction and foam formation, while encouraging separation of reusable components from disposable ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable capsules are used to seal coffee powder airtight, then storage protection is improved, but waste generation and environmental pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into two separable parts: a reusable outer capsule body (shell) and a disposable inner insert containing the coffee powder. After use, the inner insert is removed and disposed of while the outer capsule body is cleaned and reused, thus maintaining storage protection while reducing waste generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective discarding of only the coffee-containing inner insert while recovering and reusing the outer capsule body. This partial discarding approach maintains the protective sealing function for each use while significantly reducing material waste compared to disposable capsules.
2Loss of substance
If reusable inserts are implemented, then waste generation is reduced, but device complexity increases due to separation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The insert consists of a simple two-component structure (outer capsule body and inner insert) that can be easily separated by hand without requiring complex mechanisms, tools, or specialized procedures. The segmentation is designed for user-friendly manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner insert is designed to be easily extracted from the outer capsule body through simple mechanical actions such as pulling or unscrewing, without requiring disassembly tools or complex procedures. This extraction mechanism maintains simplicity while enabling waste reduction.
3Ease of operation
If filter elements are integrated into capsules, then ease of operation is improved, but waste generation increases as entire capsules are discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is integrated into the disposable inner insert rather than the reusable outer capsule body. This allows the filter to remain with the coffee grounds for easy disposal while the outer capsule is recovered and reused, maintaining ease of operation while reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is combined with the inner insert that contains the coffee powder, forming a single disposable unit. This merging simplifies the user experience as both filter and coffee are disposed of together, while the reusable outer capsule is separated for continued use.
4Reliability
If aluminum capsules are used for airtight sealing, then storage protection is improved, but environmental impact worsens due to energy-intensive production and disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The outer capsule body made of aluminum or other materials is designed for recovery and reuse rather than disposal. Only the inner insert containing coffee grounds and filter is discarded, significantly reducing the amount of energy-intensive material that needs to be produced and disposed of, thus reducing environmental impact while maintaining storage protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the usage parameter of the outer capsule from single-use to multi-use through repeated cleaning and refilling cycles. This parameter change reduces the frequency of manufacturing new capsules, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with aluminum production and disposal while maintaining reliable storage protection.
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
Reduces waste generation, facilitates easy separation of reusable parts, and enhances coffee quality by optimizing extraction and foam formation through adjustable flow resistance, promoting sustainable use of coffee machine components.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing ring (14), through which the insert (10) can be sealed against the press fit of the clamping device and against the die sheet
Implementation Method 2
a filter membrane (22), which can be pressed against a filter matrix (30) of the coffee machine
Implementation Method 3
the insert (10) can be sealed against the press fit of the clamping device
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The insert (10) has a locked or lockable container i.e. capsule or pads, for receiving a soluble portion of ground coffee, where a portion of the insert is reusable. A component of the container is reusably formed, and a lid is inserted and frictionally fixable into an aperture of a body, where the insert includes a cup-shaped body and a lockable cover. A rim of the container includes a circumferentially outwardly projecting bead (13), and a film perforating template comprises perforated protruding projections e.g. cone-or pyramid-shaped or cone-shaped projections. An independent claim is also included for a capsule or insert of a storage system.