Reusable Coffee Holder With Offset-Needle Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Single serving coffee makers rely on expensive disposable cartridges, which exceed the cost of the brewing material, necessitating a cost-effective reusable solution for brewing coffee.

Innovation Solution

A reusable coffee holder with a frustoconical design, mesh filtering material, and an annular recessed region to accommodate an offset bottom needle, allowing it to fit into existing single serving coffee makers and retain brewing material, enabling the use of metal or plastic mesh filters for multiple brews.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If disposable cartridges are used in single serving coffee makers, then brewing convenience and compatibility are improved, but cost and waste increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing convenienceVSAvoidcost and waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive disposable cartridges with a reusable holder that can be filled with brewing material multiple times. The holder is designed to be durable while the brewing material itself remains disposable, reversing the traditional disposable component to achieve cost savings and reduced waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables recovery and reuse of the holder component after each brewing cycle. The mesh filter and holder structure are designed to be easily cleaned and reused, while only the brewing material is discarded, thereby recovering valuable components and reducing overall waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Adaptability or versatility

If a reusable coffee holder is designed to fit existing single serving coffee makers with offset bottom needle, then compatibility is improved, but structural complexity increases due to the annular recess design

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric design in the holder structure, specifically the annular recess at the bottom that is offset to one side. This asymmetric feature allows the holder to accommodate the offset bottom needle of existing single serving coffee makers, achieving compatibility without requiring symmetric modifications to the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The holder is segmented into distinct functional components: the frustoconical brewing chamber, the annular recess for needle accommodation, and the mesh filter system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall compatibility with the coffee maker system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of stationary object

If mesh filtering material is used to retain brewing material, then reusability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper filtration and retention

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidfiltration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes mesh filtering material with controlled porosity to retain brewing material while allowing water flow. The mesh structure provides consistent filtration performance across multiple uses, achieving reusability without requiring excessive manufacturing precision through its self-regulating porous structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The holder combines different materials (frustoconical structure material, mesh filter material, and sealing materials) to achieve both durability for reusability and precise filtration. The composite construction allows each material to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 reusable coffee holder reduces waste and costs by allowing multiple uses, maintaining brewing efficiency and compatibility with existing coffee makers, while providing a cost-effective alternative to disposable cartridges.

Implementation Method 1

The coffee holder defines a frustoconical exterior and includes mesh filtering material for retaining brewing material inside the coffee holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9271597B2Single serving reusable brewing material holder

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 ARM ENTERPRISES

AI summary

A single serving beverage filter cartridge is formed by placing a single serving portion of brewing material into a reusable coffee holder having a lid and a base. The reusable coffee holder includes a recessed annular region at the bottom of a base of the holder and is insertable into a cartridge housing of a single serving coffee maker having an offset needle reaching up vertically from the base of the housing, the recessed annular region avoiding the offset bottom needle. The coffee holder defines a frustoconical exterior and includes mesh filtering material for retaining brewing material inside the coffee holder. The mesh material may be a metal mesh or plastic mesh. The reusable coffee holder is configured for use in single serving coffee makers having the offset bottom needle and designed for single use cartridges.