Reusable Single Serve Pod with Disposable Filter to Reduce Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single serve coffee pods generate significant waste, are costly, and often compromise flavor due to material extraction and oxidation, while reusable options are cumbersome and inefficient, failing to address landfill waste and taste issues.
Innovation Solution
A reusable single serve pod system comprising a filter, reusable ring, and lid that forms an assembled pod for easy insertion and removal from brewing systems, using disposable filters and promoting reusability and biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disposable plastic coffee pods are used, then convenience and speed of brewing are improved, but environmental waste and pollution increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the coffee pod into two segments: a reusable permanent filter holder and a disposable paper filter with coffee grounds. This segmentation allows the permanent filter holder to be reused multiple times, reducing plastic waste, while the disposable paper filter maintains convenience for single-use brewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive disposable plastic pods with cheaper disposable paper filters. The permanent filter holder is reused, and only the inexpensive paper filter with coffee grounds is discarded after each use, significantly reducing environmental waste while maintaining convenience.
2Ease of operation
If disposable plastic coffee pods are used, then single serve brewing is simplified, but cost to the consumer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive disposable plastic pods with inexpensive disposable paper filters. The permanent filter holder is reused, and only the cheap paper filter needs to be replaced, significantly reducing the cost per cup while maintaining the simplicity of single-serve brewing.
3Quantity of substance
If single serve coffee pods are used, then portion control is improved, but flavor quality deteriorates due to material extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a permanent filter holder with mesh or perforated structures and disposable paper filters that allow optimal water flow and extraction. These porous materials enable proper brewing without the harmful plastic flavor extraction, maintaining coffee quality while providing portion control.
4Loss of substance
If reusable pod apparatus are used, then environmental waste is reduced, but cleaning complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the brewing system into a reusable permanent filter holder and a disposable paper filter. The permanent filter holder requires minimal cleaning between uses, and the disposable paper filter is simply removed and discarded with the coffee grounds, eliminating time-consuming cleaning while reducing landfill waste.
5Loss of substance
If commercially compostable pods are used, then biodegradability is improved, but production cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inexpensive disposable paper filters that are naturally biodegradable. These simple paper filters are much cheaper to produce than commercially compostable pods while still providing biodegradability, reducing both production costs and environmental impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A single serve pod system, a single serve pod assembly system, a single serve pod, a reusable pod apparatus, a process of assembling the single serve pod, and methods of use are presented. More specifically, and without limitation, the present disclosure relates to preparation of a single serve pod in accordance with brewing coffee, tea, and/or other brewing.