Automatic system for dispensing and pressure-brewing ground food substance, especially ground coffee, and a method of dispensing and pressure-brewing finely divided food substance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread use of non-recyclable coffee capsules in coffee machines poses an environmental problem and limits the functionality of coffee machines to only delivering hot water, making them cheap and reliable but not eco-friendly.
Innovation Solution
An automatic system for dispensing and pressure-brewing ground coffee using a biodegradable paper container with a motor-actuated screw feeder and a brewing device featuring a brewing chamber with a stationary rear piston and a front piston, which includes a spatially profiled sieve for even water distribution and a check valve, allowing for the use of pre-ground coffee without capsules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coffee capsules are used in coffee machines, then the machine structure is simplified and reliability is improved, but environmental harm increases due to non-recyclability and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the container from non-recyclable plastic (capsules) to biodegradable paper, fundamentally altering the environmental impact while maintaining the single-use convenient format that users expect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable paper containers that are cheap to produce and dispose of, replacing expensive-to-recycle or non-recyclable plastic capsules. The paper containers fulfill the disposable function while being environmentally friendly through natural decomposition
2Ease of manufacture
If capsules are used, then the coffee machine can be miniaturized and made cheaper, but the functionality is limited to only delivering hot water
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing device is designed to be compatible with both capsule containers and paper containers with ground coffee, making it a multi-functional system that can handle different types of coffee preparation methods (capsule-based and ground coffee-based) within the same machine
3Object-generated harmful factors
If pre-ground coffee in paper containers is used instead of capsules, then environmental impact is reduced, but the dispensing mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional modules: a cutting device that separates the paper container lid, a screw conveyor that transports ground coffee, and a brewing device. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability
4Manufacturing precision
If a screw feeder is used to dispense ground coffee, then brewing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw feeder acts as an intermediary mechanism between the paper container and the brewing device. It precisely controls the dispensing of ground coffee through its threaded structure, ensuring consistent dosing while isolating the complexity of the dispensing mechanism from both the container design and the brewing process
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
This system provides a convenient and eco-friendly espresso machine experience by eliminating the need for non-recyclable capsules, ensuring efficient brewing and cost-effective coffee production while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
motor-driven screw feeder
Implementation Method 2
high-pressure water pump
Implementation Method 3
heating element
Implementation Method 4
front piston which is movable in the brewing chamber body towards the rear piston by means of a thread-driven mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automatic system for dispensing and pressure-brewing food substance, especially ground coffee, comprising a brewing device and a replaceable container with food substance to be brewed, the brewing device being provided with a seat with means for cutting the lid of the container and adapted for receiving containers with finely divided food substance, which seat is connected to a dispensing assembly that guides the food substance through a feeder to the brewing assembly, characterized in that the brewing device comprises a dispensing assembly which is arranged horizontally with respect to the vertical axis of the seat (1) and which is provided with a feeder, preferably a screw feeder (15), actuated by a motor (8), wherein a feeder outlet (17-1) leads directly to a brewing assembly equipped with a brewing chamber (5) to which leads an assembly (23) for feeding hot pressurized water by means of a stationary rear piston (4) equipped with a shower element (22) in the form of a strainer for conveying hot water, and wherein the brewing chamber is provided with a front piston (3) actuated by a movement of the brewing chamber (5) body by means of a motor (7), which front piston (3) has a surface configured for evenly distributing hot water under the strainer (25) which has spatial embossments to improve water flow, and the front piston (3) further comprises a check valve (24), behind which there is a spout conduit (9) discharging a brewed infusion, whereas the food substance container is made of biodegradable material and preferably contains ground coffee. Furthermore, disclosed is a method of dispensing and pressure-brewing a finely divided food substance using the system defined above.