Segmented Coffee Capsule for Espresso and Filter Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines designed for portion capsules are not suitable for brewing both large volumes of filter coffee and espresso, as they require different appliances and have inefficiencies in pumping capacity and cycle time, especially when trying to brew espresso with large capsules.
Innovation Solution
A portion capsule with a separation element and liquid channels that prevents water from entering an empty region, allowing for brewing both filter coffee and espresso using the same coffee machine, with the capsule's design optimizing the volume distribution to reduce the need for increased pumping capacity and cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large capsule is used for brewing filter coffee, then large volumes of filter coffee can be prepared, but the capsule is not suitable for brewing espresso due to insufficient pumping capacity and excessive cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule interior is segmented into two distinct regions: an extraction material region containing coffee and an empty region. This segmentation allows the capsule to hold less coffee (suitable for espresso) while maintaining a larger overall volume (suitable for filter coffee), resolving the contradiction between coffee quantity and brewing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension by creating an empty region within the capsule that does not contain extraction material. This allows the capsule volume to be decoupled from the coffee quantity, enabling the same capsule to work for both espresso (fast brewing with less coffee) and filter coffee (slow brewing with more liquid) scenarios.
2Productivity
If the capsule volume is reduced to match espresso requirements, then brewing speed improves, but the capsule can no longer prepare large volumes of filter coffee
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the capsule into an extraction material region and an empty region, the design allows the coffee quantity to be reduced for espresso brewing while the total capsule volume remains large enough for filter coffee preparation. The empty region acts as a buffer that enables dual-purpose functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule design achieves universality by being suitable for both espresso and filter coffee brewing. The empty region enables the capsule to function effectively in both brewing modes: for espresso, the small coffee volume ensures fast brewing, while for filter coffee, the large capsule volume accommodates the required water quantity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separation element is added to divide the capsule into extraction material region and empty region, then the capsule can brew both filter coffee and espresso, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation element physically segments the capsule interior into functional regions. This simple structural division enables the capsule to accommodate different brewing requirements without complex mechanisms, achieving versatility through straightforward spatial organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation element acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates the dual-functionality of the capsule. It mediates between the extraction material region and the empty region, enabling the capsule to adapt to different brewing modes without requiring complex control systems or multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee capsule is provided, the outer dimensions of which are matched to the size of a filtered-coffee capsule, but which has a separating element that separates an empty area from an extraction-material area. Furthermore, at least one liquid channel is provided, which passes through the empty area for example. The liquid channel or liquid channels and the extraction-material area are designed in such a way that water introduced into the capsule at an injection location or a beverage produced in the capsule substantially does not enter the empty area.