Single-Serve Beverage Pod Filter Design for Variable Brewing Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Single-serve pod systems, such as Keurig Brewing Systems, fail to accommodate diverse coffee taste preferences as they consistently brew coffee with similar taste profiles, lacking variability in strength, bitterness, and caffeine levels, which does not meet the varied preferences of coffee drinkers.

Innovation Solution

A beverage brewing system that adjusts brewing parameters like temperature, time, and pressure using pods with filters that allow for varying grind sizes and hole configurations to produce low, medium, and high-pressure beverages, enabling customization of taste profiles by adjusting brewing conditions and ingredient roasts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If single-serve pod systems use fixed brewing parameters, then the brewing process is simple and consistent, but the beverage taste profile lacks variety and cannot accommodate diverse consumer preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage taste profile varietyVSAvoidbrewing parameter control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic brewing parameters including variable brewing time (15-45 seconds), adjustable brewing temperature (195-205°F), and controllable brewing pressure (90-140 psi) that can be modified during the brewing process to achieve different taste profiles from the same pod

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing multiple brewing parameters simultaneously - brewing time, temperature, and pressure - to create different beverage characteristics such as light/medium/dark roast profiles, enabling one pod to produce multiple taste experiences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If single-serve pod systems use uniform filter holes, then the manufacturing is simple and consistent, but the brewing pressure and extraction cannot be varied to create different beverage strengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing pressure controlVSAvoidfilter manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter incorporates different hole configurations in specific locations - the base has a first number of holes while the side wall has a second number of holes, allowing different regions of the filter to control different aspects of water flow and pressure for customized brewing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If single-serve pod systems use consistent brewing time, then the brewing process is simple to control, but the extraction level cannot be adjusted to achieve different strength and flavor profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction level controlVSAvoidbrewing process control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The brewing system uses periodic brewing cycles with variable duration (15-45 seconds) and can pause or adjust the brewing process at different stages to control extraction levels, allowing users to achieve different strength profiles by adjusting the timing and duration of water flow through the coffee grounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system allows for a wide range of beverage taste profiles to be achieved, accommodating individual preferences by modifying brewing parameters and ingredient characteristics, providing options from mild to strong, balanced, and customized flavor experiences.

Implementation Method 1

The base of the filter may have a predetermined number of holes where depending on the size of the holes, the brewing pressure of the beverage ingredient may be adjusted to brew low, medium, and high pressure beverages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control through filtered flow: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The pod may receive heated water from the brewer where the heated water mixes with the beverage ingredient within the filter to extract the beverage from the beverage ingredient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExtraction through dissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS11730306B2Controlling brewing parameters of single-serve beverage system

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 OH SUNG

AI summary

A beverage brewing system works with a pod to brew low, medium and high pressure beverages in hot and/or cold format such as coffee and espresso served hot or over ice. The beverage ingredient may be packed within a filter which is enclosed by a container to hermetically seal the filter. The filter has a predetermined number and sized holes to control the pressure within the filter to brew low, medium, and high pressure beverages. The filter is releasably sealed to the container where separating the filter from the container forms a gap to allow the beverage formed within the pod to drain via the gap and directly pour into a mug.