System for preparing coffee beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee makers suffer from flavor and aroma loss due to prolonged exposure of coffee beans to air, and residual coffee grounds from previous grinding runs can contaminate new beans, making it difficult to change coffee types efficiently and maintain freshness.
Innovation Solution
A system where coffee beans are stored in airtight or vacuum-sealed packages connected directly to a grinder, ensuring beans are only ground just before use, and a mechanism to prevent residual grounds from being left behind, allowing for easy switching between different coffee bean types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If coffee beans are stored in the coffee maker for a long time before grinding, then the coffee maker structure is simplified, but flavor and aroma are lost due to air exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean package is divided into multiple compartments, each containing a separate dose of coffee beans. This segmentation allows the system to store multiple coffee types without mixing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee bean package is provided with an envelope that creates a sealed environment, preventing air exposure and preserving flavor and aroma of coffee beans during storage in the coffee maker.
2Productivity
If a large amount of coffee beans is supplied to the grinder, then productivity is improved, but residual grounds from previous runs contaminate new beans
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes residual grounds from the grinder after each use through a cleaning mechanism, ensuring that the grinder is clean before the next coffee preparation. This eliminates contamination while allowing efficient coffee bean processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The grinder is cleaned of residual grounds before new coffee beans are supplied, preventing contamination. This preliminary cleaning action ensures pure coffee preparation while maintaining productivity.
3Loss of time
If coffee beans are ground in advance, then preparation time is reduced, but flavor and aroma deteriorate due to prolonged exposure to air
Solution Approach 1:
Coffee beans are pre-dosed into compartments within the package, but grinding is performed immediately before use. This preliminary dosing reduces preparation time while the sealed envelope prevents premature exposure to air, preserving flavor and aroma.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous freshness by grinding coffee beans immediately before use rather than in advance, ensuring optimal flavor and aroma while minimizing preparation time through efficient automated operation.
4Ease of operation
If the coffee bean package is opened frequently for dosing, then ease of operation is improved, but air exposure increases causing flavor loss
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean package is divided into multiple compartments, each containing a pre-measured dose. This segmentation allows easy dosing by simply opening the specific compartment needed, while other compartments remain sealed to preserve flavor.
Solution Approach 2:
Coffee beans are pre-dosed into separate compartments during manufacturing, eliminating the need for frequent opening and manual dosing. Users can access pre-portioned compartments without exposing the entire supply to air, maintaining ease of operation while preserving flavor.
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 preserves the flavor and aroma of coffee beans by minimizing exposure to air and prevents contamination, enabling convenient and efficient switching between coffee types without flavor interference.
Implementation Method 1
a coffee bean package (3) provided with an envelope (13), at least one inner space which at least before use is filled with coffee beans, and a coffee bean outlet (11) for passing out the coffee beans
Implementation Method 2
stored in airtight or vacuum-sealed packages connected directly to a grinder
Data Source
AI summary
A system for preparing a coffee beverage, provided with a coffee making apparatus comprising a grinder for grinding coffee beans to obtain ground coffee, a coffee beverage preparation device arranged for, with supply of water to the ground coffee, preparing the coffee beverage, and a coffee outlet for dispensing the coffee beverage, a separate coffee bean package with an inner space which at least before use is filled with the coffee beans, wherein the coffee bean package before use is closed off in itself such that the exposure of the coffee beans to ambient air is prevented, a coffee bean inlet for supply of coffee beans from the coffee bean package to the grinder, and a connecting device for connecting the coffee bean package to the coffee making apparatus.