Pod coffee machines are the fastest, easiest way to prepare a quality cup of coffee, and new offerings from companies like Keurig, Cuisinart, Krups, and Black & Decker are more affordable than ever.
But even though these machines make the process of brewing coffee easier, they introduce other problems. Like the “K-Cup” pods, for example. Where do you put them? And clean-up. How do you keep the system gunk-free?
This week’s brief will answer these questions, and more.
Let’s come up with a problem-solving accessory for pod coffee machines.
In this brief, we’re going to examine the whole process of using pod coffee machines, from organizing your “K-Cup” pods to serving the finished product, all the way through to clean-up. Also consider the end user and environment: An office? Teacher’s lounge? Family home? Studio apartment?
Deadline for submissions is April 25th at noon, and submissions are free. So pour yourself a cuppa, and let’s get started!
IMAGE CREDIT: Squidoo
6 Comments
zabber | 04/18/2011 3:12 PM
I love this topic! Thanks, it’s so needed!
B. Moore | 04/18/2011 3:28 PM
Lets get this right from the start, please.
KCups are NOT Pods and Pods are NOT KCups.
A coffee/tea Pod is enough ground coffee or tea for 1 cup wrapped in its own filter.
A coffee/tea KCup is enough ground coffee or tea for 1 cup in a plastic cup with a filter in the bottom of the plastic up.
Each type needs its own specific machine… Pod brewer or KCup brewer.
I work for a small eCommerce site selling coffee.
New customers come to our site and order the wrong product because of posts like yours that combine Pods and KCups as 1 type product instead of 2 completely different products.
Please stop the confusion, thank you.
D Sells | 04/19/2011 10:34 AM
Wow! QS,
I just did a single serving coffee mug, that could have been easily modified in the design phase. The same modifications/designing that will be done to the potential winner of this round?
If their was enough inspiration from my submission to create a previous TBA round why not just give me the win, (I have seen numerous wildcards given to submissions that inspired the staff) maybe I’m missing something, I doubt it!
http://www.quirky.com/ideations/59471
jess | 04/19/2011 2:19 PM
@B: We clarified “K-Cup” pods when mentioning the pods themselves. Since K-Cups are among the most popular type of “pod”, we’ll be focusing on organization/storage for those.
D sells | 04/20/2011 12:39 AM
Gotcha!
Istvan Torok | 04/24/2011 5:20 AM
Hello, well when you go to some service outlets, you need to look for a coffee machine and in some instances struggle event to find a machine. A system the dispenses the coffee will most likely be desireable in most office environments and small retail outlets to having a vending machine for the pods (At a cost) or people can supply their own. In Australia, driver reviver stops would be a great trial location, service stations and offices where a coffee shop is not just around the corner. Variety is the spice of life, make affordable, make it convenient!