Airtight Tea Chilling Assembly to Prevent Dilution and Flavor Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preparation of iced tea is labor and time intensive as it requires cooling the brewed tea to room temperature before adding ice, leading to potential dilution and loss of flavor.
Innovation Solution
A method involving brewing tea in a first container with an infuser, then transferring it to a second container with a chilling medium and a lid assembly that creates an airtight seal, allowing agitation to chill and infuse the tea effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If tea is cooled to room temperature before adding ice, then dilution is prevented, but preparation time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-chilling the container and lid assembly before adding the brewed tea. This allows the tea to be rapidly chilled without requiring extended cooling time, thereby preventing dilution while maintaining efficient preparation. The chilling medium is prepared in advance in the container, ready to immediately cool the tea upon pouring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transitioning the tea from hot to cold state through contact with the chilling medium in the sealed container. The airtight seal maintains pressure and prevents oxidation during the rapid temperature change, preserving flavor compounds while achieving quick cooling without dilution.
2Temperature
If ice is added to hot tea, then cooling is achieved, but the ice melts and dilutes the tea
Solution Approach 1:
The container and lid assembly are pre-chilled before the tea is poured in. This preliminary cooling action creates a temperature gradient that rapidly cools the tea upon contact, allowing the ice to remain more stable and melt less, thereby preventing dilution while achieving the desired cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The airtight seal creates an isolated environment that prevents external air from entering and warming the tea. This sealed environment maintains the cold temperature more effectively and prevents oxidation, allowing the tea to be cooled without significant ice melt and dilution.
3Ease of operation
If the container is left open during chilling, then access is easy, but aroma and flavor are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an airtight seal that creates a sealed environment during chilling. This prevents aroma compounds from escaping and blocks external air from causing oxidation, thereby preserving the tea's flavor and aroma throughout the chilling process while maintaining ease of access when the lid is opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid assembly with its sealing mechanism acts as a flexible barrier that can be easily opened and closed. This thin film seal maintains the airtight environment during storage and chilling, yet allows for easy access when needed, balancing convenience with flavor preservation.
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 method efficiently chills and retains the flavor and aroma of tea by locking in freshness and intensifying the tea's aroma and flavor, reducing the time and labor required for iced tea preparation.
Implementation Method 1
pouring the brewed tea into a second container containing a chilling medium (e.g., ice)
Implementation Method 2
covering the second container with a first lid assembly that provides an air tight seal to the second container
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for brewing and chilling a brewed beverage such as tea includes brewing the beverage; combining the brewed beverage with a chilling medium; and covering the combined brewed beverage and chilling medium with an air-tight lid assembly to form an airtight seal. The combined brewed beverage and chilling medium may then be agitated. The airtight seal traps vapor generated from the beverage during the chilling, thereby causing the vapor to re-enter the beverage to maintain optimum flavor.