Apparatus and method for brewed and espresso drink generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coffee brewing systems require significant capital and operational costs due to the need for skilled baristas or expensive automated machines, and vending machines compromise on coffee quality.
Innovation Solution
An automated beverage generation system that uses a master controller to adaptively apply process accelerators and process profiles for brewing beverages, allowing for remote ordering and scheduling, and utilizing shared resources to optimize production and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive automated espresso machines are used, then beverage quality is maintained, but capital and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beverage production process into separate functional modules: a brewing module for preparing coffee concentrate and a dispensing module for mixing with milk. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate coffee concentrate as a mediator between the brewing process and final beverage assembly. By pre-brewing and storing concentrate, the system separates the complex brewing operation from the simple dispensing operation, reducing the complexity of the point-of-sale machine while preserving beverage quality through controlled preparation.
2Reliability
If skilled baristas are hired, then beverage quality is maintained, but operational costs and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs the brewing and dispensing functions without human intervention. The machine autonomously prepares coffee concentrate, stores it, and mixes it with milk according to programmed recipes, eliminating the need for skilled baristas while maintaining consistent beverage quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical skills of baristas with an automated control system that precisely manages the brewing and dispensing processes. The electronic control system replicates and standardizes the techniques previously requiring human expertise, reducing operational costs and management complexity.
3Ease of operation
If vending machines are used, then operational costs are reduced, but beverage quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of coffee preparation by using freshly brewed concentrate stored at optimal temperatures rather than pre-packaged powders or capsules. This parameter change maintains beverage quality while keeping operational costs low through automated preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary brewing action by preparing coffee concentrate in advance and storing it for later dispensing. This allows the machine to use fresh coffee without requiring complex on-demand brewing mechanisms, maintaining quality while simplifying the dispensing operation and reducing costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beverage types are produced, then customer demand is met, but system complexity and resource management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal brewing and dispensing system that can produce multiple beverage types using the same core components. The single brewing module prepares coffee concentrate that can be combined with different milks and additives through the dispensing module, allowing beverage variety without increasing overall system complexity.
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
Reduces capital and operational costs while maintaining high-quality coffee, enabling rapid scaling and eliminating the need for expert baristas, while ensuring consistent and high-quality beverage production.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer may be an ultrasonic transducer that is adapted to accelerate the release of carbon dioxide from grinds during an espresso brewing process
Implementation Method 2
the pressure in a steam wand and/or the depth of the wand may be varied during a process to froth milk in order to produce frothed milk having a desired temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided an automated beverage generation system, comprising: an input mechanism (132) that is configured to receive requests to produce beverages; a controller (126) that is configured to control the performance of a plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, each of which contributes to the production of one or more beverages or one or more components of the one or more beverages; and a plurality of mechanical components, each of which is configured for selective use during the performance of one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes in the production of a specified beverage. In response to receiving a request to produce the specified beverage through the input mechanism, the controller (126) is configured to effect the production of the specified beverage, wherein producing the specified beverage comprises performing one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes using one or more of the plurality of mechanical components configured for use in the production of the specified beverage while also performing one or more chemical or mechanical processes for producing another beverage using another one or more mechanical components of the plurality of mechanical components configured for use in the production of the specified beverage.