Beverage Brewer Pump Circulation for Rapid Cold-Brew Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold-brewing methods require longer brewing times and often involve complex, bulky devices that are difficult to clean and prone to bacterial contamination, lacking flexibility for both hot- and cold-brewing options and efficient fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A compact beverage brewer with a pump assembly, intake and outflow tube assemblies, and a brewing material holder, which uses fluid circulation to speed up the brewing process and allow for both hot- and cold-brewing, using a single container for both water and brewed beverage, with optional heating and adjustable parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cold-brewing methods are used, then the desired cold-brew flavor is achieved, but the brewing time is much longer than hot-brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic circulation of water through the brewing material using a pump, creating continuous flow cycles that accelerate extraction. The pump periodically draws water from the container and forces it through the brewing material, repeating this cycle to achieve rapid cold brewing without requiring extended steeping time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a pump assembly with intake and outflow tube assemblies to create hydraulic flow through the brewing material. The pump generates pressure differential to force water through the material at controlled flow rates, enabling rapid extraction comparable to or exceeding hot-brewing speeds while maintaining cold temperatures.
2Temperature
If conventional cold-brewing devices are used, then cold-brewing capability is provided, but the devices are complex, bulky, and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the water storage container and brewing chamber into a single integrated unit. The container serves dual purposes: storing the water to be brewed and receiving the brewed beverage. The pump assembly and tube systems are integrated within this single container, eliminating the need for separate reservoirs and dispensers, thereby simplifying the overall device structure and reducing cleaning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The container assembly performs multiple functions: it stores the brewing water, holds the brewed beverage, and serves as the dispensing vessel. The pump assembly provides both circulation for brewing and potential dispensing functions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the device overall.
3Temperature
If conventional cold-brewing devices are used, then cold-brewing capability is provided, but they are prone to bacterial contamination and difficult to clean properly
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing material is contained within a removable holder assembly that can be easily extracted from the container. This allows the brewing material and associated components to be separated from the water storage and circulation system, enabling thorough cleaning and sanitization of the holder and reducing areas where bacteria could accumulate in the main container.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates features that facilitate self-cleaning or easy cleaning by the user. The removable holder assembly can be taken out for cleaning, and the simple tube assemblies can be flushed through by running water or cleaning solutions through the pump system, making maintenance straightforward and reducing bacterial contamination risks.
4Productivity
If a pump assembly with tube assemblies is used, then rapid fluid circulation is achieved, but the device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intake tube assembly and outflow tube assembly are nested within the container volume, with tubes running through the interior space. The pump assembly is positioned to utilize the vertical and radial space within or around the container. This nesting arrangement allows the circulation system to be compact and integrated, minimizing the external footprint while maintaining rapid fluid circulation capability.
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 provides a rapid, efficient, and hygienic brewing experience, reducing contamination risks and allowing for flexible brewing options, including the ability to serve warm beverages from cold-brewed ones, with a compact design suitable for various brewing materials.
Implementation Method 1
The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the intake tube assembly and to issue the fluid into the brewing material holder assembly through the outflow tube assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage brewer includes a pump, a container, an intake channel, an outflow channel, and a brewing material holder. The pump has inlet and outlet ports to provide negative fluid pressure at the inlet port and positive fluid pressure at the outlet port. The intake channel provides fluid communication between an interior of the container and the inlet port. The outflow channel provides fluid communication between the outlet port and the interior of the container. The brewing material holder is configured to hold ground brewing material and is arranged at an issue end of the outflow channel. The pump is configured to draw liquid from the interior of the container through the intake channel and to issue the liquid to the brewing material holder through the outflow channel, thereby brewing a beverage. The brewing material holder is configured to issue the brewed beverage into the interior of the container.