Beverage Brewer with Pressure-Assisted Flow to Reduce Cold-Brew Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold-brewing methods require a long brewing time and often involve complex systems with large footprints, making them difficult to clean and prone to bacterial contamination, while lacking flexibility for both hot and cold brewing and not accommodating pre-measured brewing materials.
Innovation Solution
A beverage brewing system that uses a pressure assembly to draw or push liquid through brewing material, reducing brewing time and allowing for both hot and cold brewing, with options for loose or pre-packaged materials, and includes a heating element for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cold-brewing methods are used, then the beverage can be brewed without heating, but the brewing time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system employs periodic agitation cycles where the brewing assembly is rotated or agitated at intervals during the cold brew process. This periodic motion enhances contact between water and coffee grounds, significantly reducing brewing time from 12+ hours to approximately 2 hours while maintaining cold brewing temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic pressure to force water through the brewing material at controlled rates. A pump delivers water at specific flow rates (e.g., 5-15 mL/minute) through the coffee grounds, accelerating extraction without requiring heat, thus reducing brewing time while maintaining cold brew characteristics.
2Productivity
If gravity feed systems are used to speed up brewing, then the flow rate increases, but the device footprint becomes large and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing, filtration, and agitation functions are merged into a single integrated brewing assembly. The brewing assembly includes the filter, agitator, and containment structure as one unit that can be easily removed and cleaned, eliminating the need for separate complex gravity feed mechanisms while maintaining brewing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing system is designed for easy self-cleaning. The brewing assembly can be disassembled into simple components that rinse clean, and the system includes features like removable filters and smooth surfaces that prevent residue buildup, making maintenance simple without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a French press compression feature is added, then the brewing process is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing assembly incorporates a dynamic compression mechanism where a plunger or press can be manually or automatically actuated to apply pressure to the brewing material. This dynamic element allows the same device to function as both a standard brewer and a French press, enhancing versatility without requiring entirely separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: standard brewing, French press-style compression brewing, and agitation-based brewing. By integrating these functions into one universal assembly, the system provides diverse brewing methods without increasing overall device complexity, as the same components serve multiple purposes.
4Ease of operation
If pre-measured brewing material portions are used, then convenience is improved, but the system must accommodate multiple material formats
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing assembly is designed with a universal containment structure that can hold various formats of brewing material: loose coffee grounds, pre-packaged pods, pre-measured portions, or French press-style cartridges. The filter and containment mechanism are adaptable to different material types, allowing users to choose their preferred format without requiring separate brewing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing system allows users to segment their brewing material into different formats based on their needs. Users can pre-measure coffee into portions, use single-serve pods, or prepare larger batches in reusable containers. The system accommodates these segmented approaches through its versatile containment and filtration design.
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 significantly reduces cold-brewing time, provides a compact and easy-to-clean design, and offers flexibility for brewing methods, ensuring a consistent beverage quality and user customization.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure assembly to draw or push liquid through brewing material
Implementation Method 2
includes a heating element for temperature control
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage brewer includes a container configured to hold liquid and having an open top, and a brewing material holder configured to be suspended into the container and to hold beverage brewing material in contact with liquid held in the container. The brewer also includes a pressure assembly operable to provide pressurized liquid flow through the brewing material holder within the container, and/or a heating element configured to be arranged at least partially in an interior of the container and operable to heat liquid held in the container.