Beverage brewing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single-serve beverage brewers rely on disposable cartridges, limiting beverage selection and causing unnecessary waste, as consumers are restricted to available cartridges and must discard them after use.

Innovation Solution

A reusable beverage brewing device with a cup-shaped body, filter, and adjustable outlet probe receptacles that can be filled with any dry beverage medium, allowing for compatibility with various brewers and reducing waste by allowing multiple uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If disposable beverage cartridges are used, then beverage brewing is simplified and reliable, but beverage selection is limited and waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage selectionVSAvoidwaste

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The brewing system is divided into a reusable brewing device and removable filters. The filter element can be separated from the brewing device body, allowing the filter to be discarded while the expensive brewing device is reused. This resolves the contradiction by enabling beverage selection flexibility through reusable device while minimizing waste through selective disposal of only the filter component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a system where only the consumable filter element is discarded after use, while the reusable brewing device is recovered and reused for multiple brewing cycles. This significantly reduces waste compared to disposable cartridges while maintaining beverage selection flexibility through the ability to use different dry beverage mediums.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Adaptability or versatility

If disposable cartridges are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different beverage mediums is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage medium compatibilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The brewing device is designed with universal functionality to accommodate various dry beverage mediums including coffee, tea, and other infusables. The reusable device body with standardized filter receptacles allows users to brew different types of beverages using the same device, achieving multi-functionality while maintaining operational simplicity through consistent brewing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic configuration by enabling users to select and insert different types of filters and dry beverage mediums based on their preferences. The removable filter design permits easy replacement and adjustment, providing operational flexibility while maintaining the simplicity of the brewing process through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If reusable brewing devices are implemented, then waste is reduced and adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage customizationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brewing device is segmented into modular components including the reusable device body and removable filters. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by allowing each component to be independently designed and maintained, while providing adaptability through the ability to replace filters with different configurations for various beverage types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is extracted as a separate removable component from the brewing device body. This extraction simplifies the reusable device structure by removing the disposable cartridge entirely, while maintaining adaptability through the ability to use different filter types. The complex sealing and connection features are concentrated in the removable filter rather than the permanent device body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables the use of any desired dry beverage medium with a single brewer, reducing waste and offering customizable brewing options while maintaining ease of use and cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filler is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brow chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11534017B2Beverage brewing device

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 UNIVERSAL COFFEE LLC

AI summary

The beverage brewing device, which is configured for use with a beverage brewer having an inlet probe for dispensing water and an outlet probe, includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer. A lid is removably securable to the body and is engageable with the body to selectively enclose a top opening of the body. An inlet probe opening is defined in the lid for receiving an inlet probe of the beverage brewer. At least one filter is defined within the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.