Beverage making apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of infusion devices face challenges when removing the infuser container, as liquid drips for a prolonged time and it is difficult to store, and existing devices lack efficient mechanisms for secure attachment during pouring.
Innovation Solution
An infuser apparatus with a liquid-impermeable beverage container and a partly liquid-permeable infuser container that can assume two stationary positions, allowing for easy insertion, extraction, and secure attachment, preventing liquid from dripping and enabling easy storage and pouring without removing the infuser container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the infuser container is removed from the beverage container, then the infusion process can be stopped, but liquid continues to drip from the infuser container for a prolonged period and it is difficult to find storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The infuser container is designed to dynamically change its position between a lower infusion position and an upper storage position. The container can be freely moved along the central axis within the beverage container, allowing it to transition from submerged (infusion mode) to elevated (storage mode) without removal, automatically stopping the dripping process while maintaining system integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the infuser container is extracted from the beverage container, then the infusion process stops, but it is difficult to store the infuser container
Solution Approach 1:
The infuser container is designed to nest within the beverage container. The infuser container can be fully or partially inserted into the beverage container and remains contained within the overall device structure. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for external storage space while maintaining the ability to stop infusion by elevating the infuser container above the liquid level.
3Ease of operation
If the infuser container is removed from the beverage container, then the infusion process stops, but liquid absorption and dripping occur
Solution Approach 1:
The infuser container dynamically transitions between positions: when elevated above the liquid level, infusion stops and dripping is prevented; when lowered, infusion resumes. This dynamic positioning allows the system to stop the harmful dripping effect without removing the container, simply by changing its vertical position within the beverage container.
4Reliability
If the infuser container is securely attached to the beverage container, then the infuser container remains in place during pouring, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is merged with the existing structural elements of the beverage container. The flange on the infuser container engages with the rim of the beverage container, utilizing the container's own structure for attachment rather than requiring separate complex mechanisms. This integration provides secure attachment during pouring while minimizing additional structural 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
The apparatus allows for efficient infusion and secure pouring by allowing the infuser container to be placed in a higher stationary position, preventing liquid from dripping and ensuring the infuser container remains attached during use, enhancing user comfort and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The infuser container is at least partly liquid-permeable whereas impermeable to the infusible material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for making beverages by immersing an infusible material, such as loose tea-leaves, in a liquid, such as hot water. The apparatus comprises a liquid-impermeable beverage container, and an infuser container, which can be inserted to, or extracted from the beverage container. The infuser container is liquid-permeable, while being impermeable to the infusible material. According to the invention, the infuser container, containing infusible material and being immersed in the liquid contained in the beverage container, may be extracted from the beverage container after a desirable length of time and securely placed above the liquid in an elevated tilted position, in which position the liquid remaining in the infuser container drips back to the beverage container. According to some embodiments of the invention, the placement and orientation of the infuser container, as well as a secure attachment of the infuser container to the beverage container, make it possible for the user to pour liquid from the beverage container without removing the infuser container from the beverage container.