Apparatus for preparing a beverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage-making infuser devices suffer from prolonged dripping of infusible material when the infuser container is removed from the liquid, leading to inefficiency and potential stains, as they are easy to operate and clean but lack a solution for this issue.

Innovation Solution

A beverage-making apparatus featuring a stationary open-top liquid-impermeable beverage container and a movable infuser container that can be inserted and removed in a linear vertical motion, with the ability to assume two stationary positions, allowing the infusible material to be immersed or elevated above the liquid, and includes protrusions or recesses to prevent sideways sliding, thereby controlling the dripping process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the infuser container is removed from the beverage container, then the beverage preparation process is completed, but liquid continues to drip from the infuser container for a prolonged period causing stains and waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation efficiencyVSAvoidbeverage loss due to prolonged dripping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A receiving container is introduced as an intermediary component between the infuser container and the beverage container. This receiving container temporarily holds the dripping liquid, preventing it from staining surfaces and allowing controlled drainage. The intermediary container resolves the contradiction by providing a dedicated space for the harmful dripping effect, thus eliminating beverage waste and stains while maintaining efficient beverage preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If the user manually holds the infuser container over the beverage container to wait for dripping to end, then beverage loss is reduced, but the user's time is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage lossVSAvoiduser time spent waiting

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving container is designed to automatically receive and hold dripping liquid without requiring user intervention. Once the infuser container is placed in the receiving container, the system self-manages the dripping process, eliminating the need for users to manually hold containers or wait for dripping to stop. This resolves the contradiction by automating the liquid containment function, thus preventing beverage loss while freeing user time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the infuser container is removed while liquid is still dripping, then user time is saved, but stains and beverage waste occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser timeVSAvoidstains and beverage waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving container serves as a mediator that captures dripping liquid, allowing the infuser container to be removed immediately without causing stains or waste. The intermediary structure decouples the removal action from the dripping consequence, enabling users to save time by immediate removal while the receiving container handles the harmful dripping effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the infuser container allows easy insertion and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but control over the dripping process is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfuser container insertion and removalVSAvoidcontrol over dripping process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving container acts as an intermediary that provides controlled drainage while maintaining easy operation. The infuser container can be freely inserted and removed from the receiving container, preserving ease of operation. Simultaneously, the receiving container's structure controls the dripping process by providing a designated receptacle, thus improving reliability of the dripping control without restricting operational freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230380621A1Apparatus for preparing a beverage

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 KAPTELININ VIKTOR

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 two rigid-frame containers, a liquid-impermeable open-top beverage container, which can be an existing container selected by the user, and a movable liquid-permeable infuser container. According to embodiments of the invention, the infuser container may assume two different stationary positions relative to the beverage container, a lower stationary position and a higher stationary position. In the lower stationary position, the infusible material is covered by liquid and may be infused for a desired length of time. Thereafter the infuser container may be temporarily placed in the higher stationary position, in which position the infusible material is located above the liquid, to reduce or stop the dripping of the infusible material.