Beverage Infusion System with Recirculation for Faster Cold Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for preparing beverages from infusible materials, such as coffee or tea, face challenges including slow infusion rates, extended contact times, messy operations, and difficulties in optimizing brew chamber size and removing spent materials, especially when preparing nitrogen-infused beverages, which are labor-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation system that includes a brew chamber with a fluid pump for recirculating fluid under high pressure, a nitro wand for introducing gas, and a mechanism for adjusting brew chamber size to facilitate efficient extraction and easy disposal of spent materials, along with innovative packaging solutions for infusible materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional steeping methods are used to prepare beverages from infusible materials, then the infusion process is simple to operate, but the extraction time is excessively long (3-12 hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously recirculates fluid through the brew chamber multiple times, maintaining continuous extraction action rather than a single static steeping period. This continuous circulation extracts compounds much faster than conventional methods while keeping the system simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a fluid pump to create hydraulic circulation of the brewing fluid through the brew chamber. This pressurized recirculation system dramatically accelerates extraction compared to passive steeping, reducing contact time from hours to minutes while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If recirculation processes are used to increase extraction rate, then extraction speed improves, but the system becomes messy and unsuitable for commercial operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses disposable pods containing the infusible materials. These single-use pods are inserted into the brew chamber, used once for extraction, and then discarded. This eliminates the messiness of reusable systems requiring cleaning while maintaining high extraction rates through controlled recirculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the infusible materials into individual disposable pods rather than using bulk materials. This segmentation allows for clean, contained extraction in each pod while the recirculation system remains enclosed and easy to operate, suitable for commercial environments.
3Shape
If large pieces of infusible materials are used to enhance visual appeal, then aesthetic quality improves, but the infusion rate decreases requiring extended contact time
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous recirculation of fluid through the brew chamber compensates for the slower diffusion rate of large material pieces. By constantly moving fresh fluid through the chamber multiple times, the system maintains high extraction efficiency even with visually appealing whole-leaf tea or large fruit pieces instead of fine particles.
4Shape
If ambient or cold water is used to enhance taste smoothness and facilitate iced beverages, then beverage quality improves, but the extraction rate slows down requiring longer contact time
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic recirculation system using a fluid pump forces cold or ambient water through the brew chamber multiple times under pressure. This active circulation compensates for the reduced solubility and slower extraction kinetics of cold water, achieving high extraction rates without heating the water, thus preserving taste smoothness and enabling iced beverages.
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 enables faster extraction with higher quality, reduces operational complexity, and simplifies the preparation and disposal of nitrogen-infused beverages, enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid pump for recirculating fluid under high pressure through said brew chamber
Implementation Method 2
a gas inlet disposed between said inlet tube and said fluid pump for introducing gas into said beverage fluid that is recirculated by said fluid pump
Data Source
AI summary
A machine is provided for preparing a desired beverage product from infusible materials. The machine includes a brew chamber that is adapted to hold the infusible materials, the brew chamber having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet tube is provided for transferring a fluid from a fluid receptacle to the inlet of the brew chamber and a dispensing tube is provided for transferring fluid from the outlet of the brew chamber to the receptacle. A fluid pump is provided for recirculating fluid through the brew chamber. In another aspect, a machine is provided for preparing a desired beverage product containing a gas. The machine includes a fluid pump for recirculating fluid from a fluid receptacle through an inlet tube to a dispensing tube and back to said fluid receptacle. The machine further includes an air pump disposed between the inlet tube and the fluid pump for introducing air into said beverage fluid that is recirculated by said fluid pump. A pod for use with the machine is also provided.