Brew-Through Thermal Carafe Lid for Orientation-Free Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brew through lids for thermal carafes are complex, prone to soiling, and difficult to use, with moving parts that can become non-functional and require unscrewing for pouring, leading to issues with liquid flow and temperature retention.
Innovation Solution
A brew through lid with a cone-shaped cap top wall, cylindrical connection wall, and circumferentially spaced pouring passages, allowing liquid to flow in any orientation and maintaining temperature through a mixing pipe for uniform brew strength and temperature retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a valve construction with moving parts is used to close off the brew inlet, then the lid can control liquid flow, but the moving parts become easily soiled and may lose their movability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the valve construction with moving parts from the lid. Instead of using a valve to control liquid flow, the lid provides a continuous opening at the bottom of the cap top wall, eliminating the reliability issues associated with soiled and stuck moving parts while still allowing controlled liquid flow through the simplified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is divided into functional zones: the cap top wall with opening for liquid entry, the connection wall for structural connection, and the pouring skirt wall with pouring provision. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without relying on moving parts, improving reliability while maintaining operational control.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is unscrewed to pour brew liquid from the internal reservoir, then liquid can be poured out, but the lid may uncouple from the carafe or require precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to unscrew the lid to access the liquid reservoir, the invention inverts the approach by providing a pouring provision in the pouring skirt wall that allows liquid to be poured out while the lid remains screwed on. The pouring passages are positioned to discharge liquid outwardly, enabling pouring operation without lid removal or repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid simultaneously performs multiple functions: it seals the carafe when screwed on, allows liquid to enter through the cap top wall opening, and enables liquid to be poured out through the pouring provision in the pouring skirt wall. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to unscrew the lid for pouring, simplifying the operation while maintaining the connection between lid and carafe.
3Device complexity
If conventional lids are used, then the structure is simpler, but brewing liquid may not enter the internal liquid reservoir if the carafe is not exactly positioned underneath the brew outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The cap top wall is designed with a conical shape and an opening at its lowest part, creating a funnel-like structure that guides liquid from the brew outlet downward into the internal liquid reservoir. This geometric configuration in the vertical dimension ensures liquid entry regardless of precise horizontal positioning of the carafe relative to the brew outlet.
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 brew through lid simplifies use by allowing pouring without orientation concerns and maintains brew strength and temperature, outperforming conventional lids in ease of use and temperature retention.
Implementation Method 1
a cap top wall that is cone shaped and that has a concave side that is directed upwardly, brewing liquid that is produced by a coffee maker enters the internal liquid reservoir of the carafe
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of pouring passages that are circumferentially spaced in the pouring skirt wall and that allow passage of brew liquid out of the liquid space
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of connection wall passages that are circumferentially spaced in the cylindrical connection wall and that are configured to allow passage of brew liquid from the internal liquid reservoir of the carafe to the liquid space
Data Source
AI summary
A brew through lid for a thermal carafe that has a pouring provision and an internal liquid reservoir. The brew through lid has a cap member with a cone shaped cap top wall, a brew inlet in a center of the cap top wall at a lowest part of the cone shaped cap top wall, a substantially cylindrical connection wall having a top edge that is connected to the cap top wall and a lid connector that is an integral part of the connection wall. The brew through lid further has a pouring skirt wall that extends around an upper portion of the connection wall and defines a liquid space between the connection wall and the pouring skirt wall. A plurality of pouring passages is circumferentially spaced in the pouring skirt wall and that allow passage of brew liquid out of the liquid space. A plurality of connection wall passages that are circumferentially spaced in the cylindrical connection wall and is configured to allow passage of brew liquid from the internal liquid reservoir of the carafe to the liquid space.