Brewing Cartridge with Segmented Ingredient Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home brewing methods for alcoholic beverages like beer, cider, and wine require separate addition of brewing ingredients to a fermentation chamber, which can be inconvenient and may lead to ingredient contamination or improper mixing.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge device with separate compartments for brewing ingredients, including a larger compartment for concentrated brew extract and a smaller compartment for yeast, allows for simultaneous mounting to a fermentation container, ensuring separation until an initiating action releases the ingredients for mixing, with an optional filtering device to purify liquid before use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If brewing ingredients are added separately to a fermentation chamber, then each ingredient can be individually controlled, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming with multiple separate steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple brewing ingredients (extract, yeast, hops, and other additives) into a single integrated cartridge device that mounts to the fermentation chamber. This merging of previously separate ingredients and steps into one unified component directly resolves the contradiction by simplifying the brewing process while maintaining ingredient control through the cartridge's internal compartmentalization.
2Reliability
If brewing ingredients are added separately, then ingredient integrity can be maintained, but the risk of contamination increases during the multiple addition steps
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all brewing ingredients into a single sealed cartridge that is mounted once to the fermentation chamber, the invention maintains ingredient integrity while eliminating the multiple opening and addition steps that create contamination risks. The cartridge's integrated design ensures ingredients remain protected until simultaneous release into the fermentation chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is pre-prepared with all necessary brewing ingredients sealed in separate compartments before use. This preliminary preparation and sealing of ingredients in a controlled manufacturing environment eliminates exposure to contamination during the brewing process, while the simultaneous release mechanism ensures proper mixing without intermediate handling.
3Productivity
If brewing ingredients are pre-mixed, then the brewing process is simplified, but improper mixing or premature contact between ingredients can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge device is divided into separate internal compartments, each containing a specific brewing ingredient (extract, yeast, hops, etc.). This segmentation maintains ingredient separation and prevents premature contact during storage and mounting, while the simultaneous release mechanism ensures proper mixing occurs at the optimal moment in the fermentation process, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and mixing control.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus comprising a cartridge device having a liquid inlet, a first substance-containing part downstream of the liquid inlet and for containing a first substance, a second substance-containing part for containing a second substance, the second substance being separated from the first substance, and releasing means arranged to release the first and second substances from respective first and second substance-containing parts.