Brewing material container for a beverage brewer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage brewers are limited to using disposable cartridges, resulting in waste and restricted selection of brewing materials, and are not designed to accommodate loose grounds or other beverages, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple machines for different brands and types of brewing materials.
Innovation Solution
A brewing material container with a receptacle and lid designed to fit within a beverage brewer's chamber, allowing for the use of off-brand pods and loose grounds, featuring a passageway for fluid flow and dispersion bays to enhance brewing efficiency, and a biasing mechanism to compact brewing material for improved flavor extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disposable cartridges are used in beverage brewers, then the brewing process is simple and automated, but waste is generated and selection of brewing materials is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system is segmented into a reusable brewer unit and replaceable brewing material containers. The container separates from the disposable cartridge, allowing the expensive brewer mechanism to be reused while only the consumable container is discarded, reducing overall waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the brewing material container by providing adjustable compression force through a biasing mechanism. This allows the same container to work with different types of brewing materials (loose grounds, pods, cartridges) by adjusting the compression parameter, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized machines and reducing waste.
2Extent of automation
If disposable cartridges are used in beverage brewers, then automated brewing is achieved, but brewing material selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing material container is designed with universal adaptability to accommodate multiple types of brewing materials including loose grounds, pre-packaged pods, and disposable cartridges. The biasing mechanism provides adjustable compression to handle different material densities and forms, making a single device capable of brewing with various materials while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the compression force to be modified based on the type of brewing material being used. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same automated brewing system to adapt to different material types without manual intervention or complex programming.
3Ease of operation
If conventional pod brewers are used, then single-serving convenience is provided, but flavor extraction is insufficient compared to manual brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism applies preliminary compression to the brewing material before hot water injection. This pre-compaction of the grounds creates better contact between water and coffee, improving extraction efficiency and flavor quality while maintaining the convenience of automated single-serving brewing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beverage brewers are purchased for different brands and types, then brewing material selection is expanded, but cost and counter space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing material container serves as a universal interface that can accommodate different brands and types of brewing materials through its adjustable biasing mechanism. Instead of requiring separate machines for different brewing styles, a single brewer with this versatile container can handle various materials, reducing the number of devices needed and simplifying the overall system.
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
Enables the use of reusable brewing containers that can accommodate various brewing materials, reducing waste and costs, and allows for better flavor extraction by compacting the brewing material, thus providing a more versatile and efficient brewing experience.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism to compact brewing material for improved flavor extraction
Implementation Method 2
The receptacle base and/or the receptacle sidewall includes a receptacle opening configured to allow fluid flow from an interior of the receptacle to an exterior of the receptacle
Implementation Method 3
The lid includes a number of lid openings configured to receive a corresponding respective number of injection nozzles of the beverage brewer
Data Source
AI summary
A brewing material container for a beverage brewer includes a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle is configured to receive and hold beverage brewing material and to be placed in a brewing chamber of the beverage brewer, and includes a base, and a sidewall extending from the base and terminating in an open end. The lid is configured to engage with the open end of the sidewall to at least partially cover the open end. The lid includes a number of lid openings configured to receive a corresponding respective number of injection nozzles of the beverage brewer. The receptacle base and/or the receptacle sidewall includes a receptacle opening configured to allow fluid flow from an interior of the receptacle to an exterior of the receptacle.