Coffee brewer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee brewing methods require electric energy, making it difficult to prepare freshly brewed coffee without access to external power sources, and result in reduced aroma when transporting ready-made coffee, which affects the taste and freshness.

Innovation Solution

A coffee brewer with an insulated container, a sealing lid, and a manually actuated valve that allows for full-immersion brewing without electricity, utilizing hot water and air pressure to extract coffee through a filter, preventing spills and maintaining aroma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic drip filtration machine is used, then coffee can be brewed efficiently, but electric energy is required which is not available in outdoor settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing efficiencyVSAvoidelectric energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric heating and pumping systems of automatic drip machines with manual mechanical operations. Users manually heat water separately and pour it into the chamber, and manually open the valve to control coffee flow, eliminating the need for electric power while maintaining brewing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The brewing system is divided into separate functional components: water heating (done externally), water storage chamber, coffee grounds chamber with filter, and dispensing valve. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and manual, with the chamber assembly requiring no electricity, only manual assembly and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If ready-made coffee is transported in vacuum flask, then portability is achieved, but aroma is reduced or lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidaroma loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Coffee grounds are prepared and placed in the chamber before travel, along with a filter. The chamber is sealed and can be carried without losing aroma. Fresh coffee is brewed at the destination by adding hot water, preserving aroma while maintaining portability. The preliminary preparation of dry coffee grounds eliminates the need to carry pre-brewed coffee.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the state of coffee from pre-brewed liquid (which loses aroma during transport) to dry grounds (which preserve aroma when stored in the sealed chamber). The brewing process is delayed until the moment of consumption, transforming the coffee from stored grounds to fresh brewed liquid right before serving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual valve is actuated with closed end facing up, then pouring is enabled, but coffee spills on operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring convenienceVSAvoidcoffee spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A spout or channel is introduced as an intermediary structure that guides the coffee flow from the valve outlet to a controlled pouring path. The spout directs coffee away from the operator's hand and toward the cup, preventing spills while maintaining the ability to pour with the closed end facing up.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet is positioned and angled in a specific three-dimensional orientation that directs coffee flow laterally or downward away from the operator's hand. By carefully designing the spatial arrangement of the valve and outlet, the system enables pouring in the convenient orientation while using geometric positioning to prevent spillage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 preparation of freshly brewed coffee independently of external energy sources, preserving the aroma and flavor, and allowing for convenient brewing and serving without electricity, while maintaining the quality of freshly brewed coffee.

Implementation Method 1

opening the valve while allowing the heated air inside the brewer to press the coffee through the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The container may be insulated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11470992B2Coffee brewer

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 HALONEN ARI

AI summary

A coffee brewer and a method of brewing coffee or another beverage with hot liquid, including tea, are provided. The coffee brewer includes a container with an inner volume, a closed end and an open end. A lid includes an inside with an inner area and an outside, for sealing attachment to the open end. An outlet and a valve, are configured to open or close a flow path between the container and the outlet. A coffee filter is secured to the inside of the lid, in the flow path between the container and the outlet. The outlet is configured to allow pouring of coffee while actuating the valve, and the valve can be actuated from a closed position to an open position with the closed end of the container facing up and the container being above the lid, without spilling coffee on an operator of the valve.