Flat-Bottom Coffee Filter Holder With Drip-Stop Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter holders with drip-stop valves require a double-walled construction and special adaptations on the coffee maker's support bracket for stable placement and actuator mounting, limiting compatibility with standard coffee makers.
Innovation Solution
A filter holder with a substantially flat bottom and a drip-stop valve assembly featuring a valve member, blade spring carrier, and an actuator lever made of sheet material, allowing for easy placement on standard support brackets without additional modifications, and eliminating the need for a double-walled construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a double-walled construction is used to provide stable support and mount the actuator knob, then stability and actuator mounting are improved, but device complexity and compatibility with standard coffee makers worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator knob is extracted from the filter holder structure and mounted separately on the coffee maker housing, eliminating the need for a double-walled construction. The filter holder consists only of a single wall with a flat bottom, while the actuator is positioned independently above the filter holder on the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat bottom wall serves multiple functions: it provides a stable base for placement on standard coffee maker support brackets, supports the valve mechanism internally, and eliminates the need for special adaptations on the support bracket. This universal design allows compatibility with standard coffee makers without modifications.
2Ease of operation
If an actuator knob is mounted on the outer wall, then the drip-stop valve can be operated, but the filter holder requires special adaptations on the support bracket, worsening adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator knob is extracted from the filter holder and mounted directly on the coffee maker housing instead. This allows the filter holder to be a simple single-walled structure that fits standard support brackets, while the actuator operates independently above the filter holder through the valve member.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member acts as an intermediary between the actuator knob and the brew outlet. The actuator knob presses the valve member directly without requiring a complex linkage mechanism, simplifying both the filter holder structure and its compatibility with standard coffee makers.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a double-walled construction is used, then stable support ridge is provided, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the filter holder walls and transferred to the coffee maker's existing support bracket structure. The filter holder only needs a simple flat bottom and single wall construction, eliminating the need for complex double-walled manufacturing while maintaining stable placement on standard brackets.
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 seamless integration with existing coffee makers by ensuring stable positioning and operation of the drip-stop valve without requiring special adaptations on the support bracket, enhancing compatibility and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a valve member carrier consisting of a blade spring that has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the valve member carrier being connected to the bottom wall adjacent its first end and carrying the valve member adjacent its second end
Data Source
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AI summary
Coffee filter holder including, a funnel wall, a substantially flat bottom wall having an outer edge and a coffee brew outlet, a drip-stop valve assembly that can be brought in an opened and a closed condition, the drip-stop valve assembly including a valve member mounted on a valve member carrier consisting of a blade spring that is connected to the bottom wall, the drip-stop valve assembly further including an actuator lever slideably connected to the bottom wall, the actuator lever including an integral piece of sheet material with a first end that extends beyond the outer edge of the bottom wall so as to be engageable by hand and having a second end that is positioned under the substantially flat bottom wall to engage the valve member carrier to bring valve member from the opened position to the closed position and vice versa.