Cold-Brew Beverage Device with Rotating Holder to Reduce Steeping Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold-brew brewing methods require longer times and lack convenience, as they often necessitate precise measurement and longer steeping processes, and there is a need for a device that can efficiently brew both hot and cold beverages while allowing for flexibility in using loose or pre-packaged brewing materials.
Innovation Solution
A brewing device with a mesh-lined brewing material holder and a drive assembly that rotates or oscillates the holder within a container, reducing brewing time by agitating the brewing material, and accommodating both loose and pre-packaged materials, including a mechanism to simulate the French press effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cold-brew steeping is used, then beverage material can infuse water to create cold brew, but the brewing time is significantly longer than hot water brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a drive assembly that rotates the brewing material holder at controlled speeds to agitate the brewing material during cold brewing. This mechanical motion increases the rate of infusion by enhancing contact between water and brewing material, thereby reducing the extended brewing time normally required for cold brew methods while maintaining the desired cold temperature extraction.
2Measurement precision
If precise measurement of brewing material is required, then brewing accuracy can be improved, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides pre-measured brewing material portions that are prepared in advance and packaged for direct use. This preliminary measurement action eliminates the need for users to perform precise measurements during operation, significantly improving ease of use while maintaining consistent, accurate brewing ratios. The pre-portioned materials can be simply dropped into the holder without any measurement steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes disposable pre-packaged brewing material portions that contain pre-measured amounts of coffee or tea. These single-use packages eliminate the need for user measurement while ensuring consistent quality and quantity. The disposable nature simplifies cleanup and maintains hygiene, making the operation extremely convenient for users.
3Ease of operation
If a brewing device is designed for simplified removal of brewing material, then cleanup ease is improved, but the device loses versatility in handling different brewing materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal brewing material holder with an open frame structure and mesh panels that can accommodate multiple types of brewing materials including ground coffee, whole beans, tea leaves, and pre-packaged capsules. The standardized holder design allows consistent operation across different material types while maintaining easy removal capabilities. The mesh structure and open frame work together to facilitate uniform water flow and efficient material ejection regardless of the specific brewing material used.
4Loss of time
If a brewing device is designed to speed up cold-brewing process, then brewing time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the drive assembly directly into the container structure, combining the agitation mechanism with the existing brewing vessel. The drive assembly utilizes the container's lid and wall structure for mounting, eliminating the need for separate external agitation devices. This merged design achieves accelerated cold brewing through mechanical agitation while minimizing additional structural complexity by leveraging existing device components.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing material holder is designed to be self-contained with integrated mesh panels and an open frame structure that automatically facilitates water circulation and brewing material containment during rotation. The holder requires no additional external components or complex control mechanisms to function, as its structural design inherently provides the necessary agitation and filtration functions when rotated by the drive assembly.
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 device significantly reduces cold-brewing time, enhances convenience by allowing for flexible material use, and simplifies cleanup and material removal, while maintaining the ability to brew both hot and cold beverages efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The lid and/or container includes a mechanism that is configured to rotate the brewing material holder within the container so as to agitate the brewing material in the brewing material holder
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage brewing device reduces the time required to produce a cold-brewed beverage. The brewer includes a container and a brewing material holder configured to be suspended from a lid of the container. The brewing material holder includes at least a mesh panel and is configured to support and contain brewing material in the brewing material holder. The lid assembly includes a mechanism configured to rotate the brewing material holder with respect to the lid about an axis extending away from the lid. The container is filled with water and the brewing material holder is filled with brewing material and submerged in the water within the container. Movement of the brewing material submerged in water substantially reduces the time required for cold brewing.