Apparatus and method for cold brewing beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cold brewing beverages, such as coffee or tea, are time-consuming and result in a weaker-tasting beverage due to dilution when ice is added to hot-brewed beverages or require a concentrate that needs to be watered down.
Innovation Solution
A cold brewing apparatus comprising a container, inserts for holding brewing material and cooling means, a conduit for liquid transport, and a pump that cycles the liquid through the brewing material and cooling material, allowing for efficient brewing and cooling within the same apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is added to hot-brewed beverage, then the beverage is cooled, but the beverage is diluted and flavor is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage is cooled before serving by circulating it through a cooling chamber containing ice or cold water, rather than adding ice to the finished beverage. This preliminary cooling action prevents dilution while achieving the desired temperature reduction
2Temperature
If cold brewing is done using known methods with concentrate, then the beverage can be cold brewed, but the preparation time is extended to 8-24 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing process uses periodic circulation of water through the coffee grounds via a pump system, repeatedly passing water through the grounds to extract flavors efficiently in a short time frame rather than requiring long static steeping periods
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic pump system is used to circulate water through the brewing chamber and cooling chamber, enabling controlled, rapid flow through the coffee grounds and through the cooling medium, achieving efficient extraction and cooling in minutes rather than hours
3Productivity
If a pump system is used to circulate liquid through brewing and cooling, then brewing and cooling can occur simultaneously in reduced time, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing chamber and cooling chamber are merged into a single integrated apparatus where water is pumped from the brewing chamber through the coffee grounds, then through the cooling chamber with ice, and back to the brewing chamber, combining two functions in one system
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system serves multiple functions: it circulates water during brewing, transfers brewed liquid to the cooling chamber, and returns cooled liquid to the serving container, making a single component responsible for multiple critical operations in the 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
This solution enables the preparation of cold brewed beverages in reduced time without dilution, maintaining flavor intensity by simultaneously brewing and cooling the beverage, making it suitable for daily use.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for pumping a liquid through the conduit, wherein the conduit is arranged between the container and the insert such that a liquid stored in the container can be pumped with the pump from the container to the insert, the liquid returning through the insert to the container
Implementation Method 2
a second insert is a receptacle for holding cooling means
Implementation Method 3
a first insert is a filter for holding brewing material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for cold brewing beverages are provided. The apparatus comprises a container and at least one insert arranged in the container. The insert may either be a filter for holding brewing material or a receptacle for holding cooling material. A liquid like water filled in the container is pumped through a conduit into the insert and is then returned to the container, from where it may be pumped again to the insert. Thus a cycle for brewing and cooling a beverage is provided, depending on whether the insert is a filter for holding brewing material or a receptacle for holding cooling material, thereby considerably reducing the time required to produce a cold-brewed beverage.