Pack for preparing infusion beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing infusion beverages, such as tea, are either cumbersome, require significant cleaning, or involve costly and space-intensive capsules, lacking in convenience and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A disposable pack with a fitment assembly that includes an inlet chamber and outlet duct, integrated with a filtering element, allowing for easy infusion and filtration of beverages, optimized for quick preparation and minimal user input, using a flexible and reversible design with identification means for automated processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tea bags are used for brewing, then the beverage can be prepared, but the preparation process is time-consuming and cumbersome requiring squeezing and manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable single-use pack that eliminates the need for cleaning and repeated use of the same device. The pack is discarded after one use, which simplifies the operation for the consumer and eliminates time spent on cleaning and manual handling of reusable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The pack is designed to automatically perform the brewing function when placed in water. The filter and chamber structure enable the beverage preparation to occur passively without requiring the user to squeeze or actively manipulate the brewing mechanism, making the system serve itself.
2Ease of operation
If capsules are used for beverage preparation, then the brewing process is simplified, but the cost and packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pack utilizes flexible plastic sheets to form a lightweight, collapsible structure that requires minimal packaging space. The flexible material allows the pack to be compressed and stored efficiently compared to rigid capsules, reducing the quantity of packaging material needed while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reusable tea makers are used, then the device can be cleaned and reused, but cleaning after each use is required which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adopts a disposable single-use pack that is discarded after one use. This eliminates the need for cleaning and maintenance of reusable devices, saving significant time for the consumer while still providing a functional beverage preparation solution.
4Device complexity
If manual tea bag preparation is used, then no special equipment is needed, but the process is cumbersome requiring squeezing and manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The pack is a simple, disposable device that combines the functions of a tea bag with an integrated filter and chamber structure. While it is more complex than a simple tea bag, it remains simple enough to be disposable and requires no cleaning or maintenance, greatly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the tea bag, filter, and brewing chamber into a single integrated pack. This combination eliminates the need for separate components and manual manipulation, allowing the user to simply place the pack in water and wait for automatic brewing.
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 rapid, efficient, and convenient preparation of infusion beverages with optimized infusion parameters, reducing preparation time and environmental impact while minimizing user effort and cleaning requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering element (30) separating the infused beverage from the beverage medium
Implementation Method 2
the outlet duct (12) being arranged essentially vertically from the inner volume enabling a free flow of the infusion beverage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Pack (100) having an inner volume in which a beverage medium is stored and from which an infusion beverage is prepared when a fluid is introduced inside the pack (100), said inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges, such that the inner volume presents a generally plane shape, said pack (100) comprising an inlet chamber (120) configured to accommodate an inflow of fluid that will infuse the beverage medium to produce an infusion beverage and at least one outlet duct (12) for delivering the infusion beverage from said inner volume, said inlet chamber (120) and said outlet duct (12) being positioned at the bottom of the pack (100), the pack (100) further comprising a compartmental channel (250) and a filtering element (30) configured in such a way that they define a dedicated chamber inside the volume of the pack where the beverage medium is confined, the filtering element (30) being further configured for preventing the particles of the beverage medium from entering the outlet duct (12) when fluid is introduced in the pack and the infusion beverage is prepared, thus preventing these particles from being delivered together with the infusion beverage.