Disposable Lid with Integrated Spout Filter for Loose-Leaf Tea Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for brewing and dispensing tea, particularly in fast-food or take-out services, face challenges such as limited tea variety, environmental concerns with tea bags, and the inability to customize tea strength and flavor, as well as safety issues with hot beverages and disposal problems.
Innovation Solution
A disposable lid with a filter for drink containers that allows for the use of loose tea leaves or other insoluble matter, providing a liquid-tight seal and intercepting solids to prevent them from reaching the consumer, while allowing customizable brewing and easy disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tea bags are used for brewing tea, then the tea leaves are contained and do not escape into the beverage, but the variety of tea leaves is limited and customization of tea strength is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into separate functional zones: a drinking opening area and a spout area with filter. This segmentation allows the consumer to choose how to drink the beverage while the filter provides continuous protection against tea leaf escape regardless of drinking method
Solution Approach 2:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component within the spout structure. This filter acts as a mediator between the beverage containing tea leaves and the consumer's mouth, allowing liquid to pass while blocking solid tea particles regardless of how the beverage is consumed
2Ease of operation
If tea bags with strings and staples are used, then the tea bag can be easily placed in the cup, but environmental problems arise from disposal of non-biodegradable materials
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful elements (strings and staples) are completely removed from the tea bag structure. The invention uses a simple paper bag design that can be easily placed in the cup without any additional non-biodegradable components, eliminating the environmental disposal problem while maintaining ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The material composition of the tea bag is changed from a composite structure (paper + plastic string + metal staple) to a single biodegradable material (paper only). This parameter change in material composition maintains functionality while eliminating environmental harm from disposal
3Device complexity
If the lid has a simple opening for drinking, then the structure is simple, but hot liquid can splash out and cause injury to the consumer
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component within the spout structure. This filter acts as a mediator between the beverage containing tea leaves and the consumer's mouth, allowing liquid to pass while blocking solid tea particles regardless of how the beverage is consumed
Solution Approach 2:
The spout is designed with a flexible lip or overhang that extends beyond the filter. This flexible structure creates a physical barrier that prevents hot liquid from splashing out during consumption while maintaining simplicity in the overall lid design
4Reliability
If the filter is positioned close to the opening for drinking, then it effectively filters the beverage, but it may interfere with the consumer's ability to drink from the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into separate functional zones: a drinking opening area and a spout area with filter. This segmentation allows the consumer to choose how to drink the beverage while the filter provides continuous protection against tea leaf escape regardless of drinking method
Solution Approach 2:
The spout structure includes a flexible lip that can move or deform under the consumer's lips during drinking. This dynamic element allows the filter to remain close to the opening for effective filtration while the flexible lip accommodates the consumer's mouth to maintain ease of drinking
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 customizable tea brewing with loose tea leaves, reduces environmental impact, and enhances safety by preventing hot liquid splashes and solid particles from reaching the consumer, while also being suitable for various hot beverages like coffee.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid permeable filter is positioned between the container attachment portion and the annular cover portion of the lid so as to intercept all liquid flowing from the container through the opening and hence to the mouth of the consumer
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable lid for a drink container has an annular cover portion with a spout having an opening therethrough. A container attachment portion of the lid provides removable association with the rim of the drink container. A liquid permeable filter is positioned within the spout. The liquid permeable filter is positioned to intercept all liquid flowing from the container through the opening.