Drink preparer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage makers, such as the French Press, allow liquid to remain in contact with pomace after brewing, leading to continued flavor extraction that can negatively impact the taste of the final drink.

Innovation Solution

A cup-shaped housing with a filter element and a spiral spring is integrated into the stamp filter, allowing the liquid to be separated from the pomace, and the piston rod is designed to be axially displaceable within a tube for easy closure and storage, preventing further flavor leaching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the plunger filter is pressed towards the bottom of the vessel to separate coffee from grounds, then the separation function is improved, but the liquid continues to contact the pomace leading to unwanted flavor extraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation functionVSAvoidunwanted flavor extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger filter is divided into two functional parts: a first cup-shaped housing for separation and a second cup-shaped housing for storage. The plate divides these housings, creating distinct zones. The first housing performs the separation function by filtering liquid from grounds, while the second housing stores the separated pomace away from the liquid, preventing continued unwanted extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the plate is pulled into the housing to close it easily, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure operationVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is nested within the first cup-shaped housing, allowing it to be pulled into the housing and positioned against the inner wall. This nesting arrangement enables easy closure operation where the plate can be simply pulled into place to seal the first housing, while the second housing provides the outer structural container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the housing is pulled upwards through the tube to prevent pomace leaching, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepomace leachingVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second cup-shaped housing is designed to be axially displaceable relative to the tube, allowing dynamic adjustment of the housing position. The housing can be pulled upwards through the tube to lift the pomace away from the liquid surface, preventing leaching. The spring element provides the mechanical force to maintain this elevated position, creating a dynamic system that actively prevents harmful contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design effectively prevents the liquid from coming into contact with the pomace, maintaining a consistent flavor and preventing the transfer of bitter substances into the liquid, enhancing the taste quality of the brewed beverage.

Implementation Method 1

a filter element (4.4) is arranged at the end of the second housing (4.3) facing the bottom (2.1) of the first housing (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a spring element, preferably a coil spring, can be arranged at the end of the second housing facing the bottom of the first housing. This improves the filtering effect.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring compression: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4311457A1Drink preparer
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 SCHULZ-POLLEX SEBASTIAN
  • EP4311457A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4311457A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4311457A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a beverage maker 1 with a first, cylindrical, open-ended housing 2, which can be closed by a lid 3, and a plunger filter 4 with a piston rod 4.1, which is axially displaceable relative to the one in the lid 3 and has a plate 4.2 at one end projecting into the housing 2, wherein the plunger filter 4 has a second, cup-shaped housing 4.3, which can be closed by the plate 4.2.