Drinking recipients with flow regulation means of minimal construction, systems and processes with said drinking recipients
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking recipients lack effective and simple flow regulation means that provide reliable liquid sealing and efficient beverage discharge, especially when used with pressurized beverages, and are difficult to replace without tools.
Innovation Solution
The development of drinking recipients with flow regulation means featuring a single-piece, elastic synthetic material design that includes a slot-like opening or semi-sphere flow passageway, which opens partially under increased flow pressure, and a single-way valve with a transversally extending material surface for enhanced sealing and easy retention and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flow regulation means are made complex to provide reliable liquid sealing under pressurized beverage injection, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulation means integrates multiple functions (flow regulation, liquid sealing, and retention) into a single unified component. The single-piece construction combines the flow passage structure with sealing surfaces and retention features, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements or retention mechanisms while maintaining reliable liquid sealing under pressurized beverage injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow regulation means is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides flow regulation through its deformable passage, liquid sealing through integrated sealing surfaces, and retention through engagement features. This universal design allows one component to perform multiple critical functions that would traditionally require separate parts.
2Device complexity
If flow regulation means are made simple in construction, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in replacement
Solution Approach 1:
While the flow regulation means itself is a single-piece component, it is designed as a replaceable module that can be independently removed and replaced without disassembling other parts of the beverage preparation system. The component includes integrated retention features that facilitate its installation and removal as a complete unit, enabling easy repair while maintaining simple internal construction.
3Reliability
If flow regulation means are retained securely in the recipient, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulation means incorporates a deformable element that dynamically responds to beverage flow pressure, opening the flow passage when pressure exceeds a predetermined value. This dynamic behavior ensures reliable retention during normal operation while allowing automatic flow regulation. The retention features are designed to hold the component securely during operation but allow tool-free removal when needed.
4Reliability
If flow passage is kept closed to prevent liquid leaks, then sealing reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to restricted beverage discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage includes a deformable element that automatically changes state based on beverage flow pressure. When pressure is low or absent, the element remains closed to prevent liquid leaks. When beverage flow pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the element deforms to open the flow passage, allowing efficient beverage discharge. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between leak prevention and discharge efficiency.
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 solution provides improved flow regulation, extended material lifespan, and easier maintenance by allowing manual replacement of flow regulation means, ensuring reliable and ergonomic beverage preparation and discharge systems.
Implementation Method 1
flow regulation means featuring a single-piece, elastic synthetic material design that includes a slot-like opening or semi-sphere flow passageway, which opens partially under increased flow pressure
Implementation Method 2
single-way valve with a transversally extending material surface for enhanced sealing
Data Source
AI summary
Drinking recipients such as glasses, cups and the like, that present a flow regulation mechanism at a base region and is adapted to provide better retention, use longevity and reliability, and better regulation of the flow passage there through, at least for flow pressures of up to 20 bar, and to simultaneously provide liquid sealing relative to an injection device upstream. Further disclosed are systems and processes for distributing beverages, in particular of espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, having at least one type of said drinking recipient, and an apparatus having a beverage discharge disposition adapted for operative retention of the drinking recipient and for beverage discharge in a pressurized flow through the base region, at least for flow pressures of up to 20 bar.