Elastomer Spout Closure for Adjustable Coffee Creaminess
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices for espresso coffee are complex in design, difficult to clean, and require external components for adjusting creaminess, making it hard to easily adjust the beverage's characteristics and reassemble for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A device with an elastomer closure element that deforms under beverage pressure to adjust creaminess, integrated into the spout, allowing for easy adjustment and simplifying assembly and disassembly, using a screwable or snap-engaging connection for adjustable force and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid constriction element with spring is used to adjust creaminess, then the degree of creaminess can be adjusted, but the device construction becomes complicated and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the creaminess adjustment function from a separate external device and integrates it directly into the spout structure. The closure element is built into the spout, eliminating the need for external constriction devices and springs, thereby simplifying the overall device construction while maintaining the creaminess adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the spout and the closure element into a single integrated structure. The closure element is positioned within the spout and moves together with it, combining two previously separate components (spout and constriction mechanism) into one unified element, reducing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a rigid constriction element with spring is used to adjust creaminess, then the degree of creaminess can be adjusted, but the cleaning operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the closure element as a separate, removable component that can be easily detached from the spout for cleaning. The closure element can be taken out independently without disassembling the entire spout structure, making cleaning operations simple and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is designed to be easily removable and reinsertable by the user without requiring special tools or complex procedures. The user can perform maintenance and cleaning themselves by simply removing the closure element from the spout, enabling self-service maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If an external constriction device is used, then creaminess can be adjusted, but the device requires multiple separate components that are hard to reassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the spout and closure element into an integrated assembly where the closure element is positioned within the spout structure. This integration reduces the number of separate components that need to be assembled, eliminating the need for separate mating operations between external constriction devices and spouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout structure is designed to universally accommodate the closure element, with features like positioning ribs and recesses that work together in a standardized manner. This universal design simplifies the assembly process and makes the device easier to manufacture.
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 easy adjustment of coffee creaminess, simplifies the device structure for easy cleaning and assembly, and improves user experience by reducing complexity and maintenance challenges.
Implementation Method 1
a closure element (16) made of elastomer material suitable for undergoing an elastic deformation under the thrust of the beverage being supplied
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (12) for the preparation of a beverage comprises a beverage supply duct (14) and a closure element (16). The closure element (16) comprises a closing surface (18) suitable for closing at least partially an end of the supply duct (14). The device (12) is characterized in that the closure element (16) is made of elastomer material suitable for undergoing an elastic deformation under the thrust of the beverage being supplied. The deformation causes an at least partial movement of the closing surface (18) away from the end of the supply duct (14).