Expandable Infusion Container for Extended Tea Brewing Contact Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic tea preparation devices have a short contact time between tea leaves and brewing water, which is insufficient for optimal aroma development in various types of tea, requiring a longer brewing time.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize an expandable infusion container where a measured amount of dried infusion substance is kept in contact with infusion liquid for an extended period, allowing the container to expand and then compress, ensuring a longer contact time and efficient expulsion of the prepared beverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a quick flow-through method is used in known tea preparation devices, then the brewing process is fast, but the contact time between tea leaves and water is very short
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion container is designed to be dynamically expandable and collapsible. During brewing, the container expands to provide adequate volume for long contact time brewing. After brewing, the container collapses for compact storage and easy disposal. This dynamic transformation allows the system to accommodate both long contact time requirements and compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion container is nested within the preparation device during the brewing process, allowing the brewing chamber to expand into the available space. The container can be inserted in a collapsed state and then expanded in situ, optimizing space utilization while providing sufficient volume for the infusion process.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the infusion container is expanded to allow long contact time, then the brewing volume increases, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion container transitions between collapsed and expanded states. During brewing, it expands to provide the necessary volume for adequate contact time between tea leaves and water. After brewing completes, it collapses to minimize occupied space, allowing the device to maintain a compact form factor while supporting long contact time brewing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion container utilizes flexible material that allows it to be compressed into a compact form for storage and transport, then expanded during the brewing process to provide sufficient volume for the infusion. The flexibility enables the container to adapt its volume to the operational requirements without permanently occupying large space.
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 approach allows for a longer contact time between the dried infusion substance and infusion liquid, enabling optimal aroma development and preparation of infusion beverages like tea, while maintaining a compact and efficient brewing process.
Implementation Method 1
the infusion container is configured for expansion from a collapsed configuration into an expanded configuration upon introduction of an infusion liquid
Implementation Method 2
extrusion means configured to compress the infusion container and as a result to empty an infusion beverage located in the infusion container from the infusion container through the exhaust valve into the outlet
Implementation Method 3
an exhaust valve that opens into the infusion container when an overpressure level is exceeded
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing an infusion beverage is disclosed wherein a dried infusion substance is applied in an infusion container, the latter being present, in the first instance, in a collapsed state and being extendable into an expanded state, An infusion liquid is introduced into the infusion container, wherein the infusion container is expanded. The dried infusion substance in the infusion container is kept in contact with the infusion liquid, in order to form the infusion beverage, over a contact period. The infusion container is then returned to its collapsed state, at least in part, by compression and, in the process, at least some of the infusion beverage is expelled from the infusion container.