Self-Contained Hot Beverage Container With Pressure-Triggered Mixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for preparing hot beverages on-the-go require multiple components, including a cup-like container, soluble powder, and a separate heating container, making them cumbersome to handle, transport, and distribute, especially when drinkable water is not available.

Innovation Solution

A single-unit device with a container divided into upper and lower hollow spaces by a baffle, containing soluble powder and drinkable liquid, respectively, featuring a conveyer tube that separates the spaces until user intervention or heat-induced pressure/temperature triggers liquid transfer, allowing for efficient preparation of hot beverages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple separate components (cup-like container, soluble powder, separate heating container, drinkable liquid) are used to prepare hot beverages, then the beverage preparation process is functional and reliable, but the device complexity increases and portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (cup-like container, soluble powder, separate heating container, and drinkable liquid) into a single integrated container system. The container includes an upper hollow space for soluble powder, a lower hollow space for drinkable liquid, and a conveyer tube to transfer liquid between spaces, eliminating the need for multiple separate items and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container is divided into functionally separate compartments: an upper hollow space containing soluble powder and a lower hollow space containing drinkable liquid, separated by a baffle. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while being part of a unified portable device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a single-unit device integrating all components is created, then portability and ease of operation improve, but the device structure becomes more complex to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling convenienceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyer tube is positioned within the container structure, passing through the baffle that separates the upper and lower hollow spaces. The tube is nested within the overall container assembly, allowing efficient use of space and simplified manufacturing as a integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If the conveyer tube upper end is positioned at a higher elevation than the beverage level, then liquid conveyance is improved, but the device height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid conveyance efficiencyVSAvoiddevice height

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyer tube is oriented at an upward inclination relative to the horizontal plane, utilizing the vertical dimension to create pressure-driven liquid flow from the lower hollow space to the upper hollow space. This angular positioning enables effective liquid conveyance while maintaining a compact overall device height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution integrates all necessary components into a compact, easy-to-handle device that can prepare hot beverages anywhere, eliminating the need for separate containers and ensuring convenient use, transportation, and large-scale distribution.

Implementation Method 1

once a predetermined pressure into the liquid or a predetermined temperature have been reached

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

once a predetermined pressure into the liquid or a predetermined temperature have been reached

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure increase due to heating: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2365771B1Device for extemporaneously preparing a hot beverage from a soluble powder

Publication Date: 2012.09.26 ALISTELLA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The device (101, 201, 301, 401) for extemporaneously preparing a hot beverage (40) anywhere and anytime from a soluble powder comprises a container (10) which is divided into an upper hollow space (12) and a lower hollow space (14) by a baffle (28). The lower hollow space (14) contains a quantity of drinkable liquid (32) and the upper hollow space a quantity of soluble powder (30) able to produce said beverage (40). An elongated hollow element (16, 26) is provided, which is open at its two ends and which connects the lower (14) and the upper (12) hollow spaces, sealing means are provided for sealing the connection between the upper (12) and the lower (14) hollow spaces through the elongated element (16, 26). The sealing means can be made ineffective by intervention of the user or once a predetermined pressure inside the liquid or a predetermined temperature have been reached.