Infuser Container with Planar Filter Retention to Prevent Solid Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infusing containers often face issues with solids blocking the flow of liquids and difficult cleaning due to the design of traditional infuser filters, which can dislodge during pouring, leading to solids being poured out along with the liquid.
Innovation Solution
An infuser container with a removable, planar filter positioned across the interior, retained by a retention function such as a snap fit or friction, allowing liquids to pass through while keeping solids in place, and a lid assembly with a pivoting actuator for controlled pouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cylindrical infuser filter is used, then solids can be captured inside the filter, but the filter may dislodge during pouring causing solids to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is inverted from a traditional hanging cylindrical design to a planar structure positioned across the container interior. This inversion allows the filter to be retained by the container walls rather than relying solely on hanging mechanisms, preventing dislodgement during pouring while maintaining solid capture effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter employs a thin planar structure with filtering apertures that can conform to the container interior geometry. This thin film design reduces the filter's profile and allows it to be securely retained against the container walls, eliminating the bulk and instability of traditional cylindrical filters during pouring operations.
2Productivity
If infusing solids are placed in a traditional infuser pocket, then they can be contained, but wet solids form tightly packed masses that block liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The filter transitions from a three-dimensional cylindrical pocket to a two-dimensional planar structure. This dimensional reduction creates a larger surface area for liquid passage while maintaining solid containment, preventing the formation of tightly packed solid masses that block flow in traditional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar filter incorporates an array of filtering apertures distributed across its surface, creating a porous structure that allows consistent liquid flow while containing solids. The apertures are sized to restrain infusing solids yet permit liquid passage, maintaining flow consistency even when solids are wet.
3Ease of repair
If a long cylindrical infuser pocket is used, then solids can be effectively contained, but cleaning the interior becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed as a segmented planar structure with a peripheral flange and filtering apertures, allowing it to be easily removed from the container. This segmentation enables simple cleaning by rinsing both faces of the filter, eliminating the difficulty of cleaning long cylindrical pockets that can only be accessed from one end.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter design inverts the traditional approach by using a planar structure with access to both faces, rather than a cylindrical pocket with single-end access. This inversion makes cleaning straightforward by allowing water to flow through and contact both surfaces of the filter, effectively removing accumulated solids.
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
Ensures the filter remains in position during pouring, preventing solids from escaping and facilitating easy cleaning, while the lid assembly provides a reliable sealing mechanism for controlled dispensing of liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a removable infuser filter positioned across an interior of the container body so that liquid in a lower section beneath the infuser filter passes through the filter
Implementation Method 2
the filter is positioned across the container interior and retained in position against displacement thereof during pouring of liquids
Data Source
AI summary
An infuser container is disclosed comprising a container body for holding liquids and from which liquid is poured; and a removable infuser filter positioned across an interior of the container body so that liquid in a lower section beneath the infuser filter passes through the filter to dispense from the container body, wherein the filter is positioned across the container interior and retained in position against displacement thereof during pouring of liquids. Also disclosed is a container lid assembly.