Infusion Beverage Vessel Base Geometry for Grounds Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vessels for brewing infused beverages fail to reliably retain insoluble components like tea leaves or coffee grounds during the drinking process, leading to a compromised drinking experience due to potential mixing with the brewing liquid.

Innovation Solution

A vessel design featuring a retention volume with an inclined plane base and a bulbous retaining section, combined with a spout-like spout and cascade-like projections and recesses, ensures that insoluble components are securely retained and prevented from being carried away during pouring or drinking, minimizing their mixing with the liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cavity is provided in the base to retain insoluble infusion components, then the components can be retained during brewing, but the components may still be entrained with the liquid during drinking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of insoluble componentsVSAvoidentrainment of components with liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base is divided into multiple functional zones: an inclined plane for guiding liquid flow, a retention cavity for collecting insoluble components, and a retention volume with multiple retention elements (protrusions and recesses) for securing components. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function, preventing components from being entrained with the liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined plane acts as an intermediary element between the brewing area and the retention cavity. It guides the liquid flow in a specific direction, separating the liquid stream from the insoluble components and directing them toward the retention cavity, thereby preventing entrainment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the bottom is designed as an inclined plane, then liquid flow is directed toward the retention volume, but the vessel may be unstable during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flow directionVSAvoidvessel stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined plane is designed with specific geometric characteristics (angle, extent) that optimize liquid flow while maintaining vessel stability. The retention volume is positioned and sized to provide stability without interfering with the flow direction function. This localized optimization of geometric parameters resolves the contradiction between flow direction and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the retention volume is enlarged to improve component retention, then more components can be retained, but the vessel design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent retentionVSAvoidvessel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention volume is integrated into the base structure of the vessel, merging the retention function with the existing base geometry. The retention elements (protrusions and recesses) are formed as part of the base molding process rather than as separate components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 vessel effectively prevents insoluble components from being mixed with the brewing or drinking liquid, enhancing the drinking experience by ensuring they remain securely retained within the vessel, even under various usage conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an inclined plane, which merges into the retention volume at the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3113659B1Vessel for the preparation of infusion beverages
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 EM 2
  • EP3113659B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3113659B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3113659B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a vessel for the preparation of infusion beverages with a retaining volume for insoluble infusion constituents, comprising a vessel body with an inner bottom which is formed as an inclined plane and merges at the base point into the retaining volume. According to the invention, the retaining volume is configured as a reservoir space which has a planar bottom portion extending below the inclined plane, a connecting portion directed towards the inclined plane and, opposite the connecting portion, a bulbous retaining portion which is effective during the pouring-out or drinking operation, in such a way that the infusion liquid level is prevented from dropping below the level of the insoluble infusion constituents.