Elastomeric Mash Filter Membrane for Durable Brewing Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mash filter membranes suffer from unpredictable durability, structural integrity issues, creasing, and stickiness, leading to frequent replacements and operational inefficiencies in brewing processes.
Innovation Solution
A mash filter membrane composed of an elastomeric composition with more than 50 wt% elastomer, preferably synthetic, and minimal thermoplastic content, produced through injection molding, ensuring improved durability and resistance to alkaline solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional elastomeric membranes are used with less than 50% elastomer content, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but durability and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameter by requiring more than 50 wt% elastomer content in the membrane material. This parameter change directly improves durability and structural integrity while the patent acknowledges increased manufacturing cost, representing a deliberate trade-off prioritizing reliability over cost.
2Strength
If conventional membranes are used, then initial elasticity is sufficient, but structural integrity fails after certain number of brews due to breaks and tears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material design by combining elastomers with specific polymers in a controlled ratio (more than 50% elastomer). This composite structure provides both the necessary elasticity for filtration operation and enhanced durability to withstand repeated use without breaking or tearing.
3Ease of operation
If conventional membranes are used, then filtration function is performed, but creases and folds form over time requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter (elastomer content >50%) to improve the membrane's resistance to creasing and folding. The enhanced elasticity and structural integrity from the high elastomer content help the membrane maintain its shape during repeated inflation and deflation cycles, reducing the need for manual intervention.
4Reliability
If conventional membranes with variable rubber composition are used, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but unpredictable durability leads to unscheduled maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a specific compositional parameter (more than 50 wt% elastomer) to ensure predictable durability. This parameter specification reduces variability in membrane performance and allows for scheduled maintenance planning, though it requires more controlled composition during manufacturing.
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 membrane maintains high elasticity and structural integrity over numerous brews, reducing replacements and manual intervention, with enhanced compliance with food-grade regulations and efficient filtration performance.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet is consider elastomeric while it is explicitly disclosed that that a part the sheet is not elastomeric. Moreover, it is known that conventional membranes, even if having elastomeric properties, may nonetheless contain less than 50% elastomers
Implementation Method 2
the mash filter membrane is elastic to a certain extent, such that it can be deflated when mash is introduced into the chamber and inflated to apply further pressure (e.g. about maximum 1200 mbar) on the mash
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a mash filter membrane comprising an elastomeric composition that comprises more than 50 wt % of one or more elastomer, based on the total weight of polymers in the elastomeric composition.