Device for preparing infusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for preparing infusions in microwaves result in overheated infusions, leading to the degradation of volatile components responsible for aroma and flavor, and require additional containers for serving.
Innovation Solution
A leak-tight device with a shielding that reflects electromagnetic radiation, allowing for increased pressure without heating the upper tank or extraction area, and featuring a thermal shielding to maintain the infusion at a drinkable temperature, enabling direct consumption from the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device is made of material transparent to electromagnetic radiation for microwave preparation, then the device can be used in microwave, but the infusion becomes overheated and volatile components degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two distinct chambers: a lower chamber made of microwave-transparent material that absorbs electromagnetic energy and heats up, and an upper chamber made of microwave-reflective material that remains cool. This segmentation allows different parts of the device to have different thermal properties, enabling microwave compatibility while preventing overheating of the infusion.
Solution Approach 2:
A microwave-transparent but thermally insulating intermediate layer or structure separates the heated lower chamber from the upper infusion chamber. This intermediary allows microwave energy to pass through to heat water in the lower chamber while preventing direct thermal transfer to the infusion in the upper chamber, thus maintaining suitable infusion temperature.
2Reliability
If pressure is increased to extract volatile compounds, then extraction performance improves, but temperature increases causing carbonization and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is segmented into a heated pressure-generation zone (lower chamber) and a protected extraction zone (upper chamber with solid material). The lower chamber generates pressure through microwave heating of water, while the upper chamber remains thermally isolated, allowing high-pressure extraction without excessive temperature that would cause carbonization.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal barrier or insulating structure acts as an intermediary between the heated water chamber and the solid material extraction chamber. This intermediary allows pressure to be transmitted to the solid material for effective extraction while blocking heat transfer, preventing temperature rise in the extraction area.
3Ease of operation
If the infusion is prepared in an open container, then the preparation process is simple, but the infusion cools rapidly and volatile compounds are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction chamber and serving container are merged into a single integrated device. The upper chamber serves dual purposes: it is the extraction chamber during preparation and the serving container afterwards. This integration allows the infusion to be prepared and served in the same sealed environment, preventing rapid cooling and volatile compound loss while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Productivity
If the upper tank is heated to prepare infusion, then extraction efficiency improves, but the infusion temperature becomes too high for direct consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the heating function and serving function into separate chambers. The lower chamber is heated for efficient extraction, while the upper chamber containing the finished infusion remains cool through microwave reflection and thermal isolation, allowing direct consumption without excessive temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal barrier or insulating structure separates the heated lower tank from the upper infusion tank. This intermediary allows efficient heat generation in the lower tank for extraction while preventing heat transfer to the upper tank, maintaining the infusion at a suitable serving temperature.
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 device effectively extracts flavors and aromas while maintaining the infusion at a suitable temperature for direct consumption, preventing degradation and eliminating the need for auxiliary containers.
Implementation Method 1
The device described in the invention is a leak tight device that allows obtaining a pressure of the extracting fluid greater than 1.5 bar without increasing the temperature of the upper tank or condenser and in the extraction area. The described device comprises a shielding that reflects the electromagnetic radiation in the extraction area and in the condensation tank, in this way the energy of the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted only to the lower tank or boiler.
Implementation Method 2
the energy of the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted only to the lower tank or boiler
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a device for preparing infüsions, suitable for preparing infüsions in a micro wave. The device comprises: a lowertank transparent to electromagnetic radiation, with a valve; an upper tank screwed to the lower tank; a funnel that connects the tanks; an extraction área containing material to be extracted with filtering means; a cover; and means for making the device leak tight, the device comprising áreas for shielding against electromagnetic waves in the extraction área, the upper tank and the cover. In the preferred embodiments, the device comprises a float, needles and thermal reinforcement áreas. The device allows infüsions to be obtained without the volatile compounds degrading.