Multiple compartment decanter for brewer having a rinsing system and versatile pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing systems face challenges in maintaining the freshness and warmth of brewed beverages, as well as the cleanliness of brewing containers, leading to inconsistent taste quality and gaps in availability of freshly brewed coffee or tea.
Innovation Solution
A multiple tank container with a built-in rinsing system that allows for simultaneous brewing, dispensing, and sanitizing of beverages, featuring separate compartments with rinse tubes and spray heads to maintain cleanliness and freshness, and operable drain valves for efficient rinsing and brewing cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single decanter is used for brewing and keeping warm, then the beverage can be maintained in warmed state, but another pot of fresh beverage cannot be brewed until the first is fully removed, creating gaps in availability
Solution Approach 1:
The decanter is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) that can independently hold different beverages. This segmentation allows simultaneous brewing and dispensing of multiple beverages without requiring sequential operation, thereby eliminating gaps in availability and improving productivity.
2Ease of operation
If a decanter is removed from the brewer, then the brewed beverage can be dispensed, but the beverage will not remain warm because it is removed from the heating pad
Solution Approach 1:
The decanter is segmented into multiple compartments, each with its own dispensing mechanism. This allows one compartment to be removed for dispensing while other compartments remain on the heating pad to maintain temperature, resolving the contradiction between dispensing flexibility and temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary warming mechanism (warming plate or heating element) that can maintain beverage temperature even when the decanter is partially removed from the brewer. This intermediary element ensures continuous warmth during dispensing operations.
3Productivity
If decanters are not cleaned regularly, then the brewing system can operate continuously, but coffee oils and tea residue remain in contact with the side wall, degrading beverage taste quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning mechanism where rinse water is automatically delivered into the decanter compartments through rinse tubes and spray heads. This self-service cleaning system removes residue and oils without requiring manual intervention, allowing continuous operation while maintaining beverage taste quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary rinsing actions between brewing cycles to prevent residue accumulation. By proactively cleaning the compartments before the next brewing operation, the system maintains taste quality without interrupting continuous operation.
4Productivity
If multiple compartments are added to allow simultaneous brewing and dispensing, then beverage availability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the multiple-compartment decanter with universal features: each compartment has identical structures for brewing, warming, and dispensing. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle multiple beverages simultaneously using the same operational principles, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The decanter is divided into separate, modular compartments that can be independently managed. Each compartment operates as a独立的 unit with its own brewing and dispensing mechanisms, allowing simultaneous operations while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
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 system ensures continuous availability of freshly brewed beverages while maintaining taste quality by allowing for regular cleaning and sanitizing of brewing compartments, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning and ensuring that all compartments are ready for the next brewing cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a rinse spray head for delivering rinse water into the first tank through the first top
Implementation Method 2
The problem with that is that while the coffee was maintained in warmed state, until it was fully consumed
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple tank brewer having a rinsing system is disclosed which comprises a container having a first top and a first tank for receiving a first brewed beverage through the first top, the first tank having a first bottom outlet, and a second top and a second tank for receiving a second brewed beverage through the second top, the second tank having a second bottom outlet, a first tube connected between the first bottom outlet, a first pinch valve, and a first dispenser nozzle, a first drain tube connected between the first pinch valve and a drain line, a second tube connected between the second bottom outlet, a second pinch valve, and a second dispenser nozzle, a second drain tube connected between the second pinch valve and the drain line, a rinse tube, and a rinse spray head for delivering rinse water into the first tank through the first top, out through the first bottom outlet, through the first tube, the first pinch valve, the first drain tube, and the drain line. A base for the container provides for pivoting of the container.