Nested-Cup Beverage Filtering System to Prevent Over-Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brewing and infusing methods for beverages like coffee and tea are inconvenient and messy, as they require separate preparation and drinking devices, and often fail to properly insulate or filter out particulate matter, leading to over-extraction and unpleasant flavors.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with nested cups, where the inner cup with a perforated bottom or side acts as a filter, allowing brewed beverages to be transferred into the outer cup while keeping solids out, and includes a sealing mechanism to maintain insulation and prevent further filtration once fully inserted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a filter with small holes is used to remove particulate matter, then beverage purity is improved, but back pressure increases and filtration speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is nested within the inner cup structure, which itself is nested within the outer cup. This hierarchical nesting allows the filter to be integrated into the brewing system without adding external complexity, enabling effective filtration while maintaining compact design and acceptable flow rates through the nested configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The filter utilizes a porous structure with small holes that allows selective passage of liquid while retaining particulate matter. The porous design provides sufficient surface area and flow channels to maintain filtration effectiveness without creating excessive back pressure that would significantly reduce brewing speed
2Ease of operation
If the inner cup is pressed into the outer cup to activate filtration, then beverage transfer is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static nested configuration to a dynamic state when the inner cup is pressed into the outer cup. This dynamic action activates the filtration process and beverage transfer, allowing the device to adapt its function based on user interaction while maintaining structural simplicity in its resting state
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing action simultaneously achieves multiple functions: it activates the filter, transfers the brewed beverage from the outer cup to the inner cup, and positions the lid for sealing. This self-service mechanism performs multiple operations through a single user action, reducing the need for additional complex mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If a nested cup structure is used for brewing and drinking, then device versatility is improved, but insulation effectiveness may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional zones: the outer cup for brewing, the filter layer for separation, and the inner cup for holding and drinking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while the overall nested structure provides insulation by creating thermal barriers between the beverage and external environment
4Productivity
If finer coffee grind is used for faster brewing, then brewing speed is improved, but filtration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs a porous structure with carefully designed small holes that are sufficiently fine to retain the smaller particles of finely ground coffee while maintaining adequate flow rates. The porous material provides multiple flow paths and sufficient surface area to handle the increased particle load from finer grinds without creating excessive back pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is nested within the inner cup structure, creating a compact filtration system that efficiently handles fine coffee particles. The nested configuration maximizes the filter's surface area within a compact volume, enabling effective separation of fine particles while maintaining fast brewing speeds
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
Enables convenient brewing and drinking from a single device, effectively filtering out particulates and maintaining flavor by preventing over-extraction, while providing insulation to keep beverages at optimal temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a filter portion (918) with a plurality of perforations... separating particulate matter used to make a beverage from the drinkable portion of the beverage
Implementation Method 2
A sealing gasket (924) is disposed on an outer surface of the recessed lower portion... configured to engage the inner surface of the outer cup
Implementation Method 3
providing insulation to keep beverages at optimal temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage filtering device wherein flavoring solids, such as coffee, tea, or herbs, are infused or brewed with fluids and then a finished beverage is filtered from the flavoring solids using a system of nested cups. The nested cups are pressed together during filtration to create a compact form that can then also serve as a beverage cup or beverage serving device.