Pour-Over Coffee Dripper Flow Splitter for Balanced Multi-Cup Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pour-over coffee drippers struggle with uneven drainage and inconsistent brew strength/flavor when brewing multiple cups, often requiring additional steps and vessels, and are inefficient for simultaneous multi-cup brewing.
Innovation Solution
A pour-over coffee dripper with a single drain hole and a flow divider that splits the brew evenly into multiple cups, featuring ribs and a sloped bottom to ensure uniform flow and secure seating on cups of varying heights, and can be used as an attachment or insert for conventional drippers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple drain holes are used at the bottom of the filter vessel, then simultaneous filling of multiple cups is enabled, but uneven drainage occurs resulting in noticeably varied amounts of coffee in the cups
Solution Approach 1:
The single drain hole is segmented into multiple flow paths by the flow splitter, which divides the coffee stream into separate channels leading to different cups. This maintains the benefits of multiple drain holes while avoiding the uneven drainage problems through controlled flow division.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow splitter acts as an intermediary component between the single drain hole and multiple cups. It receives the coffee flow from the single drain hole and redistributes it evenly to multiple cups, solving the uneven drainage issue that would occur with direct multiple drain holes.
2Manufacturing precision
If a single drain hole is used, then even drainage is achieved, but only single cup brewing is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The single drain hole's flow is segmented into multiple streams by the flow splitter, enabling one hole to serve multiple cups simultaneously while maintaining even distribution of coffee to each cup.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow splitter extends the single drain hole's functionality into multiple spatial dimensions by creating separate flow channels in different directions, allowing simultaneous filling of multiple cups from a single drainage point.
3Strength
If conventional filters with folded seams are used, then filter structural integrity is maintained, but flow restriction occurs preventing uniform drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is modified locally at the seam area by creating notches or gaps that specifically address the flow restriction problem while preserving the overall structural integrity of the filter. This allows the folded seam to remain for strength while permitting adequate flow through strategic openings.
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 balanced filling of multiple cups simultaneously, maintaining consistent brew strength and flavor, and reduces the need for additional brewing steps and vessels.
Implementation Method 1
hot water is poured over the grounds to brew and extract flavors of the coffee (e.g., the filtrate or extraction), which then passes through the porous filter
Implementation Method 2
flows down to the drain hole(s) in the bottom of the dripper vessel and into the cup beneath
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for splitting liquid flow including a funnel configured to receive a liquid therein, a first wall having a drain opening and a splitter positioned adjacent the drain opening configured to separate the liquid into i) a first liquid portion for flow into a first liquid receptacle and ii) a second liquid portion for flow into a second liquid receptacle.