Pressurized Beverage Mixing Vessel for Pneumatic Brewing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage production systems require significant interaction and control of numerous parts, leading to increased maintenance and reliability issues due to contact with brewing mixtures and moving components.

Innovation Solution

A beverage producing apparatus with a controllable pressurized mixing vessel and air moving system that uses heated water and controlled air pressure to facilitate brewing, allowing for adjustable steep time, extraction time, and agitation, reducing the need for complex part interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional beverage production systems use multiple moving parts and contact components for brewing control, then brewing functionality and control capability are improved, but maintenance requirements increase and reliability decreases due to contact with brewing mixtures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing control capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the brewing substance from direct contact with moving parts by using a stationary filter assembly. The brewing mixture remains contained while air pressure differentials drive the brewing process, eliminating the need for moving components that would otherwise contact the mixture, thereby improving reliability while maintaining brewing control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with a pneumatic control system. Instead of using motors, pumps, or moving valves to control brewing, the system uses controllable air pressure differentials to drive water through the brewing substance and control the brewing process, eliminating mechanical wear and contact issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional beverage production systems use numerous moving parts and contact components, then brewing control is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a pneumatic system with controllable air pressure differentials to drive the brewing process. Air pressure is used to push water through the brewing substance and control flow rates, replacing complex mechanical control systems with a simpler pneumatic actuation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If traditional beverage production systems use multiple contact components for brewing, then brewing functionality is improved, but extraction efficiency may be compromised due to insufficient agitation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic air pressure variations to create agitation and turbulence during the brewing process. By cycling the air pressure differential, the system creates periodic flushing actions that enhance extraction efficiency without requiring continuous mechanical agitation devices, thereby improving productivity while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 apparatus simplifies the brewing process by minimizing the need for manual control of multiple parts, enhancing extraction efficiency and reducing maintenance requirements while ensuring maximum flavor and aroma extraction.

Implementation Method 1

The controller operates the air moving system to create a first pressure differential within the mixing vessel that facilitates flow of the liquid through the brewing substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The brewing process, the heated water infuses and extracts flavors from the brewing substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

the heated water infuses and extracts flavors from the brewing substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 4

The controller operates the air moving system to introduce air into the brewing mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAeration: Aeration

Implementation Method 5

heated water or other heated liquid in combination with pressurization of a mixing vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8997633B2Air agitation controllable beverage making apparatus, system and method

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 BUNN COMMERCIAL LP

AI summary

An apparatus, system, and method of use in making beverages. The apparatus includes components and structures for making beverages by mixing heated water or other liquid and a beverage making substance in combination with controllable evacuation, pressurization, or both of a mixing vessel. The method includes controllable brewing using a vacuum, positive pressure, or both to control one or a combination of active controllable agitation of ingredients, steep time, pressurization, extraction time, agitation pulsing, dispensing pulsing as well as other numerous other beverage preparation characteristics and controls.