Beverage brewing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-serve beverage brewers rely on disposable cartridges, limiting beverage selection and causing unnecessary waste, as consumers are restricted to available cartridges and must discard them after use.
Innovation Solution
A reusable beverage brewing device with a cup-shaped body, filter, and adjustable outlet probe receptacles that can be used with any dry beverage medium, allowing for multiple uses and compatibility with various brewers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If disposable beverage cartridges are used, then beverage brewing is simplified and reliable, but beverage selection is limited and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the beverage medium container from the brewing device. The reusable brewing device contains a removable container that can hold different types of beverage mediums (coffee grounds, tea leaves, etc.), allowing consumers to choose from various beverages while only discarding the consumable medium, not the entire cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing device is designed to be reusable and recoverable, while only the beverage medium inside the container is discarded after use. This eliminates the waste of the cartridge structure itself, allowing the same brewing device to be used repeatedly with different beverage mediums.
2Ease of operation
If disposable cartridges are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different beverage mediums is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing device is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of dry beverage mediums including coffee grounds, tea leaves, and other infusables. The device maintains simple operation through automated water delivery while allowing users to choose from various beverage types by simply changing the container contents.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reusable brewing device is implemented, then adaptability and waste reduction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing device is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable brewing device body, a removable container, and an integrated filter system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and easy to clean.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is integrated directly into the brewing device structure, combining the filtration function with the brewing chamber. This merging eliminates the need for separate filter components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to handle various beverage mediums.
4Ease of operation
If outlet probe receptacles extend upwardly from the bottom surface, then alignment with brewers is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet probe receptacles are positioned asymmetrically on the bottom surface of the brewing device, with specific receptacles located at predetermined positions that correspond to the probe locations in the brewing machine. This asymmetric positioning simplifies alignment during insertion while the manufacturing process uses standardized positioning features to maintain required precision.
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 flexible selection of dry beverage mediums, reduces waste by allowing reuse, and provides a deeper brew chamber for stronger extraction, while ensuring easy cleaning and alignment within brewers.
Implementation Method 1
At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The beverage brewing device, which is configured for use with a beverage brewer having an inlet probe for dispensing water and an outlet probe, includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer. A lid is removably securable to the body and is engageable with the body to selectively enclose a top opening of the body. An inlet probe opening is defined in the lid for receiving an inlet probe of the beverage brewer. At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.