Reusable Beverage Brewing Device with Filter for Waste Reduction
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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 the cartridges available and must discard them after use.
Innovation Solution
A reusable beverage brewing device with a cup-shaped body, filter, and lid designed to interface with standard single-cup brewers, allowing for the use of any dry beverage medium and featuring a filter to retain the medium while allowing brewed beverages to pass through, with adjustable outlet probe receptacles for optimal brewing and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disposable beverage cartridges are used, then beverage brewing is simplified and consistent, but beverage selection is limited and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system is divided into a reusable brewer unit and disposable beverage containers. The beverage container holds the dry beverage medium while the brewer provides the brewing mechanism. This segmentation allows the brewer to be reused with different beverage types while maintaining the simplicity of disposable containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage container is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different types of dry beverage mediums (coffee, tea, etc.). The container structure serves multiple functions: holding the beverage medium, interfacing with the brewer, and facilitating easy disposal after use.
2Reliability
If disposable cartridges are used, then consistent brewing is achieved, but waste is generated and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage container is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after use, while the expensive and complex brewer unit is recovered and reused. This approach recovers the valuable brewing mechanism while accepting the disposal of the simple container, thereby reducing overall waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage container is designed as a cheap, short-lived component that can be easily manufactured and disposed of. By making the container inexpensive and single-use, the system maintains brewing consistency without requiring the consumer to invest in expensive reusable cartridges.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reusable beverage containers are designed, then waste is reduced and beverage selection is expanded, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage container is designed with simple geometry and uniform wall thickness throughout most of its structure. The complexity is localized only to the interface region where the container engages with the brewer, allowing for easy manufacturing while maintaining functional versatility.
4Productivity
If outlet probe receptacles are made adjustable, then brewing optimization is improved and cleaning is easier, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet probe receptacle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be adjusted to different positions. This dynamic feature enables optimization of the brewing process by positioning the probe correctly while also facilitating easier cleaning by allowing the probe to be removed from the receptacle.
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 the use of any desired dry beverage medium with a single device, reducing waste and providing a more efficient brewing process by allowing for stronger brews and easier cleanup, while maintaining compatibility with standard 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.