Rotatable Brew Basket for Multi-Beverage Dispensing in Compact Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial brewers require significant counter space and often cannot efficiently provide multiple varieties of freshly brewed beverages simultaneously, as they are typically designed for single-use dispensers.
Innovation Solution
A brew basket with a handle and body featuring an upper and lower chamber, a rotatable design that allows for selective dispensing of beverage extract into multiple dispensers, and a method of funneling solvent from a spray head to a selected dispenser, enabling efficient brewing and dispensing of coffee or tea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single industrial brewer is used to minimize counter space, then space utilization is improved, but the ability to provide multiple beverage varieties simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brew basket is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, etc.), each capable of holding different beverage making mediums. This segmentation allows a single brewer to simultaneously prepare multiple beverage varieties by distributing the brewing process across separate chambers within the same brew basket.
Solution Approach 2:
The brew basket is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it can simultaneously brew different beverage types in different chambers, discharge to multiple dispensers, and be rotated to position different chambers for dispensing. This universal design enables one brewer to replace multiple brewers while maintaining beverage variety capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate brewers are used to provide multiple beverage varieties, then beverage variety capability is improved, but counter space requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple brewing functions that would traditionally require separate brewers are merged into a single brew basket. The brew basket combines multiple chambers, shared spray head, common heating system, and unified control, allowing multiple beverage varieties to be prepared in one unit rather than requiring multiple separate brewers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple separate brewers occupying counter space to a vertical integration within a single brew basket. Multiple chambers are stacked or arranged vertically within the same footprint, effectively utilizing the third dimension (height) to accommodate multiple beverage varieties without increasing counter space occupation.
3Device complexity
If a brew basket discharges to a single location, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously dispense multiple beverages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brew basket incorporates rotational capability, allowing it to dynamically change its orientation and position different discharge ports relative to multiple dispensers. This dynamic positioning enables a single brew basket to selectively discharge to different dispensers or simultaneously discharge to multiple dispensers by rotating to the appropriate configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable brew basket acts as an intermediary between the brewing chambers and multiple dispensers. By rotating the brew basket, the system can mediate which chamber connects to which dispenser, enabling flexible multi-beverage dispensing without requiring complex individual routing mechanisms for each chamber.
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 brew basket minimizes counter space requirements and allows for simultaneous brewing and dispensing of multiple beverage varieties by enabling the brew basket to be rotated and positioned for efficient solvent distribution and extract discharge, optimizing brewing efficiency and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The spray head 20 can be gravity fed
Implementation Method 2
A discharge port can be located at a bottom of the lower chamber and offset from the center C when viewed from above
Data Source
AI summary
A brew basket is described that has a handle and a body attached to the handle. The body provides an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A top opening to the upper chamber is substantially circular with a center C. A floor of the upper chamber provides a shelf for initially supporting a beverage medium filter pack above the lower chamber. When viewed from above, the shelf is substantially rectangular. A discharge port is located at a bottom of the lower chamber and is offset from the center C when viewed from above.