Rotating Brewing Material Holder for Reduced Cold-Brew Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold-brew brewing systems are time-consuming and complex, often requiring separate components and large footprints, making them difficult to clean and prone to bacterial contamination, while lacking flexibility for both hot and cold brewing.
Innovation Solution
A compact beverage brewer with a rotating brewing material holder and integrated drive assembly, using a mesh element to facilitate fluid flow and agitation, allowing for both hot and cold brewing in a single, portable unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cold brewing is performed by submerging brewing material in unheated water, then the desired flavor and reduced bitterness are achieved, but the brewing time becomes much longer than hot brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing material holder is designed to rotate during the brewing process, transforming a static steeping system into a dynamic one. The rotation mechanism agitates the brewing material, increasing contact between water and brewing material, thereby accelerating extraction while maintaining the quality benefits of cold brewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic rotation of the brewing material holder, creating cyclic agitation that enhances mass transfer between the brewing material and water. This periodic motion continuously renews the contact surfaces, preventing saturation and maintaining high extraction efficiency throughout the brewing period.
2Productivity
If conventional cold-brew systems use separate containers and gravity feed mechanisms, then water flow through brewing material is enhanced, but the device footprint and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the brewing chamber and water reservoir into a single integrated container. The brewing material holder rotates within this unified structure, eliminating the need for separate storage containers and gravity feed mechanisms while maintaining effective water flow through the brewing material.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation of the brewing material holder itself generates the necessary water flow and agitation. The system uses the brewing material holder's own motion to drive water through the material, eliminating the need for external pumps or gravity feed systems.
3Productivity
If conventional cold-brew systems use external motors and gravity feed mechanisms, then brewing speed is improved, but the brewer occupies considerable counter space
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing material holder is nested within the container, rotating in the space already occupied by the brewing material. This nested configuration allows the agitation mechanism to operate within the existing footprint without requiring additional external components that would increase counter space.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing material holder performs dual functions: holding the brewing material and providing agitation through rotation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate external motors and mechanisms, reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining brewing speed.
4Productivity
If conventional cold-brew systems use complex gravity feed mechanisms, then water flow through brewing material is enhanced, but cleaning becomes difficult and bacterial contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the brewing material holder as a removable, rotatable component that can be easily separated from the container. This segmentation allows the brewing material holder to be removed and cleaned independently, simplifying the cleaning process and reducing bacterial contamination risks compared to integrated gravity feed mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing material holder's rotation creates self-cleaning effects by continuously moving water and brewing material, preventing stagnant areas where bacteria could accumulate. The simple rotational mechanism has fewer crevices and complex components than gravity feed systems, making it easier to clean and maintain.
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 system reduces cold-brewing time, enhances fluid flow, and simplifies cleaning and use by integrating brewing and serving functions, providing a flexible and efficient brewing experience.
Implementation Method 1
Adding an agitation or rotation feature to the cold brewer can reduce the cold-brewing time
Implementation Method 2
using a mesh element to facilitate fluid flow and agitation
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage brewer includes a container, a container collar, a brewing material holder, a mesh element, and a drive assembly. The container has an open top, a closed sidewall, and a closed bottom. The container collar is configured to cover a rim of the open top. The brewing material holder is configured to hold brewing material and to be suspended from the container collar and into an interior of the container. The brewing material holder includes a sidewall having an opening, an open top, and a bottom. The mesh element covers the opening in the sidewall of the brewing material holder. The drive assembly is positionable on the container collar and is configured to be mechanically coupled to and rotate the brewing material holder.