Single-Container Beverage Brewer With Pumped Cold-Brew Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold-brew brewing systems are inefficient, requiring longer times and complex setups, often leading to bacterial buildup and cross-flavor contamination, while lacking flexibility for both hot and cold brewing.
Innovation Solution
A compact beverage brewer with a pump assembly, intake and outflow tube assemblies, and a brewing material holder, which uses the same container for both brewing and serving, allowing for efficient fluid circulation and optional heating, reducing brewing time and preventing bacterial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cold brewing is performed by submerging brewing material in unheated water, then the desired flavor is achieved, but the brewing time is much longer than hot brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly circulates water through the brewing material in periodic cycles, repeatedly drawing water from the container and forcing it through the brewing material holder. This periodic circulation accelerates the extraction process while maintaining the cold brew flavor profile, reducing brewing time from hours to minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a pump assembly with an intake tube and outflow tube to create hydraulic circulation, forcing water through the brewing material under pressure. This hydraulic action increases the flow rate and contact efficiency between water and brewing material, significantly reducing the time required for cold brewing.
2Reliability
If conventional cold-brew systems are used, then brewing is achieved, but bacterial buildup and cross-flavor contamination occur due to complex setups
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing container and beverage serving container are merged into a single container assembly. The pump draws water from this same container and returns the brewed beverage to it, eliminating separate reservoirs and dispensing systems. This simplification reduces surfaces where bacteria can grow and removes points where cross-contamination could occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as the water reservoir, the brewing vessel, and the beverage serving container. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components that would require cleaning and maintenance, reducing the risk of bacterial buildup and cross-flavor contamination.
3Reliability
If the system uses a reservoir container and separate dispensing container, then brewing is achieved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reservoir container and dispensing container into a single container assembly that serves both functions. The pump assembly circulates water from this single container through the brewing material and returns the brewed beverage to the same container, eliminating the need for separate reservoir and dispensing vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: storing water, receiving brewed beverage, and serving as the dispensing vessel. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining complete brewing functionality.
4Device complexity
If the same container is used for both brewing and serving, then the unit becomes more compact and simple, but fluid circulation must be efficiently managed
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly operates in periodic cycles, repeatedly drawing water from the container through the intake tube and forcing it through the brewing material holder via the outflow tube. This periodic circulation ensures efficient extraction of flavor compounds while managing the single-container system effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump creates hydraulic pressure to force water through the brewing material at an optimized flow rate. This controlled hydraulic circulation ensures that despite using a single container, the brewing process remains efficient and productive, extracting maximum flavor in minimal time.
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 enables rapid and flexible brewing of both hot and cold beverages, reducing brewing time, preventing bacterial buildup, and allowing for easy cleaning, thus providing a more efficient and hygienic brewing experience.
Implementation Method 1
The pump assembly is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the intake tube assembly and to issue the fluid into the brewing material holder assembly through the outflow tube assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage brewer includes a pump, an intake tube assembly connected to an inlet port of the pump at a pump end, an outflow tube assembly connected to an outlet port of the pump at a pump end, a brewing material holder assembly configured to hold ground brewing material and arranged at an issue end of the outflow tube assembly, and a container volume configured to accommodate a container assembly, arranged at an issue portion of the holder assembly. A suction end of the intake tube assembly is arranged within an interior of the container volume. The pump is configured to draw fluid from within the container volume through the intake tube assembly and to issue the fluid into the holder assembly through the outflow tube assembly, thereby brewing a beverage in the holder assembly. The holder assembly is configured to issue the brewed beverage into the container volume.