Steeping machine and steeping method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steeping process for tea bags is inconvenient due to the risk of dropping strings or cardboard tags into hot water, and liquid dripping when removing the bag, posing hygiene concerns and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A steeping machine with a retractable steeping device that suspends and lifts the tea bag, using blocking elements and a push-pull assembly to manage the bag's position and liquid extraction, allowing for safe and efficient steeping and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tea bag is manually held during steeping, then the steeping process can be controlled, but the risk of dropping strings or tags into hot water increases causing hygiene concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tea bag from direct manual contact by using a retrieval tool with a clamp mechanism. The tool clamps onto the tea bag's string or tag, allowing the user to hold the tool rather than directly handling the tea bag components, thereby preventing accidental drops into hot water while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval tool acts as an intermediary between the user's hand and the tea bag. By introducing this intermediate device, the system eliminates direct contact between the user and potential contaminants (strings, tags), solving the hygiene safety issue while preserving the ability to control the steeping process.
2Productivity
If the tea bag is removed from the cup after steeping, then the steeping process can be completed, but liquid dripping occurs causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by tilting the cup at an angle during the removal process. This pre-positioning of the cup creates a favorable orientation that allows liquid to drain back into the cup before the tea bag is fully removed, preventing dripping inconvenience while maintaining steeping completion efficiency.
3Extent of automation
If a retractable steeping device is implemented, then automatic suspending and lifting of the tea bag is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by using a retractable steeping device that can extend and retract automatically. This dynamic mechanism allows the device to adapt its position - extending to suspend the tea bag during steeping and retracting to lift it out - thereby achieving automatic handling while managing structural complexity through controlled movement rather than multiple static components.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a steeping machine for steeping a steeping bag having a body. The steeping machine comprises a machine housing and a steeping device. The steeping device is configured to be disposed in the machine housing in a retractable manner with respect to the machine housing, and includes a base and an actuation module. The actuation module is disposed on the base and configured to suspend the steeping bag in a suspended state such that the body falls out of the base, and to lift the body of the steeping bag upwardly adjacent to the base. Through the mechanism of the steeping device, the function of releasing the steeping bag for steeping and retracting the steeping bag can be achieved.