Still beverage brewing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial environments such as convenience stores and restaurants face challenges in replicating freshly made lemonade due to the time and resources required for preparation, which is not efficiently addressed by existing beverage brewing systems.
Innovation Solution
Adapting brewing machines typically used for tea or coffee to brew still beverages like lemonade by adding a pre-prepared mixture to a brew basket and flowing water through it, allowing for the addition of components like sweeteners, flavorings, and pulp, with gum-based additions to enhance melting and palatability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fresh lemonade preparation methods are used (cutting lemons, juicing, adding sugar and water, blending), then the beverage quality and freshness are improved, but the time consumption and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-preparing and freezing lemonade mixtures in encapsulated or slurry forms before service. These pre-prepared mixtures contain lemon juice, sugar, and water already combined and frozen, eliminating the need for on-site cutting, juicing, and mixing operations while maintaining fresh beverage quality when reconstituted with water during service
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transforming the lemonade mixture into a frozen state (changing temperature and physical form) for storage and transport, then reversing the phase change during brewing when water flows through the frozen mixture. This parameter transformation enables the mixture to be stored indefinitely while maintaining freshness, resolving the contradiction between beverage quality and preparation time
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing beverage brewing systems are used for tea or coffee, then the equipment availability is maintained, but the ability to brew still beverages like lemonade is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by adapting existing tea or coffee brewing machines to handle still beverages like lemonade. The system uses the same brew basket, water flow mechanism, and heating elements already present in the machine, simply by substituting the brewing medium from loose leaf tea/coffee to frozen lemonade mixtures. This enables one machine to perform multiple beverage types without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each beverage category
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or single-use frozen lemonade mixture packs that are placed in the brew basket, used once, and then discarded. This approach avoids the need for complex cleaning systems, storage containers for liquid mixtures, or sophisticated dosing mechanisms, thereby maintaining device simplicity while achieving versatility in beverage preparation
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 production of fresh-brewed lemonade with adjustable tartness and sweetness levels, enhancing taste and convenience in commercial settings by utilizing existing brewing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
flowing water through the pre-prepared still beverage mixture wherein the still beverage formed from combining the pre-prepared still beverage mixture and water fully evacuates the brew basket and enters a reservoir as a homogenous mixture
Implementation Method 2
still beverage formed from combining the pre-prepared still beverage mixture and water
Implementation Method 3
a gum-based addition that causes the pre-prepared still beverage mixture to melt faster when water flows through the pre-prepared still beverage mixture
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for brewing still beverages in commercial environments are provided. A brewing machine ordinarily used for brewing tea or coffee may be utilized to brew a still beverage. A pre-prepared still beverage mixture may be added to a brew basket or filter within the brewing machine. The brewing machine may then be activated. Water may flow through or be added to the pre-prepared still beverage mixture as it exits the brew basket or filter and enters a dispenser or reservoir. Sweeteners, flavorings and/or pulp may be added to the pre-prepared still beverage mixture as it enters the dispenser or reservoir. This may change the flavor, intensity, texture, and/or taste of the brewed still beverage according to the needs of the operator or the preferences of those who will drink the brewed still beverage.