Tea Leaf Breaking via Bending in Nitrogen Atmosphere
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for packaging dried tea leaves in hermetically sealed casings either result in long extraction times or lead to oxidation and quality degradation due to exposure to air and heat during cutting or crushing processes, which affects the taste and aroma of the tea.
Innovation Solution
A machine that breaks dried tea leaves by bending them in a non-oxidizing environment, using a system with multiple breaker devices and a source of neutral gas to prevent oxidation, allowing for efficient packaging and quick extraction of tea substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If dried tea leaves are cut or crushed into pieces using conventional methods, then the extraction time is reduced, but the surface oxidation occurs and the quality of tea deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies an inert atmosphere by filling the breaking chamber with nitrogen gas to replace oxygen. This prevents oxidation of the tea leaf surfaces during the breaking process while allowing the leaves to be broken into smaller pieces for faster extraction. The nitrogen atmosphere is maintained throughout the breaking operation to eliminate harmful oxidation effects.
2Loss of time
If dried tea leaves are broken by shearing or crushing between rollers, then the extraction time is reduced, but heat is produced which alters the properties of tea
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical shearing and crushing system with a bending-based breaking mechanism. The tea leaves are fed individually through a breaking element that bends them until they snap, rather than crushing them between rollers. This substitution reduces mechanical friction and heat generation while still achieving the desired particle size reduction for faster extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the breaking process by using a gentle bending action instead of high-pressure crushing. The breaking element applies gradual force to bend the leaves until they naturally snap at their weakest points, rather than forcing them through a narrow gap. This parameter change significantly reduces the temperature rise during breaking.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If whole dried tea leaves are used, then the quality of taste is preserved, but the extraction time becomes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking the whole tea leaves into smaller pieces or flocs. This increases the surface area available for water extraction, reducing the extraction time from several minutes to under 30 seconds. The segmentation is achieved through gentle bending and snapping rather than aggressive crushing, preserving the quality of the tea pieces.
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 solution enables rapid extraction of tea substances with preserved taste and aroma, reducing extraction time to under 30 seconds and minimizing oxidation, resulting in higher-quality beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a source of neutral gas designed to provide an environment in the machine, including the said at least one breaker device, which prevents the oxidation of the leaves or stalks at the time of breaking
Implementation Method 2
the first and second breaker members are configured to bend the dried leaves or stalks until they break
Data Source
AI summary
A system for packaging tea in a sealed casing. the system includes a machine for breaking dried tea leaves, said machine comprising an inlet for supplying dried tea leaves, an outlet for releasing the broken tea leaves, and at least one breaker device including a first breaker member and a second breaker member that can be removed relative to the first breaker member, said first and second breaker member being configured to bend the dried tea leaves until they break.