Process of brewing tea leaves contained in a capsule
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Solution Overview
Problem
The brewing process for tea leaves in beverage capsules often results in suboptimal extraction due to temperature fluctuations during the brewing cycle, as existing machines do not maintain the water temperature consistently, leading to non-optimal brewing conditions for the diverse varieties of tea leaves.
Innovation Solution
A process where hot water is continuously pumped and heated throughout the brewing cycle, with controlled flow rates and occasional stirring to maintain temperature and enhance extraction, and a beverage production system that uses identification members to adjust brewing parameters based on the type of tea leaves, ensuring optimal brewing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a pause step is implemented in the brewing cycle to allow tea leaves to soak, then the extraction time is increased, but the fluid temperature drops during the extraction leading to non-optimal brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous hot water circulation during the entire brewing cycle including the pause step. The heating means continuously heats water and the pumping means continuously circulates it through the capsule, ensuring temperature is maintained throughout the extraction process without interruption or drop, thus resolving the contradiction between extended extraction time and temperature maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the flow rate of water circulation during different phases of brewing. During the pause step, the system maintains optimal temperature by regulating the continuous flow of hot water through the capsule, changing the flow parameters to match the extraction needs while preventing temperature drop that would occur with static or interrupted circulation
2Productivity
If water flow rate is increased to improve extraction efficiency, then the brewing time is reduced, but the temperature control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the water temperature during circulation through the capsule. This feedback is fed to the control unit which adjusts the heating power and pump flow rate in real-time to maintain optimal brewing temperature regardless of the extraction phase or flow rate variations, thus enabling high productivity while maintaining precise temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts both the pump flow rate and heating power during the brewing cycle. The control unit modulates these parameters based on the brewing phase (wetting, pause, extraction) and real-time temperature measurements, allowing the system to optimize both extraction efficiency and temperature control adaptively throughout the process
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
This approach ensures consistent temperature control and improved extraction efficiency by maintaining the optimal brewing temperature and flow rates, enhancing the quality of the brewed tea beverage.
Implementation Method 1
The heating means can consist in a resistive element placed in a chamber - generally a tube - connected to a water inlet and a water outlet
Implementation Method 2
introducing hot water delivered from pumping and heating means in the capsule to submerge the tea leaves
Implementation Method 3
letting the tea leaves soak
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine with a capsule comprising an enclosure containing tea leaves comprising the steps of : a) introducing water in the capsule to submerge the tea leaves in the capsule enclosure, then b) letting the tea leaves soak, then c) introducing water in the capsule until the required volume of beverage is delivered, wherein water is continuously introduced in the capsule from the beginning of step a) until the end of step b).