Process of brewing tea leaves contained in a capsule
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 optimal temperature of the brewing water throughout the extraction process.
Innovation Solution
A process where hot water is continuously pumped and heated throughout the brewing cycle, with adjustable flow rates to maintain temperature and ensure optimal extraction, including a soaking phase with intermittent stirring to redistribute tea leaves and prevent extraction inhibition.
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 extended, but the fluid temperature drops during the extraction which leads to non-optimal brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous water flow through the capsule during the entire brewing cycle, eliminating the pause step. This continuous action maintains temperature by constantly introducing hot water while still allowing sufficient contact time for extraction, thus resolving the contradiction between extended extraction time and temperature maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the water flow rate during different phases of brewing. By varying the flow rate rather than maintaining a constant flow or using static pause periods, the system optimizes both temperature maintenance and extraction efficiency throughout the brewing process
2Stability of the object's composition
If water flow is stopped during the soaking step to allow tea leaves to rest, then the leaves can unfold properly, but the temperature control is lost and extraction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous water flow during the soaking step rather than stopping the flow. This continuous flow both supports tea leaf unfolding and maintains temperature by constantly introducing hot water, eliminating the need to stop flow for temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the water flow rate parameter during different phases of brewing. By adjusting the flow rate to optimal levels during soaking and extraction phases, the system achieves both proper leaf unfolding and temperature maintenance without needing to stop the flow
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 brewing temperature and enhanced extraction efficiency by maintaining the optimal temperature of the brewing water and preventing tea leaf immobilization, resulting in a higher quality 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
The pumping means delivers cold water to the heating means and the heating means delivers hot water to the capsule
Implementation Method 3
the brewing of tea leaves is dependent from the temperature of the water used for the extraction
Implementation Method 4
introducing hot water delivered from pumping and heating means in the capsule to submerge the tea leaves
Data Source
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).