Removable Tea Filter Retention for Clean-Pour Teapots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brewing fresh tea with tea leaves poses a challenge as the leaves often fail to remain in contact with the brewing water and can escape from the tea pot when pouring, contaminating the cup.
Innovation Solution
A tea pot design incorporating a perforated cylindrical tea filter with a spring detent mechanism that securely fits into the water filling aperture, ensuring the tea leaves are contained within the pot and preventing them from being poured into the cup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate tea filter is used to prevent tea leaves from escaping, then tea leaves are contained effectively, but the brewing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tea filter with the tea pot by integrating the filter into the pouring device structure. The filter becomes an inherent part of the tea pot rather than a separate component, allowing tea leaves to be contained while maintaining a simple, unified brewing process. The filter is positioned within the pouring device where it naturally filters leaves during pouring without requiring separate filtration steps.
2Reliability
If a tea filter is integrated into the tea pot, then tea leaves are prevented from escaping, but the cleaning and maintenance of the filter becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the filter as a separable component that can be easily removed from the pouring device. The filter is segmented from the main body, allowing it to be detached for independent cleaning and maintenance. This segmentation enables users to access and clean the filter without disassembling the entire tea pot, significantly improving ease of maintenance while maintaining effective tea leaf containment during use.
3Reliability
If the tea filter is securely retained in the tea pot, then tea leaves are effectively filtered, but the filter becomes difficult to remove for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic retention mechanism where the filter is held securely during the brewing and pouring process through engagement features, but can be easily released when needed for cleaning. The retaining structure allows for state changes - firmly engaged during use to prevent leaf escape, but readily removable when cleaning is required. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between secure retention and ease of removal.
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 effectively keeps tea leaves in contact with the brewing water while allowing for easy removal and cleaning, ensuring a clean pour without loose leaves in the recipient's cup.
Implementation Method 1
an engagement means adapted to permit said tea filter to be removably retained in said teapot receptacle, said engagement means comprising a sprung detent located at the upper part of said container, said detent being urged away from said container for engagement under said lip of said water filling aperture to retain said tea filter in said tea pot
Data Source
AI summary
A tea pot comprises a receptacle having a pouring device and a handle on an opposite side. A water filling aperture at the receptacle top defines a recessed circumferential lip. A lid closes said aperture. A perforated cylindrical filter has a cross sectional shape substantially matching the aperture. The filter is insertable into the pot through the aperture. A circumferential flange is located at the upper part of the filter and adapted to sit on the lip when the filter is inserted into the receptacle. An engagement means permits the filter to be removably retained in the receptacle and comprises a sprung detent located at the upper part of the container which is urged away from the container for engageing the lip; retaining the filter in the pot. The detent has a recess to engage both above and below the lip.