Closable Tea-Maker Pouring Spout for Heat Retention and Spill Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers, such as tea makers, suffer from heat loss and the risk of spillage or splashing due to open pouring mechanisms, which are not effectively addressed in prior designs.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker with a vessel open in the upward direction, a filter insert, and a lid system that includes a lower lid part with a pouring opening and a pivoting lever for closing the opening, reducing heat loss and spillage risk by forming a valve that can be opened and closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pouring opening is kept open for easy pouring, then the ease of operation is improved, but heat loss increases and spillage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to transition between static (closed) and dynamic (open) states. The pivot connection allows the lid to be easily rotated from closed to open position, and the spring mechanism provides automatic return to closed state. This dynamic design enables easy pouring operation while minimizing heat loss when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded to automatically close the lid after pouring. This preliminary action ensures that the lid returns to the closed position without manual intervention, maintaining heat retention immediately after the pouring operation is complete.
2Ease of operation
If the pouring opening is kept open for easy pouring, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of spillage or splashing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid's dynamic design allows it to be opened only when needed for pouring and automatically returns to closed state. The pivot connection enables smooth controlled opening, and the spring mechanism ensures rapid closure, minimizing the time the pouring opening is exposed and reducing spillage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism pre-positions the lid in the closed state, creating a barrier that prevents spillage and splashing. The pre-loaded spring provides a restoring force that quickly closes the opening if accidentally disturbed during handling.
3Loss of energy
If a closure mechanism is added to the pouring opening to reduce heat loss, then heat retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into a functional closure component that integrates with the pouring opening. The pivot connection separates the rotational movement function from the sealing function, allowing each to be optimized independently while working together as a unified simple mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the lid and the vessel body, providing the closing force without requiring complex actuation mechanisms. This simple elastic intermediary enables automatic closure while maintaining ease of operation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a pivoting lever closure is added to the pouring opening, then spillage prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure function is merged with the lid structure itself. The lid serves dual purposes: as a cover for heat retention and as a pouring spout when opened. The pivot connection merges the rotational movement with the sealing action, eliminating the need for separate closure components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is designed as a multi-functional component that provides heat retention when closed, controlled pouring when opened, and automatic return to closed position through the spring mechanism. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated structure.
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 reduces heat loss and minimizes the risk of spillage or splashing by ensuring the pouring opening can be sealed, maintaining the temperature of the beverage and preventing accidental spills.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element, in order for the lever to be pivoted from a first position, in which the pouring opening is open, into a second position, in which the pouring opening is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage maker which has an open top container, a filter insert and a lid. The lid comprises a lid lower part having a lower lid wall in which an insertion opening is configured for inserting the filter insert. In order to prevent liquid from pouring or squirting out of the container and in order to reduce heat losses, the lid lower part is sealingly held on the container, a pouring spout is configured in the lower lid wall and the lid comprises a closure for the pouring spout. The closure has a lever which is mounted above the lower lid wall to be swivelable about a horizontal axis. The lever has an actuation region in order to swivel the lever from a first position in which the closure closes the pouring spout to a second position in which the closure releases the pouring spout.