Aerosol Beverage Spraying Container for Taste and Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid supplements with high concentrations of functional components pose challenges due to unpleasant flavors and stability issues, including microorganism contamination, when consumed directly or stored after opening.

Innovation Solution

A beverage formulation filled in an aerosol type spraying container, using a bag-on-valve system, with a functional component concentration of 1 g/L or more, and a water activity of 0.94 or more, which is sprayed as a mist to mitigate flavor issues and enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If liquid supplements with high concentration of functional component are drunk directly, then the concentration of functional component is improved, but the unpleasant taste is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of functional componentVSAvoidunpleasant taste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the beverage from liquid to aerosol mist form. This parameter change allows the beverage to be consumed in a dispersed mist state rather than concentrated liquid form, reducing the perception of unpleasant taste while maintaining the functional component concentration in the solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an aerosol generation device as an intermediary between the high-concentration functional beverage and the consumer. This intermediary device transforms the beverage into a mist form that is more palatable while delivering the same functional components, acting as a mediator that resolves the taste concentration conflict

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If liquid supplements with high concentration of functional component are stored after opening, then the functional component is improved, but the quality stability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of functional componentVSAvoidquality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an aerosol can system that maintains the beverage in a sealed, inert environment until use. The aerosol can protects the high-concentration functional component solution from oxidation by oxygen and degradation by light, maintaining quality stability while preserving the functional component concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a disposable aerosol can system where the beverage is sealed in a protective container that is discarded after use. This approach ensures quality stability during storage through the sealed environment, and the disposable nature prevents contamination issues that would arise from repeated opening and closing of reusable containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If liquid supplements with high concentration of functional component are stored after opening, then the functional component is improved, but the microorganism assurance is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of functional componentVSAvoidmicroorganism assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol can system creates a sealed, protective environment that prevents microorganism contamination. The beverage remains in this protected state until the moment of use, at which point the aerosol mechanism dispenses a small amount without exposing the entire contents to contamination risks associated with repeated opening of reusable containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable aerosol can eliminates microorganism assurance problems by being sealed until use and then discarded after a single use. This approach prevents the contamination issues that arise from reusable containers that are opened, closed, and resealed multiple times, ensuring reliability while maintaining high functional component concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 aerosol format reduces unpleasant taste perception and improves stability by preventing microorganism contamination and color changes, allowing for efficient ingestion of high-concentration functional components with improved flavor and quality preservation.

Implementation Method 1

using a spray bottle equipped with a liquid atomizing attachment at the tip, filling the container with a beverage containing the functional component, and drinking it while injecting it in the form of mist

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization: Aerosol

Implementation Method 2

the aerosol type spraying container is a bag-on-valve (BOV)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20240341328A1Functional component-containing beverage filled in spraying container

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 SUNTORY HLDG LTD

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage with alleviated unpleasant taste derived from a functional component when drunk and with excellent quality stability and microorganism control. In the beverage, adjustment is made to satisfy conditions (a) to (c): (a) having a water activity of 0.94 or more; (b) containing a functional component; and (c) being filled in an aerosol type spraying container.