Artificial Fruit Wedge Flavoring Dispenser for Beverage Convenience
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a convenience issue when consuming beverages that require additional flavorings, such as beer with lime or tea with lemon, as natural flavorings may not be readily available, and existing solutions do not effectively provide a convenient and durable way to mix these flavorings with the beverage.
Innovation Solution
A system where a flavoring, either as an ancillary liquid or soluble substance, is packaged with the beverage in a form that allows convenient admixing, using a container connected to the beverage vessel and housed in a foam or mesh structure that regulates the mixing process, mimicking the appearance of a fruit portion and using materials like foil or plastic for a tearable protective covering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If natural fruit flavorings (lime, lemon) are used with bottled beverages, then the organoleptic experience is enhanced, but the convenience and accessibility are reduced when natural fruits are not readily available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates artificial fruit portions that copy the appearance, shape, and flavor-release properties of natural fruits. These artificial portions contain soluble flavoring materials enclosed in porous foam structures that visually and functionally replicate natural fruit slices or wedges, providing the same organoleptic experience without requiring actual natural fruits to be available.
Solution Approach 2:
The flavoring is prepared in advance by enclosing soluble flavoring materials within porous foam structures that are designed to release flavor upon contact with beverage. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for consumers to manually prepare or handle natural fruits, as the artificial fruit portions are ready-to-use and can be simply dropped into the beverage container.
2Ease of operation
If artificial fruit portions with soluble flavoring are used, then convenience and storage stability are improved, but the complexity of the packaging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible porous foam materials as both the structural body and the release mechanism for the artificial fruit portions. These foam structures can be molded into various fruit shapes and contain soluble flavoring within their porous matrix, eliminating the need for separate rigid containers or complex sealing mechanisms while maintaining flavor stability until use.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial fruit portions are constructed as composite structures combining porous foam material with embedded soluble flavoring substances. This composite approach integrates multiple functions (structural integrity, flavor containment, and controlled release) into a single material system, reducing overall packaging complexity compared to separate components.
3Reliability
If flavoring is released immediately upon contact with beverage, then the flavoring effect is achieved, but control over the rate and timing of flavor release is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous foam structures as the medium for containing and releasing soluble flavoring. The porosity of the foam can be controlled to regulate the rate at which beverage penetrates and dissolves the flavoring, providing controlled flavor release. The porous structure allows gradual saturation and flavor transfer, preventing instantaneous overwhelming flavor while ensuring complete dissolution over time.
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
Enables easy and controlled mixing of flavorings with beverages, providing a convenient and realistic fruit experience without the need for natural flavorings, ensuring the flavoring is accessible and mixes effectively during consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The housing may comprise pores, valves, channels, holes, mesh passageways or any convenient means for controlling or regulating the rate whereby the flavoring may escape and mix with the beverage liquid
Implementation Method 2
When the flavoring comprises a soluble substance it may comprise elastic or foam properties. Typically it is pressed through a vessel opening so it makes contact with the beverage liquid and the soluble substance may begin to dissolve
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for storing and dispensing into a liquid a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, a body fuel, a nutritional supplement, a stimulant, a relaxant, an alcohol neutralizer, or a medical drug. A useful application of the subject invention includes a lime flavoring held by a gelatinous artificial lime wedge stored with a beer bottle or can, or attached to a 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime wedge may be retrieved from a protective covering and acted upon so it mixes the lime flavoring into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle or can. Rather than needing to buy and store a perishable natural lime, and cut it up, an artificial lime wedge may be stored for an extended period of time with a beer vessel and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.