Aseptic Polymer Beverage Container with Thermal Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of single-serving containers for concentrated liquid beverages that are compatible with both automated and manual dispensing systems, and that offer aseptic sealing and convenient handling.

Innovation Solution

A single-serving beverage container made of polymer, featuring a multilayer lid affixed via a single-use thermal seal, designed to hold aseptically sealed concentrated liquid beverages. The container is constructed via vacuum molding and is designed for easy manual manipulation and destruction of the seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If single-serving solid beverage precursors are used, then packaging footprint and storage ease are reduced, but automated dispensing system requirement and mouthfeel quality worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging footprintVSAvoidmanual manipulation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the beverage from solid precursor forms to concentrated liquid form, enabling manual manipulation while maintaining small packaging footprint. The liquid concentrate can be easily poured and manually dispensed while occupying minimal storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The container employs a composite structure combining polymer body with aluminum lid and thermal seal layers, creating a package that is both compact for storage and easily manipulable for manual dispensing. The multilayer construction provides both structural integrity and ease of opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If concentrated liquid beverages are sealed aseptically, then shelf stability is improved, but container complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf stabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage is pre-sterilized and concentrated before sealing, and the container is pre-assembled with thermal seal layers during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation enables simple subsequent sealing operations while achieving long shelf stability without requiring complex sterilization equipment at the point of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical sterilization systems with a combination of pre-sterilization and thermal sealing. The thermal seal mechanism uses simple heat application rather than complex mechanical sterilization equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining aseptic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If single-use thermal seal is used, then ease of opening and manual dispensing are improved, but sealing reliability and potential for contamination worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidsealing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal seal is applied locally at specific critical points where sealing is most needed, rather than enclosing the entire container. This localized sealing approach maintains ease of opening while preserving sealing integrity at the most vulnerable points. The flangeless design concentrates the seal at the rim interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is segmented into multiple functional layers including seal layers and structural layers, with the thermal seal applied to specific segments. This segmentation allows the seal to be easily broken for opening while maintaining reliability during storage. The multilayer construction provides both easy opening and secure sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 container provides aseptic storage and easy access to the concentrated beverage, allowing for convenient dilution and consumption, while maintaining shelf stability and desirable mouthfeel.

Implementation Method 1

the multilayered lid is affixed via a single use thermal seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal sealing: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250171222A1Aseptic concentrated liquid beverage container

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 HEARTLAND FOOD PRODUCTS GROUP LLC

AI summary

Aspects described herein relate to single-serving containers for concentrated liquid beverages. The single-serving containers may comprise a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. The single-serving container may include a polymer body having a top rim, a circumferential sidewall having an inner sidewall surface and an outer sidewall surface, and a circular base having an inner base surface and an outer base surface, and a multilayer lid affixed to the top rim, where the multilayered lid is affixed via a thermal seal. The seal may facilitate maintenance of aseptic conditions within the sealed cavity of the container.