Beverage Cap Attachment for Sequential Tastant Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively enhance the taste perception of tastants like sugar and salt in beverages, as they require high concentrations to achieve the desired taste impression, which is not aligned with health recommendations for reduced intake levels.
Innovation Solution
An attachment for beverage containers that includes a cap with a tube and a container to hold a liquid, featuring a restrictor that allows the liquid to flow out before the beverage, enabling sequential dispensing of liquids with differing tastant concentrations, perceived as a single continuous sip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of tastants (sugar and salt) are used in beverages, then the desired taste impression is achieved, but the intake level exceeds health recommendations
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-mixes a concentrated liquid tastant solution in a separate container before dispensing it onto the beverage flow. This preliminary concentration allows the main beverage to contain lower tastant levels while still achieving the desired taste impression through the concentrated additive
Solution Approach 2:
A concentrated liquid tastant solution acts as an intermediary substance between the low-tastant beverage and the desired high-taste-impression goal. The liquid container holds this intermediary concentrated solution that is selectively dispensed to enhance taste without requiring the entire beverage to have high tastant concentration
2Quantity of substance
If multiple liquids with different tastant concentrations are dispensed sequentially, then taste perception is enhanced with lower overall tastant usage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage container system is segmented into two separate functional parts: the main beverage container and an attached liquid container for concentrated tastants. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of each liquid's composition and dispensing timing
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid container is designed to attach to the exterior of the beverage container, with the dispensing tube extending through the cap and into the beverage container. This nested configuration allows the concentrated liquid to be delivered precisely where needed without requiring a completely separate complex mixing system
3Measurement precision
If the liquid with higher tastant concentration is dispensed first, then taste perception is enhanced, but the flow control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrated liquid is positioned to be dispensed first through preliminary design of the flow paths and restrictors. The liquid container's restrictor and the tube configuration ensure that the concentrated tastant solution reaches the beverage flow before the main beverage is consumed, creating the enhanced taste impression at the critical moment
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses restrictors with specific flow resistance parameters to control the timing and rate of liquid dispensing. By adjusting the restrictor opening size and position, the system achieves precise control over when the concentrated liquid mixes with the beverage, ensuring optimal taste enhancement without complex electronic controls
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
This solution allows for reduced tastant usage while maintaining taste perception, as the liquid with higher tastant concentration is dispensed first, enhancing the overall taste experience and aligning with health guidelines for lower sugar and salt intake.
Implementation Method 1
a restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube to control and/or restrict the flow of the liquid from the container into the tube
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment for a beverage container may include a cap configured to attach to an opening in the beverage container. The cap includes an opening. The attachment also include a tube passing through the cap. A beverage in the beverage container can flow through the tube and out of the opening in the cap. The attachment also includes a container attached to the tube and configured to hold a liquid. The container includes an opening to allow the liquid to flow from the container into the tube and out of the opening in the cap. The attachment also comprises a restrictor between the opening of the container and the tube, such that the liquid begins to exit the opening in the cap before the beverage begins to exit the opening in the cap.