Beverage package with induction heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of convenient and economical ways to prepackage and heat prepared beverages, limiting the availability of packaged hot beverages for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A beverage packaging and heating system that includes a package with an inductively heatable element and a heating apparatus featuring induction coils, temperature sensing devices, and a controller to efficiently heat beverages, allowing for convenient and economical packaging and heating of consumable products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional packaging methods are used for beverages, then packaging simplicity is maintained, but the ability to heat beverages conveniently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The inductively heatable element is nested within the beverage container, creating a compact integrated system where the heating element is placed inside the container body. This allows the container to serve dual purposes: holding the beverage and enabling induction heating, thereby improving heating convenience without significantly increasing external packaging dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the container body and heating element into a single integrated package system. The container body is designed to work in conjunction with the heating element, merging the functions of storage and heating into one unified structure that can be conveniently heated using induction appliances.
2Reliability
If temperature control is added to the heating system, then heating safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensing devices are integrated into the heating system to provide real-time temperature feedback to the controller. The controller monitors the temperature signals and automatically adjusts or terminates heating when the predetermined temperature threshold is reached, ensuring safe heating operation without requiring complex manual monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system incorporates automatic temperature monitoring and control capabilities that operate autonomously. The temperature sensing devices and controller work together to self-regulate the heating process, eliminating the need for external supervision and reducing the complexity of user interaction while maintaining high safety standards.
3Productivity
If inductively heatable elements are incorporated into packages, then heating efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The package system is segmented into distinct functional components: the container body and the inductively heatable element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high heating efficiency through the specialized heatable element design.
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 the efficient and safe heating of beverages, maintaining temperature uniformity and consumer safety through precise temperature control, making hot beverages more accessible in convenient packaging formats.
Implementation Method 1
one or more induction coils disposed within the housing
Implementation Method 2
one or more inductively heatable elements disposed within the cavity
Implementation Method 3
one or more temperature sensing devices disposed in proximity to the non-inductively heatable portion of the side wall
Data Source
AI summary
A system for heating a consumable product includes a package and a heating apparatus. The package includes a container body including a cavity at least partially bounded by a side wall and one or more inductively heatable elements disposed within the cavity. The side wall includes a non-inductively heatable portion. The cavity is configured to contain the consumable product. The heating apparatus includes: a housing, which defines a package-receiving cavity configured to position the package in an operative position; one or more induction coils disposed within the housing, a controller; and one or more temperature sensing devices disposed in proximity to the non-inductively heatable portion of the side wall when the package is in the operative position. The controller is configured to control one or more operating parameters of the heating apparatus based at least partially on one or more signals received from the one or more temperature sensing devices.