Chewable Confection with Segmented Core and Coating for Sequential Flavor Release

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing confectionery products lack the ability to provide separate and distinct textures and hardness levels, as well as a sequential release of different flavors, which limits the sensory experience and enjoyment of flavor profiles like fruit and mint combinations.

Innovation Solution

A chewable confectionery product with a dissolvable or chewy core and a hard or soft coating, where the core and coating have different hardness and density levels, and contain distinct flavors that are released sequentially as the product is consumed, allowing for varied texture and flavor sensations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple flavors are incorporated into a pressed tablet core or multiple pressed layers, then multiple flavors are provided in tablet form, but the texture and mouthfeel remain substantially homogenous and flavors are released simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of flavorsVSAvoidsequential flavor release

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The confection is divided into distinct segments with different physical properties: a harder outer layer and a softer inner layer. Each layer contains different flavors and is designed to dissolve at different rates, enabling sequential flavor release rather than simultaneous release. This segmentation allows the consumer to experience flavors in a specific sequence as each layer dissolves separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the confection are assigned different local qualities including varying hardness, density, and flavor profiles. The outer layer is formulated to be harder and dissolve slower, while the inner layer is softer and dissolves faster. This local differentiation ensures that flavors are released in a controlled sequence rather than all at once, creating a progressive sensory experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a confection provides varied textures and hardness levels in different segments, then sensory experience is enhanced, but the product structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensory experienceVSAvoidproduct structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The confection is divided into distinct segments with different physical properties: a harder outer layer and a softer inner layer. Each layer contains different flavors and is designed to dissolve at different rates, enabling sequential flavor release rather than simultaneous release. This segmentation allows the consumer to experience flavors in a specific sequence as each layer dissolves separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The confection utilizes composite material structures with different layers having distinct compositional characteristics. The outer layer and inner layer are formulated with different ratios of ingredients to achieve varying hardness and dissolution rates. This composite approach enables varied texture and sequential flavor release while maintaining a unified confection product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If flavors are released simultaneously in the mouth, then all flavors are perceived at once, but certain flavor profiles like fruit and mint combinations become obscured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of flavorsVSAvoidflavor profile distinction

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The confection is divided into distinct segments with different physical properties: a harder outer layer and a softer inner layer. Each layer contains different flavors and is designed to dissolve at different rates, enabling sequential flavor release rather than simultaneous release. This segmentation allows the consumer to experience flavors in a specific sequence as each layer dissolves separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The confection is designed so that the outer layer dissolves first, delivering the initial flavor experience before the inner layer begins to dissolve. This preliminary action ensures that flavors are released in a predetermined sequence, allowing each flavor profile to be distinctly perceived before the next flavor is introduced, rather than having all flavors compete simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1919295B1Coated chewable confection

Publication Date: 2013.12.18 INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to coated chewable product that may provide separate and distinct textures and hardness levels in different segments of the product. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a chewable confectionery product including: a dissolvable tablet core, which includes a first flavor; and a coating surrounding the tablet core, which includes a second flavor. The first flavor is different from the second flavor. Upon consumption, the confectionery product may provide a sequential release of the two different flavors.