Disposable Dual-Compartment Beverage Pod for Rapid Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a method and apparatus to quickly make single-serving alcoholic beverages from disposable beverage pods that can maintain alcohol-free and alcohol concentrates separately before use, while allowing for customization of flavors and aromas similar to conventionally brewed or fermented beverages without the need for distillation, aging, or fermentation.

Innovation Solution

A disposable beverage pod with separate compartments for an alcohol-free concentrate and ethanol, along with a dispensing apparatus that includes a water reservoir, pressurized gas source, and mixing unit to create a single serving beverage, allowing for the combination of specific flavor compounds to mimic the taste and aroma of various beers, wines, and liquors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If alcohol-free beverage concentrate and ethanol are stored separately in the beverage pod, then the beverage can be quickly prepared without mixing errors, but the device complexity increases due to multiple compartments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation speedVSAvoidbeverage pod structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage pod is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for alcohol-free beverage concentrate and a second compartment for ethanol. This segmentation allows independent storage and controlled dispensing of each component, enabling quick preparation by simply activating the mixing function in the dispensing apparatus without manual handling of multiple separate containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flavor compounds are combined in the beverage concentrate, then the beverage can mimic traditional brewed or fermented flavors, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage flavor customizationVSAvoidbeverage concentrate production

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple flavor compounds (including malt flavor, hop flavor, yeast flavor, and other beverage flavor compounds) are combined and concentrated into a single alcohol-free beverage concentrate formulation. This merging of multiple flavor components into one pre-formulated concentrate simplifies manufacturing by allowing all flavor elements to be produced and stabilized together, then dispensed as a unified base that mimics traditional brewed or fermented beverage profiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the beverage pod uses biodegradable materials, then environmental impact is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidbeverage pod fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage pod is constructed from biodegradable composite materials that can be formed into precise multi-compartment structures. These composite materials allow for the creation of sealed first and second compartments with controlled openings, maintaining the necessary manufacturing precision for reliable dispensing while being environmentally degradable after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 quick and customizable production of beverages with fewer calories and without spoilage-causing compounds, offering a convenient and efficient way to create beverages with desired flavors and aromas, while maintaining the alcohol content and flavor profiles of traditional beverages.

Implementation Method 1

a pressurized gas source operable to supply pressurized gas to the outlet of the apparatus in an amount sufficient to form carbonation in the single serving beverage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbonation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a mixing unit operable to mix water from the water supply with the concentrated beverage and concentrated alcohol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

a mixing unit operable to mix water from the water supply with the concentrated beverage and concentrated alcohol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10524609B2Disposable beverage pod and apparatus for making a beverage

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC

AI summary

A disposable beverage pod includes a first compartment containing a beverage concentrate in dry or semi-dry form and a second compartment containing ethanol. An apparatus for making a single serving beverage is operable to receive the disposable beverage pod and mix the contents thereof with water from a water reservoir and optionally pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source to form a single serving beverage.