Fiber Beverage Bottling With Closed-Loop Concentration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The majority of Americans fail to meet daily fiber intake recommendations, leading to various health issues and gastrointestinal problems, highlighting a need for a convenient and effective way to incorporate fiber into daily hydration and nutrition.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for bottling a fiber-fortified liquid mixture that includes a novel fiber-rich formulation, which can be mixed with water to create a smooth supplement, using a closed-loop mixing controller with sensors and injectors to ensure precise fiber concentration, and may include additional nutrients like antioxidants and vitamins, packaged in biodegradable materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If fiber is added to liquid beverages, then nutritional value and health benefits are improved, but fiber concentration control and mixing uniformity become difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber concentrationVSAvoidfiber concentration control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a closed-loop feedback control system with inline fiber sensors that continuously monitor fiber concentration in the beverage and automatically adjust dosing rates to maintain precise fiber concentration levels throughout production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical mixing methods with a pump-based injection system that delivers fiber concentrate through controlled fluid dynamics, ensuring uniform distribution without mechanical disruption of fiber structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If fiber concentrate is injected into liquid, then fiber distribution uniformity is improved, but mixing time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber distribution uniformityVSAvoidmixing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-mixes fiber with a small volume of liquid to create a homogeneous fiber concentrate slurry before injection, which then disperses uniformly throughout the main beverage volume without requiring extended mixing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses hydraulic pumping systems to inject fiber concentrate under controlled pressure and flow rates, leveraging fluid dynamics to achieve rapid and uniform distribution throughout the beverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Stability of the object's composition

If pH control is adjusted to prevent fiber precipitation, then fiber stability is improved, but beverage flavor and consumer acceptance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber stabilityVSAvoidbeverage acceptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies physical parameters including using ultra-fine fiber particle sizes and controlling injection temperature and pressure to stabilize fiber suspension without requiring extreme pH adjustments that would affect beverage flavor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses fiber concentrates composed of multiple fiber types blended together, creating a composite material with enhanced stability properties that maintains suspension across a broader pH range without compromising taste

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

The system provides a convenient and effective means to meet daily fiber and nutrient requirements, promoting health benefits such as improved digestion, weight management, and overall well-being, while ensuring the fiber concentration is accurately maintained within recommended levels.

Implementation Method 1

mixing the liquid with the fiber soluble mixture in a mixing tank to produce a fiber fortified liquid mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 2

using a closed-loop mixing controller with sensors and injectors to ensure precise fiber concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConcentration measurement:

Implementation Method 3

using a closed-loop mixing controller with sensors and injectors to ensure precise fiber concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid injection: Injector

Data Source

PatentUS11980213B1System and method for bottling fiber-fortified liquid mixture

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 SANCES AIMEE

AI summary

A system and method of bottling a fiber-fortified liquid mixture. The method includes introducing liquid and a fiber fortified formulation into a control system utilizing a specialized process to mix the liquid with the fiber fortified formulation. In one exemplary embodiment, the fiber-fortified formulation generally comprises a plant-based nutrient (“fiber”) and vitamins, which are mixable in a liquid to form the fiber-fortified liquid mixture. The system may include a plurality of reservoirs, sensors, control valves, at least one logic controller that is electronically connected to the sensors and control valves, a pasteurizer, and a bottling machine that bottles the fiber fortified formulation into specialized biodegradable bottles.