Flavor Gradient Capsule for Sustained Sensory Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral sensorial products face challenges in delivering long-lasting flavors due to desensitization and potential negative flavor experiences from high concentrations, which affect the duration and perception of flavors in the mouth.
Innovation Solution
A flavor gradient capsule is developed, comprising a core with a concentrated flavorant surrounded by inner and outer shells with progressively lower flavorant concentrations, designed to sequentially release the flavor compound, preventing harshness and bitterness through gradual exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a high concentration of flavorant is used in oral sensorial products, then the flavor intensity is improved, but negative flavor experiences such as harshness and bitterness occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flavorant is segmented into multiple concentric shells with progressively decreasing concentrations from the core outward. This segmentation allows the flavor to be released in controlled stages, preventing the harshness and bitterness associated with high concentration while maintaining sufficient flavor intensity throughout the dissolution process.
Solution Approach 2:
Each shell is assigned a specific local quality in terms of flavorant concentration, creating a gradient from high concentration at the core to low concentration at the outer shell. This local variation in concentration ensures that different regions provide different flavor intensities, allowing the product to deliver strong initial flavor without causing negative sensations.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a high concentration of flavorant is used to maintain perception over time, then the duration of flavor delivery is improved, but desensitization leads to reduced perception
Solution Approach 1:
The flavor delivery is segmented into multiple concentric shells that dissolve sequentially. As the outer shells dissolve, they release flavorant at progressively lower concentrations, which prevents rapid desensitization and maintains perception consistency over an extended duration. This staged release ensures that the flavor remains perceptible throughout the entire dissolution process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flavorant concentration parameter is changed progressively across the concentric shells, creating a gradient from high to low concentration. This parameter variation allows the flavor delivery system to adapt to the consumer's changing sensory sensitivity over time, maintaining reliable perception throughout the extended duration of action.
3Speed
If a concentrated flavorant is released quickly, then the initial flavor impact is improved, but the overall duration of flavor delivery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flavorant is segmented into multiple concentric shells that dissolve at different rates. The inner core with high concentration provides rapid initial flavor impact, while the outer shells with lower concentrations provide sustained release over an extended duration. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast initial release and long overall duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The flavor delivery is extended into a temporal dimension through the concentric shell structure. As the product dissolves, the sequential release of flavorant from inner to outer shells creates a time-dependent flavor profile, transforming a single-point-in-time release into a prolonged duration of action.
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 flavor gradient capsule provides a long-lasting, enjoyable flavor experience by gradually releasing the flavorant, reducing the risk of negative sensations and maintaining perception over time, suitable for various orally consumable products.
Implementation Method 1
a core comprising a concentrated flavorant; an inner shell substantially surrounding the core, comprising the same flavorant at a lower concentration than exists in the core; and an outer shell substantially surrounding the inner shell, comprising the same flavorant at a lower concentration than exists in the inner shell
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
AI summary
A flavor gradient capsule having concentric shells with flavor increasing from outside to inside, to balance desensitization of flavor receptors during a slow dissolution in the mouth. The capsule has a core (101)(201) with a concentrated flavorant, an inner shell (102)(202) substantially surrounding the core with the same flavorant at a lower concentration, and an outer shell (103)(203) substantially surrounding the inner shell (102)(202), with the same flavorant at a yet lower concentration. Also disclosed are methods of making such flavor gradient capsules and orally-enjoyable products incorporating the same.