Flexible Beverage Pack with Insert Overwrap to Prevent Oxygen Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible packs for preparing beverages face issues such as pressure-induced bubble formation, uncontrollable rupture, oxygen leakage, and hygiene concerns due to lack of a membrane seal between the insert and container, which affect the preparation and storage of beverages like tea and soluble coffee.
Innovation Solution
A pack configuration featuring a flexible sheet overwrapped around an insert with primary and secondary inlets and an outlet, allowing fluid injection at high velocity to create optimal turbulences for ingredient dissolution, and a dispensing outlet with a groove for easy product delivery, along with a preparation machine capable of piercing and injecting fluids independently for efficient beverage preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressure increase is used to open closing means in flexible packs, then the beverage can be evacuated through the outlet, but bubbles form at the surface and the opening becomes uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The closing means are divided into two separate components: a sealing membrane that closes the outlet and a rupture disk that selectively breaks under specific pressure conditions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain sealing during storage while enabling controlled beverage flow during preparation without uncontrolled rupture or bubble formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing membrane is pre-installed to close the outlet during storage and transport. During beverage preparation, the membrane is designed to rupture at a predetermined pressure threshold, automatically enabling beverage flow without requiring additional user action or causing uncontrolled explosions.
2Ease of manufacture
If flexible packs are used without a membrane seal between insert and container, then material usage is reduced and production cost is lowered, but oxygen leakage and hygiene issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible sealing membrane made of foil material is used to seal the outlet of the insert. This thin film provides an effective oxygen barrier and maintains hygiene while being compatible with the flexible pack structure, preventing oxidation and contamination of the beverage ingredient during storage.
3Strength
If rigid capsules are used instead of flexible packs, then structural strength is improved, but material usage increases and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pack combines a rigid insert (made of rigid plastic or metal) with a flexible outer container (made of foil or flexible plastic). This composite structure provides the structural strength of rigid capsules while maintaining the space-saving and material efficiency benefits of flexible packs.
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 solution ensures effective dissolution and foaming of ingredients, prevents backflow and oxygen leakage, and allows for easy product dispensing without requiring machine enclosures, enhancing the safety and hygiene of beverage preparation.
Implementation Method 1
allowing fluid injection at high velocity to create optimal turbulences for ingredient dissolution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product from one or more ingredients, the pack comprising an insert (10) and a container (20); the container (20) being configured by at least one flexible sheet folded in such a way to configure a container where one or more ingredients can be stored; such that the at least one flexible sheet is arranged overwrapping and matching the shape of the insert (10) in its entirety except for the part of the insert (10) in direct communication with the inner volume of the container (20). Typically, the at least one flexible sheet is arranged tightly sealed over the insert (10). Also preferably, the distance of the insert (10) which is overwrapped in any of its transversal direction along its longitudinal axis is constant. The invention further relates to a preparation machine (50) cooperating with a pack (100) as the one described, to a system for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a pack (100) and a preparation machine (50), to the use of a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product and to a method for preparing a food or beverage product.