Flexible Pack with Moveable Insert for Foamed Beverage Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible beverage-producing sachets require high volumes with significant headspace for foaming, leading to increased costs, bulkiness, and the need for larger, more expensive preparation devices, as they need to accommodate both ingredients and air for effective foaming.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pack design with an insert that includes a fluid inlet for high-pressure water injection and an air conduit for introducing external air, allowing for efficient foaming by minimizing headspace through a moveable part mechanism that opens to allow air entry and fluid flow, optimizing foaming quality and pack size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high volume sachets with significant headspace are used for foaming, then foaming quality is improved, but pack size and storage volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the insert moveable relative to the container, allowing the headspace volume to change from closed (during storage) to open (during preparation). The insert can be moved to different positions to dynamically adjust the available volume for foaming while maintaining a compact storage form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is nested within the container in a space-efficient manner. The moveable insert design allows it to be positioned within the container volume during storage, minimizing the overall pack size while still providing sufficient headspace when moved to the preparation position.
2Reliability
If high volume sachets with headspace are used for foaming, then foaming quality is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic moveable insert allows the same pack to serve dual purposes: compact storage configuration and expanded foaming configuration. This eliminates the need to over-engineer the pack for maximum headspace while sacrificing storage efficiency, thereby reducing material costs and production expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable insert mechanism provides multi-functionality, enabling the pack to efficiently perform both storage and foaming functions. This universal design avoids the need for separate specialized components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If high volume sachets with headspace are used for foaming, then foaming quality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable insert allows the device to dynamically adjust its internal volume requirements. During storage, the compact configuration minimizes the device footprint. During preparation, the insert moves to create the necessary headspace for foaming, allowing the device to maintain a smaller overall size while still providing adequate foaming volume when needed.
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 enables a compact, cost-effective flexible pack that maintains high foaming quality by minimizing headspace and allowing controlled air integration, reducing production costs and device size while ensuring efficient beverage preparation.
Implementation Method 1
an insert (10) comprising at least a fluid inlet (110) configured for introducing an aqueous fluid under the form of a jet in the inner volume of the pack
Implementation Method 2
the insert (10) further comprises at least an air conduit (130) configured to allow introducing air from the exterior of the pack and into the inner volume of the said pack through at least an air nozzle (132)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5c
AI summary
The invention relates to a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product from one or more food or beverage ingredients comprising an insert (10) and a container (20) where the ingredient or ingredients are stored, the insert (10) comprising at least a fluid inlet (110) configured for introducing an aqueous fluid under the form of a jet in the inner volume of the pack, the insert (10) further comprising at least an air conduit (130) configured to allow introducing air from the exterior of the pack and into the inner volume of the said pack through at least an air nozzle (132). The at least one fluid inlet (110) communicates with a depression chamber (200) through at least one liquid nozzle (120) in order to create a jet from a pressurized fluid introduced through the fluid inlet (110). The invention further relates to the use of a pack as described for preparing a food or beverage product.