Freeze-Dried Coffee Particles With Flat Surfaces for Premium Appearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soluble coffee products lack a premium appearance that matches their superior taste and aroma, and adding colorants is not permitted by regulations, necessitating a novel and appealing visual identity.
Innovation Solution
The production of soluble coffee particles with two flat surfaces and uniform thickness, achieved through a freeze-drying process involving cooling between parallel flat surfaces, results in a glossy, light-colored appearance resembling metallic gold, utilizing a microstructure of small open pores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional soluble coffee production methods are used, then the coffee can be produced efficiently, but the appearance is dull and lacks premium visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs freeze-drying technology that utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to solid (freezing) and then directly to vapor (sublimation). This phase transition process creates particles with flat surfaces and uniform thickness while maintaining production efficiency. The freezing step forms ice crystals that template the pore structure, and sublimation removes the ice without collapsing the structure, resulting in the desired glossy appearance with small open pores.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates particles with a controlled porous microstructure featuring small open pores. This porous structure is achieved through the freeze-drying process where ice crystal formation and subsequent sublimation leave behind a network of small pores. The porous material structure contributes to the light scattering properties that create the glossy, premium appearance while maintaining dissolution properties.
2Shape
If colorants are added to improve appearance, then visual appeal is enhanced, but regulatory compliance is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes physical parameters of the coffee particles rather than adding chemical colorants. By controlling the freeze-drying process parameters (freezing temperature, drying conditions), the invention creates particles with specific surface morphology (flat surfaces, uniform thickness) and microstructure (small open pores). These physical parameter changes produce the desired visual appearance through light interaction with the particle structure, maintaining regulatory compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves color and appearance changes through physical means rather than chemical additives. The freeze-dried particles exhibit a golden-brown color and glossy appearance resulting from their flat surfaces and porous microstructure that interact with light. This natural color development through phase transition and structural formation eliminates the need for prohibited colorants while achieving premium visual appeal.
3Length of moving object
If particle thickness is reduced to create finer powder, then dissolution speed improves, but surface area to volume ratio decreases reducing glossiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates thin film-like structures with flat surfaces and uniform thickness through the freeze-drying process. The particles resemble thin flexible shells or films with controlled thickness ranging from thin to moderate dimensions. This thin film structure maintains large surface area while the flat, smooth surfaces created during freezing and sublimation preserve glossiness and visual appeal.
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 process creates coffee particles with a visually attractive, luxurious appearance and enhanced consumer experience, maintaining regulatory compliance by avoiding the use of colorants.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the liquid aqueous beverage composition layer to below −25° C. to form a frozen beverage composition
Implementation Method 2
drying the frozen beverage composition
Implementation Method 3
a process for making a freeze-dried soluble beverage powder
Data Source
AI summary
A soluble beverage powder includes dried coffee extract particles having two essentially flat surfaces and a uniform thickness. A further aspect is a process for making a freeze-dried soluble beverage powder.