Artificial Fruit Wedge Flavoring for Controlled Beverage Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a convenient way to add flavorings or liquids to beverages without premixing, especially when access to additional liquids or flavorings is inconvenient or unavailable, such as with prepackaged beverages.
Innovation Solution
A sealed vessel containing a beverage liquid is accompanied by a flavoring, such as an ancillary liquid or soluble substance, stored in a container that can be easily mixed with the beverage upon opening, using a foam housing shaped like a fruit portion to control the release rate and enhance the organoleptic experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a natural lime or lemon is used for flavoring, then the organoleptic quality is improved, but the availability and storage duration are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an artificial fruit portion that visually and organoleptically copies the appearance and taste properties of natural fruit portions. The artificial lime or lemon is designed to resemble the natural fruit in color, shape, and texture, while providing the same flavoring function without the limitations of natural fruit storage and availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the natural fruit into an artificial version by changing its physical and chemical parameters. The artificial fruit portion uses food-grade materials that can be manufactured consistently, stored indefinitely, and delivered reliably, while maintaining the essential flavoring parameters through controlled release mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the flavoring container is made easily separable from the support, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural stability during storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flavoring assembly into two separable components: a support structure that maintains structural integrity during storage and transport, and a container that holds the flavoring liquid. The container is designed with a frangible or breachable connection to the support, allowing easy separation when needed while maintaining stability during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the container and support is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The frangible or breachable connection allows the structure to transition from a stable, integrated state during storage to a separable, usable state when the consumer needs to access the flavoring, providing both stability and ease of operation at different stages.
3Productivity
If the flavoring is released quickly upon mixing, then the productivity of flavoring is improved, but the control over release rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials in the artificial fruit portion structure to control the release rate of the flavoring liquid. The porous foam or mesh structure provides controlled permeability that allows the flavoring to release at an appropriate rate when mixed with the beverage, preventing both too rapid release and excessive retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameters such as pore size, foam density, and mesh configuration to precisely control the release rate of the flavoring. By adjusting these physical parameters during manufacturing, the system achieves optimal flavoring release characteristics that balance productivity with controlled substance delivery.
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 allows for easy and controlled mixing of flavorings with beverages, providing a realistic fruit experience and enhancing taste without the need for immediate access to additional flavorings.
Implementation Method 1
the soluble substance may begin to dissolve
Implementation Method 2
mixing the flavoring with the beverage liquid
Implementation Method 3
The housing may comprise pores, valves, channels, holes, mesh passageways or any convenient means for controlling or regulating the rate whereby the flavoring may escape and mix with the beverage liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for dispensing into a liquid a soluble substance, such as a soluble flavoring. The soluble flavoring may include a lime flavoring with citric acid. It may include a cannabinoid. Alternatively, the soluble flavoring may not include citric acid or sugar. A useful application of the subject invention includes a lime flavoring held by a gelatinous elastic lime wedge. The gelatinous lime wedge may be retrieved from a protective covering and acted upon so it mixes the lime flavoring into a beverage, such as when it's inserted into a water or beer bottle or can. Rather than needing to buy and store a perishable natural lime, and cut it up, a gelatinous lime wedge holding soluble lime flavoring may be stored for an extended period of time, and placed in functional contact with water, beer, or other liquid, at time of consumption.