Hand-Held Oatmeal Pouch with Self-Supporting Mass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional oatmeal products are not convenient for on-the-go consumption due to the need for a bowl and spoon, and they can be messy, lacking in texture and flavor characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held oat food product is created by combining oats with other edible materials, cooking, cooling, and packaging in retortable pouches that can be heated and consumed easily, maintaining texture and flavor without preservatives or thickening agents, with a water content of 35-60% by weight for self-supporting consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional oatmeal is prepared in a bowl with spoon, then it maintains proper texture and flavor, but it becomes inconvenient for on-the-go consumption and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oatmeal product with its packaging into a single integrated unit. The oatmeal is formed into a self-supporting solidified mass that is packaged in a retortable pouch, eliminating the need for separate bowls and spoons. This merging of food product and packaging enables convenient on-the-go consumption while maintaining the integrity of the oatmeal texture and flavor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the oatmeal into individual portable portions that can be consumed independently without requiring additional equipment. Each portion is packaged as a separate unit that can be easily carried and consumed, segmenting the traditional bowl-and-spoon consumption model into single-serving portable units.
2Ease of operation
If oatmeal is made into a hand-held portable format, then it becomes convenient for on-the-go consumption, but it may compromise texture and flavor characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the water content parameter at 35-60% by weight to achieve the desired balance between portability and quality. This parameter adjustment allows the oatmeal to form a self-supporting solidified mass that is portable while maintaining proper texture and flavor characteristics. The specific water content range prevents excessive drying that would compromise quality while enabling hand-held portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining oats with other edible materials such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, sugars, juices, meats, vitamins, and minerals. This composite approach enhances both the portability and quality of the product, as the additional ingredients contribute to flavor, texture, and nutritional value while maintaining the hand-held format.
3Reliability
If no preservatives or thickening agents are added, then the product remains natural and healthy, but it may lack shelf stability and proper consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the self-supporting property of the cooked oatmeal mass itself to maintain proper consistency and shelf stability without requiring external additives. The solidified mass structure provides inherent stability, allowing the product to maintain its form and quality throughout the shelf life period without preservatives or thickening agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses retortable packaging that creates a sealed environment, effectively preserving the natural qualities of the oatmeal without exposure to degrading factors. The retorting process and sealed packaging create an inert environment that maintains shelf stability and freshness without requiring chemical preservatives.
4Stability of the object's composition
If water content is increased to improve consistency, then the oatmeal becomes softer and more palatable, but it loses self-supporting capability and becomes messy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the water content parameter to a specific range of 35-60% by weight, which provides the perfect balance between softness and self-supporting capability. This precise parameter control ensures the oatmeal remains soft and palatable while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to be hand-held without being messy.
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 product provides a convenient, mess-free, and nutritious oatmeal experience that can be easily consumed on-the-go, maintaining health benefits and flavor, with the ability to be heated and stored safely, ensuring shelf stability and freshness.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the cooked ingredients into a soft, solidified mass
Implementation Method 2
combining ingredients comprising oats and at least one other edible material and water
Implementation Method 3
sterilized, which can be done by retorting before or after the product is packaged
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held oatmeal product is provided that is ready to eat. The oatmeal product may be packaged in a retortable pouch. Methods of making the oatmeal product are provided.