Induction-Heated Beverage Package With Feedback Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of convenient and economical ways to prepackage and heat prepared beverages, limiting the availability of packaged hot beverages for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A beverage packaging and heating system that includes a package with an inductively heatable element and a heating apparatus featuring induction coils, temperature sensing devices, and a controller to efficiently heat beverages to desired temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional packaging methods are used for beverages, then the packaging is simple and economical, but the ability to heat the beverage conveniently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
An inductively heatable element is nested within the beverage container, allowing the container to be heated by induction without requiring an external heating device. This enables convenient heating while maintaining relatively simple packaging structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The package itself becomes self-heating through the integrated inductively heatable element, eliminating the need for external heating equipment and providing convenient heating directly at the consumer location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If induction heating is added to the package, then heating capability is improved, but the packaging complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inductively heatable element is nested within the container, integrating heating functionality into the packaging without requiring separate external heating equipment, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is merged with the packaging structure through the integrated inductively heatable element, combining storage and heating capabilities in a single unit.
3Manufacturing precision
If temperature control is implemented, then heating precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensing devices provide feedback to the controller, which adjusts the induction heating parameters to maintain the desired temperature, improving temperature control precision through closed-loop feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical temperature control methods are replaced with electronic sensing and control systems that use electromagnetic fields for precise and responsive temperature management.
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
Enables the convenient and economical packaging and heating of beverages, making hot beverages accessible to consumers by ensuring consistent and controlled heating of beverages within the package.
Implementation Method 1
one or more induction coils disposed within the housing
Implementation Method 2
one or more inductively heatable elements disposed within the cavity
Implementation Method 3
one or more induction coils disposed within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A system for heating a consumable product includes a package and a heating apparatus. The package includes a container body including a cavity at least partially bounded by a side wall and one or more inductively heatable elements disposed within the cavity. The side wall includes a non-inductively heatable portion. The cavity is configured to contain the consumable product. The heating apparatus includes: a housing, which defines a package-receiving cavity configured to position the package in an operative position; one or more induction coils disposed within the housing, a controller; and one or more temperature sensing devices disposed in proximity to the non-inductively heatable portion of the side wall when the package is in the operative position. The controller is configured to control one or more operating parameters of the heating apparatus based at least partially on one or more signals received from the one or more temperature sensing devices.