Laminated Beverage Dispenser Packaging for Micro-Ingredient Variety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage dispensers face limitations in variety and efficiency due to the size constraints of traditional ingredient containers, which restrict the range of beverage options and pose challenges in transporting and maintaining micro-ingredients, particularly in terms of protection against degradation and space, volume, and cost efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of laminated containers with a paper layer comprising 75% of each container, including a polymeric layer and optional metallic and aseptic features, along with a fitment and fixed displacement pumps, allows for efficient evacuation and protection of micro-ingredients, achieving high evacuation rates and cost-effective packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional ingredient containers are used, then the dispenser can hold larger amounts of ingredients, but the variety of beverage options is limited due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of ingredientVSAvoidbeverage variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ingredient containers are divided into multiple compartments within a single container structure, allowing different micro-ingredients to be stored separately. This segmentation enables the dispenser to offer multiple beverage varieties while maintaining efficient use of dispenser space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If micro-ingredients are concentrated further to increase beverage variety, then more options become available, but protection against degradation becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoidprotection against degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container uses a laminated structure combining paperboard with multiple polymeric layers (including EVOH for oxygen barrier, PVDC for moisture barrier, and LDPE for sealability). This composite material construction provides superior protection against degradation of concentrated micro-ingredients while enabling extended shelf life and maintaining beverage variety options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Volume of stationary object

If smaller container sizes are used for micro-ingredients, then space efficiency improves, but transportation and handling become less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer volumeVSAvoidtransportation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple micro-ingredient containers are merged into a single multi-compartment container assembly that can be efficiently transported and handled as one unit. The container is designed with a unified structure including integrated seals and dispensing mechanisms, combining what would traditionally be separate small containers into a single efficient package.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If more polymeric layers are added to the laminated container, then protection against degradation improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against degradationVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container design optimizes the number and thickness of polymeric layers based on specific ingredient requirements. The laminated structure uses standardized layer configurations (paperboard base with specific polymeric coatings) that balance protection needs with manufacturing feasibility, adjusting parameters like layer thickness and material composition rather than simply adding more layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2252541B1Carton-based packaging for a beverage dispenser

Publication Date: 2016.04.13 THE COCA COLA CO

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Figure 4~5

AI summary

A dispenser for combining a number of ingredients. The dispenser may include a laminated container with one of the number of ingredients therein and a pump in communication with the laminated container.