Microencapsulated delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adding flavorings or premium ingredients to beverages require purchasing pre-flavored quantities, which are expensive and have limited shelf-life, and lack a convenient means for individual portioning and shelf-stable delivery.
Innovation Solution
A microencapsulated delivery system where agents such as flavorings, pharmaceuticals, and additives are encapsulated in small capsules adhered to substrates, releasing upon exposure to specific conditions like pH change, temperature, or fluid contact, allowing for instant preparation or enhancement of beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-flavored beverages or ingredients are purchased in quantity, then flavoring or premium ingredients can be added to beverages, but the cost increases and shelf-life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage system is segmented into base beverage components and separate microencapsulated flavoring/additive components. This allows the base beverage to be stored indefinitely in bulk while the flavorings are delivered in individual single-serving containers, eliminating the need to purchase and store large quantities of pre-flavored beverages.
Solution Approach 2:
The flavorings and additives are pre-encapsulated in microcapsules within single-serving containers before the beverage is prepared. This preliminary encapsulation protects the ingredients during long-term storage, and they are only released when the container is activated during beverage preparation, ensuring both long shelf-life and fresh flavor delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-flavored beverages are purchased in quantity, then flavoring can be added to beverages, but individual portioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beverage into base components and flavoring components delivered in separate single-serving microencapsulated containers. Each container is self-contained and designed for individual use, making portioning trivial - users simply activate one container per serving without needing to measure or divide bulk ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The microencapsulated containers are designed to be self-contained units that automatically deliver the correct dosage when activated. The system performs the portioning function automatically through the activation mechanism, eliminating the need for manual measurement or division by the user.
3Ease of operation
If microencapsulated delivery system is used, then convenient individual portioning and shelf-stable delivery are achieved, but the complexity of the delivery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsules utilize thin film encapsulation layers that provide the necessary protection and controlled release functionality in a minimal structural form. This flexible shell approach achieves shelf-stable delivery and controlled release without requiring complex mechanical or electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system utilizes changes in physical or chemical parameters (such as pH, temperature, or moisture) to trigger the release of encapsulated ingredients. This parameter-based activation mechanism provides convenient controlled release without requiring complex mechanical actuators or electronic controls.
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 convenient, cost-effective, and shelf-stable delivery of desirable beverage characteristics, extending the utility to various applications including medicinal preparations, analytical indicators, and water purification, by ensuring controlled release of encapsulated agents.
Implementation Method 1
the capsules are subjected to conditions (e.g., tactile pressure, pH change, temperature change, contacted with a chemical or contacted with a fluid or high moisture environment) such that the encapsulated agent(s) are substantially released from the capsule
Implementation Method 2
the capsules are subjected to conditions (e.g., tactile pressure, pH change, temperature change, contacted with a chemical or contacted with a fluid or high moisture environment) such that the encapsulated agent(s) are substantially released from the capsule
Implementation Method 3
when water or other appropriate liquid is introduced into the system, the fluid dissolves the microcapsules, releasing the constituent components into the solvent and creating a new beverage instantly
Data Source
AI summary
A microencapsulated delivery system, composition or method is disclosed in which one or more agents to be delivered are encapsulated in small capsules (e.g., microcapsules), and the capsules are applied or adhered to one or more surfaces of a substrate. The encapsulated agent is latently released upon exposure to appropriate conditions.