Pack for preparing food or beverage products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible packs for preparing beverages face issues such as pressure-induced bubble formation, uncontrollable rupture, lack of oxygen barrier, and residual product in the pouch, which affect hygiene and shelf life, particularly when preparing beverages like tea or instant coffee.
Innovation Solution
A pack design featuring tightly sealed flexible sheets with primary and secondary inlet areas, arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically, that allow for high-velocity fluid injection from the bottom to create optimal turbulences, combined with a dispensing outlet configuration that prevents backflow and allows for easy product delivery, using a rigid insert made of materials like polypropylene or aluminum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressure is increased inside the sachet to open the closing means, then the beverage can evacuate through the outlet, but bubbles form at the surface and the opening becomes uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
A removable cap assembly acts as an intermediary component between the sachet and the beverage outlet. The cap can be selectively removed to open the outlet for beverage evacuation or kept in place to maintain sealing, providing controlled opening without requiring pressure increase that causes bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
The closing means are divided into separate functional components: the sachet body, the outlet opening, and the removable cap. This segmentation allows independent control of the opening function, enabling beverage evacuation without uncontrolled pressure buildup in the entire sachet
2Loss of substance
If flexible sheets are used to seal the insert, then material usage is reduced and compactness is improved, but oxygen barrier protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing sheets are constructed as composite materials combining multiple layers with different properties. This includes oxygen barrier layers (such as aluminum foil or specialized barrier films) combined with flexible polymer layers, providing both oxygen protection and flexibility in a single integrated component
Solution Approach 2:
The sachet is filled with inert gas (such as nitrogen) to displace oxygen and create an oxygen-free atmosphere around the product. This prevents oxidation and degradation of the beverage ingredients during storage, complementing the flexible sheet sealing
3Productivity
If fluid is injected at high pressure to create turbulence for dissolution, then mixing efficiency is improved, but bubble formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid injection system uses multiple separate injection points distributed throughout the sachet rather than a single high-pressure inlet. This segmentation allows fluid to enter at multiple locations, creating turbulence and promoting dissolution without concentrating pressure that would generate excessive bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid injection is applied in periodic pulses rather than continuous flow. This periodic action creates intermittent turbulence that enhances dissolution efficiency while allowing brief intervals for bubble dissolution, reducing overall bubble formation in the final beverage
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
This design ensures efficient dissolution and foaming of ingredients, prevents oxygen ingress, and allows for easy product removal without residual liquid in the pouch, enhancing hygiene and shelf life while maintaining compactness and reduced material usage.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid injected through the inlets is converted into a high velocity jet of fluid injected inside the container
Implementation Method 2
creating optimal turbulences
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product from one or more ingredients, the pack comprising an insert (10) and a container (20); the container (20) being configured by at least one flexible sheet folded in such a way to configure a container where one or more ingredients can be stored; such that the at least one flexible sheet is arranged overwrapping and matching the shape of the insert (10) in its entirety except for the part of the insert (10) in direct communication with the inner volume of the container (20). Typically, the at least one flexible sheet is arranged tightly sealed over the insert (10). Also preferably, the distance of the insert (10) which is overwrapped in any of its transversal direction along its longitudinal axis is constant. The invention further relates to a preparation machine (50) cooperating with a pack (100) as the one described, to a system for preparing a food or beverage product comprising a pack (100) and a preparation machine (50), to the use of a pack (100) for preparing a food or beverage product and to a method for preparing a food or beverage product.