Scented Container Attachment for Taste Perception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively enhance the perception of taste for food and drink items, as they do not adequately utilize the connection between olfaction and taste perception.

Innovation Solution

A scented attachment for containers, such as a ring or sticker, that releases a scent when in use, stimulating the olfactory system and enhancing the taste experience by incorporating volatile compounds like essential oils into a matrix within the attachment, which can be made from elastic materials and configured to fit various container shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a scented attachment is added to enhance taste perception, then the taste experience is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetaste perception enhancementVSAvoidcontainer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scented attachment is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently attached to or removed from the container. This segmentation allows the scenting function to be added without permanently complicating the container structure, resolving the contradiction between enhanced taste perception and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment serves multiple functions: it provides scent for taste enhancement, and can be attached to various container types and shapes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the scented attachment is designed to fit various container shapes, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer shape compatibilityVSAvoidattachment dimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The scented attachment utilizes a flexible substrate that can conform to different container shapes and sizes. This flexibility allows the attachment to adapt to various container geometries without requiring precise manufacturing for each specific shape, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment incorporates elastic materials that allow it to dynamically adjust its shape to match the container it is attached to. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for high manufacturing precision for multiple container types, as the attachment molds itself to the container shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the scented attachment uses elastic materials for flexibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of substance (scent) increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment flexibilityVSAvoidscent compound loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment employs a porous matrix material that absorbs and retains the scent compounds. This porous structure allows the elastic material to remain flexible for easy operation while the porous matrix controls the release of scent, preventing excessive loss and maintaining the scent over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment is constructed as a composite material system combining elastic substrate with a scent-retaining matrix. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for easy operation and the scent retention capability to minimize substance loss, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 scented attachment effectively enhances the perception of taste by activating the olfactory system, thereby improving the overall experience of consuming food or drink items.

Implementation Method 1

The scented attachment may include a substrate having a first and a second surface. The first surface comprises an attachment mechanism for associating the scented attachment to the container; and a second surface comprises a scent.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10328172B2Scented attachment for containers

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 SZENT CO

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure include an attachment for providing a scent to a container. The scented attachment may be configured for being associated with a container, such as a drink or a food storage container. In one instance, the attachment is of a size or shape so as to fit around a circumference of the container. In another instance, the attachment may be configured for being associated to the container with a suitable attachment mechanism. For instance, the attachment may include a substrate having a first surface comprising an attachment mechanism for associating the scented attachment to the container; and a second surface comprising a scent. Systems including a scented attachment and a container, including their methods of use, are also provided.