Single-portion package, use and machine for a single-portion package
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-portion packs for beverage concentrates face issues of cross-contamination and the need for subsequent mixing in a beverage container, as they often require parts of the preparation machine to come into contact with the syrup, posing risks for allergy sufferers and inefficiencies in preparation.
Innovation Solution
A single-portion pack with an integrated extraction and mixing device that includes a closable concentrate container and a device for extracting and mixing the concentrate with a mixing liquid within the pack, preventing cross-contamination by ensuring all contact areas are part of the packaging and disposed of with it, and allowing for direct preparation and dispensing into a container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the concentrate container is opened and squeezed in a beverage preparation machine, then the beverage concentrate can be dispensed, but parts of the machine come into contact with the syrup causing cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the concentrate container, extraction agent, mixing chamber, and outlet are distinct from the beverage preparation machine. This segmentation ensures that only the disposable pack components contact the concentrate, while the machine components remain clean for subsequent uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrate container with integrated extraction and mixing components is designed as a disposable single-serve pack. After one use, the entire pack is discarded, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination on reusable machine parts while keeping the system simple and cost-effective.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the concentrate is mixed in a separate beverage container, then cross-contamination is avoided, but subsequent mixing is required adding time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction agent, mixing chamber, and outlet are integrated into a single unit within the disposable pack. The concentrate is extracted and mixed with the beverage in one continuous process within the mixing chamber, eliminating the need for separate mixing steps while maintaining cross-contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber is pre-configured within the disposable pack before use. When the concentrate is extracted, it automatically mixes with the beverage in the pre-positioned mixing chamber, so the mixing action has already been prepared and will occur automatically during dispensing, saving user time and effort.
3Ease of operation
If the bottle neck is dimensioned to fit the capsule and release mechanism, then correct dispensing is achieved, but the bottle must be precisely dimensioned limiting versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet of the mixing chamber is designed with a universal connection that can interface with various beverage container openings. The extraction and mixing device can be adapted to different container types, allowing the same disposable pack system to work with multiple bottle sizes and shapes without requiring precise customization for each container.
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 solution effectively prevents cross-contamination and eliminates the need for subsequent mixing by integrating the extraction and mixing process within the pack, ensuring a clean and efficient preparation of beverages without machine contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the concentrate can be actively or passively conveyed or flow into the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
the beverage is prepared by continuously mixing the concentrate dispensed from the concentrate container with the incoming mixing liquid
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~3
AI summary
In a single-serve pack (1) for producing a beverage from a beverage concentrate comprising a sealable concentrate container (2) for receiving the beverage concentrate, the single-serve pack (1) is provided to have an extraction and mixing device (3) comprising: an extraction agent (4a, 4b) for extracting the beverage concentrate from the concentrate container (2), a mixing chamber (5) for preparing the beverage from the beverage concentrate extracted from the concentrate container (2) and an addable mixing liquid, an inlet (6) for the mixing liquid into the mixing chamber (5), and an outlet (7) for the beverage from the mixing chamber (5).