System and method for dispensing and mixing a food and beverage product
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in creating a system for producing fresh plant-based milk on demand without the need for refrigeration, addressing issues such as flavor degradation, texture changes, and perishability in commercial plant-based milk products, particularly when mixing plant-based paste with water.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a flexible pouch containing plant-based paste and a mixing bottle with an emulsifier unit that mixes the paste with water, utilizing a rotor and stator design with specific blade configurations and a pressure control mechanism to create a plant-based milk mixture, allowing for on-demand production and minimizing separation of natural oils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plant-based paste is mixed with water to create plant-based milk, then the product becomes more perishable and requires refrigeration, but this increases distribution cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing the plant-based material into a concentrated paste form that is stable at room temperature. This paste can be stored and transported without refrigeration, and the actual mixing with water occurs only at the point of use, eliminating the need for refrigerated distribution infrastructure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If commercial processing is used to extend shelf life, then preservatives and synthetic ingredients must be added, but this degrades flavor, color, and smell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters of the plant-based material by creating a highly concentrated paste form. This parameter change allows the product to maintain stability without chemical preservatives, as the concentrated form is less susceptible to microbial growth and degradation, thereby preserving natural flavor, color, and smell characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If plant-based paste is stored at room temperature, then the natural oils separate from solid constituents over time, but refrigeration is costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by thoroughly mixing and emulsifying the plant-based paste before storage, and by designing the paste composition to maintain stability. The actual product assembly (mixing paste with water) occurs at the point of use, minimizing the time that separated components need to be stored together, thereby reducing separation issues without requiring refrigeration.
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 solution enables the production of fresh plant-based milk on demand, reducing waste and extending shelf life by eliminating the need for refrigeration and maintaining the product's flavor and texture, while ensuring efficient mixing and separation prevention.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing bottle with an emulsifier unit that mixes the paste with water, utilizing a rotor and stator design with specific blade configurations
Implementation Method 2
a pressure control mechanism to create a plant-based milk mixture
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system for dispensing a food and beverage product where a flowable product is extracted from a flexible pouch and where an opening exists through which the flowable product evacuates the flexible pouch. The opening has a lock seal that locks the flowable product within the flexible pouch when a pressure is applied to the flexible pouch. There is also a zip seal located in the opening that is configured to lock the flowable product within the flexible pouch after the lock seal has been removed when pressure is applied to the flexible pouch.