Tea Solid Composition Using Superfine Powder Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tea preparation methods, such as loose-leaf tea and tea bags, require disposal and are time-consuming, while instant tea powders lose significant nutrients during processing, and typically require separate addition of sugar and milk.
Innovation Solution
A tea solid composition made by mixing finely ground tea with a binding agent and water, heated and cooled to form a solid that can be dissolved in hot or cold water, potentially including sweeteners, dry milk, and spices, allowing for convenient and efficient tea preparation while retaining nutritional value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If instant tea powder is produced by infusion, extraction and reduction processes, then tea beverage can be prepared quickly, but a large percentage of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and catechins are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of tea from ground leaves to superfine powder (less than 10 microns), which dramatically increases dissolution speed while preserving all nutrients. This parameter change allows the tea to dissolve completely in cold water within seconds, achieving instant preparation without extraction processes that cause nutrient loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary grinding of tea leaves to superfine powder form before storage. This preliminary action of ultra-fine grinding prepares the tea for rapid dissolution without requiring subsequent extraction or reduction processes, thereby preserving all nutrients while enabling quick preparation.
2Loss of substance
If loose-leaf tea and tea bags are used, then full nutritional value is retained, but the used tea leaves and tea bags must be disposed of and the process is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter to less than 10 microns and the temperature parameter to cold water (below 70°F), enabling complete dissolution in seconds without brewing time or disposal needs, while retaining all nutrients in the soluble form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a disposable single-serving tea packet containing superfine ground tea that dissolves completely and is discarded after use. This eliminates the need to dispose of tea bags or loose leaves while maintaining nutrient retention, as all nutrients are dissolved into the beverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard brewing process is used with separate sugar and milk, then each ingredient can be individually selected, but the process requires obtaining each item separately and is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ingredients (superfine ground tea, sweetener, and milk powder) into a single integrated packet. This allows all ingredients to be pre-selected and combined in optimal proportions while maintaining the ability to choose different flavor varieties, eliminating the need to separately obtain and measure each ingredient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional tea packet that simultaneously provides tea infusion, sweetening, and milk frothing capabilities in one product. This universal design eliminates the need for separate sugar and milk additions while preserving flavor customization options through different packet varieties.
4Speed
If tea is ground to superfine powder for quick dissolution, then dissolution speed increases, but the powder may not retain its structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter to less than 10 microns, which is fine enough for rapid dissolution but not so fine that the powder becomes powdery or loses integrity. This precise parameter control achieves complete dissolution in cold water while maintaining powder stability for storage and handling.
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 tea solid composition provides a quick and convenient way to make tea while maintaining the desired nutritional content, reducing preparation time and eliminating the need for separate sugar and milk additions.
Implementation Method 1
a binding agent in an amount effective to bind the ground tea
Implementation Method 2
the tea solid composition dissolves and can be immediately consumed
Data Source
AI summary
A tea solid composition comprising a mixture of finely ground tea, a binding agent and water, wherein the mixture forms a tea solid composition in response to heating and subsequent cooling in a mold. The tea solid composition may further include at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a sweetener, a ground spice, a flavor extract, a powdered milk product, a color additive and a thickener.