Liquid Tea Storage Temperature Control for Solubility Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaged tea juice is prone to instability, leading to insolubility, sedimentation, and the formation of unpleasant flavors or aromas if not stored under carefully controlled temperature and time conditions, which affects its quality and stability during extended storage periods.
Innovation Solution
Storing packaged liquid tea products with at least 4% tea solids content in sealed, impermeable packages, such as sachets or bottles, at temperatures between 1°C and 37°C, with a maximum temperature exceeding 37°C for no more than 10 days, to maintain solubility and prevent off-flavors and sedimentation, ensuring at least 90% of tea solids remain soluble after storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If tea juice is stored for extended periods, then the product availability and shelf life are improved, but the tea solids become unstable and undergo chemical changes causing sedimentation and off-flavors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling storage temperature within a specific range (5°C to 37°C) and limiting the duration at temperatures above 37°C to no more than 10 days during the storage period. This temperature-time parameter control prevents chemical changes in tea solids while allowing extended storage up to 6 months, resolving the contradiction between shelf life and compositional stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If temperature control is strictly maintained to prevent chemical changes, then tea solids stability is improved, but storage flexibility and logistics are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing temporary excursions above the optimal storage temperature (up to 37°C) for limited periods (no more than 10 days), rather than requiring strict continuous temperature control. This partial relaxation of temperature constraints maintains tea solids stability while significantly improving storage flexibility and logistics adaptability for extended storage periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for storing a packaged liquid product, wherein the liquid product comprises expressed tea juice and has a total tea solids content of at least 4% by weight of the liquid product, the method comprising storing the packaged liquid product for a storage period of at least two weeks wherein the packaged liquid tea product is not subjected to a temperature exceeding 37 °C for more than 10 days during the storage period.