Apparatus for dispensing beverage containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage can dispensers are bulky, require significant space, and present barriers to access and refilling, with cooling systems inefficiently designed for compact use.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with a guide channel inclined at 15°-20° for gravity-assisted sliding of beverage cans, allowing for upright insertion and removal without flaps, featuring a retaining surface to prevent tipping and a U-shaped cooling element for efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If beverage cans are stored in upright position with inclined sliding surface, then space requirement is reduced and accessibility is improved, but the device requires precise dimensional matching between guide channel and can dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel dimensions are specifically optimized to match standard beverage can dimensions (diameter 56mm, height 120mm). The channel width is set to 58mm and height to 125mm, creating precise clearance values that enable reliable gravity-based sliding while preventing tipping. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by establishing exact dimensional relationships that achieve both compactness and functional reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the guide channel width is made less than its height for upright can positioning, then accessibility and space efficiency are improved, but the structural stability of the channel becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel employs an asymmetric cross-sectional design where the width (58mm) is deliberately made less than the height (125mm). This asymmetric geometry is specifically tailored to match the aspect ratio of standard beverage cans, enabling upright storage while maintaining structural integrity. The asymmetric dimensions prevent lateral tipping while accommodating the can's profile, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and stability.
3Reliability
If a retaining surface is added to prevent can tipping, then reliability of can positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining surface is integrated directly into the guide channel structure as an inherent geometric feature rather than a separate component. The channel's asymmetric cross-section with width less than height creates built-in lateral constraints that prevent can tipping. This merging of the retaining function into the basic channel geometry achieves reliable positioning without adding structural complexity.
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
Enables easy, barrier-free refilling and removal of beverage cans in a compact format, suitable for narrow spaces like sales counters, with reduced cooling losses and improved accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the beverage containers being able to slide along the sliding surface of the guide channel into the removal element in the standing state
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus (1) for dispensing elongate beverage containers (2), in particular beverage cans, with a housing (3) for receiving the beverage containers (2), with a removal element (6) for the barrier-free removal of a beverage container (2), and with a cooling device (9) for cooling the beverage containers (2), wherein the housing (3) has a guide channel (10) with a sliding surface (11) for the beverage containers (2) that is inclined with respect to the horizontal, wherein the width of the guide channel (10) is less than its height, wherein the beverage containers (2) can slide in the upright state along the sliding surface (11) of the guide channel (10) into the removal element (6), wherein the housing (3) has, on the side remote from the removal element (6), a receiving opening (12) for introducing beverage containers (2) that extends substantially perpendicularly to the sliding surface (11).