Apparatus for separating cups in a stack of cups, and uses thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup separation devices in beverage systems face hygiene issues, unreliable cup positioning, and variable removal forces, making it difficult to consistently and safely isolate cups from a stack.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable carriage and elastic membrane that separates cups by pushing a stripping element between the last and penultimate cups, allowing the last cup to fall into the elastic membrane for holding, ensuring precise positioning and constant removal force, while maintaining hygiene by sealing the cup interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cups are stacked vertically in a dispenser, then space efficiency is improved, but cups stick together and become difficult to separate
Solution Approach 1:
A wedge-shaped separator element is introduced as an intermediary between stacked cups. This separator physically inserts itself between the cup rims, breaking the vacuum seal and preventing sticking, thereby enabling easy separation while maintaining vertical stacking for space efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The separator changes the physical state of the cup stack by breaking the vacuum seal between cups. By inserting the wedge-shaped element, it alters the pressure distribution and eliminates the adhesive force holding cups together, making separation possible
2Reliability
If high separation force is applied to prevent double removal, then reliability is improved, but cup interior contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup separation function is extracted from the cup interior space and relocated to the cup exterior. The wedge-shaped separator acts on the outer rims of the cups rather than requiring contact with the cup interiors, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining reliable separation
Solution Approach 2:
The separator serves as an intermediary mechanism that achieves cup separation through external action. By engaging the cup rims from the outside and using lever-age mechanics, it provides sufficient separation force without contaminating the cup interior
3Ease of operation
If open cup dispenser design is used, then ease of cup removal is improved, but hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is used to create a sealable opening in the dispenser base. This membrane can be opened for cup removal and closed to maintain hygiene, combining the benefits of open design accessibility with protected hygiene standards
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 device reliably provides isolated cups at an exact position with a constant removal force, ensuring hygienic and efficient operation, protecting against contamination and facilitating smooth integration with robotic systems.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic membrane is arranged on the lower base surface of the base, which has an opening, wherein the opening of the elastic membrane is arranged around the base opening and is smaller than the base opening, wherein the elastic membrane is configured to offer cups of a cup stack a support surface
Implementation Method 2
the carriage is configured, during a movement from the rest position to the separating position, to push a stripping element of the upper support element between the last and second-to-last cup of a cup stack and to separate the last cup from the second-to-last cup, such that the last cup falls via gravity through the base opening into the opening of the elastic membrane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention provides an apparatus for separating cups in a stack of cups and proposes uses thereof. Also presented are a beverage system and a method for separating cups in a stack of cups. The apparatus according to the invention is distinguished in that a carriage is arranged in a movable manner on a base of the apparatus and can separate cups from a stack of cups, wherein a separated cup drops through an opening in the base, under the force of gravity, into an opening in an elastic membrane, which is fixed on the bottom of the base, and the cup is retained by the membrane until it is removed. The advantage here is that hygienically and reliably separated cups in a stack of cups are provided at a precise position in the apparatus, and separated cups can be removed from the apparatus by a uniform (constant) force.