Bakery Dispensing Unit Mounting Adapter for Modular Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-service baked goods dispensing systems lack flexibility in adapting to varying customer-specific conditions and require significant technical effort for range changes and local operational adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A modular goods issuing unit with a fastening adapter that allows for easy assembly and replacement of components, enabling customer-specific and goods-specific configurations, and facilitating rapid conversion of removal devices and compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing self-service baked goods dispensing systems are used, then basic dispensing function is provided, but flexibility in adapting to varying customer-specific conditions and rapid conversion when range of goods is changed is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to customer-specific conditionsVSAvoidtechnical effort for range changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The goods dispensing unit is divided into modular components: a frame structure, removable shelves for different baked goods, and interchangeable removal devices (flaps, doors, or openings). This segmentation allows each component to be independently selected and replaced based on customer-specific requirements and product range changes, enabling high adaptability without requiring complex system-wide modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamically adjustable elements including removable shelves that can be repositioned at different heights, flaps that can be opened or closed, and doors that can be pivoted. These dynamic features allow the dispensing unit to adapt to varying customer needs and product configurations while maintaining a relatively simple fixed frame structure, thus improving versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If modular shelves and removal devices are used, then ease of assembly and replacement is improved, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and replacementVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing unit employs segmented modular shelves and removal devices that can be easily assembled and replaced. Each shelf and removal device is designed as a discrete component that interfaces with the stable frame structure through simple connection mechanisms, allowing for easy maintenance and reconfiguration while the overall frame provides continuous structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable shelves and removal devices are combined with a rigid frame structure that provides permanent structural support. This merging of temporary modular elements with a permanent stable framework allows the system to benefit from both the ease of modular assembly/replacement and the structural stability of a fixed installation, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2873352B1Goods dispensing unit for self serving of bakery products
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 KESSEBOHMER HLDG KG
  • EP2873352B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2873352B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2873352B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A self-service dispensing unit for baked goods comprises a frame formed from transverse, longitudinal, and vertical struts, with compartment-like storage areas on respective shelves holding the baked goods. Customers can access these goods at the respective dispensing devices, each equipped with a front-facing opening. The concept according to the invention is improved in the area of ​​the at least one dispensing device by providing at least one mounting adapter in each of these devices. This adapter both accommodates the dispensing device and connects it to the frame. The mounting adapter accommodating the dispensing devices can be connected to the frame via at least one intermediate element.It is also conceivable to provide two vertical struts, which can be directly fixed to the inside of the front mounting contour of the frame, as an intermediate element for the mounting adapter.