Beverage Ingredient Container Locking for Secure Spill-Free Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices, such as coffee machines, face challenges in ensuring secure and hygienic ingredient storage, easy refilling without spillage, and adjustable dispensing to accommodate various holder sizes, while maintaining user-friendliness and operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
The device features a closable device space with a device door and a sliding cover for the supply container, which locks simultaneously with the device door, allowing for secure and spill-free refilling, and an adjustable platform for accommodating different holder sizes, along with a dual spout dispensing body for enhanced beverage quality and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the supply container is equipped with separate lock means, then the security and hygiene of ingredient storage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the door locking mechanism with the supply container sealing mechanism into a single integrated system. When the device door is closed, it simultaneously locks the cover on the supply container through integrated locking means, eliminating the need for separate lock mechanisms on each container while maintaining security and hygiene.
2Reliability
If the device door and cover are provided with mutual locking means, then the security and hygiene are improved, but the ease of operation during refilling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The locking means are configured to automatically engage when the door is closed and disengage when the door is opened, allowing the system to adapt between locked (during operation) and unlocked (during refilling) states without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If the receiving cavity extends over a large part of the device door width, then the positioning tolerance is improved and operational reliability is enhanced, but the device space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving cavity extends over a large portion but not necessarily the entire width of the device door. This partial extension provides sufficient positioning tolerance and operational reliability for the locking mechanism to function effectively without requiring the cavity to span the full door width, thus optimizing space utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A device for preparing a beverage comprises a device housing (2) which is closable with a device door (4) which can be manipulated between a closed position and an open position. The device housing accommodates a supply container (10..12) for an ingredient of the beverage to be prepared which is provided with dosing means for drawing off a controlled quantity therefrom. The supply container protrudes outside the device housing and is closable with a cover (15). The cover and the device door are provided with mutual locking means (13) which lock the cover on the supply container in the closed position of the device door, wherein in the open position of the device door the cover (15) is releasable from the supply container (10..12) in order to leave the filling side (16) thereof at least partially clear.