Beverage Ingredient Container Locking for Secure Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices, such as coffee machines, face challenges in ensuring secure and hygienic supply container management, particularly in public environments, where unauthorized access and ingredient contamination are concerns, and require adjustable dispensing heights to accommodate various holder sizes.
Innovation Solution
The device features a removable supply container with a pivotable handle and integrated closing means that prevent spillage and unauthorized removal, along with a sliding cover mechanism for easy refilling, and an adjustable dispensing body with dual spouts to enhance beverage quality and prevent cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the supply container is made removable for easy refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized removal and contamination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closing means are automatically activated when the supply container is removed from the device housing. The closing means extend from the arm assembly to close the outflow opening before the container can be fully removed, preventing spillage and unauthorized access during the refilling process
Solution Approach 2:
The supply container system is divided into functional components: the container body, the arm assembly with handle, and the closing means. This segmentation allows the closing means to operate independently to secure the outflow opening while the handle enables easy removal and reattachment
2Device complexity
If the closing means are integrated into the arm assembly, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closing means are integrated into the arm assembly as a single unit. The closing means extend from the second arm of the arm assembly and are positioned to close the outflow opening when the handle is in the removed position, eliminating the need for separate closing mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity
3Reliability
If the handle is positioned inside the supply container, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but ease of operation for refilling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to pivot between two positions: inside the supply container during normal operation (providing security) and outside the supply container during refilling (providing ease of operation). This dynamic repositioning allows the same structure to serve both security and operational requirements
Data Source
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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.