Beverage dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bar guns are limited in dispensing custom beverages and do not allow users to create personalized drink options, as they are typically configured with dedicated buttons for a limited number of pre-defined drinks.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing system with a central ingredient system and piping network that connects to a handheld dispensing device, allowing users to select and combine multiple beverage ingredients, including syrups and flavor shots, through a user interface to create custom beverages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bar guns use dedicated buttons for each beverage, then the device is simple to operate, but the beverage variety is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoiddispenser structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bar gun is transformed from a dedicated-button device into a universal dispenser that can handle multiple beverage types through a single interface. The system uses a common dispensing mechanism that works with different syrup sources, allowing one device to perform multiple beverage dispensing functions rather than requiring separate buttons for each drink type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A control system acts as an intermediary between the user and the multiple syrup sources. Instead of direct mechanical buttons for each beverage, the system uses electronic control to manage syrup flow from various sources, enabling complex beverage selection without proportionally increasing physical device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bar guns have dedicated buttons for each drink, then the device structure is simple, but custom beverage creation is not permitted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom beverage capabilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static, pre-programmed button functions to dynamic, user-configurable beverage creation. Users can dynamically select and combine different syrups in various proportions, allowing the dispenser to adapt to custom beverage requests rather than being limited to fixed drink definitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-provides multiple syrup sources and control capabilities, enabling users to create custom beverages on demand. Rather than requiring pre-programmed drink definitions, the system has all necessary components ready and allows users to define their own beverage combinations in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple syrup sources are connected to a single bar gun, then beverage variety increases, but syrup cross-contamination may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoidsyrup purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the syrup delivery paths using individual valves for each syrup source. Each syrup has its own controlled flow path that can be independently opened or closed, preventing cross-contamination while allowing multiple syrups to be available at the same dispensing point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system monitors and manages syrup flow from multiple sources, ensuring that only the selected syrup is dispensed at any given time. This feedback control prevents unintended mixing of syrups and maintains beverage integrity throughout the dispensing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 the simultaneous dispensing of multiple beverage ingredients at predetermined flow rates, allowing users to create a wide variety of custom beverages beyond the limitations of traditional bar guns.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid dispensing system may include a plurality of flow control valves with each flow control valve associated with a beverage ingredient. The liquid dispensing system may be configured to simultaneously dispense multiple beverage ingredients at predetermined flow rates based on a beverage selection.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS10807853B2Beverage dispenser

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 PEPSICO INC

AI summary

A liquid dispensing system having a handheld liquid dispense device with a body portion and a dispensing head. The dispensing system includes an ingredient system located remotely from the handheld liquid dispense device, piping extending from the ingredient system to the handheld liquid dispense device, the ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources and configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a beverage from the handheld liquid dispense device. The dispensing system may also include a user interface device configured to receive a first user selection for a beverage and a second user selection for an ingredient modifying the beverage.