Automated Beverage Dispenser Vertical Cup Staging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional beverage dispensers require significant storage space for large bag-in-box containers of beverage bases, limiting the variety of options and efficiency in quick service environments, whereas micro-ingredient technology offers a more compact solution but needs integration for behind-the-counter applications.

Innovation Solution

An automated beverage dispenser with a carousel and actuators for cup management, allowing for efficient staging and dispensing of multiple beverage options using micro-ingredients, reducing storage needs and enabling fast service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If large bag-in-box containers are used for beverage bases, then storage capacity is sufficient, but storage space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage base storage capacityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of the beverage base from standard concentration to highly concentrated micro-ingredient form. This allows the same beverage functionality to be achieved in much smaller container sizes, directly resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and storage space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the beverage base into separate micro-ingredients that can be stored individually in small containers. This segmentation allows for compact storage while maintaining the ability to reconstruct complete beverage formulas, addressing both storage capacity needs and space constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bag-in-box containers are used for various beverage flavors, then beverage variety is achieved, but storage space and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage options varietyVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal micro-ingredient storage system where a single set of small containers can provide multiple beverage flavors and options. The micro-ingredients are designed to be interchangeable and combinable, allowing one storage system to serve multiple beverage purposes, thereby achieving variety without proportionally increasing storage space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If bag-in-box containers are positioned away from the dispenser in the backroom, then storage requirements are met, but supply line length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage base storage capacityVSAvoidsupply line length

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal placement of large containers in the backroom to vertical stacking of small micro-ingredient containers within or adjacent to the dispenser. This dimensional change allows storage capacity to be maintained while dramatically reducing the horizontal supply line length, as the containers are positioned in the vertical space immediately surrounding the dispensing mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9327958B2Automated beverage dispensing system with vertical staging

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

The present application provides an automated beverage dispenser for use with a number of cups. The automated beverage dispenser may include a carousel with a number of shelves, a first actuator such that first actuator may maneuver the shelves in a first direction, a second actuator positioned adjacent to the carousel, and a gripper positioned on the second actuator such that the second actuator may maneuver one of the cups by the gripper in a second direction to one of the shelves of the carousel.