Beverage Dispensing Fitment with Sensor-Actuated Tap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing devices for beer and other beverages do not allow for 'hands-free' operation, requiring the bartender to remain near the tap to turn it off after dispensing, and fail to account for factors like temperature changes and differences in beverages that affect the quality of the dispensed liquid.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispensing device with a sensor to detect the quantity of liquid dispensed, an operating arm to automatically turn off the tap, and a controller to manage the arm's operation, along with a flexible dispensing fitment that adjusts the flow and direction of the liquid to improve quality and accommodate various conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to turn off the tap, then the bartender can control the dispensing process and adjust for quality factors, but the bartender must remain in vicinity of the tap which reduces service efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device automatically monitors liquid quantity and turns off the tap without human intervention. The sensor detects when the required amount has been dispensed and triggers the operating arm to close the tap, allowing the system to serve itself and freeing the bartender for other tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of turning off the tap is replaced by an automated system combining sensors, controllers, and an operating arm. The sensor detects liquid quantity and the controller actuates the operating arm to close the tap, substituting human mechanical action with an automated electromechanical system.
2Productivity
If automatic hands-free dispensing is implemented, then service efficiency improves, but the ability to accommodate factors like temperature changes and beverage differences that affect quality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing fitment includes adjustable parameters such as angle of dispensing and position relative to the glass. These parameters can be modified to accommodate different beverage types, temperatures, and glass configurations, allowing the automated system to maintain quality across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing fitment is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The angle and position can be changed to optimize dispensing quality for different scenarios, enabling the automated system to adapt to various beverage characteristics and environmental factors.
3Device complexity
If a fixed dispensing angle is used, then the device structure is simple, but the quality of dispensed liquid is impaired when environmental factors like temperature or glass position vary
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing fitment incorporates adjustable angle and position capabilities, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the system to adapt its dispensing parameters based on different beverage types, temperatures, and glass positions, maintaining quality without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitment allows modification of dispensing parameters including angle and position. These parameter changes enable the system to compensate for environmental variations and maintain optimal liquid quality across different dispensing scenarios.
4Reliability
If the tap is manually operated, then the bartender can ensure consistent quality, but more time is required for each dispensing action
Solution Approach 1:
The automated dispensing system performs the monitoring and tap closure functions without human intervention, significantly reducing the time required per dispensing action while maintaining consistency through precise sensor detection and automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation is replaced by an automated electromechanical system that uses sensors to detect liquid quantity and an operating arm to close the tap. This substitution maintains dispensing consistency while eliminating the time the bartender would spend manually monitoring and turning off the tap.
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 hands-free operation, ensures consistent and high-quality dispensing by automatically turning off the tap when the required quantity is reached and adjusts for factors like temperature and foam, improving service efficiency and quality in public bars.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor incorporates a level detector that senses the level of liquid and/or foam in the glass
Implementation Method 2
The controller may incorporate an electromagnet for holding the operating arm in a rest position when actuated by a holding signal
Implementation Method 3
spring means are preferably provided for biasing the operating arm into a position to turn off the tap
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid dispensing fitment for fitting to a dispensing tap for appropriately directing a flow of liquid from the dispensing tap. The dispensing fitment comprises a flexible tube, a non-elastic adjustment element operatively coupled to the flexible tube to place the flexible tube in a curved position. A locking element holds the non-elastic adjustment element in a position such that the flexible tube is held in a curved position in which liquid is dispensed from an end portion of the flexible tube in a required direction. The length of the non-elastic adjustment element can be varied by locking a required length of the non-elastic adjustment element relative to the flexible tube in order to vary the angle of curvature of the flexible tube.