Automated Beverage Dispensing Apparatus with Self-Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Upscale retail coffee shops face challenges in efficiently preparing and delivering custom-ordered caffeinated beverages due to the need for a wide range of equipment and skilled personnel, resulting in long wait times for customers.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a housing with cup dispensers, beverage dispensing systems, cup-transfer mechanisms, pick-up stations, and a disposal bin, which allows for automated preparation and delivery of custom-ordered beverages, including self-cleaning capabilities without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If made-to-order beverages are prepared manually with wide range of equipment and skilled personnel, then beverage customization and quality are improved, but preparation time and wait time for customers increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage customizationVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage preparation system is divided into multiple independent beverage dispensing systems (first beverage dispensing system, second beverage dispensing system, etc.), each capable of preparing different types of beverages simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple orders, reducing overall preparation time while maintaining customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cups are pre-positioned in cup dispensers at each pick-up station, and beverage components are pre-stored in the dispensing systems. When an order is placed, the system immediately begins preparation without requiring manual setup, significantly reducing wait time while still allowing customizations based on customer selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple beverage dispensing systems and cup-transfer mechanisms are implemented, then beverage preparation efficiency and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cup-transfer mechanisms are designed to serve multiple functions: they transport cups from cup dispensers to multiple different pick-up stations, and can handle different cup types and sizes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, managing complexity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cup-transfer mechanisms act as intermediaries between the beverage dispensing systems and the pick-up stations. These automated transfer mechanisms coordinate the movement of cups and beverages through the system, managing the complexity of coordinating multiple dispensing systems and stations through a standardized intermediate transport layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If automated cup-transfer mechanisms and conveyors are used, then labor requirements are reduced and service speed is improved, but maintenance complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice speedVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus includes a self-cleaning subsystem that automatically cleans the beverage preparation and dispensing components without human intervention. This self-maintenance capability reduces the need for manual cleaning and basic maintenance, making the system easier to operate while minimizing the complexity of regular upkeep.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If self-cleaning subsystem is implemented, then hygiene and cleanliness are improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The self-cleaning subsystem operates periodically rather than continuously, cleaning the beverage preparation components at scheduled intervals. This periodic operation maintains hygiene standards while minimizing energy consumption by activating cleaning functions only when necessary, rather than running continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20250083942A1Apparatus for preparing and delivering custom-ordered caffeinated beverages

Publication Date: 2025.03.13 APPLIANCE INNOVATION INC

AI summary

An apparatus for preparing custom-ordered beverages is disclosed. The apparatus includes cup dispensers, beverage dispensing systems having dispensing heads, two cup-transfer mechanisms, two pick-up stations, and a disposal bin. Each of the pick-up stations includes a conveyer and a set of beverage pick-up windows. The first cup-transfer mechanism transports a cup from a cup dispenser to a dispensing head to fill the cup with beverage. The second cup-transfer mechanism transports the cup with filled beverage to one of two pick-up stations. A conveyer at one of the two pick-stations moves the cup with filled beverage and stops to present it at each pick-up window at one of the two pick-stations. If a customer does not pick the cup within an allocated amount of time, it will be dropped into the disposal bin.