Capsule Dispensing with Rotary Pickup for Precise Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule dispensers for automatic food-product vending machines are inadequate for delivering capsules to brewing units in a precise orientation, leading to potential jamming and inconsistent dispensing, especially when capsules are stored in bulk or loosely, and are not suitable for use in beverage production.
Innovation Solution
A capsule dispensing apparatus with a rotary pick-up device and guided conveyor system that ensures capsules are picked up and oriented correctly, using a spiral compartment design and motor-driven rotation to align and deliver capsules in a predetermined orientation, preventing jamming and facilitating use in both beverage production and consumer dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If capsules are stored in bulk loosely in a container, then storage capacity is improved, but the complexity of orienting means increases and reliability decreases due to jamming risks
Solution Approach 1:
The capsules are pre-oriented in a predetermined orientation within the storage container before being picked up by the rotary pick-up device. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex orienting means during dispensing, as the capsules are already positioned correctly for extraction and delivery to the brewing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the orientation function from the complex orienting means by utilizing the predetermined arrangement of capsules in the storage container. The rotary pick-up device simply needs to extract capsules in their pre-established orientation, separating the orientation requirement from the active dispensing mechanism.
2Device complexity
If capsules are dropped freely onto the brewing unit, then the dispensing mechanism is simplified, but the brewing unit receives capsules in incorrect orientation leading to jamming and inconsistent brewing
Solution Approach 1:
A guided conveyor system acts as an intermediary between the rotary pick-up device and the brewing unit. This conveyor maintains the predetermined orientation of capsules during transport, ensuring that capsules are delivered to the brewing unit in the correct orientation without requiring complex active orientation mechanisms at the dispensing point.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsules are pre-oriented in the storage container before being picked up, and this orientation is maintained throughout the dispensing process. The preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex real-time orientation mechanisms, simplifying the dispensing mechanism while ensuring reliable capsule orientation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rotary pick-up device with spiral compartments is used, then capsule orientation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary pick-up device utilizes spiral compartments with curved surfaces that match the cylindrical shape of capsules. This curved geometry naturally guides and orients capsules in a predetermined orientation during extraction, achieving precise orientation through geometric design rather than complex mechanical orientation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral compartments are designed with asymmetric geometry that corresponds to the asymmetric orientation requirements of the capsules. The specific shape and arrangement of the spiral compartments create a unique fitting relationship with the capsules, ensuring they are extracted in the correct orientation without requiring additional active orientation controls.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to an apparatus for dispensing capsules, preferably single-use, disposable capsules for the production of beverages, brews and the like, intended for use in connection with automatic food-product vending machines. The inventive capsule dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to accommodate capsules in a stacked arrangement, at least a rotary pick-up device provided with two or more compartments distributed about the axis of rotation thereof for removing the capsules from the receptacles, and a conveyor. The capsule dispensing apparatus is characterized in that between the at least a pick-up device and the conveyor there is arranged a distribution tray including a plurality of guide partitions adapted to enable the capsules to undergo a rotary motion.