Confectionery Dispenser with Linear Gate Mechanism for Portion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing confectionery dispensers lack control over the size of portions dispensed, making it difficult to manage the quantity of confectionery released.
Innovation Solution
A confectionery dispenser with a main container and secondary container system, where the main container is linearly movable between loading and dispensing positions, utilizing a gate arrangement and biasing element to control the flow of confectionery pieces, ensuring a defined portion is dispensed onto a tray, preventing backflow and allowing for controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple container with flip top lid is used for dispensing confectionery, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the control over portion size is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into multiple functional components: a main container for bulk storage, a collection chamber for portioning, a dispensing outlet for controlled release, and a removable dispensing tray for serving. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function, achieving both structural organization and precise portion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The main container is designed to be linearly moveable between loading and dispensing positions, creating a dynamic system that can switch between different operational states. This dynamic mechanism enables controlled transition between portion collection and dispensing modes, providing precise portion size control while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If confectionery pieces are freely dispensed from the container, then the dispensing process is simple and fast, but the quantity control is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber is designed to pre-collect a specific quantity of confectionery pieces before dispensing. This preliminary portioning action ensures that the correct amount is prepared in advance, allowing for both controlled quantity and rapid dispensing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection chamber acts as an intermediary between the main container and the dispensing outlet. It temporarily holds a controlled quantity of confectionery pieces, mediating the flow from bulk storage to dispensing, thereby enabling both quantity control and efficient dispensing speed.
3Device complexity
If the main container is stationary relative to the secondary container, then the device structure is simpler, but the control over confectionery flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The main container is designed to be linearly moveable relative to the secondary container between loading and dispensing positions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to switch between different operational modes, providing effective flow control while maintaining relatively simple structural design.
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 precise control over the dispensing of confectionery portions, ensuring only a set amount is dispensed at a time, allowing users to easily manage the quantity of confectionery released.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element which resiliently biases the main container to the loading position
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a dispenser 10 for dispensing product objects, comprising: a main chamber 20 for storing product objects; and a portion dispensing mechanism for dispensing a portion comprising a plurality of project objects 40. The portion dispensing mechanism comprises a gate arrangement 36 and a collection chamber 24 which are configured for relative linear movement between a loading configuration and a dispensing configuration. In the loading configuration a plurality of product objects 40 within the main chamber 20 collect within the collection chamber 24 and the gate arrangement 36 prevents product objects 40 from being dispensed from the collection chamber 24. In the dispensing configuration the gate arrangement 36 prevents product objects within the main chamber 20 from entering the collection chamber 24 and a plurality of product objects are dispensed from the collection chamber.