Conveyor Screw Dispensing for Consistent Granular Item Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for items like candy, tea, and nuts suffer from fluctuating output due to varying quantities in the container, leading to inconsistent dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device featuring a conveyor screw with helically extending rods and a dispensing opening angled to ensure consistent item delivery, combined with a lifting device and adjustable components to maintain a constant flow and prevent item damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional dispensing device is used, then items can be dispensed from the container, but the amount of fed items fluctuates a lot depending on the amount of items in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor screw features variable pitch along its length, with the pitch being smaller near the upstream end and larger near the downstream end. This dynamic variation in pitch allows the screw to maintain consistent item feeding rates regardless of the container fill level, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability in dispensing operations.
2Quantity of substance
If the container is filled to capacity to maximize productivity, then more items are available for dispensing, but the fluctuation in feeding amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the conveyor screw have different pitch characteristics - the upstream section has smaller pitch for consistent feeding when the container is full, while the downstream section has larger pitch to maintain consistency when the container is partially filled. This local quality variation allows the system to handle varying fill levels while maintaining constant dispensing consistency.
3Productivity
If the conveyor screw rotates faster to increase dispensing speed, then productivity increases, but item damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The variable pitch design changes the mechanical parameters along the conveyor screw length, creating gentler item handling zones near the upstream end and more efficient transfer zones near the downstream end. This parameter variation allows faster rotation speeds to be achieved without increasing item damage, as the pitch progression optimizes item movement at different locations.
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
The device provides a more consistent and controlled dispensing of items, reducing waste and maintaining product quality by ensuring a constant flow even as the container is emptied.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor screw rotatably arranged around the longitudinal axis (A) in the lower section of the container to feed items towards the dispensing opening
Implementation Method 2
at least two elongated rods extending helically from the outer periphery of the upstream member arranged in a first angular position in relation to the longitudinal axis A to the outer periphery of the downstream member arranged in a second angular position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispensing device (10) for delivery of items of candy, tea, coffee beans, nuts or the like, said dispensing device comprising: a stationary container (20); a conveyor screw (30) and drive means (50). The conveyor screw (30) comprises a downstream (31) and an upstream member (32) arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis (A) and at least two elongated rods (37) extending helically from the outer periphery of the upstream member (32) to the outer periphery of the downstream member (31).