Device for dispensing at least one bulk food product, and associated system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk dispensing devices for food products face challenges in cleaning, hygiene, and traceability, particularly for organic products, due to the use of plastic silos and pinching mechanisms that are unsuitable for bulk food items with large pieces, leading to contamination risks and product mixing.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a pinching mechanism that uses flexible packaging bags, allowing easy replacement and minimizing cleaning needs, while ensuring hygiene and traceability by using a deformable blade system to pinch and release the bag sides for controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plastic silo is used for bulk storage and dispensing, then the device can store and dispense food products, but the device requires regular cleaning which risks product contamination through cleaning products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable flexible packaging bags instead of reusable plastic silos. The bags are sealed and can be easily replaced when empty or contaminated, eliminating the need for cleaning operations that risk product contamination. This disposable approach maintains hygiene while avoiding the harmful effects of cleaning chemicals on food products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the storage function from a fixed plastic silo structure and transfers it to removable flexible packaging bags. This allows the storage container to be easily removed and replaced, separating the dispensing mechanism from the storage medium and enabling contamination-free operation through simple bag replacement rather than cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If a pinching mechanism with rigid jaws is used for viscous liquids, then the liquid can be dispensed, but the mechanism is unsuitable for bulk food products with large pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible packaging bags instead of rigid containers, allowing the bag itself to deform and adapt to the pinching mechanism. The flexible material conforms to the jaws' shape and can accommodate various product types including bulk food products with large pieces, while still allowing controlled dispensing through the pinching action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the container from rigid to flexible, allowing it to adapt its shape and deformation characteristics based on the product being dispensed. This parameter change enables the same pinching mechanism to handle different product types effectively.
3Reliability
If cleaning operations are performed on the device, then hygiene is maintained, but time is lost and product traceability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By using disposable flexible packaging bags, the system eliminates time-consuming cleaning operations. Bags can be quickly removed and replaced without interruption to the dispensing process, maintaining hygiene while minimizing time loss. This is particularly valuable for maintaining product traceability in organic food dispensing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a reusable plastic silo is used, then the device structure is stable, but the device requires modification of labeling for product traceability after cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into separate disposable bags rather than using a single reusable silo. Each bag can be independently labeled with product information, and when replaced, the new bag's labeling automatically provides traceability without requiring modification of the device structure or existing labels.
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
Facilitates easy reloading and cleaning-free operation, maintains product hygiene and traceability, and prevents unwanted mixing by using flexible bags as silos, eliminating the need for water-based cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first blade and one second blade deformable in flexion between a closed position in which the blades are not mechanically constrained by the control mechanism and an open position in which the blades are mechanically constrained by the control mechanism to be deformed in flexion
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for dispensing at least one bulk food product, which includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being capable of suspending a first side of the bag, the second portion comprising a pouring spout and a clamping mechanism configured for clamping a second side of the bag opposite the first side, and which comprises at least one first blade and one second blade, which are flexibly deformable between a closing position in which the blades are unconstrained and are configured to hold the second side of the bag closed, and an open position in which the blades are constrained to flex and move away from one another and are configured to release the second side of the bag so as to deliver the food product via the pouring spout.