Device for dispensing items from a stack of nested items, in particular cup lids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lid dispensing devices in beverage vending machines frequently malfunction due to nested lids becoming stuck together, making separation difficult and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A device with a denesting unit and a tubular magazine that uses denesting rollers with support and separator elements to detach lids from a stack, allowing for adjustable angular positioning of the magazine for improved accessibility and loading, and featuring a control system for automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lids are nested deeply with shaped profiles to save space, then storage capacity is improved, but lids become firmly stuck together making separation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The denesting unit is divided into multiple functional rollers (first denesting roller, second denesting roller, third denesting roller) that perform separation actions at different stages and locations, allowing progressive detachment of stuck lids from the nested stack
Solution Approach 2:
A separator element is introduced as an intermediary component between the lids to facilitate separation. This separator physically inserts itself between nested lids to break the stuck connection, enabling subsequent removal by the denesting rollers
2Volume of stationary object
If lids are nested compactly to increase storage density, then space utilization is improved, but the denesting unit becomes less effective at separating lids
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element performs a preliminary separation action by inserting itself between nested lids before the main denesting rollers attempt removal. This preliminary action loosens the compact nested structure, making subsequent separation by the rollers reliable and effective
Solution Approach 2:
The separator element approaches the nested lids from a lateral dimension rather than only from the top or bottom. This lateral insertion approach allows the separator to penetrate between compactly nested lids more effectively, breaking their stuck connection without requiring significant axial force
3Device complexity
If the magazine is fixed in position for structural simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but accessibility and loading become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is made adjustable in its angular position around the vertical axis, transforming it from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the magazine to be positioned optimally for loading and maintenance operations while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward adjustment mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device for dispensing lids from a stack of nested lids, including a magazine containing a stack; a denesting unit arranged at a bottom of the magazine to detach lids from the stack bottom; and denesting rollers each of which has a lower shelf, a first upper shelf above a bottom shelf, and a second upper shelf above the first upper shelf. Some of the rollers comprise a first separator, and other denesting rollers comprise at least a second separator. The rollers are rotatable between a rest position in which the stack rests on the lower shelves; a single release position in which the first separators engage the stack to detach the last item from the stack bottom; and said rest position and a multiple release position in which the second separators engage the stack to detach at least the last two items from the stack bottom.