Dual-Compartment Merchandiser for Low-Energy Cold Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional open front coolers consume significantly more energy than glass door merchandisers due to the lack of insulation, which increases energy costs despite providing higher sales volume through impulse purchases.

Innovation Solution

A merchandiser design incorporating an ambient compartment for easy product access and a temperature-controlled compartment with a rotary internal transport system, allowing for efficient dispensing of temperature-controlled products while minimizing energy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an open front cooler is used to provide easy product access and impulse purchases, then consumer accessibility and sales volume are improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct accessibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooler is divided into two distinct compartments: an open ambient compartment for easy product access and a closed temperature-controlled compartment for energy-efficient storage. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function optimally - the ambient compartment provides impulse purchase accessibility while the temperature-controlled compartment minimizes energy consumption through insulation and controlled cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If a glass door merchandiser is used to reduce energy consumption, then energy costs are reduced, but product accessibility and impulse purchases are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidproduct accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the merchandiser into ambient and temperature-controlled compartments, the system provides both easy accessibility (like glass door merchandisers) and energy efficiency (like open front coolers). The ambient compartment allows consumers to easily access products without opening doors, while the temperature-controlled compartment maintains lower energy consumption through insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If the temperature-controlled compartment is made smaller to reduce energy usage, then energy costs are reduced, but product storage capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-compartment design allows the temperature-controlled section to be compact and energy-efficient while the ambient compartment provides additional storage capacity. Products are strategically placed in the appropriate compartment based on their temperature requirements, optimizing both energy consumption and overall storage utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9576419B2Merchandiser

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

The present application and the resultant patent provide a merchandiser. The merchandiser may include an ambient compartment with at least one ambient product therein, a temperature controlled compartment with at least one temperature controlled product therein, and a rotary internal transport system within the temperature controlled compartment so as to dispense a temperature controlled product in response to an ambient product being placed therein.