Beverage dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bar guns are limited in dispensing custom beverages and do not allow users to create personalized drink options, as they are typically configured with dedicated buttons for a limited range of drinks.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing system with a central ingredient system and piping network that connects to a handheld device, allowing users to select and combine multiple beverage ingredients, including syrups and flavor shots, through a user interface to create custom beverages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bar guns use dedicated buttons for each drink, then the device is simple to operate, but the beverage variety is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoiddispenser structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bar gun is transformed from a dedicated-button device into a universal dispenser that can handle multiple beverage types through a single interface. The system uses a touchscreen display that can display and control various beverage options (carbonated, non-carbonated, hot, cold, alcoholic, non-alcoholic) without requiring separate physical buttons for each drink type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical button-pressing interface is replaced with a touchscreen display and electronic control system. The touchscreen allows users to select from multiple beverage types and customization options, while electronic valves and flow controllers manage the dispensing of different ingredients, eliminating the need for dedicated mechanical buttons for each beverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bar guns have dedicated buttons for each drink, then the device structure is simple, but custom beverage creation is not permitted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom beverage capabilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touchscreen interface serves multiple functions: displaying beverage options, allowing ingredient selection, enabling customization, and controlling dispensing parameters. This single interface replaces multiple dedicated buttons while providing enhanced functionality for creating custom beverages through ingredient combination selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables users to create custom beverages by selecting from available ingredients and their desired combinations. The touchscreen interface guides users through the customization process, allowing them to mix and match ingredients (such as cola with cherry or vanilla flavors) without requiring complex manual configuration or programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple beverage ingredients are dispensed simultaneously, then custom beverage variety increases, but flow rate control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient combination optionsVSAvoidflow control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual or simple mechanical flow control for multiple ingredients is replaced with an electronic control system. The touchscreen interface electronically controls multiple valves and flow meters, allowing precise regulation of each ingredient's flow rate. This electronic system can simultaneously manage multiple beverage streams with predetermined ratios based on user selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls the flow rates of multiple beverage ingredients by adjusting parameters such as valve opening degrees, pump speeds, or pressure differentials. The touchscreen interface allows selection of predetermined flow rate combinations for different beverage types, and the electronic control system automatically adjusts the physical parameters to achieve the desired mixing ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the simultaneous dispensing of multiple beverage ingredients at predetermined flow rates, allowing users to create a wide variety of custom beverages beyond the limitations of traditional bar guns.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid dispensing system may include a plurality of flow control valves with each flow control valve associated with a beverage ingredient. The liquid dispensing system may be configured to simultaneously dispense multiple beverage ingredients at predetermined flow rates based on a beverage selection.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS11802037B2Beverage dispenser

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 PEPSICO INC

AI summary

A liquid dispensing system having a handheld liquid dispense device with a body portion and a dispensing head. The dispensing system includes an ingredient system located remotely from the handheld liquid dispense device, piping extending from the ingredient system to the handheld liquid dispense device, the ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources and configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a beverage from the handheld liquid dispense device. The dispensing system may also include a user interface device configured to receive a first user selection for a beverage and a second user selection for an ingredient modifying the beverage.