Method and apparatus for storing and dispensing bagged ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice dispensing machines in supermarkets face inefficiencies due to bags of ice forming a pyramid stack, leading to underutilization of storage capacity and requiring manual leveling, which is labor-intensive and unsafe, especially during peak demand periods.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus and method that distributes bags of ice evenly across two side-by-side rows within the storage compartment using a carriage-driven article support, eliminating the need for rotation and allowing for efficient stacking and retrieval, with a control system to maintain uniform stack heights and optimize storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bags are dispensed into a single position in the storage compartment, then the dispensing mechanism is simple, but the storage capacity is underutilized and pyramid stacking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is divided into multiple dispensing positions (front and rear positions) where bags can be stacked. The article distributor segments the single dispensing location into multiple locations, allowing bags to be distributed across different positions rather than accumulating in one spot, thereby preventing pyramid stacking and improving storage capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point dispensing to multi-point dispensing by adding the dimension of horizontal distribution across front and rear positions. The carriage moves horizontally to deposit bags at different locations, converting a vertical stacking problem into a distributed spatial arrangement that maximizes storage space.
2Quantity of substance
If manual leveling is performed frequently to maintain even stacks, then storage capacity is optimized, but labor costs and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The article distributor system automatically maintains even stacks by distributing bags to multiple positions (front and rear) in an alternating or balanced pattern. The system self-regulates the stacking process without requiring manual intervention, as the carriage-controlled dispensing naturally creates uniform stacks across the storage compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary distribution of bags to multiple positions before they can form uneven stacks. By pre-establishing the multi-position stacking pattern from the beginning of the storage process, the system prevents pyramid formation rather than requiring corrective leveling actions later.
3Quantity of substance
If storage compartment is sized for peak demand, then capacity is sufficient during high demand, but the apparatus becomes larger and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically optimizes the use of available storage space through multi-position dispensing. By actively managing bag distribution across front and rear positions, the system maximizes the utilization of the storage compartment volume, allowing for a more compact apparatus design that still meets peak demand requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An article storage and dispensing apparatus and method in which articles made by series production are distributed from an article supplier into a storage compartment of predetermined dimensions for storage of articles in front and rear rows of article storage positions. An article distributor in an upper portion of the storage compartment has a carriage, a carriage drive configured to drive the carriage in a reversible horizontal carriage drive direction across at least part of the width of the storage compartment, and an article support mounted on the carriage and configured to receive articles from the article supplier above the support when the carriage is in a start position. An article dispenser is associated with the article support to dispense articles selectively in opposite horizontal dispensing directions transverse to the carriage drive direction off the front and rear ends of the support to drop into front and rear article rows.