Movable Liquid Topping Dispenser Assembly for Frozen Confection Kiosk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kiosks for dispensing frozen confections lack an efficient and accessible mechanism for customers to apply liquid toppings outside the kiosk, limiting convenience and operational flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A kiosk design featuring a movable liquid-topping dispenser assembly mounted on a carriage that can be operated by customers outside the kiosk, allowing for back-and-forth movement along a track, enabling easy access and positioning of the dispenser for customer use while maintaining integration with the kiosk's frozen confection forming device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the liquid topping dispenser is placed inside the kiosk, then it is protected and integrated with the frozen confection forming device, but customers cannot access it directly from outside the kiosk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer access to liquid toppingsVSAvoiddispenser positioning mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser assembly is mounted on a movable carriage that can slide along a track between an extended position (for customer access) and a retracted position (for protection and integration). This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt between two operational states, providing customer access when needed while maintaining protection and integration when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the dispenser assembly is made movable on a carriage, then customer access and positioning flexibility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser positioning flexibilityVSAvoidcarriage and track mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser assembly is separated from the main kiosk structure and mounted on an independent movable carriage. This segmentation allows the dispenser to be positioned independently along the track, providing flexibility in positioning while keeping the complexity localized to the carriage mechanism rather than the entire kiosk system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the dispenser assembly is extended outside the sidewall, then customer access is improved, but the integration with the frozen confection forming device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal access to dispenserVSAvoidintegration with frozen confection forming device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable carriage acts as an intermediary between the frozen confection forming device inside the kiosk and the dispenser assembly outside the sidewall. When the carriage is in the retracted position, the dispenser is closely integrated with the forming device, ensuring reliable operation. When extended, it provides external access while maintaining the connection through the carriage mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10682942B2Frozen confection kiosk and liquid-dispensing assembly for use therewith

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 TIKIZ FRANCHISING LLC

AI summary

A kiosk for selling frozen confections such as shaved ice or ice cream may include with a liquid-topping dispenser assembly having liquid-dispensing faucets which are operable by a customer outside the kiosk to dispense liquid toppings onto the frozen confections.