Two-Stage Paddle Rotor and Auger Weighing for Accurate Bulk Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bulk food purchasing systems are manual, leading to inaccurate and inefficient weighing methods, resulting in wastage, cross-contamination, and potential fraud, while also compromising inventory control and freshness of products.
Innovation Solution
A 2-stage paddle rotor and auger feed weighing system that utilizes an airtight cartridge with a motorized paddle valve to control product flow, providing active weight measurement and inventory tracking, allowing consumers to select products by weight, mass, volume, or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual scooping and weighing is used, then consumers can access bulk products, but weighing accuracy and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated dispensing where consumers use touchscreens to select products and specify quantities, and the system automatically dispenses the exact amount without manual intervention for weighing and measurement
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical scooping and weighing processes are replaced with an automated system using motorized augers for dispensing and integrated load cells for precise weight measurement, eliminating the need for manual tools
2Reliability
If open-bin systems are used, then consumers can freely access products, but product freshness and purity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sealed bin containers with integrated dispensing mechanisms, where products are contained in closed vessels that maintain freshness while allowing controlled dispensing through the automated auger system
Solution Approach 2:
The automated auger system acts as an intermediary between the sealed product container and the consumer, allowing product transfer without direct consumer contact with the bulk product, thus maintaining purity and freshness
3Measurement precision
If manual inventory tracking is used, then retailers can manage stock, but inventory accuracy and control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates load cells that continuously measure product weight and provide real-time feedback to the control system, which automatically updates inventory records and tracks dispensing quantities with high precision
Solution Approach 2:
Manual inventory tracking methods are replaced with an automated electronic system that uses integrated sensors and software to continuously monitor and record product quantities, eliminating manual counting and recording processes
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a feed weighing system used for automated bulk product dispensing. The system comprises an airtight cartridge that utilizes a motorized paddle valve to control the flow of product into a secondary paddle feed weighing stage. Using a digital interface or a dispense button, consumers select a specified amount of bulk product to be dispensed (by weight, mass, volume or cost). The product is then dispensed into a receptacle container and the system calculates the quantity and corresponding cost that was dispensed into the receptacle container. Using an identification key system, consumers can activate the automatic dispensing system. The identification key may be used to track and store the user's dispensed bulk products. This information may be uploaded to a database that is later called upon at the time of checkout to tabulate the user's total cost of dispensed bulk products.