Peristaltic Pump Vending Machine for Precise Sauce Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vending machines for dispensing edible products in a fluid state face challenges such as limited capacity, difficulty in cleaning, contamination risks, and inefficiencies in product dosage and hygiene, particularly when dealing with viscous products like sauces and condiments.
Innovation Solution
A vending machine design featuring a flexible container system with a removable conduit and a peristaltic pump, where the dispensing spout houses the flexible conduit, allowing for easy replacement and cleaning, and an electronic control unit for precise dosing and minimizing product waste, with a rigid tube guiding the conduit to prevent deformation and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual pumps are used in dispensers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of dosing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pumps with an automated peristaltic pump system controlled by a microprocessor. The peristaltic pump uses rhythmic compression of a flexible tube to move product, eliminating manual operation while providing precise, programmable dosing control through electronic means.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where users can independently operate the dispenser through simple interface interactions. The microprocessor automatically controls the peristaltic pump to deliver precise doses without requiring manual pumping action, making the system both automated and user-friendly.
2Device complexity
If fixed dispensing conduits are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into separate replaceable components: the peristaltic pump with its flexible tube, the dispensing nozzle, and the product container. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced without disassembling the entire device, significantly improving maintenance ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable flexible tubes in the peristaltic pump and replaceable nozzles that can be easily discarded and replaced. These consumable parts are designed to be inexpensive and single-use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning procedures while ensuring hygiene and proper function.
3Device complexity
If products are stored in contact with air through dispensing conduits, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible bladder or bag made of food-grade material to store products directly within the dispenser. This flexible container seals the product, preventing contact with air and contamination through the dispensing conduit, while still allowing the product to be dispensed through controlled compression of the bladder by the peristaltic pump.
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
The solution reduces the need for frequent washing, ensures hygiene compliance, allows for precise dosing, and minimizes product waste, making the machine suitable for various uses and cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (23) driven by an electric motor (23a) and adapted to create a throttling which slides cyclically along a portion of the conduit (21) so as to impart prevalence to the fluid carried within the conduit (21) and, consequently, to pump the product contained in the flexible container (17) towards the open end (21b) of the conduit (21) associated with the spout (19)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Vending machine (11) for dispensing edible products in a fluid state, comprising: a supporting structure (13); at least one seat (15) defined within the supporting structure (13) and adapted to house at least one flexible container (17) of the product to be dispensed; a dispensing spout (19) from which the dispensed product contained in the container (17) exits; a flexible conduit (21) having one end associated with the container (17) and the opposite end associated with the spout (19); a peristaltic pump (23) for pumping the product contained in the flexible container (17) towards the spout (19); an electronic control unit (25) for controlling the operation of the pump (23), wherein the dispensing spout (19) comprises a rigid tube (19a) adapted to receive therein an end portion (21c) of the flexible conduit (21). IPC = B67D