RFID Liquid Dispenser with Flow Meter for Zero Waste Checkout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current liquid dispensing systems in zero waste shops require customers to manually weigh empty and full containers, which is time-consuming, prone to human error, and undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A RFID dispenser and measuring system that uses an RFID card to dispense liquids and a flow meter to measure the volume, allowing for wireless tracking and recording of the dispensed volume for checkout purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual weighing method is used to measure liquid volume, then measurement can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid volume measurement accuracyVSAvoidcheckout process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical weighing system with an RFID-based wireless identification and flow metering system. The flow meter automatically measures liquid volume as it dispenses, eliminating the need for manual weighing while maintaining measurement accuracy and significantly reducing checkout time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service liquid dispensing where customers simply present their RFID card at the dispenser, and the system automatically tracks the volume dispensed without requiring customer intervention for weighing or measurement recording. The checkout system automatically retrieves and processes the volume data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual pumping and weighing is required, then liquid dispensing can be controlled, but the operation becomes complex and undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid dispensing convenienceVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual pumping mechanism is replaced with an automated pump system controlled by RFID card detection. When a customer presents their RFID card, the system automatically activates the pump and solenoid to dispense liquid, eliminating the need for manual operation while simplifying the user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID card serves multiple functions: it identifies the customer, triggers the dispensing mechanism, and links to the checkout system for automatic billing. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual steps into a single universal interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If wireless RFID tracking is implemented, then checkout process is streamlined, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecheckout efficiencyVSAvoidsystem component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID card system serves as a universal identifier that works across multiple dispensers and integrates with the existing checkout infrastructure. The same RFID card used for dispensing automatically triggers checkout processing, eliminating the need for separate tracking systems and manual data entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID card acts as an intermediary carrier that links the dispensing event to the checkout system. Instead of requiring direct communication between multiple complex systems, the RFID card stores and transmits the necessary identification and volume data, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides a quick, easy, and accurate method for dispensing and tracking liquid volumes, reducing human error and streamlining the checkout process.

Implementation Method 1

uses the RFID card to dispense the liquid... RFID reader... wirelessly transmitting, by the dispenser controller device through a WiFi transceiver, the volumetric liquid flow data and an identifier of the supported RFID card

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the flow meter is able to measure the volume being dispensed... measuring and tracking, by a flow meter of the particular product storage and dispensary unit, volumetric liquid flow data for a flow of liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow meter measurement:

Implementation Method 3

activating, by a dispenser controller device of the particular product storage and dispensary unit, a fluid pump and solenoid... a fluid pump, a liquid reservoir... flowing out of a dispenser spout

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 4

activating, by a dispenser controller device of the particular product storage and dispensary unit, a fluid pump and solenoid... a solenoid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentUS12314924B1RFID dispenser and measuring system for consumer liquids

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 CHING ROSS WING YUNG

AI summary

A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser and measuring system for consumer liquids is disclosed. The RFID dispenser and measuring system for consumer liquids uses a RFID card to dispense the liquid and the RFID dispenser and measuring system for consumer liquids counts the volume being dispensed. The volume is then recorded on a server to be remembered when the customer checks out.