Multi-Axis Food Dispensing Heads for Hygienic Pizza Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated food production systems are inadequate for customized, hygienic, and volume-consistent production of food items like pizzas, as they lack efficient dispensing mechanisms for ingredients like cheese and sausage, leading to variability and hygiene issues due to manual handling and clumping problems.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a multi-axis robot with interchangeable dispensing heads, including a cheese grater and sliced food dispenser, to programmatically dispense ingredients in precise patterns, along with a controller for designing and implementing custom food designs, reducing human interaction and improving ingredient control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual handling of food ingredients is used, then customization and flexibility are improved, but hygiene and consistency deteriorate due to operator variability and cleanliness issues

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizationVSAvoidhygiene and consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-contained, sealed ingredient containers that automatically dispense portions without human contact. The automated dispensing mechanism eliminates the need for operators to manually handle ingredients, thereby maintaining hygiene while preserving customization capabilities through programmable dispensing patterns and quantities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical handling by operators is replaced with an automated mechanical dispensing system. The system uses controlled mechanical mechanisms to dispense precise portions of ingredients automatically, eliminating human variability and hygiene concerns while maintaining the ability to customize food assembly through programmable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated dispensing systems are implemented, then productivity and consistency are improved, but adaptability to customization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidcustomization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates programmable control that allows dynamic adjustment of dispensing parameters such as portion size, pattern, and sequence. This enables the automated system to adapt to different customization requirements while maintaining high production speed, as the program can be quickly changed without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The automated dispensing system is designed with universal capabilities to handle multiple ingredient types and dispensing patterns through a single integrated platform. The system can be programmed to accommodate various customization options, making it versatile enough to handle different food assembly requirements while maintaining automated efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If clumping ingredients like cheese are dispensed manually, then ease of operation is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uneven distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidmaterial distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Manual manipulation of clumping ingredients is replaced with an automated dispensing mechanism that uses controlled mechanical forces to break up and evenly distribute ingredients like cheese. The system applies consistent mechanical action to prevent clumping and ensure uniform distribution, eliminating the variability inherent in manual operation while maintaining ease of use through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If pre-sliced sausage products are dispensed manually, then ease of operation is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates as items stick together and cannot be dispensed one at a time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing simplicityVSAvoidindividual item placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing system uses periodic mechanical action to separate and dispense individual sausage slices one at a time. The mechanism applies rhythmic mechanical forces to break the stick-together effect and deliver precise individual portions at controlled intervals, enabling accurate placement while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10244898B2System and method for automated preparation of food-based materials

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 GANNINGER MARK

AI summary

Disclosed is an invention in the field of automated food preparation. The present invention particularly relates to a system and method to prepare food items by automatically placing food items on a food preparation surface utilizing a multi-axis robot. Upon loading predetermined coordinates into a computing device, a computer program calculates the instructs the robot via a controller to load the required food items via one or more food ingredient dispensing heads automatically.