Rotatable Disc Dispenser for Consistent Granular Substance Portioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-serving coffee brewing machines face challenges in consistently and uniformly dispensing granular substances like ground coffee due to the difficulty in filling reusable coffee containers, especially in the morning when users are not fully alert.
Innovation Solution
A manually-operated dispenser with a housing featuring upper and lower portions, including storage compartments and rotatable discs that align outlets to allow controlled dispensing of a consistent volume of granular substances into a receptacle, enabling users to adjust the amount for desired beverage strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reusable single-serving size coffee container or filter is used with a coffee brewing machine, then the user can refill and reuse the container, but it is difficult to fill the container in a consistent, uniform manner
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the filling process into controlled portions using a rotatable disc with multiple outlets. Each outlet corresponds to a specific portion size, allowing the user to rotate the disc to select the desired number of portions. This segmentation ensures consistent, uniform filling while maintaining container reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary action by pre-measuring and pre-port ioning the coffee grounds in the storage compartment before dispensing. The rotatable disc is pre-configured with outlets that correspond to specific portion sizes, so the measurement and portioning are done in advance, ensuring consistency when the user simply needs to rotate and dispense.
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-packaged single-serving size coffee containers are used, then the amount of coffee grounds is determined by the supplier, but the user cannot adjust the amount or ratio of granular substance to achieve desired beverage strength
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a dynamic, rotatable disc with multiple outlets that can be rotated to different positions. This allows the user to dynamically adjust the number of outlets aligned with the dispensing channel, thereby controlling the amount of coffee grounds dispensed. The system maintains manufacturing precision through fixed outlet positions while providing adaptability through user-controlled rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable disc serves multiple functions: it acts as a measurement device, a portioning mechanism, and a control valve all in one component. By rotating the disc, a single device can dispense various amounts of coffee grounds, making it universally applicable for different beverage strengths while maintaining consistent measurement for each selected portion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a manually-operated dispenser with rotatable discs and multiple outlets is used, then the user can adjust the amount of granular substance dispensed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism. The rotatable disc combines the functions of a valve, a measurement device, and a portioning mechanism. The outlets in the disc serve both as flow channels and as the control element for adjusting dispensing amount, eliminating the need for separate control valves and measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed for self-service operation where the user simply rotates the disc to the desired position and the appropriate amount of coffee grounds is automatically dispensed. The mechanism self-regulates the flow based on the disc position, requiring minimal user intervention despite the multiple outlets and rotatable components.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser includes a housing having an upper and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a storage compartment having a floor and retaining a granular substance. The lower portion includes a spout. A first outlet extends through the floor. A manually rotatable upper disc is disposed below the floor, and has a second outlet therethrough. A manually rotatable lower disc is disposed between the upper disc and the lower portion. The lower disc includes a third outlet therethrough. Rotation of the upper disc aligns the second outlet with the first outlet and the granular substance passes through the first to the second outlet. Rotation of the lower disc through one or more positions permits a variable amount of the granular substance to pass from the second to the third outlet. Further rotation of the lower disc aligns the third outlet with the spout to dispense the granular substance.