Rotatable Hygiene Product Dispenser Bulk Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a vending machine that can efficiently dispense feminine hygiene products in low-traffic areas without requiring a large storage capacity, as existing machines are costly and not suitable for facilities with lower demand, and users often take more products than necessary.

Innovation Solution

A bulk loading vending machine with a rotatable product container and a trigger assembly that moves a product delivery tray from a receiving position to a delivery position, featuring a timer to prevent immediate retraction and ensure single product dispensing, and a design that allows for easy loading and bulk filling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large capacity dispenser is used to store hygiene products, then the storage capacity is improved, but the cost increases and it is not suitable for low-traffic facilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The product container is designed to be rotatable between a loading position and a dispensing position, allowing the storage capacity to be dynamically adjusted based on traffic demand. This enables facilities to use smaller containers that can be rotated into position when needed, rather than permanently installing large capacity dispensers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing system is divided into separate functional components: a rotatable product container, a delivery tray, and a trigger assembly. This segmentation allows the storage function to be separated from the dispensing function, enabling flexible configuration where smaller storage units can be used in low-traffic areas while maintaining effective dispensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If a product delivery mechanism without delay is used, then the dispensing speed is improved, but users may take more products than necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing speedVSAvoidproduct over-dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger assembly incorporates a delay mechanism that prevents immediate retraction of the delivery tray after product dispensing. This periodic action with built-in delay ensures that only one product can be dispensed at a time, preventing users from taking multiple products simultaneously while maintaining efficient single-product dispensing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger assembly provides feedback control by preventing the delivery tray from returning to its initial position until a specified delay period has elapsed. This feedback mechanism ensures that the dispensing process completes fully before allowing another product to be dispensed, thereby preventing over-dispensing while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of substance

If a complex loading mechanism is used to prevent over-dispensing, then the product over-dispensing control is improved, but the ease of loading decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct over-dispensing controlVSAvoidease of loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The loading and dispensing functions are segmented into separate operational phases. The product container can be independently loaded while in the loading position, separate from the dispensing operation. This segmentation allows for simple bulk loading without complex mechanisms, while the delay control is implemented separately in the trigger assembly during the dispensing phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable product container design allows for self-service bulk loading where products can be directly placed into the container without requiring complex loading mechanisms. The container's rotatable design and open access in the loading position enable easy manual filling, while the anti-over-dispensing control is automatically provided by the trigger assembly's delay mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11911253B1Bulk loading feminine hygiene product dispenser

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 TRANZONIC

AI summary

A product dispensing apparatus for dispensing hygiene products. The product dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a back portion, a side portion coupled to the back portion, and a housing door movably coupled to the side portion. A product container is configured to hold a plurality of the hygiene products wherein the product container includes a support wall and side walls coupled to the support wall. The product container is rotatably coupled to the housing, and the product container is rotatable between a loading position and a dispensing position with respect to the housing. A product door is rotatably coupled to the product container and a trigger assembly is supported by the product container. A product delivery tray is rotatably supported by the side walls of the product container and extends through a slot in the support wall during rotation of the product delivery tray.