Sauce Dispensing Station With Pneumatic Actuation to Reduce Drip Waste
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manually actuable cartridge dispensing devices in fast food restaurants result in significant sauce wastage due to residual sauce dripping off when cartridges are returned, leading to high resource intensity and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A station with a rigidly mounted cartridge dispensing device and a pneumatic actuator that reduces sauce dripping by allowing vertical dispensing and easy operation, minimizing user effort and preventing unappetizing residues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manually actuable cartridge dispensing devices are used, then ease of operation is improved, but sauce wastage increases due to residual sauce dripping off when cartridges are returned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic manual handling step by introducing an automated cartridge return mechanism. The used cartridge is automatically returned to its holder without manual intervention, preventing the user from shaking the cartridge and causing sauce to drip. This separates the dispensing function from the return function, allowing automated control of the potentially harmful action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically returning the used cartridge to its holder through an automated mechanism. The cartridge is transported back without human handling, eliminating the need for users to manually shake or manipulate the cartridge during the return process, thereby preventing sauce wastage.
2Device complexity
If manual cartridge handling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but resource intensity increases due to sauce wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated mechanical return mechanism. The cartridge is transported back using an automated system (such as a conveyor or robotic arm) rather than manual shaking and placing. This substitution increases device complexity slightly but dramatically reduces resource waste by eliminating sauce drippage during the return process.
3Ease of operation
If cartridges are shaken during return, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to sauce dripping and creating unappetizing residues
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful shaking action before it can occur. The automated return mechanism gently transports the cartridge back to its holder without any shaking or vigorous movement. By designing the return path and mechanism to inherently prevent shaking, the system eliminates the harmful effect of sauce dripping before it can happen.
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
Significantly reduces sauce wastage and user fatigue, ensuring efficient and clean sauce dispensing with minimal residual sauce, enhancing operational efficiency and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure actuator that can be actuated by the user and which is designed to dispense the sauce from the container onto the bread roll half when actuated by the user
Data Source
AI summary
A station for covering a bread roll half of a bread roll with a sauce in a preparation line of a fast food restaurant, comprising: a table by which a user standing at a front side can cover a bread roll half with sauce, a container comprising the sauce and arranged over the table at a working distance from the front side and from which an outlet nozzle oriented towards the table protrudes at a vertical distance from the table, so that the bread roll half which is to be covered with sauce can be placed on the table below the outlet nozzle, and a pressure actuator that can be actuated by the user and which is designed to dispense the sauce from the container onto the bread roll half when actuated by the user.