Shelving system with single product pick-up and non-returnable mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving systems in vending machines allow consumers to pick up multiple products with a single hand, leading to sanitary concerns, product tampering, and inaccuracies in vision technology-based payment systems due to the ability to return products and the close placement of gliders.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a single product pick-up mechanism using vertical partitions and non-returnable pushing mechanisms that restrict backward movement, ensuring products are pushed to the front and preventing simultaneous access with a single hand, while integrating with existing gliders to minimize alterations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If gliders are placed closely side-by-side to organize products into columns, then product organization and display are improved, but consumers can reach and pick products from different gliders at the same time with a single hand
Solution Approach 1:
The glider is divided into multiple compartments by partitions, creating separate spaces for products. Each compartment is accessible only through its own opening, physically segmenting the product selection process to prevent simultaneous pickup of multiple products
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between adjacent gliders, blocking the line of sight and physical access between compartments. This intermediary element prevents consumers from reaching across to grab products from neighboring gliders
2Ease of operation
If pushing mechanisms are used to push products to the front of shelves, then product accessibility and display uniformity are improved, but consumers can return products back to shelves by moving pushing mechanisms backward
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing mechanism is designed with asymmetric geometry where the pushing surface faces forward but the structural configuration prevents backward movement. The mechanism can push products forward easily but cannot be reversed to return products, inverting the conventional bidirectional design
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing mechanism incorporates a ratchet or cam-based locking system that allows forward motion when activated but automatically locks to prevent backward motion. This dynamic design provides one-way movement control without requiring active locking mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If partitions are added to prevent simultaneous product access, then single product pick-up is enforced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition structure is merged with the glider's existing framework by integrating it into the sidewall assembly. The partition serves dual purposes: organizing products into compartments and preventing access to adjacent gliders, eliminating the need for separate protective structures
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall performs multiple functions simultaneously: it divides product compartments, blocks visual access to adjacent gliders, prevents physical reach across gliders, and provides structural support for the glider assembly, maximizing functionality while minimizing added complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler for storing and dispensing products is disclosed. The cooler includes a housing having an open access. A first glider and a second glider are disposed on a shelf interior of the housing, with a front end closer to the open access and a back end. The first and second gliders each has a partition and a pushing mechanism. The partition can prevent a user from reaching the products on both the first and second gliders at the same time with a single hand. The pushing mechanism can be adjustable between a locked condition to inhibit a movement of the products from the front end to the back end and a released condition to allow a movement of the products from the front end to the back end.