Storage container assembly for a beverage preparation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation devices, such as fully automatic coffee machines, often pose difficulties for operators of shorter stature when filling storage containers located above the device, as they require reaching high areas to supply solid starting materials like coffee beans.
Innovation Solution
A two-part storage container arrangement with a removable upper partial container that automatically opens and closes when joined with the lower partial container, allowing for easy filling and refilling without removing the entire container from the device, and a rail guide for horizontal pull-out and push-in operation, ensuring the device remains functional during filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storage container is arranged above the beverage preparation device, then the starting materials can be supplied under gravity, but it becomes difficult for shorter operators to fill the container
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into two separate parts: a lower partial container that remains on the beverage preparation device and an upper partial container that can be removed and filled independently. This segmentation allows operators to fill only the upper part at a convenient height while the lower part stays in place, resolving the contradiction between maintaining gravity supply and improving filling accessibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the entire storage container is removed for filling, then complete refilling is possible, but the device cannot operate during filling
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the storage container into removable upper and fixed lower parts, the system enables refilling of only the upper container while the lower container with remaining material stays on the device. This allows the beverage preparation device to continue operating during the refilling process, eliminating downtime while maintaining complete refilling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device is pre-configured with a slide that automatically opens when the upper container is placed on the lower container. This preliminary arrangement of the closure mechanism ensures that material can flow from the upper to lower container immediately upon assembly, without requiring manual intervention to open the closure, thus enabling continuous operation.
3Reliability
If a closure device is added to prevent material leakage, then sealing is improved, but the filling operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device's slide is designed to open automatically through a projection on the lower container that pushes the slide when the upper container is placed on the lower container. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual opening operations, maintaining reliable sealing during transport and storage while simplifying the filling process. The closure system serves itself by automatically opening at the appropriate moment without adding operational complexity.
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
This solution simplifies the filling process by allowing operators to fill the upper container independently and ensures the device remains operational, enabling convenient and ergonomic handling of solid starting materials, such as coffee beans, without interrupting the brewing process.
Implementation Method 1
the starting materials that have been filled in can trickle from the upper part container into the lower part container
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded latch is provided to secure the slider in a closed condition
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
In order to improve a beverage preparation device in terms of usability and ergonomics and in particular to simplify filling a storage container with solid beverage starting materials, a storage container arrangement is proposed which has at least one two-part storage container (2) with a lower partial container (7) and a removable upper partial container (8). , Which can be arranged on the lower part of the container (7). The upper part container (8) has a base (16) with a connection opening (15) on which a closure device (17) is arranged, which is designed to open automatically when the upper and lower part container (7, 8) are joined together and release a connection between the upper and lower part container (7.8).