Touch-Free Flowable Food Dispenser Using Sensor-Driven Pump Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual pumps for dispensing flowable food products are prone to contamination as they are frequently touched by multiple users and often not sanitized during the day, posing a risk of bacterial and viral transmission.

Innovation Solution

A touch-free automatic dispensing system using a sensor to detect user presence and an automated pump actuation unit, which replaces the manual handle, allowing for the conversion of existing mechanical dispensers into sanitary, automated systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a manual pump handle is used for dispensing food products, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the pump handle collects bacteria and viruses from multiple users creating contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesanitationVSAvoiddispensing system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pump handle with an automated pump actuation unit that uses a motorized mechanism to operate the pump. This substitution eliminates the need for user contact with the pump mechanism while maintaining the dispensing function, thereby resolving the contradiction between sanitation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary between the user and the pump system. The sensor detects user presence and triggers automated pump actuation without requiring physical contact. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain sanitation while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an automated pump actuation unit is introduced to eliminate manual handling, then contamination risks are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontaminationVSAvoidpump actuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the actuation mechanism from the main pump body and places it within a removable cover member. This extraction allows the automated actuation unit to be easily installed and removed, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining the sanitation benefits of automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the dispenser into distinct modules: the main pump body, the cover member, and the automated actuation unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, thereby managing device complexity while improving sanitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the automated pump actuation unit is made removable with the cover member, then conversion of existing dispensers is enabled, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconverter capabilityVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the automated pump actuation unit with universal mounting features that allow it to be adapted to various existing dispenser models. The standardized interface and removable cover member design enable the same actuation unit to serve multiple applications, thereby improving adaptability while managing manufacturing complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system eliminates the need for manual handling, reducing contamination risks and ensuring continuous sanitation of the dispensing mechanism, providing a hygienic and efficient way to dispense flowable food products.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor is positioned to detect the presence of an actuation member in proximity to the sensor but out of contact with the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The depression of the handle creates pressure onto the diaphragm which, upon release, creates a negative source of pressure to draw the food product from the open reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential pumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS11472692B2Touch-free flowable food product dispenser

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 SERVER PRODS

AI summary

A touch-free flowable food product dispenser is disclosed. The food product dispenser includes a main body, a pump assembly mounted in the main body and a cover member mounted to the main body. The cover member is part of an automated pump actuation unit that can be removably mounted to the main body such that the automated pump actuation unit engages a pump assembly supported by the main body. The automated pump actuation unit includes a sensor positioned to detect the presence of an actuation member, such as a hand, in proximity to the sensor. When the actuation member is detected, the automated pump actuation unit actuate the pump assembly to dispense the food product. The cover member and automated pump actuation assembly are formed as a single unit that can be installed on the main body to convert manual pump dispensers to touch-free dispensers.