Touchless Cutlery Dispenser for Hygienic Single-Item Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutlery dispensing methods face challenges in providing a hygienic, convenient, and economical solution for dispensing disposable cutlery, as they often result in unsanitary conditions and wastefulness due to the handling of cutlery and lack of regulation in dispensing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An automated cutlery dispenser with a storage chamber, touchless sensor, and automated dispense mechanism that sequentially ejects cutlery, presenting only the handle end for user retrieval while retaining the food-contact end until released, and optionally includes an ultraviolet lamp for anti-microbial effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cutlery is dispensed in loose form in a bin or cup, then customers can select only the utensils desired, but this form of dispensing can be considered unsanitary and can indeed be unsanitary if a previous customer does not take a utensil she touched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated dispensing mechanism as an intermediary between the cutlery storage and the customer. The mechanism includes a dispensing tray that presents cutlery to the customer without requiring direct contact with the storage container, and a return mechanism that automatically returns unused cutlery to the storage chamber, eliminating the need for customers to handle loose cutlery in open bins.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated dispensing system enables self-service by allowing customers to obtain cutlery through a simple request mechanism (such as pressing a button or pulling a lever) without requiring restaurant staff intervention. The system automatically dispenses the requested cutlery and manages the storage chamber, providing both sanitation and customer autonomy.
2Productivity
If cutlery is dispensed into a collection tray, then the dispenser can provide cutlery to users, but the tray of the dispenser may become soiled as users repeatedly touch the tray while collecting dispensed cutlery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the collection tray function from the main storage chamber and implements a separate dispensing mechanism. The cutlery is dispensed directly from the storage chamber through a controlled opening, eliminating the need for a shared collection tray that users must touch. This separation prevents contamination of the storage area while maintaining dispensing functionality.
3Ease of operation
If manually operated dispensers are used, then users can operate the dispenser, but the handles, knobs or other actuators of manually operated dispensers are touched by user after user, causing concern among some individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical actuators (handles, knobs) with an automated sensing and actuation system. The system uses sensors to detect customer presence or requests and automatically activates the dispensing mechanism, eliminating the need for physical contact with actuators. This substitution maintains ease of operation through simple gestures or button presses while preventing contamination of mechanical components.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If pre-sealed pouches are used to provide cutlery, then hygienic form is ensured, but these pouches are generally more expensive than the individual utensils due to the processing and materials necessary to form the pouches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cutlery storage into individual compartments or slots within the storage chamber, with each slot holding a single piece of cutlery. This segmentation allows the system to dispense only the specific number of utensils needed (typically one at a time) rather than requiring pre-sealed pouches containing multiple pieces. The segmentation maintains hygiene through individual containment while reducing waste by eliminating the need for excess cutlery in pouches.
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 solution provides a hygienic, convenient, and economical dispensing method that minimizes user contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, reduces waste, and ensures only the needed cutlery is dispensed, enhancing user safety and profitability for establishments.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet lamp for anti-microbial effect disposed within the storage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.