Under-Cupboard Granular Food Dispenser With Slide-Off Bin Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food dispensers for granular foods are not space-efficient and lack practicality in design, particularly when located under a cupboard.
Innovation Solution
A granular food dispenser with a bin member and a dispensing hatch that slides onto a support bracket under the cupboard, featuring a pivotally attached hatch with an adjustable biasing mechanism and a flap to prevent food flow during closure, along with a window for content monitoring and adjustable resistance for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the dispenser is installed under a cupboard to save space, then space efficiency is improved, but access and operation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bin member is divided into separate sections with individual dispensing hatches, allowing selective access to different food types. The support bracket is also segmented with multiple bin channels, enabling independent installation and removal of individual bins while maintaining space efficiency under the cupboard.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing hatch is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to open outward for easy access when needed and close automatically when not in use. The bin member can be easily removed from and reinstalled on the support bracket, providing dynamic adaptability for refilling and maintenance while maintaining a compact permanent installation.
2Ease of operation
If a dispensing hatch is added to allow food extraction, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of food spillage and interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flap member is positioned within the bin channel to prevent food from spilling outward when the dispensing hatch is opened. The flap acts as a preliminary barrier that contains the food within the bin member, eliminating the harmful effect of spillage before it can occur during the extraction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap member serves as an intermediary element between the food storage area and the dispensing opening. It selectively controls food flow, allowing extraction when the hatch is properly opened while preventing uncontrolled spillage, thus mediating between ease of operation and prevention of food interference.
3Ease of operation
If the bin member is made removable for easy refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability and security decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is segmented with separate bin channels for each side, allowing individual bins to be removed without affecting the stability of the overall dispenser structure or other bins. This segmentation enables easy refilling while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed support design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the bin member and support bracket is designed to be dynamically changeable - securely locked during normal operation to ensure stability, but easily removable when refilling is needed. The bin channels provide stable engagement during use while allowing simple detachment for maintenance.
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 dispenser provides a space-efficient, mechanically simple solution for dispensing granular foods by allowing easy access and adjustable resistance, ensuring the hatch closes without interference, while allowing users to monitor the food level and easily refill the bin.
Implementation Method 1
An adjustable biasing member is attached between one of the four side walls of the bin portion and the dispensing hatch, such that a user must apply a pulling force to open the hatch and dispense food, and when done the adjustable biasing member pushes the hatch back into a closed position against the bottom portion of the bin member.
Data Source
AI summary
A food dispenser for attaching underneath a cupboard, wherein the dispenser has a bin member having four side walls and a dispensing hatch at a bottom portion thereof, and bin channels formed in top portions of two opposite of the side walls, and a support bracket adapted to be securely attached underneath the cupboard having four side edges, wherein two opposite side edges have support channels adapted to engage respective bin channels of the bin member opposite side walls, such that the bin member can slide on and off the support bracket. The dispensing hatch is pivotally attached to one of the four side walls of the bin member, such that the hatch can be pivotally opened and closed such that food can be extracted from the bin member.