Utensil Dispenser Stack Gauge for Visible Quantity Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional utensil dispensers struggle to provide utensils to consumers in a repeatable and reliable manner, and they face challenges in loading utensils and maintaining a consistent supply.

Innovation Solution

A utensil dispenser with a housing that contains a stack of utensils and a visible stack gauge, allowing for easy monitoring of the utensil quantity. The dispenser includes a first gauge opening and a stack gauge arm with a prong that moves between contact and non-contact positions with the utensil stack, indicating different quantities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional utensil dispensers are used to provide a confined and controlled protective environment for utensils, then the utensils are protected in a sanitary manner, but the dispensers have difficulties delivering utensils to consumers in a repeatable and reliable manner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of utensil deliveryVSAvoidease of utensil access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser is designed to automatically deliver utensils to consumers without requiring manual intervention or complex operation. The self-service mechanism ensures repeatable and reliable utensil delivery while maintaining ease of access for consumers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If conventional utensil dispensers are used, then utensils are housed in a protected environment, but the dispensers have difficulties maintaining a reliable supply of utensils for customers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of utensil supplyVSAvoidquantity of utensils in stock

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser incorporates a stack gauge that provides visual feedback on the quantity of utensils remaining in the stack. This feedback mechanism allows the dispenser to maintain a reliable supply by enabling timely refilling before the utensil stock is depleted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If conventional utensil dispensers are used, then utensils are contained in a housing, but the dispensers have challenges and issues delivering utensils to consumers in a repeatable and reliable manner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeatability of utensil deliveryVSAvoidcomplexity of dispensing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components that work independently but coordinate to achieve reliable utensil delivery. This segmentation simplifies the overall system while maintaining repeatable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of information

If a stack gauge is added to the utensil dispenser, then the quantity of utensils can be monitored from outside the housing, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of utensil quantityVSAvoidcomplexity of gauge mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stack gauge is extracted as a separate, simple component that provides visibility of utensil quantity without adding significant complexity to the main dispensing mechanism. The gauge is positioned to be visible from outside the housing while maintaining a straightforward mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3742937B1Utensil dispensers with stack gauge

Publication Date: 2025.04.16 GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC

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AI summary

Utensil dispenser (10) including a housing (18) configured to contain a stack (56) of utensils (20). A stack gauge (70) comprising a gauge arm (60) can be configured to indicate a quantity of utensils (20) in the stack (56) of the utensils in the housing (18) and is visible from outside the housing (18) and the dispenser.