Vacuum Box Dispensing Apparatus for Automated Food Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preparation of custom-ordered foodstuffs is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors and variations in quality due to the manual nature of food preparation processes.
Innovation Solution
An automated food preparation system that includes a box-dispensing apparatus with a housing, lift subassembly, and transfer subassembly, utilizing vacuum suction cups and optical sensors to accurately and efficiently dispense boxes containing foodstuffs, allowing for quick and precise preparation of custom orders with minimal human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual food preparation processes are used, then flexibility in handling custom orders is maintained, but preparation time increases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated food preparation system is divided into distinct functional modules: a box dispensing apparatus with nest and lift subassembly for box handling, a food preparation station for assembling food items, and a conveyance system for transporting components. Each module operates independently but coordinates through the control system, enabling high-speed automated preparation while maintaining manageable complexity through functional decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The box dispensing apparatus serves multiple functions: storing multiple boxes in a nested configuration, selectively dispensing individual boxes via the lift subassembly, and positioning boxes for the food preparation station. The conveyance system similarly handles multiple tasks including transporting buns, toppings, and cooked items between stations, reducing the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function
2Reliability
If manual food preparation is used, then adaptability to custom orders is maintained, but human error increases and quality consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors and control systems that monitor each step of the food preparation process. The box dispensing apparatus detects when boxes are properly positioned, the food preparation station tracks ingredient placement and quantities, and the conveyance system confirms item transport. This feedback loop ensures consistent quality and accuracy for custom orders while maintaining high automation levels
Solution Approach 2:
Boxes are pre-positioned in the nested stack configuration within the dispensing apparatus, and ingredients are pre-portioned and arranged on the conveyance system before food assembly begins. This preliminary arrangement eliminates variability in ingredient placement and box positioning during the actual preparation process, ensuring consistent quality across all custom orders
3Area of stationary object
If boxes are stacked for storage, then space efficiency increases, but box retrieval speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nest and lift subassembly provide dynamic box retrieval: when a box is needed, the lift subassembly automatically raises the nested stack to position the top box for dispensing, then lowers it back after dispensing. This dynamic adjustment maintains rapid access to individual boxes while preserving the space-efficient nested storage configuration, eliminating the trade-off between compact storage and quick retrieval
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 enables rapid and accurate preparation of foodstuffs by automatically dispensing boxes, reducing human error and increasing efficiency in food preparation, ensuring consistent quality across various custom orders.
Implementation Method 1
The transfer subassembly includes a vacuum suction cup. The vacuum suction cup is configured to operatively engage a first box of the plurality of boxes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for dispensing a single box for containing foodstuffs includes a housing, a lift subassembly, and a transfer subassembly. The housing at least partially defines an inner area. The lift subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The lift subassembly includes a nest configured to support a plurality of boxes disposed in a stack and translate with respect to the housing in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The transfer subassembly is coupled to the housing and disposed at least partially within the inner area. The transfer subassembly includes a vacuum suction cup. The vacuum suction cup is configured to operatively engage a first box of the plurality of boxes to remove the first box from the stack and pivot the first box about a rotational axis to a surface outside of the inner area.