Interchangeable insert for an auger
View Patent ↗An interchangeable flighting insert is disclosed to maximize the efficiency of singularly delivering objects, such as products, to a user through a product dispensation device. The flighting insert can be removably coupled to an auger of the product dispensation device, thereby allowing variation of the flighting characteristics based on the object to be dispensed. The same auger can therefore use a first flighting for certain products, and a second flighting for different products.
1. An auger to dispense objects in a singular manner, the auger comprising:
a barrel portion including:
a first open end receiving the objects at a first extreme end of the auger and an opposing second open end disposed at a second extreme end of the auger distal from the first extreme end;
an internal surface disposed on an interior of the barrel portion; and
an external surface disposed on an exterior of the barrel portion opposite the interior of the barrel portion;
fixed fighting disposed on the internal surface from the first open end to the second open end;
a flighting insert removably coupled to the fixed fighting and extending radially inward from the flighting, the flighting insert having a shape different from the fixed fighting; and
a memory storing information identifying an insert selection corresponding to the object.
2. The auger of claim 1 , wherein the fighting insert includes an insert cross-sectional shape and the flighting includes a fighting cross-sectional shape, and wherein the insert-cross-sectional shape is different from the fixed flighting cross-sectional shape.
3. The auger of claim 2 , wherein the insert cross-sectional shape includes an insert downstream face shape different from a fixed fighting downstream face shape of the fixed fighting.
4. The auger of claim 3 wherein the insert downstream face shape includes an insert curvature different from a fighting curvature of the fixed flighting.
5. The auger of claim 1 , wherein the fighting insert includes an insert height extending radially inward within the auger, and the fixed fighting includes a fixed fighting height extending radially inward within the auger, and wherein the insert height is different than the fixed flighting height.
6. The auger of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a ledge adapted to extend along a fixed flighting downstream face.
7. The auger of claim 1 , further comprising a motherboard wherein the motherboard communicates with a display to provide an instruction to couple the insert selection to the auger.
8. The auger of claim 1 , wherein the memory stores information identifying a position of the insert selection relative to the fixed flighting.
9. The auger of claim 1 , wherein the flighting insert includes magnets in substantial alignment to couple with corresponding magnets disposed on the fixed fighting.