Automatic vending machine for the sale of natural juices

• Grant number: 00/13228-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2001
• End date: October 31, 2001
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Enilene de Franca Cordeiro
• Grantee: Enilene de Franca Cordeiro
• Company: Signalcard Tecnologia, Indústria e Comércio Ltda

Abstract

The objective is to specify and to design an automatic vending machine for natural juices, especially orange juice. The machine will have the dimensions necessary for installation in offices, factories, schools, hospitals, etc., and one of the main features of this machine will be the fact that it won’t need cleaning, a characteristic which will guarantee the quality of the product, independently from the process of distribution and maintenance of the machine chosen by the operator. The machine makes two relevant social contributions: the increase in nutritional quality for the machine users, since natural juice is going to replace alternatives such as soft drinks, and an increase in agro-business mainly as it deals with oranges in the State of São Paulo, due to the power of the capillary action product distribution in these machines. The machine may also provide an alternative in combating unemployment for the small operator, as it demands a low investment and is easy to operate. The machine will be activated by means of a magnetic card. It will be used with a pre-paid card, thus avoiding the necessity for the installation of a money machine or of an imported banknote reader. (AU)