Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SOFT FOOD AND BEVERAGE DISPENSER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent
Application Serial No.
16/002,192 filed June 7,2018.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a machine for storing and dispensing a
viscous
product, and more particularly, a soft food or beverage product.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Frozen or refrigerated food, dessert and/or beverage dispensers, such
as frozen ice
cream and yogurt machines for example, are typically equipped with mechanical
mixing and
dispensing devices that mix ingredients together, or operate to keep the
ingredients or product
in a mixed and viscous condition for purposes of dispensation on an as needed
basis. Such
dispensers require a multitude of equipment and processes to formulate, heat
or refrigerate,
store and ultimately dispense the viscous beverage or product. In most typical
dispensers, the
actual food or beverage product is in contact with the mixing apparatus and in
which the
product is stored and dispensed which can lead to health and consumption
hazards if such
equipment and exposed components are not routinely and completely cleaned and
sanitized.
Additionally, the wear and tear on the equipment components and surfaces that
are in contact
with such food and beverage products over a period of repeated use leads to
malfunction
rendering the unit inoperable until repairs are made.
[0004] As a result, there remains a need in the art for an improved soft food
and beverage
dispenser that overcomes the limitations of existing food and beverage
dispensers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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[0005] The present invention provides a dispenser machine for storing and
dispensing food
and beverage products that overcome the foregoing disadvantages existing in
the art. The
invention provides for the efficient and safe dispensation of a viscous or
soft food or beverage
product that is contained in a flexible container and separated from the
dispenser equipment
thereby preventing contact between the food or beverage product and the
dispenser
equipment. A dispenser cabinet is provided for housing the product container,
dispensing and
pump apparatus, and refrigeration and/or heating equipment. The product
container containing
the food or beverage product is secured within the dispenser cabinet for
storage and
dispensation as desired. In an embodiment, the dispenser includes an
evacuation system which
includes a roller or slidable weight in contact with one or more sides of the
product container
and which operates by force of gravity to apply pressure to and direct the
food or beverage
product contained in the product container toward a tube spout attached to the
product
container. A pump unit, which is configurable by the addition or removal of
pump pins to
provide for the dispensation of both food and beverage products with different
viscosities,
draws product from the container when the dispenser is activated. When the
dispenser is
deactivated, the pump unit stops and the one or more pump pins incorporated
into the pump
apparatus operate to pinch and prevent the flow of product from the container
tube spout.
When the product container is substantially empty, the user may simply remove
the product
container from the dispenser cabinet, throw away or recycle the used product
container, and
insert a new container with a food or beverage product into the dispenser for
storage and
dispensation.
[0006] A thermal heating and/or refrigeration system is provided to heat
and/or cool and
maintain the desired temperature of the food or beverage product stored in a
product container
within the interior of the dispenser cabinet. The thermal circuit system also
provides heating
or cooling to a thermal deck and thermal deck tube guide is provided, and
operates to control
and maintain the temperature of the product residing in the tube spout between
dispensation
operations.
[0007] In this respect, before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction,
dimensions or to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the
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V
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried
out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology
employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be
regarded as limiting.
To accomplish the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in
the form
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact,
however, that the
drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific
construction
illustrated and described within the scope of this application.
[0007a] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method for
dispensing a soft food or beverage product, comprising: attaching a product
container
containing the soft food or beverage product to a container tray housed within
a temperature
controlled dispenser unit, said product container having a tube spout attached
thereto;
positioning a roller against an exterior surface of the product container;
retaining the tube
spout in proximity between a pump unit and a pinch deck; unsealing the tube
spout attached to
the product container; dispensing the soft food or beverage product by
actuating the dispenser
unit; and, adjusting with an adjustable handle lever the flow rate of the
dispensed soft food or
beverage product, wherein the adjustable handle lever is fitted into a slot of
the pinch deck.
[0007b] An apparatus for dispensing a soft food or beverage product,
comprising: a cabinet
with an attached door for forming an enclosure; a pinch deck attached to an
interior surface of
the cabinet; a thermal deck attached to the interior surface of the cabinet; a
pump with at least
one or more pump pins attached to a pump disc positioned within the cabinet;
an adjustable
handle lever for controlling flow of the soft food or beverage product,
wherein the adjustable
handle lever is fitted into a slot of the pinch deck; a product container
containing the soft food
or beverage product attached to the container tray, the product container
having a tube spout;
a roller having a first end and a second end, wherein the roller is positioned
to be in contact
with an external surface of the product container.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present
invention will
become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered
in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the
same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a machine for
storing and
dispensing a soft food or beverage product according to the invention
disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an opposite side perspective view of the machine for storing
and dispensing
a soft food or beverage product according to the invention disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray
component of the
dispensing machine according to the invention disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray with
a roller
component of the evacuation system in contact with the product container
supported in the
product tray according to the invention disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 5 is front perspective view of an embodiment depicting various
components of
the dispenser machine and product container inserted within the machine
cabinet according to
the invention disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 6 is front perspective view of an embodiment depicting various
components of
the dispenser machine and product container inserted within the machine
cabinet with the
product tube spout engaged with the evacuation system according to the
invention disclosed
herein;
[0015] FIG. 7 is front perspective view of an embodiment depicting various
components of
the dispenser machine and product container inserted within the machine
cabinet with the user
opening the sealed product tube spout according to the invention disclosed
herein;
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[0016] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the dispenser
machine shown
dispensing a viscous food or beverage product according to the invention
disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side section view of an embodiment of the dispenser machine
depicting the
thermal heating and cooling system elements and pump motor and system
according to the
invention disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pump wheel with
configurable
pump pins providing for the adjustability of the pump flow rate according to
the invention
disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray with
a squeegee
component of the evacuation system in contact with the product container
supported in the
product tray according to the invention disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray with
a double
roller component of the evacuation system in contact with the product
container supported in
the product tray according to the invention disclosed herein;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dispenser
invention including a
dual pump dispensation system according to the invention disclosed herein;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray with
curved roller
pin guide slots according to the invention disclosed herein;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray and
roller with
curved roller pin guide slots according to the invention disclosed herein:
[0024] FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views of an embodiment of the product
tray with a
hinged support bar for supporting the product container and including multiple
rollers
according to the invention disclosed herein;
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[0025] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray with
pin
connectors for supporting the product container according to the invention
disclosed herein;
and,
[0026] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram describing an embodiment of the dispensation
method
according to the invention disclosed herein.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray with
a curved base
and angled first and second sidewalls according to the invention disclosed
herein.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the product tray
with a curved
based and angled first and second sidewalls according to the invention
disclosed herein.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a close-up view of an embodiment of the roller having a
magnetic tip
according to the invention disclosed herein.
[0030] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dispenser machine
with a
disengage switch and an out-of-product indicator light according to the
invention disclosed
herein.
[0031] FIG. 24 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an adjustable handle
lever of the
dispenser machine according to the invention disclosed herein.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00321 Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a soft
food or
beverage dispenser machine 10. The machine 10 includes a cabinet 12 having an
exterior and
interior portion separated by door 14 that is pivotably connected to an
exterior surface of
cabinet 12 with hinges 16. In the depicted embodiment, cabinet 12 and door 14
are comprised
of thin gauge metal such as stainless steel sheet metal; however, other
suitable materials may
be used as known in the art. Cabinet 12 is supported by support legs 18
attached to the bottom
of cabinet 12. A cup tray 20 and cup guide 22 are attached to the exterior of
cabinet 12 for
supporting a cup or container to be filled with product dispensed from a
product container 44
enclosed within the interior portion of the machine 10 and for positioning the
cup in a suitable
location for the dispensed product to flow into the cup without overflowing
the sides of the
cup. Cup tray 20 and cup guide 22 are comprised of thin gauge metal such as
stainless steel;
however, other suitable materials utilized in the product of food and beverage
dispensing
equipment may be used as known in the art. In an embodiment, the external
dimensions of
cabinet 12 may be twelve inches wide by eighteen inches deep and twenty-inches
in height,
although these dimensions are not to be construed as limitations of the size
of cabinet 12
which may be increased or decreased as desired by the user or dictated by the
operating
environment of machine 10. Machine 10 is configured to be electrically powered
by
conventional 110V electrical power and may be alternatively configured to work
with
different electrical power supply requirements found across various countries
worldwide as
generally known in the art.
[0033] Container tray 24 is positioned within the interior of cabinet 12 and,
in the depicted
embodiment, is slidably inserted into cabinet 12 allowing for container tray
24 to be pulled
out for access to, and the attachment or removal of a product container 44
such as a flexible
bag, from the container tray 24 as will be described in further detail
hereinafter. A pump unit,
in the depicted embodiment utilizing a peristaltic mechanism, comprises a pump
disc 26 with
one or more pump pins 72 (as shown in FIG. 5), a drive rod 76 attached to pump
disc 26 and
in mechanical communication with a pump motor 90, provides for the
dispensation of product
from the product container 44 via tube spout 66 (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). A
pinch deck
28 and thermal deck 32 are secured to cabinet 12 and reside within the
interior of cabinet 12
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when door 14 is in the closed position and assist in the dispensation of
product 46 from the
as will be discussed in more detail hereafter. Thermal deck 32 which is in
communication
with thermal circuit(s) provides adjustable temperature control (e.g. heating
or cooling
energy) to food or beverage product 46 temporarily residing in tube spout 66
between product
dispensations which minimizes, if not inhibits, the potential for bacterial
growth or other
unsanitary conditions to develop between product dispensations as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 6.
As such, there is no need to push or reverse pump the product residing within
tube spout 66
back into product container 44 during periods between product dispensations or
to otherwise
remove product 46 in tube spout 66 to meet sanitary food requirements and
regulations.
Thermal deck tube guide 33 provides additional thermal insulation about tube
spout 66 and
aids in maintaining the temperature of product 46 temporarily retained in tube
spout 66
between dispensation operations at the desired temperature to meet health and
food safety
requirements as shown in FIG. 6.
100341 As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, a latch 34 mates with latch hook 36 to
provide a
mechanism for retaining door 14 in a closed position with cabinet 12. Vent 38
is located on an
exterior surface of the cabinet to allow for the flow of air through a portion
of the interior
space of cabinet 12 to provide air flow and promote heat exchange for the
thermal cooling
and/or heating circuit(s) shown in FIG. 9 and which will be discussed in
greater detail
hereafter. A control panel 40 located on an exterior surface of cabinet 12
allows the user to
control and adjust the temperature in the interior space of cabinet 12, as
well as the
temperature of the thermal deck 32, to enable the safe storage of a soft
product and/or
beverage product residing within cabinet 12 and within tube spout 66. Control
panel 40 may
also be configured to control operation of the pump unit and provide
selectable dispensation
flow rates, cycles or product volumes as desired by the user. Control panel 40
may include a
programmed processor and/or other data processing device along with suitable
software or
other operating instructions, one or more memories (including non-transient
storage media
that may store software and/or other operating instructions), temperature and
product level
sensors, pressure sensors, input/output interfaces, communication buses or
other links, a
display, switches, relays, or other components necessary to perform desired
input/output or
other functions for purposes of operating machine 10. A dispense pushbutton 42
is located on
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an exterior surface of cabinet 12 and when depressed activates the dispenser
10 allowing for
the dispensation of a soft food or beverage product as desired by the user and
when release
stopping dispensation operations.
[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 are depictions of container tray 24 to which product
container 44 is
attached. Container tray 24 provides support for product container 44
containing soft food or
beverage product 46 that is to be dispensed by dispenser 10. In the depicted
embodiment,
product container 44 comprises a flexible plastic container and includes a
flexible tube spout
66 through which food or beverage product 46 contained in product container 44
exits during
operation of dispenser 10. Tube spout 66 may be attached to product container
44 prior to use
and then detached after product container 44 is emptied or tube spout 66 may
be formed and
manufactured as part of product container 44. Product container 44 may come in
different
sizes and volumes, such as a 1, 2 or 3 gallon size. It is contemplated that
machine 10 may be
scaled in appropriate dimension to receive product containers of various sizes
and volumes
and the size of the product container is not to be construed as a limitation
to the inventive
apparatus and methods disclosed herein. Product container 44 provides an
additional
advantage to the art in that the food/beverage product 46 is kept isolated in
the product
container 44 and food/beverage product 46 does not come into contact with any
components
of machine 10 during operation. Likewise, product container 44 may be
constructed from
biodegradable materials or designed for easy disposal or to be recyclable. As
a result, the
maintenance and cleaning associated with machine 10 is greatly reduced, while
improving and
maintaining required sanitary conditions surrounding the operation and usage
of machine 10
and the product safely contained in the product container 44.
[0036] In an embodiment, product container 44 includes a rigid or semi-rigid
spine 50
running a substantial portion of the length of one side of product container
44 that provides
support for container 44 to be secured or suspended in cabinet 12. Product
container 44 may
be manufactured from a variety of plastics, polymers, films metals or other
materials which
are capable of safely storing a food or beverage product even with the
application of moderate
pressure or force applied to one or more of the exterior surface(s) of product
container 44
during operation of dispenser 10 as will be discussed hereinafter. Product
container 44 may be
designed to be generally rectangular in shape or may include an angled or
sloped portion 48
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generally opposite spine 50 wherein the angled or sloped 48 portion provides a
sloped incline
for assisting in directing the flow of soft food product or beverage 46
towards the tube spout
66 as shown in FIG. 4. Product container 44 is also partially supported by
first sidewall 54
attached to and extending perpendicular to base 64 of container tray 24.
Second sidewall 56,
front endwall 58, and rear endwall 60 are attached to base 64 as depicted.
First sidewall 54,
front endwall 58, and rear endwall 60 extend vertically and are generally
perpendicular to
base 64.
[0037] First sidewall 54, front endwall 58, and rear endwall 60 are generally
the same height
and may be formed as a one piece construction from metals or plastic materials
suitable for
food and beverage dispensation operations as known in the art as shown or may
be separate
panels which are connected together by methods and means known in the art such
as by weld,
rivet or threaded screws and bolts. Second sidewall 56 does not extend the
same height as the
other walls of tray 24. Second sidewall may be level with base 64, or extend
in the range of up
to an inch above the base 64, and acts as a barrier to direct any product that
may leak from
product container 46 along the surface of base 64 to surface for product
container 44 to rest
upon from slipping or sliding off of base 64. In the depicted embodiment,
guide slots 62 are
cut or formed in front endwall 58 and rear endwall 60 and extend for a
substantial vertical
length of said endwalls 58, 56 and through the tops of endwalls 58, 60
allowing for the
insertion and removal of roller 68 from the container tray 24. A tube spout
orifice 78 (see
FIG. 18) is formed in base 64 of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tube
spout 66 through
tube spout orifice 78 opening when product container 44 is attached to
container tray 24.
Hooks 52 are attached to and spaced at intervals along first sidewall 54 for
receiving
corresponding holes formed along spine 50 of product container 44 and which
act to support
and maintain product container 44 in a fixed position to container tray 24. In
other
contemplated embodiments, additional and/or alternative attachment mechanisms
such as
tabs, snaps, hook and loop material, threaded fasteners and/or pins/studs for
attaching product
container 44 to container tray 24 as are known in the art may be utilized to
perform a similar
function to secure product container 44 to container tray 24.
[0038] In the depicted embodiment, incline wall 61 is formed or attached to
first sidewall 54
and the opposing edge of incline wall 61 attached to base 64. Incline wall 61
provides an
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,
inclined surface against which one side of product container 44 rests while
roller 68 travels in
substantially a vertical direction and presses against the opposing side of
product container 44.
In this arrangement, the inclined geometry of incline wall 61 and roller 68
operate to impart a
pressure force and direct the soft food or beverage product 46 in container 44
downward and
towards the tube spout 66 during operation of the dispenser 10.
100391 Prior to initiating the dispensation operation, a user sets a filled
product container 44
(as depicted by product fill level shown at 48) on base 64 and suspends
product container 44
that includes spine 50 with hooks 52 which are inserted through corresponding
holes in spine
50. Roller 68 is placed on an opposing side of container 44 by inserting
roller pins 70 on each
end of roller 68 into the corresponding guide slots 62 located on front
endwall 58 and rear
endwall 60. Roller 68 descends by rolling under force of gravity along the
exterior surface of
container and forces the soft food product or beverage 46 towards the tube
spout 66 until
product 46 is under sufficient pressure to resist any further vertical
movement of roller 68
until another volume of product is dispensed. It is contemplated that roller
68 may be
constructed of various materials and weights for specific applications related
to the viscosity
and density of the food or beverage product being dispensed by machine 10. For
example,
thicker more viscous soft food products may require the use of a heavier
roller 68 for urging
the food product towards the tube spout 66, whereas soft liquid foods or
liquid beverages may
only need a lighter weight roller 68 to accomplish the purpose as would be
recognized by
those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0040] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the process and mechanisms by which soft food or
beverage
product 46 is stored and dispensed by machine 10 as desired. Turning to FIG. 5
and now that
the product container 44 has been placed on and secured to the product tray 24
as shown in
FIG. 4, container tray 24 is moved inside the interior of cabinet 12 with
roller 68 imparting
sufficient pressure the product container 44. Tube spout 66 is threaded
generally between one
or more pump pins 72 and the pinch deck 28 and into and through the thermal
deck tube guide
33 by the user as shown. Thermal deck tube guide 33 may comprise a metal,
plastic, polymer
or other rigid or semi-rigid material which is capable of conducting thermal
energy imparted
from thermal deck 32 through thermal deck tube guide 33 to cool or heat
product 46 moving
or suspended in tube spout 66 and is easily washed or cleaned to maintain a
sanitary
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environment. Thermal deck tube guide 33 is detachably secured to thermal deck
32 and
different thermal deck tube guides 33 of varying diameters may be utilized
with thermal deck
32 as may be required by different tube spout diameters associated with
different product
containers 44 made by various product container manufacturers. In one
embodiment, a
peristaltic type pump is utilized for dispensation of product 46 from product
container 44. In
brief background, peristaltic pumps are a well-known form of positive
displacement fluid
pump capable of transferring a variety of fluids with various viscosities.
Generally, the fluid
to be transferred is contained within a flexible tube and one or more rollers
or pins are
attached along the external circumference of a pump rotor or disc and
positioned to compress
or "pinch" the flexible tube containing the liquid to be pumped. As the pump
disc turns in a
circular fashion, the portion of the tube under compression is pinched
"closed" and then
"opens" intermittently as the pump disc rotates which forces the fluid located
in the tube to
move into, through and out of the tube.
[0041] After tube spout 66 is threaded into and through the thermal deck tube
guide 33, it is
positioned between one or more pump pins 72 and pinch deck 28 which includes
arcuate
surface 29 as shown in FIG. 6. Pinch deck 28 includes vertical slot 31, into
which is secured
pinch deck lever 30 via a pin (not shown) on the backside of pinch deck lever
30. The user
secures a portion of tube spout 66 between one or more pump pins 72 and pinch
deck 28 by
depressing pinch deck lever 30 along vertical slot 31, thereby functioning to
move and lock
the position of the pinch deck 28 in a substantially lateral direction in
closer proximity to one
or more pump pins 72 whereby tube spout 66 is secured and pinched between one
or more
pump pins 72 at one or more pinch points between arcuate surface 29 of pinch
deck 28 and
one or more pump pins 72. Such arrangement prevents the flow of product 46
through the
tube spout 66 while the dispenser is not in operation. To prepare for
dispensation of the
product 46, the user cuts the tube spout 66 with a suitable cutting tool, such
as scissors 67, to
unseal the tube spout 66 connected with product container 44 as shown in FIG.
7. Door 14 is
then closed and secured in the closed position with latch 34 attached to latch
hook 36 by the
user. The user may then initiate dispensing operation by depressing dispense
button 42 that
actuates rotation of the pump disc 26 which results in the evacuation of
product 46 from
product container 44 via tube spout 66. The user may selectively alter the
flow rate of product
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46 dispensed by machine 10 by adjusting the rotational speed of the pump disc
26 by
manipulating control panel 40 and/or by attaching or detaching the number of
pump pins 72
which are attached to pump disc 26. As such, the user may easily adjust the
pumping flow rate
of product 46 dispensed from the product container 44 depending on various
factors,
including but not limited to, viscosity, density and/or type (soft food,
beverage, etc.) of
product 46 which is being dispensed.
[0042] FIG. 8 depicts the dispenser in operation with product 46 being
dispensed into cup 80
or other suitable container for holding soft food or beverage product 46. A
user places cup 80
into position on cup tray 20 with assistance from the cup guide 22 so that a
portion of cup 80
may rest against cup guide 22 to insure food or beverage product 46 being
dispensed flows
out of tube spout 66 into cup 80 without spilling over the sides of cup 80.
The user then
depresses dispense button 42 which activates pump motor 90 (shown in FIG. 9)
that rotates
pump disc 74 via drive rod 76 with rotational force supplied by pump motor 90
to drive rod
76. As pump disc 74 rotates in the clockwise direction (when viewed from the
front
perspective of the machine 10), pump pins 72 repetitively press or pinch
various sections of
tube spout 66 positioned between pump pins 72 and arcuate surface 29 of pinch
deck 28
causing substantially equal volumes of the product 46 to be drawn from the
product container
into the tube spout 66 and through and out of the open end of tube spout 66
and into cup 80 by
the peristaltic process described herein. As product 46 is drawn from product
container 44,
roller 68 moves downward as product 46 exits product container 44 via tube
spout 66 and
roller 68 urges the remaining product 46 in product container 44 towards tube
spout 66
attached to product container 44. After the desired volume of product 46 is
dispensed, the user
releases the dispense button 42 and pump disc 74 ceases to rotate resulting in
one or more
pump pins 72 substantially pinching a portion of tube spout 66 between one or
more pump
pins 72 and pinch deck 28 so as to substantially restrict, if not completely
restrict, the flow of
product 46 from tube spout 66. Additionally, any product 46 remaining in tube
spout 66 which
is below the lowermost contact point between a pump pin 72 and arcuate surface
29 of pinch
deck 28 will exit the tube spout 66 under gravity flow conditions thereby
substantially
preventing the potential for bacteria to foster or grow in the tube spout 66
portion open to the
atmosphere below the tube lock 28. As the corresponding portion of tube spout
66 which is in
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_
contact with arcuate surface 29 of pinch deck 28 and pump pin(s) 72 attached
to pump disc 74
are enclosed in the temperature controlled interior of cabinet 12, the food or
beverage product
46 residing in a corresponding portion of tube spout 66 remains at the desired
or required
temperature pursuant to food safety laws and requirements. As a result, the
hazards and
contamination issues associated with reversing the flow of food or beverage
product residing
between the pump pins in the flexible tube spout by reverse pumping it back
into the product
container as disclosed in other known dispensation equipment is overcome by
this aspect of
the invention disclosed herein.
[0043] After product container 44 is substantially emptied, the user simply
opens access door
14 by releasing latch 34, flips or otherwise releases pinch deck lock lever
30, and removes
tube spout 66 from thermal deck tube guide 33. The user then pulls product
tray 24
substantially out of the cabinet 12, lifts roller 68 out of the guide slots 62
in product tray 24,
unhooks and removes the substantially empty product container 44, then
replaces a new
product container 44 containing product 46 into the product tray 24 and
reinserts roller 68 into
the guide slots 62 to continue dispensation operations as described herein.
[0044] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of dispensing machine 10 with product
container 44
containing product 46 ready for dispensation. In the depicted embodiment,
thermal circuit 84
is housed within cabinet 12 and provided to provide cooling to the product 46
contained in
product container 44. Thermal circuit 86 is housed within cabinet 12 and in
contact with
thermal deck 32 to provide cooling to product 46 temporarily residing in tube
spout 66.
Control pad 40 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is in communication with thermal
circuits 84, 86
and allows the user to adjust the amount of cooling and/or heating to be
provided by each
thermal circuit 84, 86. In certain embodiments, thermal circuits 84, 86 are
temperature circuits
capable of providing different heating and/or cooling temperatures to the
product container 44
and tube spout 66 as desired by the user or they may constitute an integrated
heating and/or
cooling circuit providing substantially the same heating or cooling energy to
the product 46
residing in product container 44 and tube spout 66. Fins 88 are located in the
rear of the
cabinet and vent heat produced from cooling/heating operation to the
atmosphere through vent
38. In this orientation, the heat generated from cooling/heating operations is
vented vertically
up and through vent 38. This orientation substantially prevents excess heat
from being vented
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on to other equipment, materials and food/beverage products that may be
located in proximity
to machine 10 and detrimentally affect such other equipment, materials and
food/beverage
products located in the vicinity. An exhaust fan (not shown) may also be
incorporated within
the cabinet 12 to provide additional exhaust/heat dissipation functionality if
desired.
[0045] FIG. 10 depicts various embodiments of pump disc 74 with pump pins 72
secured to
pump disc 74 with threaded connectors 73. Threaded connectors 73 may include,
but are not
limited to, threaded bolts or screws sized to be inserted within or to pump
pins 72 and screwed
into corresponding threaded receiving holes on pump disc 74. In this way, the
user may
detachably install the desired number of pump pins 72 on pump disc 74 to
adjust the flow rate
of product 46 delivered during operation of the machine 10. An orifice 75 is
provided to allow
the pump disc 74 to be detachably removed from drive rod 76. Orifice 75 may be
threaded to
provide a threaded connection between pump disc 74 and drive rod 76 or may be
configured
by other connection means, such as bolts, nuts, threaded screw cap, as is
known in the art to
allow the user to detachably secure pump disc 74 to drive rod 76.
[0046] Turning to FIG. 11, an embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is
shown
depicting a squeegee 94 evacuation component which surrounds product container
44 and acts
to impart a compressive downward force on at least two sides of product
container 44 which
provides a pressure force on to product 46 residing in product container 44 to
urge product 46
in product container 44 towards tube spout 66. In the depicted embodiment,
guide slots 62 are
cut or formed in front endwall 58 and rear endwall 60 and extend for a
substantial length of
said endwalls 58, 60 and up through the top of endwalls 58, 60 enabling
insertion of roller
pins 93 that are attached to squeegee 94. Spine 50 of product container 44 is
inserted between
opposing sides of squeegee 94 and then attached to first sidewall 54 via hooks
52. Squeegee
94 is preferably formed of materials such as metal, dense polymers and/or
plastics or a
combination thereof, to provide sufficient weight to overcome any resistive
frictional force
imparted to squeegee 94 by product container 44 and squeegee 94 will easily
slide and
descend downward along the exterior surfaces of the product container 44 as
product exits the
product container 44 during dispensing operations as generally described above
herein.
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[0047] An embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is shown in FIG. 12 and
depicts a
dual roller evacuation configuration wherein rollers 68, 96 are placed on
opposing sides of
product container 44 which is suspended by hooks 52 attached to first sidewall
54 and where
hooks 52 are inserted through corresponding holes formed in spine 50 of
product container 44.
Rollers 68, 96 rest against opposing sides of product container 44 and act to
impart a pinching
force on both sides of product container 44 which in turn imparts pressure on
product 46
residing in product container 44 sufficient to urge product 46 residing in
product container 44
towards tube spout 66 as rollers 68, 96 counter-rotate relative to each other
in substantially the
vertical direction as product is evacuated from product container 44 during
operation of the
dispenser 10. In the depicted embodiment, four guide slots 62 are cut or
formed in front
endwall 58 and rear endwall 60 and extend for a substantial length of said
endwalls 58, 56 and
through the top of endwalls 58, 60 for the receipt of roller pins 70 which are
attached to rollers
68, 96. Rollers 68, 96 are preferably formed of materials such as metal, dense
polymers and/or
plastics, or a combination thereof, to provide sufficient weight to overcome
any resistive
frictional force imparted to rollers 68, 96 by product container 44 and
associated resistance
from product 46 in product container 44 and will roll downward along the
exterior surface of
the product container 44 as product 46 exits the product container 44 during
dispensing
operations as generally described herein.
[0048] An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 13 and depicts a dual
pump
evacuation topology wherein pump discs 74, 98 are positioned in lateral
proximity to each
other with tube spout 66 inserted between the pins attached to pump discs 74,
75. In this
configuration, pump disc 98 counter-rotates as pump disc 74 rotates in the
clockwise direction
depicted by the arrows in FIG. 13. Pump discs 74, 98 may be assembled in a
fixed position
relative to each or may be suspended and moved closer or farther away from
each other in the
horizontal plane to allow for insertion and removal of tube spout 66. A spring
mechanism
(not shown) may be utilized to impart a force sufficient to draw or bias pump
discs 74, 98
towards each other until they sufficiently impart a pinching force on tube
spout 66 for
conducting dispensation operations. A latchbar 79 may be detachably attached
and positioned
by the user to fix the positions of pump discs 74, 98 relative to each other
to maintain
proximal bias during dispensation operations so as to substantially inhibit
any horizontal
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movement of pump discs 74, 98 and thereby maintaining sufficient pinching
force on tube
spout 66 during dispensation operations. In a contemplated embodiment, tube
spout 66 is
pinched between discs 74, 98 which may include rollers pinch points
surrounding the
circumference of pump discs 74, 98 for aiding in the peristaltic evacuation of
a food or
beverage product 46 from product container 44.
[0049] Turning to FIGS. 14 and 15, an embodiment of container tray 24 is
depicted with
curved guide slots 62 as shown. Container tray 24 provides support for product
container 44
containing a soft food or beverage product 46 that is to be dispensed by
dispenser 10 as
generally described above. In the depicted embodiment, product container 44 is
supported by
container tray 24 as shown and previously described herein. Product container
44 is also
partially supported by first sidewall 54 attached to and extending
substantially perpendicular
to base 64 of container tray 24. Front endwall 58, and rear endwall 60 are
attached to base 64
as depicted. First sidewall 54, front endwall 58, and rear endwall 60 extend
vertically and
generally perpendicular to base 64. In the depicted embodiment, the tube spout
66 passes
beside the edge of base 64 where base 64 meets a portion of the length of the
bottom edge of
front endwall 58. No slot or orifice is required to allow for the tube spout
66 to pass from the
product container 44 through the container tray 24 in this configuration.
Guide slots 62
include a curved portion as shown. The curved portions of guide slots 62
provide a
mechanism by which as product container 44 approaches being substantially
emptied, roller
68 begins to move in an arcuate lateral downward direction along the curved
path delineated
by curved lengths of guide slots 62, while maintaining pressure on the
remaining product 46
contained in product container 44. This configuration aids in the
substantially complete
evacuation of product 46 from product container 44 by maintaining a vertical
and lateral
pressure component against the product container 44 and substantially
inhibiting the potential
for roller 68 to come to rest on the surface of base 64 and pinching a portion
of the product
container 44 between roller 68 and base 64 resulting in the formation of a
substantially sealed
pocket with product 46 restricted from passing to tube spout 66.
[0050] Turning to FIGS. 16 and 17, an embodiment of the container tray 24 is
depicted with
two rollers 68 and two pairs of curved guide slots 62 as shown. In this
embodiment, product
container 44 is suspended between opposing rollers 68 which provide
oppositional pressure
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CA 3045434 2019-06-07
forces against opposing surfaces of product container 44 to aid in urging the
food or beverage
product 46 contained within product container 44 towards tube spout 66 for
dispensation. In
the depicted embodiment, product container 44 is suspended above base 64 of
container tray
24 with a hinged support strip 53 which is connected along a top length of
first sidewall 54
and the opposing hingedly connected support strip with attached hooks 52 which
are inserted
through holes in spine 50 of product container 44 as shown. When product
container 44 needs
to be removed or otherwise replaced, the user may simply remove product
container 44 and
fold the hinge support strip 53 towards first sidewall 54 and, if desired,
remove roller 68 for
cleaning or maintenance. In the depicted embodiment, the tube spout 66 passes
beside the
edge of base 64 where base 64 meets a portion of the length of the bottom edge
of front
endwall 58. No slot or orifice is required to allow for the tube spout 66 to
pass from the
product container 44 through the container tray 24. Two pairs of guide slots
62 include curved
slot portions as shown. The curved lengths of guide slots 62 provide a
mechanism by which
the suspended product container 44 is substantially pinched from opposing
sides by rollers 68,
96 as the product container 44 is emptied. As product container 44 approaches
being
substantially emptied, roller pins 93 enter the curved portions of guide slots
62 in turn
bringing rollers 68, 96 in closer proximity to each other and continually
maintaining pressure
on the product 46 contained in product container 44. Thus, aiding in the
substantially
complete evacuation of product 46 from product container 44 by maintaining
opposing
vertical and lateral pressure components against the product container 44
until the product
container 44 is substantially empty.
[0051] FIG. 18 discloses an embodiment of the container tray 24 with
corrugations 80
formed on a first sidewall 54. In the depicted embodiment, front endwall 58,
first sidewall 54,
rear endwall 60, second sidewall 56 and angled third sidewall 82 are attached
and may be
formed as a single unit with base 64 or assembled in parts with connections
means such as by
welding, adhesives, rivets, screws or other connection means as known in the
art. Pins/studs
84 are shown fixed to the top surface 86 of first sidewall 54 for purposes of
attaching or
suspending a product container as previously shown and described herein. It is
contemplated
that other fastening means such as rivets, snaps, hook and loop material,
hooks or other
attachment mechanisms for attaching a product container to container tray 24
as are known in
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CA 3045434 2019-06-07
the art may be utilized to perform a similar function to secure a product
container to container
tray 24 as described herein.
[0052] Corrugations 80 formed in first sidewall 54 provide enhanced structural
strength and
rigidity for supporting larger volume and weight product containers that are
supported or
suspended partially or totally by first sidewall 54. Front endwall 58 and rear
endwall 62 are
provided with guide slots 62 formed into the interior opposing surfaces of
front endwall 58
and rear endwall 62 and are dimensioned for receipt of corresponding roller
pins 70 and
provide a channel for guiding the roller 68 in a descending movement as
product is evacuated
from a product container. An orifice 78 is formed or otherwise cut in base 64
through which a
tube spout is inserted when a product container is placed in container tray as
described herein.
[0053] Turning to FIG. 19, a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of the
dispensation
process using the apparatus disclosed herein is presented. The user places a
container bag
containing the product to be dispensed, a soft food or beverage, inside the
cabinet and which
is supported and/or suspended by the container tray as described herein (Step
102). The user
positions a roller or other weighted device in contact with a surface of the
container bag at or
near the top of the container bag being supported and/or suspended by the
container tray (Step
104). The user closes the door to the dispenser unit that is plugged into a
power source and
activates the unit to begin dispensing the product out of the container bag
via the exit tube
(also referred to herein as "tube spout"). As product is dispensed out of the
container bag the
roller or other weighted component applies pressure to the contents of the
container bag which
acts to squeeze or urge the product towards the tube spout (Step 106). After
the container bag
is substantially emptied, the user removes the empty container bag and inserts
a new container
bag filled with a product to be dispensed and may re-initiate dispensation
operations as
described herein (Step 108.)
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 20-21, perspective drawings of an embodiment of
a rounded
container tray 24 are depicted. Rounded container tray 24 is defined by a
curved base 64, a
first angled sidewall 54 which slopes slightly out from the curved base 64,
and a second
angled side wall 56 which also angles outward from the curved base 64. Front
endwall 58 and
rear endwall 60 are configured to attach to the ends of rounded container tray
24, as depicted.
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Rounded container tray 24 also includes fastening knobs 52 which enable
product container
44 to be attached to the rounded container tray 24.
[0055] In operation, first angled sidewall 54 and curved base 64 provide an
angled surface
against which one side of product container 44 rests while roller 68 travels
downward in a
substantially vertical direction, pressing against the opposing side of the
product container 44.
The angled and rounded formation of first sidewall 54, relative to base 64,
enables roller 60 to
translate smoothly against product container 44, thereby effectively drawing
out substantially
the full volume of product 46 contained in product container 44 downward and
towards the
tube spout 66 during operation of the dispenser 10.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 22, an embodiment of roller 68 is depicted,
wherein a first end
of the roller 68 includes roller pin having a magnetic tip 68a that assists in
signaling that the
product container 44 is empty. This signaling system may be accomplished, for
example, by
using a Hall effect sensor or other proximity switching and/or sensing
application. As is
known in the art, a Hall effect sensor, e.g., a transducer that varies its
output voltage in
response to a magnetic field, may be combined with threshold detection so that
it acts as a
switch.
[0057] As previously explained, the roller 68 descends under the force of
gravity along the
first sidewall 54 to the base 64 of the container tray 24, forcing the soft
food or beverage
product out of the product container 44 and through the tube spout 66. In the
present
embodiment, when the roller 68 has reached a position proximate to the base 64
(or a position
wherein the soft food or beverage product has been completely or substantially
emptied from
the product container), a magnetic field generated by a magnetic tip 68a on
the end of roller
68 activates at least one Hall effect sensor, i.e., the "out of product"
indicator light 92 which is
also located proximate to the base as depicted in FIG. 23. As long as the
roller 68 (and hence
the magnetic tip 68a) remains at a position proximate to the indicator light
92, the indicator
light remains "on", thereby alerting the user that the product container 44 is
empty.
[0058] Referring further to FIG. 23, an embodiment of dispenser 10 is
depicted, wherein
dispenser 10 includes a disengage switch 95 which may be electrically and/or
mechanically
CA 3045434 2019-06-07
coupled to the pump unit and the door 14 of the dispenser 10, so that when the
door 14 is in an
open position, the disengage switch 95 is triggered, thereby preventing the
pump unit from
operating. For example, a switch lever or switch-operating latching mechanism
may be
provided wherein the disengage switch 95 may trigger an "open circuit"
condition when the
door is unlatched and/or open, thereby preventing operation of the pump unit.
Once the door
is closed, the switch lever may be moved to close the circuit to operate the
motor for the pump
unit. Operation of the disengage switch may be accomplished by using any one
of a variety of
electrical and/or mechanical disengage mechanisms known in the art and the
present invention
is not intended to be limited to any particular method or mechanism described
herein.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 24, an exploded view of an adjustable handle
lever 110 of the
dispenser machine is shown. Adjustable handle lever 110 may be interchanged
with, and/or
may be an alternative to, the pinch deck lever 30 of Figures 5-8. Adjustable
handle lever 110
may comprise a front 112, a back 114, thumb wheel 116, dowel pins 118, socket
head cap
screw 120, back pin 122, and connecting screw (not shown) adapted to fit in
hole 124, which
together may be assembled as shown in FIG. 24. In operation, connecting screw
(not shown)
adapted to fit in hole 124 connects adjustable handle lever 110 to the
dispenser machine.
Back pin 122 of assembled adjustable handle lever 110 fits into vertical slot
31 of pinch deck
28 (see FIG. 5). Once the adjustable handle lever 110 is fitted onto the pinch
deck 28 of the
dispenser machine, thumb wheel 116 of adjustable handle lever 110 may be
rolled or moved
in a first direction (such as an upward direction) to translate the pinch deck
28 closer to the
pump disk 74 (thereby increasing the compression applied to the tube spout 66)
or in a second
direction (such as a downward direction) to translate the pinch deck 28 away
from the pump
disk 74 (thereby decreasing the compression applied to the tube spout 66). The
adjustable
handle lever 110 may therefore allow the operator to easily adjust the
compressive "pinch"
force applied to the tube spout 66, as needed, to control product flow based
on the product to
be dispensed, i.e., by increasing the compression for thinner, less viscous
products, or by
decreasing the compression for thicker, more viscous products, without the
operator having to
manually adjust and/or re-adjust various components of the dispenser machine.
[0060] Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of
this invention, it
is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will
readily occur to
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CA 3045434 2019-06-07
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements
are intended to be
part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of
the invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example
only.
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