Patent ID: 9386799
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: A21C,A23P,A23V,G07F

Claim Text:
1. A system for dispensing toppings onto topping vehicles, comprising: a first topping module comprising a first hopper and a first blade, the first hopper configured to dispense a first topping sample of a first topping type, the first blade adjacent a discharge end of the first hopper, defining a smooth leading edge, and configured to slice a topping serving from the first topping sample; a second topping module comprising a second hopper and a second blade, the second hopper configured to dispense a second topping sample of a second topping type distinct from the first topping type, and the second blade adjacent a discharge end of the second hopper, defining a serrated leading edge, and configured to slice a topping serving from the second topping sample; a conveyor configured to sequentially index a series of topping vehicles from a first position adjacent the first topping module to a second position adjacent the second topping module; a beam extending across the first topping module and the second topping module; a first selection actuator supported by the beam adjacent the first topping module and configured to selectively couple the first blade to the beam during a dispense cycle in response to entry of a first topping vehicle into the first position, the first topping order specifying a second combination of topping types comprising the first topping type; a second selection actuator supported by the beam adjacent the second topping module and configured to selectively decouple the second blade from the beam during the dispense cycle in response to entry of a second topping vehicle into the second position, the second topping order specifying a second combination of topping types excluding the second topping type and distinct from the first combination of topping types; a beam actuator configured to advance and retract the beam, relative to the first topping module and the second topping module, during the dispense cycle to slice a first topping serving from the first topping sample onto the first topping vehicle.