Patent ID: 6688134
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: A23G,B67D,F25C,G07F

Abstract:
An automatically-actuated dispensing machine for dispensing a flowable product into a container without user or container contact with the dispensing machine, to provide improved sanitation by preventing transmission of germs that could otherwise be transferred by surface-to-surface contact, said dispensing machine comprising:a) a housing; b) at least one dispensing nozzle carried by the housing, wherein an area below the at least one dispensing nozzle defines a container-receiving region to allow a container to be positioned below the at least one dispensing nozzle to receive a product that flows therefrom; c) a sensing system for sensing the presence of a container in the container-receiving region, wherein the sensing system includes an optical system that has an optical fiber unit in communication with a light source for transmitting light through the optical fiber unit to emanate into the container-receiving region from an end of the optical fiber unit spaced from the light source, and wherein the sensing system includes means for detecting reflection of the light from a container wall surface and for receiving light reflected by a container placed within the container-receiving region, wherein the sensing system is operable to allow flow of a product through the at least one dispensing nozzle and into the container when the container is positioned within the container-receiving region, wherein the sensing system prevents flow of a product through the at least one dispensing nozzle when a container is not present within the container-receiving region, and wherein neither the container nor the user need come into physical contact with the dispensing machine to cause dispensing of product to occur.