Patent ID: 6070757
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A counter-top sized, check-operated gumball bank modified for check-operated dispensing of loose, unpackaged hot nut or seed meats, comprising:a removably-clamped hot reservoir essentially comprising an open-bottomed ""sight-glass""a stand providing for the removable clamping thereto of the hat reservoir, the stand including a hat bezel for mating the removably-clamped hot reservoir and defining a bottom therefor, a generally continuous sidewall arrangement extending between a lower border and an upper seat for seating one of the hot bezel or reservoir thereon, and a lower closure portion mated proximately to the sidewall's lower border wherein said hat bezel, sidewall arrangement and lower closure portion cooperatively define a substantially enclosed compartment immediately below the removably-clamped hot reservoir;a check-operated dispensing mechanism mounted to the stand substantially inside the enclosed compartment thereof and including a discharge outlet for discharge of dispensed hot nut or seed meats externally of the stand;wherein the hot bezel and reservoir cooperatively combine to provide hot storage of a supply of the loose, unpackaged hot nut or seed meats, and also to feed the dispensing mechanism; which said dispensing mechanism operably interconnects one of the hot bezel or reservoir with the discharge outlet such that feeding the dispensing mechanism a suitable check allows a patron to serve him or herself to dispensation of a measured amount of the loose, unpackaged hot nut or seed meats from the reservoir;a lamp socket mounted to the stand and proximately inside said enclosed compartment thereof such that the lamp socket is located underneath the hit bezel that defines the bottom of the hot reservoir;a line cord for connecting the lamp socket to a suitable source of electric power;an incandescent lamp inserted in the lamp socket and disposed substantially inside the enclosed compartment of the stand, as located underneath the hot bezel for warming substantially most of the hot reservoirs contents by means of radiant heat as well as rising convective thermal currents impinging the hot bezel if not also leaking thereby and into the hot reservoir, wherein said gumball bank is hence modified for use for dispensing such loose, unpackaged hot nut and seed meats; and,clamping means for removably clamping and un-clamping the hot reservoir to or from the hot bezel such that un-clamping the hot reservoir following periods of use for warming loose, unpackaged hot nut or seed meats allows removal of the globe remote from said stand as for washing or sanitizing.