Flowable food product dispenser with automated portion control

A flowable food product dispenser is disclosed, The food product dispenser includes a main housing that is designed to be supported on a support surface. The main housing includes an open receiving area that includes a back support wall. An electric drive motor is included within the main housing of the food product dispenser. The main housing receives a storage container assembly that is movable into and out of the open receiving area. The storage container assembly includes a container and a pump. When the storage container assembly is moved into the open receiving area, the drive motor is able to drive the pump to withdraw the flowable food product from the container. A control unit and control panel are operable to allow a user to control the pump to selectively dispense the food product from the dispenser.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to an automated food product dispenser for dispensing a flowable food product, such as a condiment or sauce, from a storage container or flexible bag. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an automated food product dispenser that dispenses one of a plurality of user selected portion sizes in an automated manner.

Flowable food products can include a wide variety of products, such as condiments (i.e. ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, etc.) syrups, dressings, cheeses, fudge, caramel, sauces, wing sauces or other similar food products that can flow and thus be pumped. Flowable food products can include a wide variety of viscosities, non-Newtonian properties, can include small particulates and can be dispensed in a wide range of temperatures from cold to hot. Flowable food products can also be heated food products such as liquid cheese, hot ice cream toppings or chilled food products.

One of the design objectives of the present disclosure was to develop a flowable food product dispenser that will dispense a known and repeatable volume of food product based upon a selection made by the user. The food product dispenser will include a pump, drive motor and a control unit that is able to accurately control the operation of the pump to dispense the desired amount and volume of the flowable food product.

The present disclosure utilizes a pump that can be accurately driven by an electric drive motor to dispense a known and controllable volume of food product based upon the operation of the pump. A control unit receives an input from a user and operates to control the drive motor and pump to dispense the known amount of flowable food product.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a flowable food product dispenser. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a flowable food product dispenser that includes a removable storage container assembly including a pump that engages a drive motor when installed within a main housing.

In one embodiment, a food product dispenser that is operable to selectively dispense a food product as desired by a user is disclosed. The food product dispenser includes a main housing that has an open receiving area defined by a pair of side walls and a back support wall. An electric drive motor is mounted to the back support wall and includes a drive shaft that extends into the open receiving area. The dispenser further includes a storage container assembly that is selectively movable into and out of the open receiving area of the main housing. When the storage container assembly is out of the open receiving area, a container of the assembly can be filed with the food product.

When the container is filled with the food product, the entire storage container assembly can be move into the open receiving area. In one contemplated exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the storage container assembly is moved into the open receiving area, the drive motor is able to drive a pump that is associated with a container. When the container is received within the open receiving area, the drive motor can drive the pump as desired to withdraw the desired amount of food product from the open interior of the container.

In one contemplated embodiment, the pump is positioned between an inlet tube and an outlet tube of the storage container assembly. The inlet tube is in communication with the open interior of the container and the outlet tube is connected to a discharge tube of the food product dispenser.

The food product dispenser can include a control panel and a control unit that are each contained in the main housing. The control panel allows a user/operator to select the amount of food product to be dispensed. In one contemplated embodiment, the control panel could be a touch screen having a display presented to the user/operator that can be modified depending on the specific use of the food product dispenser. The control unit is operable to control the operation of the drive motor, which in turn drives the pump. In this way, the control unit can accurately control the dispensing of the food product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates the flowable food product dispenser constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The food product dispenser10is designed to dispense one of a number of different types of flowable food products. As an example, the food product dispenser10can be used to dispense flowable food products such as condiments, syrups, dressings, cheeses, fudge, caramel sauces, wing sauces or other similar food products that can be pumped from either an open storage area or a flexible food pouch.FIG.2is an exploded view of the components that form the food product dispenser10of the present disclosure. The components shown inFIG.2fit together in the manner shown inFIG.1such that the food product dispenser10can be used by a restaurant or food service facility to dispense the flowable food product either onto a food product (such as traditional or boneless wings) or into a container for use with a food product.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the food product dispenser10includes a main housing12that includes an extended base14designed to rest upon a support surface, such as a tabletop or counter. The main housing12is designed to be stationary and located in a position in the food service facility where the food products are being prepared. The main housing12includes a front-facing control panel16that is designed to provide a point of interaction between an user and the food product dispenser10. The details of the control panel16will be described in much greater detail below.

The main housing12includes a pair of spaced side walls18and a back wall20that define a receiving area22. The receiving area is sized to receive a portion of a removable storage container assembly24.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the main housing12includes a top portion25that is designed to receive a removable top panel assembly26. The top portion25extends forward from the pair of side walls18and provides a mounting location for the top panel assembly26, which includes the control panel16. The height of the storage container assembly24is such that the storage container assembly24can be received between the base14and the top portion25of the main housing12. In the embodiment illustrated, the main housing12is formed from a metallic material that is both durable and can be cleaned.

Referring back toFIG.2, the storage container assembly24includes an open container28that includes an open interior defined by a pair of side walls29and a rear wall30. In the embodiment illustrated, the rear wall30is configured to receive and support a pump assembly32that is mounted to the rear wall30as will be described in detail below. However, it is contemplated that the pump assembly32could be positioned in other locations while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. The open container28includes a generally open interior that is sized to receive and retain a volume of the flowable food product to be dispensed. In the illustrated embodiment, the open interior is designed to receive approximately 83 ounces of a sauce that is dispensed from the food product dispenser10. However, it is contemplated that the size of the open interior could be of a larger or smaller volume depending upon the desired use of the food product dispenser10. In addition, it is contemplated that the open interior could receive a bag or pouch of the flowable food product instead of a direct pour embodiment in which the flowable food product is directly poured into the open interior.

The open interior of the storage container24is generally open and can be closed at a top end by a cover member34. As shown in detail inFIG.5, the cover member34can be formed from either plastic or metal and includes a generally flat bottom wall36that extends between a pair of side walls38and a sloped front wall40. A back wall42combines with the pair of side walls38and the front wall40to define an open interior44of the cover member34. A pair of cross support walls45extend between the side walls38to provide support for a dispensing tube46. The dispensing tube46is supported by the cross support walls45and includes a dispensing spout portion48that extends through the front wall40. The dispensing spout portion48serves as the discharge location for the food product being dispensed from the flowable food product dispenser10. In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing tube46is formed from a metal material, such as stainless steel or aluminum, that is durable and can be easily cleaned.

As shown inFIG.5, the cover member34includes a lower engagement portion50that is sized slightly smaller than the upper portion52to define a support shoulder54. The support shoulder54is designed to contact the upper rim56of the container to support the cover member34on the container28. The size of the lower engagement portion50and the upper rim56are selected to create a friction, interference fit between the cover member34and the container28.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the pump assembly32includes a pump support bracket57and a pump58. In the embodiment shown inFIG.5, the pump58is a flexible impeller pump, such as the Server Pump™ sold by Server Products. The details of an exemplary embodiment of the pump58are shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/357,251, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, other types of pumps, such as but not limited to peristaltic pumps, could be used as long as the included pump can be accurately controlled to dispense a known volume of the flowable food product upon operation. It is contemplated that the pump58could be a modular component and that different types of pumps having different properties and advantages of operation could be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

The exemplary pump58illustrated includes an inlet60and an outlet62and is operable to pump a flowable food product from the inlet60to the outlet62. The pump58includes a motor shaft connecting portion64that is specifically designed to receive a drive shaft66of an electric drive motor68. When the motor drive shaft66is inserted into the connecting portion64, operation of the drive motor68causes a flexible impeller within the pump58to rotate and thus pump the flowable food product through the pump58and out of the food product dispenser. In other embodiments, the pump58could be driven using other drive mechanisms other than the drive motor68and the drive shaft66.

As shown in the rear view ofFIG.6, the pump support bracket57is securely mounted to the back wall30of the container28. The support bracket57includes a pair of clip portions70that engage the inlet60and the outlet62of the pump58to hold the pump in the position shown. The inlet60and outlet62can each include a locking collar72to help hold the pump58in the mounted position. The pump58can be removed from the pump support bracket57for cleaning as needed and easily installed back in the correct position shown.

As shown inFIGS.5and6, the inlet60of the pump58is connected to a pump inlet tube74that has a first end76that extends through the back wall30of the container28to access the open interior of the container28. In this manner, the flowable food product can be drawn out of the container28through operation of the pump58. As shown inFIG.6, the outlet opening78formed in the back wall30of the container28is offset from the center line of the container28and is located near the bottom wall that defines the open interior of the container. In this manner, the flowable food product will flow toward the outlet opening78due the influence of gravity.

The second end80of the pump inlet tube74is designed to receive the inlet60of the pump58when the pump is supported by the pump support bracket. A pump outlet tube82is designed and positioned such that a first end84engages and receives the outlet62of the pump58. The second end86is received within a fitting88that in turn is connected to an infeed end90of the dispensing tube46. The fitting88is designed and sized to be received and retained within a cutout92formed in the back wall42of the cover member34. The combination of the pump inlet tube74and the pump outlet tube82allows the flowable food product to be pumped from the open interior of the container28to the dispensing tube46as a result of the operation of the pump58. In this manner, when the pump58operates, the pump58creates suction that draws the flowable food product into the pump from the storage location.

Referring back toFIG.1, when the storage container assembly24is installed in the main housing12, the spout portion48extends past the front wall40to dispense the flowable food product onto either a food product or into a container. The distance that the spout portion48extends downward and away from the front wall40can be adjusted depending on the type of food product that is being presented beneath the spout portion48.

FIG.3illustrates the mounting of the drive motor68within the main housing12. As illustrated, the main housing12includes a support wall94that defines the back of the receiving area22sized to receive the entire storage container assembly24. The back support wall94extends between the pair of spaced side walls18of the housing12, one of which is removed from the image ofFIG.5. In the embodiment shown, the drive motor68is mounted to the back support wall94by a series of connectors96. As shown inFIG.4, when the storage container assembly is removed from the main housing12, the drive shaft66extends through the support wall94and into the receiving area22. In this manner, the entire drive motor68is conceived behind the support wall94and does not come into direct contact with the flowable food product during operation of the food product dispenser of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIGS.2and5, the base14of the main housing includes a removable support panel98. The support panel98is removable from the metal base14for cleaning. The support panel98includes a pair of guide rails100that help to guide the sliding movement of the storage container assembly24into and out of the receiving area22. The guide rails100help to align the pump assembly on the back of the storage container assembly24with the drive shaft66extending through the support wall94.

FIG.3schematically illiterates the internal components of the food product dispenser10that are used to control the discharge of the flowable food product. As illustrated inFIG.3, the main housing12includes the drive motor68. The drive motor68is preferably an electric drive motor that is connected to a power supply module102through a power connection line105. The drive motor68will preferably include some type of encoder or other similar component that allows for the monitoring of the rotation of the drive motor68. The power supply102, in turn, is connected to a utility power source through a conventional plug (not shown). The power supply102converts the utility power source to the required voltage and current to drive the motor68. In addition, the power supply102provides the required voltage and current to power a control unit104that is located within the main housing12and is part of the larger control panel assembly26. As shown inFIG.7, the control unit104includes a control board106and associated circuitry that is mounted to the inner surface of a top panel110. The top panel110is designed to be received and mounted to the side walls of the main housing.

The control unit104can include various processors and control elements that allows for controlling the operation of the motor68and for receiving input from the control panel16. The control panel16is operatively connected to the control unit104by the wire strip112such that user inputs from an operator are relayed to the control unit104. Based on the commands from the user, the control unit104can control operation of the drive motor68. In addition, the control unit104is able to send information and signals to the control panel16for display to the user.

Referring back toFIG.3, the drive motor68includes the motor shaft66that has an engagement end that extends past the back support wall94. The engagement end is designed to be received and interact with the engagement portion64of the rotating impeller of the pump58. Specifically, the engagement end is received within the connecting portion64of the pump58shown inFIG.3. Thus, when the storage container assembly is slid onto the base14, the engagement end of the drive shaft of the drive motor68engages with the pump58such that the drive motor68can control the operation of the pump58.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the control panel16can include a touch screen120that can includes a visual display and engagement areas as defined and dictated by the control unit104. Since the visual display can be modified as desired, the control panel16can be configured for any use, portion size, dispensing amount or in any other way desired. It is contemplated that other different configurations for the user interface of the control panel could be utilized while operating within the scope of the present disclosure, such as but not limited to specific control buttons or any other type of interface.

In one contemplated configuration, the display of the control panel could include multiple selection areas that allow the operator to select between the type of food product upon which the dispensed sauce will be placed. As an example, the selection areas could include “boneless”, “bone-in” and “cauliflower”. It is contemplated that these selection buttons could identify a wide variety of different types of food products depending upon the desired use of the food product dispenser of the present disclosure.

In addition to the selection areas, it is contemplated that the user interface on the control panel could include multiple size engagement areas for each of the product selection areas. The volume dispensing areas allow the user to control the amount of sauce that will be dispensed onto the food product. In a contemplated embodiment, the size engagement areas could include Small, Medium and Large. Thus, if the user selects a Boneless wing option, the user can then select a small, medium or large order of boneless wings. The same holds true for the selection of Bone-In or Cauliflower. The control panel16could further includes a refill indicator and a reset area if desired.

In another contemplated embodiment of the user interface of the control panel, the control panel could include five different size engagement areas instead of small, medium and large. The size areas allow the user to select the number of individual food items in a food product order. As an example, if the user selects Traditional wings, the user can then select between 6, 10, 15, 20 and 30 wings within an order. The number of wings within an order will dictate the amount of sauce that is dispensed onto the food item.

In another contemplated embodiment, the control panel can include a touch area labels as “manual” or “free pour”. Such area would allow a user to manually dispense the flowable food product from the food product dispenser. As an example, one press of the manual button area will prime the pump while holding the manual button will allow for a free pour until the desired amount of sauce has been dispensed.

Once again, it is contemplated that the use of the touch screen panel120as part of the display panel will allow for an almost unlimited number of configurations and will allow the control unit104to operate the pump to dispense the flowable food product in an almost unlimited number of volumes based on the user selection. Since the electric drive motor of the contemplated embodiment includes a very accurate encoder, the control unit can very accurately control the amount of food product dispensed.

Referring back toFIG.3, when a user selects the desired selection button and size button, the control unit104makes a determination of the amount of time or the number of rotations the drive motor68needs to operate to dispense the desired amount of sauce onto the food product. For an example, a boneless wing may require less sauce than a bone-in or traditional wing. Thus, if the user selects a boneless wing order and that ten wings are within this order, the control unit will determine the amount of sauce that needs to be dispensed. The amount of sauce dispensed for a boneless wing order of ten pieces may be less than the amount of sauce needed to be dispensed onto traditional wings of a similar ten piece order. As an illustrative example, one unit of sauce is required for a boneless wing while 1.5 units of sauce are required for a traditional wings.

Once the control unit104determines the amount of sauce that needs to be dispensed based upon the type of food item and the size of the order of food item, the control unit104initiates the operation of the drive motor68. The combination of the drive motor68and pump58are operable to dispense an accurately known volume of flowable food product for each rotation of the drive shaft66. By counting the numbers of rotations of the drive shaft66, the control unit104and motor68can accurately meter and control the amount of flowable food product being dispensed from the food product dispenser. In this manner, the control unit104is able to accurately control the amount and volume of flowable food product dispensed. In this manner, the restaurant or food service facility can accurately and repeatedly dispense the desired amount of sauce or other flowable food product onto a food item. This allows for consistency across multiple restaurant locations, which is a highly desirable feature of the present disclosure.

FIGS.8and9illustrate alternate ways to organize multiple food product dispensers10. In the embodiment shown inFIG.8, there are two rows of eight food product dispensers each that are stacked on top of each other. In a restaurant location in which sixteen different toppings can be placed onto a food item, stacking the food product dispensers in this manner allows for space savings and allows a user to select and dispense the desired sauce or topping onto the food item. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.8and9, a front indicator panel can be used to identify the type of sauce included within the food product dispenser10.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.9, the same sixteen food product dispensers are organized in a side-by-side relationship such that all of the same sixteen sauces are available for use and application to a food item. Additionally, it is contemplated that the food product dispensers could be stacked more than two high as shown inFIG.8or that less or greater numbers of food product dispensers could be utilized.

In the two embodiments shown inFIGS.8and9, multiple food product dispensers can be both physically joined to each other and the power supplies can be daisy-chained together to reduce the number of plugs need for connection to the utility power supply. The power connections between the dispensers can be done in a wide variety of manners.

When the internal storage area of any one of the food product dispensers has been depleted, the user will need to refill the sauce or flowable food product into the container of the storage container assembly. To do this, the storage container assembly24is initially pulled away from the main housing12. The main housing12includes the pair of guide rails100on the support panel98to help guide this movement. Once the storage container assembly24has been removed from the main housing12, the cover member34is raised slightly until the engagement portion50is above the rim56, as shown inFIG.5. Once in this elevated position, the cover member34can either be pivoted slightly the side or pivoted slightly upward. Since the pump outlet tube82is offset from the center line of the container28, it is contemplated that the cover member34would pivot toward that side of the container28to provide better access to the open interior of the container. In this position, additional sauce/condiment/topping can be added to the open storage container until the open interior is filled with the desired amount of the food product. Once refilled, the storage container assembly24can be returned to the operative position such as shown inFIG.1.