Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing articles into a container or basket and for controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately, efficiently, and intelligently dispense the desired articles with less damages to the articles. The dispenser includes a primary storage location which can take the form of a bulk storage hopper, an accumulator storage location into which the dispensed articles are transferred during the dispensing of the articles. A reversing drum and a flexible, resilient diverter are configured and arranged to reduce article breakage and/or to transfer different types of articles. The drum is also designed to provide a self-alignment between the drum and a motor shaft when the drum is mounted onto the drum motor shaft. A load/weight sensing/measuring assembly accurately and intelligently weighs the articles in the accumulator by an adaptive weighing method. The load/weight sensing/measuring assembly includes a spring to convert force to displacement and a solid-state sensor/magnet mechanism to replace the expensive load cell assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to dispensing; more particularly to dispensing food items; and more particularly still to an intelligent, efficient dispensing unit for dispensing frozen food items. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Frozen french fry dispensers are known in the art. An example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,498 issued to Cahlander et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,847 issued to Cahlander et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,918 issued to Cahlander et al. Each of the foregoing patents discloses a french fry dispenser which includes a main storage bin, a device for moving the fries from the main storage bin into a secondary location, a means for holding the fries in the secondary location, and a complex apparatus for moving empty cooking baskets into position under the secondary storage location. 
     While the disclosed dispenser automates the process of dispensing frozen articles and has been successful in the marketplace, there are several areas in which the dispenser may be improved. First, the complex apparatus used for automatically moving the plurality of baskets into position under the secondary position is often not needed and/or desired by the end-user. Further, in such instances, providing such a device introduces unnecessarily complex and expensive equipment into the dispenser. 
     Second, the manner in which the disclosed apparatus determines the weight of the articles to dispense does not provide highly accurate results (e.g., dispensing by time and by volume may be non-linear based in part upon the articles dispensed). To solve the problem, a load cell is often used to accurately measure the weight of the articles. However, such a load cell is usually an expensive piece of equipment which adds more expense into the dispenser apparatus. Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive and accurate load/weight measuring device. 
     Third, the device for moving the fries from the main storage bin into the secondary location may be clogged by large clumps of fries thus causing breakage of the fries. Further, in some instances, articles which have different characteristics from fries are desired to be dispensed. Accordingly, a controllable device is needed to resolve this problem. 
     Fourth, the manner in which the disclosed apparatus dispenses does not have an efficient dispensing rate for various types of food products or articles. More specifically, the dispensing rate is either too fast which causes difficulty in stopping at an accurate weight or too slow which extends to an unreasonable time. The fundamental problem is that a dense product or product with a large weight per particle, if dispensed rapidly, cannot be stopped at an accurate weight, for example, due to the weight of product in flight, i.e. the weight of the product which has not reached the weighing mechanism but has been dispensed. Thus, there is a need to dispense the product at an appropriate rate, e.g. at a rate which reacts to the approaching target weight. Another associated problem is that if the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly operates at a rate appropriate to a denser product, a weighing cycle may be extended to an unreasonable time, e.g. four to six times the cycle for a heavier product. Thus, there is a need for a controllable weighing mechanism to provide an appropriate dispensing rate based on the weight of articles dispensed. Such an improved dispenser apparatus should also provide for accurate weighing by taking into account differences in each different dispenser unit and characteristics of the articles dispensed, i.e. the weighing mechanism should learn over time, e.g. several dispensing cycles, to account for such discrepancies. 
     Fifth, it is often desired to limit the defrosting/thawing of the frozen articles. In many cases, however, the frozen articles to be dispensed from the disclosed apparatus are easily defrosted or thawed, especially when the dispenser is the near cooking area. Accordingly, there is a need for an air restricting mechanism implemented in the apparatus to help slow the defrosting/thawing of the frozen articles. 
     Sixth, the disclosed apparatus is adapted for dispensing frozen fries. The disclosed apparatus is not configured and arranged to dispense other articles, such as onion rings, drummies, or even different sized frozen fries, etc. Therefore, there is a need for an improved dispenser apparatus which is configured and arranged to dispense a variety of food products or articles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for a reliable method and apparatus for dispensing articles and controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately dispense the desired articles. Such control may also be expanded to learn over time to modify the control to achieve even greater accuracy. 
     In a preferred embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention, the apparatus for dispensing food articles from a primary storage holding area to a basket includes: a primary food article storage location and an accumulator food article storage location arranged and configured proximate to the primary food article storage location. The food articles fall by gravity to a basket which is generally located beneath the accumulator food article storage location. A rotatable, reversible drum controllably transfers the food articles from the primary to the accumulator food article storage location in response to a control signal. An accumulator door controllably dispenses the food articles from the accumulator food article storage location to the basket in response to a control signal. The control signals are generated by a controller. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the drum motor is reversed in its rotation direction upon detection of a predetermined current increase and/or a predetermined speed decrease of the drum motor. After a predetermined period of time or turn, the drum motor is rotated forward again in its normal dispensing direction. One advantage of this aspect of the present invention is that it significantly reduces food breakage and can be adapted for various types of food articles (e.g., in one example, frangible frozen food items). 
     In another aspect of the invention, the articles in the accumulator food article storage location are retained in that area by the accumulator door. The accumulator door is selectively operated between open and closed positions. A load/weight measurement device is arranged and configured to weigh the articles retained by the accumulator door in real time. In a preferred embodiment, a spring is used to convert the load/weight to displacement. By sensing the displacement with a sensor and sending the sensed weight signal to the controller, the controller calculates the load/weight of the articles in the accumulator food article storage location. When a desired or predetermined weight is reached, the controller signals the drum motor to reduce the dispensing rate and stop. The accumulator door may be selectively opened automatically upon reaching the desired weight and detecting the presence of the basket or may be operated by a user when desired. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is that an adaptive weighing method is utilized in the controller during the weighing/measuring process of the articles in the accumulator storage location. One advantage of using the adaptive weighing method is that it optimizes the dispensing rate by adjusting its dispensing rate to match a predetermined rate. The controller monitors in real time the sensed weight signal from the load sensor and operates the drum motor to control the articles dispensed into the accumulator area to a predetermined level. Thus, by monitoring the movement of the drum and the weight of the transferred articles, the controller can determine the manner in which the drum should be moved in a future dispensing cycle so as to increase the accuracy of the dispensed articles. Accordingly, the adaptive weighing method not only resolves the problem mentioned before but also allows an accurate, intelligent, efficient dispensing process. 
     An additional aspect of the present invention is that it significantly improves the food handling mechanism. First, a flexible diverter is used to flexibly control the distance between the drum and the diverter. It allows a larger article to go through the space between the drum and the diverter without necessarily letting many other smaller articles uncontrollably pass through at one time. Further, it allows various types of articles to be dispensed with significantly less breakage. Second, the drum is arranged and configured to have a number of raised areas with different heights and land areas. Third, air restricting members are provided between a hopper lid and a hopper body and between the hopper and the accumulator. Fourth, the accumulator door is arranged and configured to include two flaps, one of which extends over the other at their connecting end to reduce/restrict the air flow entering into or exiting out of the accumulator. 
     A further additional aspect of the invention is that the accumulator is separate from the hopper. The accumulator is preferably mounted on a frame or housing of the dispenser apparatus. One advantage of such feature is that the accuracy of the weight measurement of the articles in the accumulator storage location is improved. It will be appreciated that in the prior art systems, some of the food articles may reside within the accumulator area and some may extend up into the hopper. Because friction may exist between these latter items and the walls of the hopper, the accuracy of the weight measurement may be improved (and variability reduced) by separating the accumulator from the hopper as in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     A yet another aspect of the invention is that one end of the drum is arranged and configured to have a twist entrance for mounting the drum onto the drum motor shaft. The twist entrance provides a self-alignment for the drum to slide onto the drum motor shaft. The advantage of the self-alignment is that a user does not have to reach inside the hopper to adjust the drum position while placing the hopper onto the dispenser apparatus, especially when the hopper contains a full load of articles. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispensing articles. The method includes: loading the articles into a primary article storage location; initiating a dispense signal; controllably transferring the articles to an accumulator article storage location in response to a control signal, the control signal being adjusted in real time in accordance with a rotation speed and/or a sensed current of a transfer assembly, the accumulator article storage location including an accumulator door arranged and configured to selectively open upon receipt of an accumulator door open signal, wherein the articles fall by gravity to a shelf, generally located beneath the accumulator door; weighing the articles in the accumulator article storage location in real time and generating a weigh signal; receiving the weigh signal, comparing the received weigh signal to a predetermined weigh value, and adjusting the control signal; and generating the accumulator door open signal. 
     While the invention will be described with respect to a preferred embodiment configuration and with respect to particular components, it will be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited by such configurations or components. Further, while the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in relation to dispensing frozen french fries and to the method applicable to using a controller to dispense at greater accuracy, it will be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited by this environment in which the preferred embodiment is described herein. 
     These and various other advantages and features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings which form a further part hereof and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment to the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser, with a back side cover removed for illustration, of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, with a hopper removed for illustration; 
     FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hopper, with a hopper lid being detached, which encloses a dispensing drum and a diverter; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a hopper body, the dispensing drum, and the diverter of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6A is a schematic view of the hopper lid being in a closed position; 
     FIG. 6B is a schematic view of the hopper lid being in a removal position; 
     FIG. 6C is a schematic view of the hopper lid being in an open position; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the diverter; 
     FIG. 8A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dispensing drum; 
     FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the dispensing drum viewing from the opposite end of FIG. 8A; 
     FIG. 8C is a schematic end view of the dispensing drum of FIG. 8B; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an accumulator door; 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic view of one embodiment of air seals between the hopper lid and the hopper body, and between the hopper body and an accumulator; 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the reversible dispensing drum; 
     FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the reversible dispensing drum and its control means; 
     FIG. 13A is a partial exploded view of one embodiment of a load/weight sensing/measuring assembly; 
     FIG. 13B is an exploded view of the embodiment of the load/weight sensing/measuring/dispensing assembly shown in FIG. 13A; 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly; 
     FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly; 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a load sensor output based on a distance between a magnet to a sensor; and 
     FIG. 17 is a functional flow chart of an adaptive weighing operation of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides for a reliable method and apparatus for dispensing articles and controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately dispense the desired articles. Such control may also be expanded to learn over time to modify the control to achieve even greater accuracy. 
     In the following description of the exemplary embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized when structural and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a preferred movable dispenser unit designated by the reference numeral  20 . The dispenser  20  includes a plastic molded hopper  22  which is mounted onto a housing or a frame  24  via extension members  26 , 28 . The extension members  26 , 28  slidably fit through integrally formed grooves (not shown) at the bottom or side of the hopper  22 . The extension member  26  has a shoulder section  30  at one end to retain the hopper  22  in place. It will be appreciated that other arrangements to support the hopper  22  can be used within the scope of the invention. For example, the extension member  28  can be replaced by another extension member  26  which is disposed at the opposite side of the extension member  26  as now shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The hopper  22  also includes a removable lid  32 . Preferably, the hopper  22 , when loaded with articles, is covered with the lid  32  to slow the defrosting/thawing of the frozen articles. The lid  32  is mounted onto a hopper body  34  at one edge as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The hopper lid  32  has a pair of curve-shaped notches  36 , 38  to receive a D-shaped rod member  40  which is extended from the hopper body  34 . FIGS. 6A-C illustrate three positions that the hopper lid  32  may be placed. FIG. 6A shows that the hopper lid  32  is in a closed position, whereby the D-shaped rod member  40  is disposed approximately vertical to the lid  32 , and the curve-shaped notch  36  is not aligned with the D-shaped rod member  40  so that the lid  32  may not be removed. FIG. 6B shows that the hopper lid  32  is in a removal position, for example, 30° degrees from the closed position, whereby the D-shaped rod member  40  is aligned with the curved-shaped notch  36  so that the lid  32  can be removed. FIG. 6C shows that the hopper lid  32  is in an open position, for example, 90° degrees from the closed position, whereby the D-shaped rod member  40  is approximately parallel to the lid  32 . It will be appreciated that the angles can be varied according to the user&#39;s desire. In the open position, the lid  32  may still not be aligned with the curved-shaped notch  36  so that the lid  32  cannot be removed. It will be appreciated that the removal position can be changed within the scope of the present invention. For example, the lid  32  may be removed at the open position. The orientation of the curve of the notches  36 , 38  and/or the orientation of the D of the rod member  40  can be varied within the scope of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the lid  32  is moved at a degree smaller than 90° degree, such as 30°, because in some instances, there may be an obstacle above the lid  32 . Accordingly, the lid does not have to be opened all the way to be removed. The lid can be removed at an angle, such as 30°, without hitting the obstacle. 
     Back in FIGS. 1-3, the walls of the hopper  22  may also include a plurality of ribs  42  integrally formed therein to provide additional strength and/or for aesthetic purposes. 
     A control switch  44  may be mounted on the extension member  28  to turn on the dispenser unit  20 . Also, a display  46  may be mounted on the frame  24  via through holes  48   a-c  to monitor the dispensing process. Electrical wires can be hidden at the back of the frame  24  via through hole  50  and/or a larger area  52 . 
     A basket (not shown) can be placed on a plurality of bars  54  of a tray holder  56 . The tray holder  56  may be mounted on the frame  24 . A tray  58  can slide in and out of the tray holder  56  like a drawer construction. The tray  58  is arranged and configured to receive the spilled or fallen articles outside of the basket. When the articles are dispensed from an accumulator  60 , the basket should be placed underneath an accumulator door  62 . A sensor  63  can be mounted onto the frame  24  via a through hole  64  to detect the presence of the basket. Once the sensor senses that a basket is present, the sensor sends a signal to a controller  142  (best seen in FIG.  12 ), e.g. a microprocessor known in the art. The articles can then be dispensed upon request. It will be appreciated that other sensor mechanisms can be implemented to sense whether the basket is empty without departure from the principles of the present invention. In addition, a basket location indicator can be arranged and configured on the tray holder  56 . For example, an edge(s) of the tray holder  56  extends toward the side(s) of the basket to ensure that when the basket contacts the edge(s), the basket is directly underneath the accumulator door  62 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the accumulator  60  is mounted onto the frame  24  and is separate from the hopper  22  to ensure accurate measurement of weight of the articles stored in the accumulator  60 . The area between the bottom end of the hopper  22  and the accumulator  60  is the accumulator article storage area  61 . The stored articles are held by the accumulator door  62  until a target weight of the articles is reached. The weight of the articles is monitored by a load/weight sensing/measuring assembly  66  as illustrated on the back side of the frame  24 . FIGS. 13A-B illustrate the parts and components of a preferred embodiment of the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly  66 . A compression spring  68  is mounted on the frame  24 . The spring  68  has its predetermined length and is compressed to different lengths when different weights of the articles are measured. The load/weight sensing/measuring assembly  66  is pivotable around a pivotal bearing assembly, such as a pair of pivotal bearings  70 , 72  as shown in FIG.  13 B. The bearings  70 , 72  are connected to a pivotal rod  74 , and the assembly  66  is pivoted about the axis of the rod  74 . The rod  74  is connected to an assembly plate  76  at the bottom end of the assembly  66 . A magnet (not shown) is retained in a magnet enclosure  80  which is connected to the assembly plate  76  on one side. On the other side of the enclosure  80 , a sensor  82  (preferably a magnetic sensor), a distance apart from the magnet, is mounted on the frame  24 . When there is no article in the accumulator storage area  61 , the distance between the sensor  82  and the magnet is predetermined (a home position). When the articles are accumulated in the area  61 , the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly  60  pivots thus compresses the spring  68  while shortening the distance between the sensor  82  and the magnet in the enclosure  80 . The sensor  82  in turn sends a weighed signal to the controller  142  (best seen in FIGS. 12,  14 , and  15 ) which determines whether a target weight for dispensing is reached. Based on the weighed signal and the predetermined parameters, the controller  142  sends a control signal to a drum motor  138 . The activation/deactivation and the rotation speed of the drum motor  138  are controlled by the controller. Once the desired weight is reached, the controller  142  then determines whether a user dispensing request or an automatic dispensing request is made. If the request is made, the controller sends a control signal to an accumulator motor  84  to open the accumulator door  62 . 
     For better illustration and understanding, a schematic view of the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly  66  is shown in FIG. 14, a functional block diagram of the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly  66 , the control means, and the accumulator door  62  is shown in FIG.  15 . 
     Further, the sensor  82  may also sense the distance after dispensing. In some cases, particles of the articles may stick on the accumulator  60  after dispensing which may cause inaccuracy of the weight measurement for the next dispensing cycle. The sensor  82  sends a correction signal to the controller so as to adjust a “zero” weight. 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic diagram of the input/output of the sensing/weighing mechanism between the sensor  82  and the magnet. The horizontal axis represents the distance, e.g. d 1 ,d 2  (in FIG.  14 ), between the magnet and the sensor  82 . The vertical axis represents the output of the sensor  82 . The envelop  158  is a sensor operation envelop of the sensor  82 . The darkened window  160  is an actual weighing window of the assembly  66 . It can be seen from FIG. 17 that the actual weighing window  160  can be adjusted within the sensor operation envelop  158  according to the different “zero” weight (or called “tare weight”) adjustment. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a functional flow chart of an adaptive weighing operation of the present invention. This adaptive weighing method can be implemented in the controller  142  during the weighing/measuring process of the articles in the accumulator  60  so as to dispense the articles in an efficient and intelligent manner. Preferably, an adaptive weighing operation reacts to the approaching target weight and determines an appropriate dispensing rate, e.g. reduces the dispensing rate, etc. The adaptive weighing method optimizes the dispensing rate by adjusting its dispensing rate to match a predetermined rate. The controller monitors in real time the sensed weight signal from the sensor  82  and operates the drum motor  138  to control the articles dispensed into the accumulator area  61  to a predetermined level. Furthermore, by monitoring the movement of the drum  114  and the weight of the transferred articles in the accumulator  60 , the controller  142  learns the characteristics and parameters of the dispensing cycle and in turn determines the manner in which the drum  114  should be operated in a future dispensing cycle. Accordingly, the adaptive weighing method not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of the dispensing rate, but also provides an intelligent dispensing process. 
     In FIG. 17, the adaptive weighing operation starts in box  162 . A parameter, Ideal_Weight, is increased by a parameter, Ideal_Rate, times a parameter, Interval in box  164 . The parameters, Ideal_Weight, Ideal_Rate, and Interval, have predetermined values. Next, the controller  142  compares the measured current weight of the articles held by the accumulator door  62  to the Ideal_Weight in box  166 . If the current weight is greater than the Ideal_Weight (i.e. the “yes” path), the controller sets a target rate (a parameter for determining the dispensing rate which transforms to a control signal to the motor  138 ) to be the current dispensing rate minus Ar in box  168 . In this situation, the current weight may approach to the target weight. If the current weight is not greater than the Ideal_Weight (i.e. the “no” path), the controller sets the target rate to be the current dispensing rate plus Ar, in box  170 . In this situation, the current weight may not have approached to the target weight. The value Ar can be a predetermined constant or a value proportional to or approximately proportional to the difference between the ideal weight and the actual weight. It will be appreciated that the value Ar can be adjusted within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it can be adjusted depending on the type of product, etc. 
     The controller  142  then sets a parameter, Rate_Limit, to be a product of a constant, k, and the difference between the target weight and the current weight in box  172 . Next, in box  174 , the controller compares the Rate_Limit calculated in box  174  to the target rate set in either box  168  or  170 . If the Rate_Limit is greater than the target rate (i.e. the “yes” path), the target rate is then used as a dispensing rate for further dispensing, i.e. the dispenser motor  138  is driven by the target rate in box  176 , and the dispensing rate continues to be updated to the new target rate in box  178 . If the Rate_Limit is not greater than the target rate (i.e. the “no” path), the Rate_Limit is then used as a dispensing rate for further dispensing, i.e. the dispenser motor  138  is driven by the Rate_Limit in box  180 . Thereafter, one cycle of the adaptive weighing operation finishes in box  182 . 
     Accordingly, the dispensing rate is only updated if it is less than the Rate_Limit. When the target rate is greater than the Rate_Limit, it indicates that the dispenser is close enough to the target weight that it should begin slowing down to stop the motor. Also, when weighing is complete, the dispenser may compare the initial and final values for the dispensing rate. In this manner, when the dispenser is confronted with a new product, it can adjust itself such that it begins with an optimum weighing speed, and over a period of time, e.g. after several dispensing cycles of the new product, the controller learns the characteristics and parameters of the new product and is able to adjust itself to fit for the new product. Further, in a similar manner, the controller can adjust itself in real time to gradual changes in the product, such as thawing. 
     As shown in FIG. 13B, the accumulator motor  84  is mounted on a housing  78  which is in turn mounted onto the plate  76 . The motor  84  can be a conventional DC motor known in the motor art. A motor shaft  85  is retained in a drive member  86 . The drive member  86  is connected to a center link  88 . The center link  88  has two U-shapes, each one of which is connected to a side link  90 , 92 , respectively. Each of the side links  90 , 92  is pivotally jointed with a connecting member  94 , 96 , respectively. A spring  98  is disposed between one end of the connecting member  94  and one end of the connecting member  96 . In addition, each of the connecting members  94 , 96  is mounted onto an accumulator door arm  100 ,  102  (see FIG. 9) via a connecting tube  100 ′, 102 ′, respectively. The connecting tubes  100 ′, 102 ′ extend at a first end through the plate  76  and at a second end through the housing  78 . The door arms  100 , 102  are retained in the connecting tubes  100 ′, 102 ′ by mounting pins  103 , 105  and retaining springs  107 , 109 . As shown in FIG. 9, at the first end of each of the door arms  100 , 102 , a piece of door flap  104 , 106  is connected to each door arm  100 , 102 , respectively. The door arms  100 , 102  and the door flaps  104 , 106  form the accumulator door  62  shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     Back in FIG. 13B, the spring  98  is normally biased such that the accumulator door  62  is normally closed. When the controller  142  signals to open the accumulator door  62 , the motor shaft  85  of the accumulator motor  84  drives the member  86  which in turn cranks the center link  88  in one direction which alternately brings the side link  90  close to the side link  92  and brings the side link  92  close to the side link  90 . Accordingly, the side links  90 , 92  bring the top end of the connecting member  94 / 100 ′, 96 / 102 ′ close to each other, whereby the arms  100 , 102  rotate toward each other which opens the door flaps  104 , 106 . Meanwhile, the spring  98  is expanded. The articles in the area  61  are dispensed into the basket. The motor  84  runs for a predetermined period of time set in the controller. After the dispensing, the controller sends a control signal to the motor  84  to close the accumulator door  62 . The motor  84  runs for a predetermined period of time set in the controller or until sensing a home position by a sensor  110 . In the closing operation, the biased spring  98  assists the motor  84  to move the top of the connecting members  94 , 96  away from each other. The arms  100 , 102  are in turn rotated in their opposite directions, which close the accumulator door  62 . The spring  98  also provides a safety feature when the door is closed to prevent pinch hazard which would be caused by a rigid member if it replaces the spring  98 . The parts and components of the accumulator  60 , except the accumulator door  62  and the ends of the arms  100 , 102 , are disposed inside between the housing  78  and the plate  76 . 
     Further as shown in FIG. 13B, the home position of the accumulator door is determined by the home position of the motor shaft  85  which is registered in a home registration vane  106 . The home registration vane  106  is retained by a self locking ring  108 . The sensor  110  is mounted on the accumulator motor  84  proximate the home registration vane  106 . The sensor  110  is used to detect the home position of the motor shaft  85  via the vane  106 . The sensed signal is sent to the controller  142  to signify the home position of the motor shaft so that the controller is informed the status of the motor  84  to determine whether the motor  84  should be stopped. 
     The accumulator door  62  is best seen in FIG.  9 . The two door flaps  104 , 106  of the accumulator door  62  are arranged and configured to have one of the door flaps  106  extends over the other door flap  104  (or vice versa) at their connecting end to restrict air flow entering into or exiting out of the accumulator door  62 . This accumulator door construction helps slow the defrosting/thawing of the frozen articles caused by air flow. 
     Mounting means of various parts and components which are shown in the drawings are preferably used in the present invention. It will be appreciated that other mounting or attaching means can be used without departure from the principles of the present invention. 
     Back in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hopper body  34  contains a diverter  112  and a drum  114 . The diverter  112  is detachably mounted on an inside wall of the hopper body  34 . On the inside wall, there are two shoulder bolts  116 , 118 . The heads of each shoulder bolts  116 , 118  extends through holes  120 , 122  of the diverter  112  (best seen in FIG.  7 ). The through holes  120 , 122  are adjacent to slots  124 , 126 , respectively. A locking plate  128  has two holes closer to one edge than the opposite edge of the plate  128 . When the holes of the locking plate  128  are aligned with the shoulder bolts  116 , 118  and the through holes  120 , 122  of the diverter  112 , the diverter  112  is locked in place on the inside wall the diverter  112 . When the locking plate  128  with the two holes is placed closer to the upper end of the hopper  22 , the diverter  112  is locked in place whereby the shoulder bolts  116 , 118  are disposed in the slots  124 , 126 ,. When the locking plate  128  with the two holes is placed farther from the upper end of the hopper  22 , the diverter  112  is locked in place whereby the shoulder bolts  116 , 118  are disposed in the holes  120 , 122 . Accordingly, the distance between the diverter  112  and the drum  114  can be adjusted by orienting the plate  128 . This allows different sizes of articles to be dispensed, e.g. the larger sized articles such as onion rings or the smaller sized articles such as french fries. 
     An enlarged view of the diverter  112  is shown in FIG.  7 . The diverter  112  has a mounting section  130  and a flexible C-shaped section  132  with a plurality of prongs  134 . Each of the prongs  134  is preferably resilient and made of plastic materials such as ABS plastic materials, etc. As a result, when a larger piece of article passes through the space between the prongs  134  and the drum  114 , the corresponding prong(s)  134  is temporarily deformed to allow the larger piece of article to fall into the accumulator without breaking the piece. Since only the corresponding prong(s)  134  is deformed, the other prongs can still function as a diverter to control the amount of the articles to fall into the accumulator  60 . 
     Further in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drum  114  is detachably mounted on a motor shaft  136  (best seen in FIG. 3) of the drum motor  138  (best seen in FIGS.  1  and  2 ). The drum motor  138  drives the drum  114  to move the articles toward the diverter (best seen in FIG.  11 ). The motor  138  can be any type of suitable motor known in the motor art which provides the control of the drum position and force imposed on the drum. 
     In addition, a sensor is arranged to sense the velocity (i.e. the rotation speed) of the drum and/or the current generated from the rotation of the motor. The sensed signal is then sent to the controller  142  which sends a control signal to control the rotation of the drum motor  138 . When the rotation speed of the drum decreases and/or the current increases, there is an indication that a clog may occur between the drum  114  and the diverter  112 . Upon receipt of the sensed signal by the controller  142 , the controller sends a control signal to the motor  138  to reverse the motor for a predetermined time or turn. Then, the controller sends a control signal to further rotate the motor in a normal direction. For better illustration and understanding, a functional block diagram of the reversible drum and the control means is shown in FIG.  12 . 
     Further, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the drum motor  138  is mounted onto the frame  24 . The motor shaft  136  passes through the frame  24  to connect to the drum  114 . The reversing drum assembly significantly reduces the article (e.g. french fries) breakage during their transfer from the hopper  22  to the accumulator  60 . 
     FIGS.  8 A,B illustrate a preferred embodiment of the drum  114 . FIG. 8A shows a first end  144  of the drum  114 , and FIG. 8B shows a second end  146  of the drum  114 . The second end  146  of the drum  114  slides onto the motor shaft  136  of the accumulator motor  138 . The second end  146  has a bore  148  which is arranged and configured to have a twist entrance for easily mounting the drum  114  onto the drum motor shaft  136 . The twist entrance provides a self-alignment for the drum  114  to slide onto the drum motor shaft  136 . A schematic view of the twist entrance is shown in FIG.  8 C. This self-alignment allows a user to easily place the drum onto the motor shaft without having to reach inside the hopper to adjust the drum position while placing the hopper onto the dispenser apparatus, especially when the hopper contains a full load of articles. 
     Further in FIGS.  8 A,B, the drum  114  is a cylindrical body  149  having raised areas, e.g. ribs  150   a-i,  and land areas, e.g. grooves  152 . Preferably, the ribs  150   a-i  have different predetermined heights above the grooves  152  so as to allow different spaces between the diverter  112  and the drum  114 . This drum configuration provides a better handling of a variety of articles as well as reduces breakage of the articles during the transfer. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates air restricting members  154 , 156  which are provided between the hopper lid  32  and the hopper body  34  and between the hopper body  34  and the accumulator  60 , respectively. When the lid  32  is closed onto the body  34 , the air restricting member  154  restricts air flow between the lid  32  and the body  34 . Also, after the hopper  22  slides onto the accumulator  60 , the air restricting member  156  restricts air flow between the hopper  22  and the accumulator  60 . The air restricting members help slow the defrosting/thawing of the frozen articles so as to provide a better handling of articles. 
     While a particular embodiment of the invention has been described with respect to its application for densing articles, such as frozen french fries, onion rings, etc., it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the invention is not limited by such application or embodiment for the particular components disclosed and described herein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other circuit configurations that embody the principles of this invention and other applications therefor can be configured within the spirit and intent of this invention. The circuit configuration described herein is provided as only one example of an embodiment that incorporates and practices the principles of this invention. Other modifications and alterations are well within the knowledge of those skilled in the art and are to be included within the broad scope of the appended claims.