Abstract:
A frozen confection dispensing apparatus includes a freezer section having a base product. A dispensing section is connected to the freezer section. The dispensing section includes a mixing cylinder and a plunger movably positioned within the mixing cylinder, the mixing cylinder including at least one injection port. A flavoring section includes a plurality of flavor syrups connected to a specified injection port. A stepper motor is connected to the plunger and moves the plunger within the mixing cylinder. A control mechanism is connected with the stepper motor and syrup pump selectively moving the plunger wherein a syrup dispense rate and timing is sequenced by the control mechanism with the stepper motor driven plunger wherein mixing of the base product and flavor syrup is precisely controlled.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/338,047 filed May 18, 2016 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a frozen confection dispensing apparatus and with more particularity to a frozen confection dispensing apparatus including multiple flavors mixed at the point of dispense. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various soft serve systems have been developed that allow the mixing of a soft serve base product with various syrups to provide multiple flavors from a single soft serve machine. However, at the conclusion of a dispensing cycle a certain amount of blended product remains in a mix chamber. When a new product is selected the preceding portion will have this remnant of the previous flavor dispensed with the current selected flavor. This carryover of a flavor is undesirable as a consumer may have a mixture of product flavors versus a single flavor that has been selected. 
         [0004]    Current prior art systems may utilize a rinse cycle between each dispensing cycle in order to eliminate the carryover of flavors. However, such systems create a break or lag interval for a dispensing sequence and require disposal of the rinse product. Typically such prior art systems have required the use of a trained operator to facilitate these functions limiting the application for a self-serve environment. 
         [0005]    There is therefore a need in the art for a soft serve dispensing mechanism that utilizes a combination of flavors in a single machine without the need for a trained operator. A self-serve soft dispensing machine may be utilized in various locations to allow customers to select a desired flavor without the need for a dedicated employee or operator of the machine. 
         [0006]    There is a further need in the art for an automated dispensing machine that will limit the amount of carryover between selected flavors. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect, there is disclosed a frozen confection dispensing apparatus that includes a freezer section having a base product. A dispensing section is connected to the freezer section. The dispensing section includes a mixing cylinder and a plunger movably positioned within the mixing cylinder, the mixing cylinder including at least one injection port. A user interface is provided allowing a user to select a desired flavor. A flavoring section includes a plurality of flavor syrups connected to pumps that selectively pump syrups to a specified injection port. A mixing motor assembly including a motor is attached to a shaft. The shaft terminates at a terminal end in the mixing cylinder. The terminal end includes a mixing blade attached thereon. A stepper motor is connected to the plunger and moves the plunger within the mixing cylinder. A control mechanism is connected with the stepper motor and syrup pump selectively moving the plunger wherein a syrup dispense rate and timing is sequenced by the control mechanism with the stepper motor driven plunger wherein mixing of the base product and flavor syrup is precisely controlled improving a product quality at a beginning and end of a dispense cycle eliminating carryover of flavor syrup during a dispensing cycle. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, there is disclosed a frozen confection dispensing apparatus that includes a freezer section having a base product. A dispensing section is connected to the freezer section. The dispensing section includes a mixing cylinder and a plunger movably positioned within the mixing cylinder, the mixing cylinder including at least one injection port. A flavoring section includes a plurality of flavor syrups connected to a specified injection port. A stepper motor is connected to the plunger and moves the plunger within the mixing cylinder. A control mechanism is connected with the stepper motor and syrup pump selectively moving the plunger wherein a syrup dispense rate and timing is sequenced by the control mechanism with the stepper motor driven plunger wherein mixing of the base product and flavor syrup is precisely controlled. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect, there is disclosed a frozen confection dispensing apparatus that includes a freezer section having a base product. A dispensing section is connected to the freezer section. The dispensing section includes a mixing cylinder and a plunger movably positioned within the mixing cylinder, the mixing cylinder including at least one injection port. A flavoring section includes a plurality of flavor syrups connected to a specified injection port. A stepper motor is connected to the plunger and moves the plunger within the mixing cylinder. A control mechanism is connected with the stepper motor and syrup pump selectively moving the plunger wherein a syrup dispense rate and timing is sequenced by the control mechanism with the stepper motor driven plunger wherein mixing of the base product and flavor syrup is precisely controlled. The dispensing mechanism includes an automated rinse structure having a retractable curtain coupled to a rinse motor that rotates the retractable curtain around the dispensing section. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of an integrated motor drive system for a soft serve dispenser; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a dispensing mechanism including a freeze cylinder and an integrated motor drive system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a graphical depiction of a dispensed product including a carryover of a base product; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a graphical depiction of a soft serve product having a homogeneous consistency; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a dispensing mechanism at a start of a dispense cycle; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a graphical depiction of the dispensing mechanism showing travel during a dispensing cycle; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a graphical depiction of the dispensing mechanism showing the travel at the end of a dispensing cycle; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of a soft serve dispensing machine including a rinse structure at a beginning of a rinse cycle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a graphical perspective view of a rinse cycle structure during a rinse cycle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a graphical perspective view of a rinse structure near a conclusion of the rinse cycle; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a graphical depiction of a user interface showing the selection of a flavor; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a graphical depiction of a user interface showing the selected flavor and displaying instructions for dispensing a soft serve product; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a graphical depiction of a user interface at a conclusion of a dispensing cycle; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a graphical depiction of a user interface displaying a technical menu wherein various system settings may be monitored or adjusted; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a graphical depiction of a user interface displaying a flavor calibration screen; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a graphical depiction of a flavor calibration subscreen of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a graphical depiction of a user interface displaying a plunger calibration screen; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a graphical depiction of a user interface displaying open and closing values and pump operation values; 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a graphical depiction of a user interface displaying rinse cycle or system parameters; 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  is a graphical depiction of a user interface wherein graphics may be selected for the various flavors; 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  is a graphical depiction of a user interface displaying icons representing a flavor; 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  is a graphical interface wherein names may be assigned to various of the flavors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a diagram depicting the various portions of the dispensing apparatus  30 . In one aspect, the dispensing apparatus  30  includes a freezer section and cabinet  32  that cools a base product for dispensing as a soft serve ice cream. The apparatus also includes a dispensing section  34  which includes a mixing cylinder  36  and stepper motor  38 , as will be described in more detail below. The apparatus also includes control systems  40  for regulating mixing a desired flavor in the cylinder  36  as well as a rinse structure  42  for completing a rinse cycle at a desired time. 
         [0033]    The cabinet section  32  includes a pump  44 , a refrigeration system for cooling the cabinet, including evaporator  46 , compressor  47 , flavor pumps for delivering the syrup flavors  48 , and various switches  50  for regulating the syrups and base products. The cabinet section maintains the base product and syrup flavors at the required storage temperatures. The cabinet section  32  is linked with several of the control structures  40  including the pump control  52 . 
         [0034]    The dispensing section  34  includes the mixing cylinder  36 , a beater motor  54 , solenoid control valves  56 , and a stepper motor  38  as well as compressors  58  for moving a base product within the mixing cylinder  36  and freezing the product to the desired consistency. In one aspect, the stepper motor  38  moves and regulates the plunge assembly  59  for controlling the dispensing of a product as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0035]    The dispensing section  34  also includes a mixer motor  60  that is coupled with the control mechanism  40  and also various inputs such as a flavor syrup input  62  and a water input  64 . All of these sections are linked to various portions of the control section  40  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a partial perspective view of a dispensing apparatus  10  that includes a stepper motor  38  driven plunger assembly  59  that is combined with a controller  40  to regulate the flow of a soft serve product. The plunger  59  disposed within the cylinder  36  is driven using the stepper motor  38  which moves a driven member  39  and is activated by a signal from a dispensing lever arm or dispense button  66 . The driven member  39  is connected to the plunger  59  by a bracket  41  in the depicted embodiment. The motor driven plunger  59  allows the timing and precise portioning of a soft serve product with injected syrup  62  to optimize the blending process. In one aspect, the mix chamber  36  may include a cylinder pressure feedback loop  68  as shown in  FIG. 1  that is coupled with the controller  40  such that the opening position of the dispensing mechanism can be regulated based on a measured cylinder pressure to maintain a precise flow of a soft serve product so that the mixing ratios of the flavors and base product can be maintained throughout a dispensing cycle. 
         [0037]    The stepper motor  38  driven plunger assembly  59  may be utilized to vary the timing at the initiation of a dispensing cycle so that the base product flow may be delayed a predetermined amount of time to allow for a pre-injection of a selected flavor or syrup prior to initiation of the base product flow such that the product dispensed at the start of the cycle is homogeneous and does not include only a base product. The stepper motor  38  driven plunger assembly  59  may also be utilized to vary the product flow at the end of the dispensing cycle such that the syrup flow is terminated for a predetermined amount of time while the base product is allowed to flow to flush out any flavor and eliminating potential carryover of a base product as shown in  FIG. 3  as is common with prior art dispensing systems. The dispensed product of  FIG. 4  details a uniform dispensed product as produced by the dispensing apparatus of the present application. 
         [0038]    In one aspect, the control mechanism  40  may reverse the syrup pump motor once the close routine has been initiated. In this manner, a suction is created in the syrup supply line such that additional flavor is not siphoned into the mix stream during the dispensing process. This would eliminate potential carryover of flavors between dispensing cycles. 
         [0039]    Additionally, the plunger speed may be regulated such that siphoning introduced by the plunger  59  during the dispensing operation during a closing routine is reduced. 
         [0040]    In order to maintain a minimum carryover of flavors between dispensing cycles a top-off routine may be utilized for precise control over the sequence, rate, and timing of the base product dispense, the injection of a flavor syrup, and the initiation of the blending process to produce a desired homogeneous product. As described above, the use of a stepper motor drive  38  with the plunger  59  provides an automated or controlled movement of the plunger  59  such that the base product dispense rate and timing is achieved. In one aspect, the stepper motor  38  is electronically coupled to the controller  40  such that once a dispense sequence is initiated the controller may regulate the flow of the base product by varying the speed and total travel of the plunger  59  during the dispense cycle. The syrup dispense rate and timing is sequenced by the control mechanism with the stepper driven plunger so that the mixing can be precisely controlled to improve the product quality at the beginning and end of a dispense cycle and eliminate carryover of flavors during a dispensing cycle. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , there is shown graphical images of the dispensing mechanism during a dispense operation. To initiate a dispensing operation, the controller  40  may turn on the beater motor  54  and mix feed pump  44 , followed by opening of the solenoid valve  56  and actuating the compressor  58  to initiate the refrigeration cycle. The syrup pump  48  and a plunger delay are keyed to the initiation of the mixer and beater motors  60 ,  54  to begin the blending process. Following, the syrup pump  48  may be turned on with various control signals including a syrup pump open delay and a calculated rate of syrup dispense through the syrup pump  48  such that a desired homogeneous mixture without carryover is achieved. Next, the control system  40  will wait for the plunger delay and operate a plunger at a specified plunger operating speed. As the product is dispensed, the control system will next initiate a turn off sequence once a switch closure is detected, or the dispense times out if a portion control method of dispense is utilized. 
         [0042]    In the turn off sequence, the syrup pump  48  may be controlled such that the syrup pump is closed at a desired rate. Additionally, the syrup pump  48  may be operated in reverse to siphon any flavor within a dispensing syrup line and prevent siphoning of the flavor syrup into the mix cylinder  36 . Next, the plunger  59  is closed at a specified speed and delay which may be regulated according to desired mix profiles. Next, the mix motor  60  and compressor  58  and solenoid valve  56  may be turned off followed by turning off of the beater motor  38 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , there is depicted a rinse cycle structure  42  and mechanism at various portions during a rinse cycle. 
         [0044]    As described above, the dispensing mechanism may include an automated rinse structure  42 . In one aspect, the cleaning function may be utilized to remove remnants in the mix cylinder  36  after a dispensing cycle has been not performed for a specified time period. In one aspect, the rinse structure includes a retractable curtain  70  that rotates around the dispensing section  34 . The rinse remnants may be directed to a drain with the retractable curtain  70  in place to be utilized with a self-serve piece of equipment. As can be seen in the figures, once rinse cycle is initiated the curtain closes about the dispensing section such that water is flushed through the mixing cylinder  26  removing potential remnants and directing it to the drain. 
         [0045]    To initiate a rinse sequence, a rinse sequence counter may be initiated. During this time period the rinse curtain  70  is moved as described above and a switch  72  monitors full engagement of the rinse curtain  70 . A signal is sent to turn on the rinse motor  74  which moves the curtain into position such that a close limit switch  72  signals full engagement of the rinse curtain followed by powering down the rinse motor  74 . Next, a water valve  56  and mix motor  60  is opened and initiated for a desired time period flushing the dispensing cylinder  36 . Next, the water valve  56  is closed and the mix motor  60  is run for a desired time period. Following, the rinse motor  74  is run in reverse to open the curtain  70  wherein an open limit switch  72  designates a fully open curtain  70  such that the rinse motor  74  may then be turned off. The dispensing mechanism  30  is now ready to dispense a desired soft serve product. 
         [0046]    As described above, a user interface may be utilized to allow for a self-serve dispense operation. Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , there are shown various user interfaces for dispensing a product. As shown in  FIG. 11 , a user may select a desired flavor from multiple flavors. Additionally, once the flavor has been selected instructions may be displayed to position a cup or cone under the nozzle followed by actuation of the handle to initiate the dispensing operation, as described above. After the product has been dispensed, the user interface may display a message indicating completion of the operation as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0047]    The user interface may also include portions for control of the various parameters of the dispensing mechanism and should be operated by the owner and operator of the machine rather than a customer. In one aspect, the user interface may include various calibration screens and controls as shown in  FIG. 14 . Calibration screens may include a flavor calibration of  FIGS. 15 and 16  with various parameters shown including the pump base speed for the syrup as well as a syrup run time. Additionally, as displayed in  FIG. 17 , the plunger speed may also be regulated by input of various parameters such as the time of the plunger opening, the speed of the opening, as well as other parameters. 
         [0048]    Additionally, the open and close routine associated with operation of the dispensing as described above may be controlled and specified in a user interface as shown in  FIG. 18 . Various parameters such as the syrup pump open delay, plunger open delay, pump delay for both opening and closing of the systems may be specified. In this manner, carryover of a base or previous flavor profile may be minimized. 
         [0049]    Additionally, the rinse cycle routine may be controlled as shown in  FIG. 19  by entering various parameters such as a rinse timer, rinse sequence timer, mix motor run time, and a rinse door speed. In this manner the rinse cycle parameters may be controlled by an operator of the dispensing apparatus. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 20-22 , the operator may also specify various flavor profiles including a name and a graphical icon to display the flavors that may be selected by a customer. 
         [0051]    The utilization of a stepper motor drive mechanism  38  with a dispenser plunger  59  in conjunction with the control mechanism as described above allows for elimination of potential product carryovers for flavors for a self-serve soft serve dispense mechanism.