Patent Publication Number: US-2023145776-A1

Title: Flowable food product dispenser with automated portion control

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/278,360, the disclosure of which in incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     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. 
     Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the disclosure. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of a flowable food product dispenser of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the flowable food product dispenser; 
         FIG.  3    is a section view of the flowable food product dispenser taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a front perspective view of the main housing with the storage container assembly removed; 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded view of the storage container assembly; 
         FIG.  6    is a rear view of the storage container assembly; 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom perspective view of the top panel assembly; 
         FIG.  8    is a first configuration for the arrangement of multiple food product dispensers; and 
         FIG.  9    is a second configuration for the arrangement of multiple food product dispensers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates the flowable food product dispenser constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The food product dispenser  10  is designed to dispense one of a number of different types of flowable food products. As an example, the food product dispenser  10  can 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.  2    is an exploded view of the components that form the food product dispenser  10  of the present disclosure. The components shown in  FIG.  2    fit together in the manner shown in  FIG.  1    such that the food product dispenser  10  can 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 in  FIG.  2   , the food product dispenser  10  includes a main housing  12  that includes an extended base  14  designed to rest upon a support surface, such as a tabletop or counter. The main housing  12  is designed to be stationary and located in a position in the food service facility where the food products are being prepared. The main housing  12  includes a front-facing control panel  16  that is designed to provide a point of interaction between an user and the food product dispenser  10 . The details of the control panel  16  will be described in much greater detail below. 
     The main housing  12  includes a pair of spaced side walls  18  and a back wall  20  that define a receiving area  22 . The receiving area is sized to receive a portion of a removable storage container assembly  24 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the main housing  12  includes a top portion  25  that is designed to receive a removable top panel assembly  26 . The top portion  25  extends forward from the pair of side walls  18  and provides a mounting location for the top panel assembly  26 , which includes the control panel  16 . The height of the storage container assembly  24  is such that the storage container assembly  24  can be received between the base  14  and the top portion  25  of the main housing  12 . In the embodiment illustrated, the main housing  12  is formed from a metallic material that is both durable and can be cleaned. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  2   , the storage container assembly  24  includes an open container  28  that includes an open interior defined by a pair of side walls  29  and a rear wall  30 . In the embodiment illustrated, the rear wall  30  is configured to receive and support a pump assembly  32  that is mounted to the rear wall  30  as will be described in detail below. However, it is contemplated that the pump assembly  32  could be positioned in other locations while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. The open container  28  includes 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 dispenser  10 . 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 dispenser  10 . 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 container  24  is generally open and can be closed at a top end by a cover member  34 . As shown in detail in  FIG.  5   , the cover member  34  can be formed from either plastic or metal and includes a generally flat bottom wall  36  that extends between a pair of side walls  38  and a sloped front wall  40 . A back wall  42  combines with the pair of side walls  38  and the front wall  40  to define an open interior  44  of the cover member  34 . A pair of cross support walls  45  extend between the side walls  38  to provide support for a dispensing tube  46 . The dispensing tube  46  is supported by the cross support walls  45  and includes a dispensing spout portion  48  that extends through the front wall  40 . The dispensing spout portion  48  serves as the discharge location for the food product being dispensed from the flowable food product dispenser  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing tube  46  is formed from a metal material, such as stainless steel or aluminum, that is durable and can be easily cleaned. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the cover member  34  includes a lower engagement portion  50  that is sized slightly smaller than the upper portion  52  to define a support shoulder  54 . The support shoulder  54  is designed to contact the upper rim  56  of the container to support the cover member  34  on the container  28 . The size of the lower engagement portion  50  and the upper rim  56  are selected to create a friction, interference fit between the cover member  34  and the container  28 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the pump assembly  32  includes a pump support bracket  57  and a pump  58 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  5   , the pump  58  is a flexible impeller pump, such as the Server Pump™ sold by Server Products. The details of an exemplary embodiment of the pump  58  are 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 pump  58  could 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 pump  58  illustrated includes an inlet  60  and an outlet  62  and is operable to pump a flowable food product from the inlet  60  to the outlet  62 . The pump  58  includes a motor shaft connecting portion  64  that is specifically designed to receive a drive shaft  66  of an electric drive motor  68 . When the motor drive shaft  66  is inserted into the connecting portion  64 , operation of the drive motor  68  causes a flexible impeller within the pump  58  to rotate and thus pump the flowable food product through the pump  58  and out of the food product dispenser. In other embodiments, the pump  58  could be driven using other drive mechanisms other than the drive motor  68  and the drive shaft  66 . 
     As shown in the rear view of  FIG.  6   , the pump support bracket  57  is securely mounted to the back wall  30  of the container  28 . The support bracket  57  includes a pair of clip portions  70  that engage the inlet  60  and the outlet  62  of the pump  58  to hold the pump in the position shown. The inlet  60  and outlet  62  can each include a locking collar  72  to help hold the pump  58  in the mounted position. The pump  58  can be removed from the pump support bracket  57  for cleaning as needed and easily installed back in the correct position shown. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the inlet  60  of the pump  58  is connected to a pump inlet tube  74  that has a first end  76  that extends through the back wall  30  of the container  28  to access the open interior of the container  28 . In this manner, the flowable food product can be drawn out of the container  28  through operation of the pump  58 . As shown in  FIG.  6   , the outlet opening  78  formed in the back wall  30  of the container  28  is offset from the center line of the container  28  and 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 opening  78  due the influence of gravity. 
     The second end  80  of the pump inlet tube  74  is designed to receive the inlet  60  of the pump  58  when the pump is supported by the pump support bracket. A pump outlet tube  82  is designed and positioned such that a first end  84  engages and receives the outlet  62  of the pump  58 . The second end  86  is received within a fitting  88  that in turn is connected to an infeed end  90  of the dispensing tube  46 . The fitting  88  is designed and sized to be received and retained within a cutout  92  formed in the back wall  42  of the cover member  34 . The combination of the pump inlet tube  74  and the pump outlet tube  82  allows the flowable food product to be pumped from the open interior of the container  28  to the dispensing tube  46  as a result of the operation of the pump  58 . In this manner, when the pump  58  operates, the pump  58  creates suction that draws the flowable food product into the pump from the storage location. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  1   , when the storage container assembly  24  is installed in the main housing  12 , the spout portion  48  extends past the front wall  40  to dispense the flowable food product onto either a food product or into a container. The distance that the spout portion  48  extends downward and away from the front wall  40  can be adjusted depending on the type of food product that is being presented beneath the spout portion  48 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates the mounting of the drive motor  68  within the main housing  12 . As illustrated, the main housing  12  includes a support wall  94  that defines the back of the receiving area  22  sized to receive the entire storage container assembly  24 . The back support wall  94  extends between the pair of spaced side walls  18  of the housing  12 , one of which is removed from the image of  FIG.  5   . In the embodiment shown, the drive motor  68  is mounted to the back support wall  94  by a series of connectors  96 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , when the storage container assembly is removed from the main housing  12 , the drive shaft  66  extends through the support wall  94  and into the receiving area  22 . In this manner, the entire drive motor  68  is conceived behind the support wall  94  and does not come into direct contact with the flowable food product during operation of the food product dispenser of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  5   , the base  14  of the main housing includes a removable support panel  98 . The support panel  98  is removable from the metal base  14  for cleaning. The support panel  98  includes a pair of guide rails  100  that help to guide the sliding movement of the storage container assembly  24  into and out of the receiving area  22 . The guide rails  100  help to align the pump assembly on the back of the storage container assembly  24  with the drive shaft  66  extending through the support wall  94 . 
       FIG.  3    schematically illiterates the internal components of the food product dispenser  10  that are used to control the discharge of the flowable food product. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the main housing  12  includes the drive motor  68 . The drive motor  68  is preferably an electric drive motor that is connected to a power supply module  102  through a power connection line  105 . The drive motor  68  will preferably include some type of encoder or other similar component that allows for the monitoring of the rotation of the drive motor  68 . The power supply  102 , in turn, is connected to a utility power source through a conventional plug (not shown). The power supply  102  converts the utility power source to the required voltage and current to drive the motor  68 . In addition, the power supply  102  provides the required voltage and current to power a control unit  104  that is located within the main housing  12  and is part of the larger control panel assembly  26 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the control unit  104  includes a control board  106  and associated circuitry that is mounted to the inner surface of a top panel  110 . The top panel  110  is designed to be received and mounted to the side walls of the main housing. 
     The control unit  104  can include various processors and control elements that allows for controlling the operation of the motor  68  and for receiving input from the control panel  16 . The control panel  16  is operatively connected to the control unit  104  by the wire strip  112  such that user inputs from an operator are relayed to the control unit  104 . Based on the commands from the user, the control unit  104  can control operation of the drive motor  68 . In addition, the control unit  104  is able to send information and signals to the control panel  16  for display to the user. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  3   , the drive motor  68  includes the motor shaft  66  that has an engagement end that extends past the back support wall  94 . The engagement end is designed to be received and interact with the engagement portion  64  of the rotating impeller of the pump  58 . Specifically, the engagement end is received within the connecting portion  64  of the pump  58  shown in  FIG.  3   . Thus, when the storage container assembly is slid onto the base  14 , the engagement end of the drive shaft of the drive motor  68  engages with the pump  58  such that the drive motor  68  can control the operation of the pump  58 . 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, the control panel  16  can include a touch screen  120  that can includes a visual display and engagement areas as defined and dictated by the control unit  104 . Since the visual display can be modified as desired, the control panel  16  can 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 panel  16  could 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 panel  120  as part of the display panel will allow for an almost unlimited number of configurations and will allow the control unit  104  to 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 to  FIG.  3   , when a user selects the desired selection button and size button, the control unit  104  makes a determination of the amount of time or the number of rotations the drive motor  68  needs 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 unit  104  determines 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 unit  104  initiates the operation of the drive motor  68 . The combination of the drive motor  68  and pump  58  are operable to dispense an accurately known volume of flowable food product for each rotation of the drive shaft  66 . By counting the numbers of rotations of the drive shaft  66 , the control unit  104  and motor  68  can accurately meter and control the amount of flowable food product being dispensed from the food product dispenser. In this manner, the control unit  104  is 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.  8  and  9    illustrate alternate ways to organize multiple food product dispensers  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  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 in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , a front indicator panel can be used to identify the type of sauce included within the food product dispenser  10 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  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 in  FIG.  8    or that less or greater numbers of food product dispensers could be utilized. 
     In the two embodiments shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , 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 assembly  24  is initially pulled away from the main housing  12 . The main housing  12  includes the pair of guide rails  100  on the support panel  98  to help guide this movement. Once the storage container assembly  24  has been removed from the main housing  12 , the cover member  34  is raised slightly until the engagement portion  50  is above the rim  56 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . Once in this elevated position, the cover member  34  can either be pivoted slightly the side or pivoted slightly upward. Since the pump outlet tube  82  is offset from the center line of the container  28 , it is contemplated that the cover member  34  would pivot toward that side of the container  28  to 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 assembly  24  can be returned to the operative position such as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.