Patent Description:
Bulk dispensers, and more particularly gravity-feed bulk dispensers, are known and used in commercial settings for self-service portioning of bulk materials, for example, foods. Traditionally, gravity feed bins for dispensing bulk materials are used to dispense a wide variety of materials having a range of sizes and aggregate make-ups as diverse as hardware components (e.g. nuts and bolts) or food (e.g. nuts, cereals, grains, pastas, coffee (beans or ground), dried soup mix, candies, spices). Generally, the bins include an enclosure having an inlet at an upper end through which the enclosure is filled, an outlet at a lower end for dispense of the material, and a flow control device located between the upper and lower openings for controlling the amount of materials being dispensed. In operation, as the material is being dispensed, gravity pulls the remaining material in the enclosure towards the lower end to replace dispensed material. These types of bins generally include a downwardly curving inner wall that forms a chute to channel the dispensed materials in a receptacle adjacent the outlet.

Examples of known gravity feed bins are found in <CIT> entitled, "Gravity Dispensing Bin System"; <CIT>, entitled, "Apparatus for Delivering Bulk Foods"; <CIT> entitled, "Bulk Food Dispensing Apparatus"; <CIT> entitled, "Bulk Food Dispensing Apparatus"; <CIT> entitled, "Agitator Assisted Bulk Product Dispenser"; <CIT> entitled, "Expandable Gravity-Feed Bin"; and <CIT> entitled, "Expandable Gravity-Feed Bin. " D1 (<CIT>) discloses an automated dispensing system that releases a selected quantity of an edible or non-edible bulk product is provided. Using a digital interface or a dispense button, consumers select a specified amount of bulk product to be dispensed (by weight, mass, or cost). The product is then dispensed into a receptable container and the system calculates the quantity and corresponding cost that was dispensed into the receptable container. D2 (<CIT>) discloses integrated systems for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes one or more storage bins configured to store one or more bulk foods.

An example of a bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser for use by customers in a retail setting includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A valve separates the compartment from an outlet. The valve is operable to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet of the outlet. A controller is configured to, upon operation of the valve, calculate an estimated dispense amount and an estimated dispense price. A graphical display is operable by the controller to present a visual indication of the estimated dispense amount and the estimated dispense price.

In examples, a spout extends away from the compartment and opens at an outlet. In examples, the valve may be a fixed displacement valve or a flow metering valve. The electromechanical motor may be connected to the valve by a linkage. The controller and the electromechanical motor may be located within a dispenser base defining a housing, wherein the dispenser base is configured to secure to the compartment. An agitator may be movably positioned within the compartment. The agitator is configured for mechanical attachment to the electromechanical motor. A linkage may mechanically connect the electromechanical motor to the agitator, such that operation of the electromechanical motor in response to the controller to operate the valve between the closed and open positions further operates the agitator to move within the compartment.

Examples of the bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser include a graphical display. The graphical display may be operable by the controller to present a visual indication of an estimated dispense amount and an estimated dispense price. The valve may be a flow metering valve and the controller may be configured to calculate the estimated dispense amount from a measured duration in which the valve is in the open position and a predetermined mass flow rate of the bulk food material. The valve may be a fixed displacement valve and the portion is a fixed portion dispensed upon each actuation of the valve. The controller may be configured to calculate the estimated dispense amount from the fixed portion and a count of sequential actuation of the valve. A user input sensor may be configured to receive the dispense instruction input. The user input sensor may be configured to receive a user gesture or proximity, configured as an RFID sensor to receive a signal from an RFID tag associated with a customer, or configured as a physical or graphical user interface button.

The bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser may further include a sensor arranged proximate an outlet of the spout of the dispenser, wherein the sensor produces the dispense instruction input. The sensor may include an infrared sensor configured to detect a proximity of a receptacle below the spout. The sensor may include one of a ranging sensor, a proximity sensor, or a camera and computer vision processing system operating on the controller. A visible light source may be configured as a visual indicator of the status of the dispenser. The visible light source may be arranged proximate the outlet of the spout of the dispenser and configured to illuminate an area below the spout. An adapter ring may be removably secured about the spout. The adapter ring may include the sensor and the visible light source and position the sensor and the visible light source proximate the outlet of the spout.

In further examples of the bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser, a visible light source is a visual indicator of the status of the dispenser. The visible light source may be connected to the spout and configured to illuminate an area below the spout. The visible light source may be configured to produce at least one of: a first color to indicate a standby operation; a second color to indicate the detection of a receptacle below the spout; or a third color to indicate an active dispense operation by the dispenser.

Still further examples of the bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser may include a weighing and labeling station. The controller may be configured to communicate at least one of an identification of a bulk material, a dispense event, a customer identification, and an estimated dispense amount to the weighing and labeling station. The weighing and labeling station may further operate to present the received at least one of the identification of a bulk material, the dispense event, the customer identification, and the estimated dispense amount on a graphical display associated with the weighing and labeling station for selection by a customer in completing a weighing and labeling process.

A bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser for use by customers in a retail setting includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A spout extends away from the compartment and is open at an outlet. A valve separates the compartment from the spout. The valve is operable to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet of the spout. A user input sensor is arranged proximate the outlet of the spout. The user input sensor is configured to detect a proximity of a receptacle below the spout and to produce a dispense instruction input signal upon detection. An electromechanical motor is mechanically connected to the valve. The electromechanical motor is configured to move the valve between a closed position and an open position to dispense a portion of the bulk food material from the compartment through the outlet of the spout. A controller is configured to receive the dispense instruction input signal. The controller is configured to operate the electromechanical motor in response to the dispense instruction input signal. The controller is configured to calculate an estimated dispense amount and an estimated dispense price based upon the operation of the valve. A visible light source is arranged proximate the outlet of the spout and is operable by the controller to illuminate an area below the spout to produce a visual indication of the status of the dispenser. A graphical display is operable by the controller to present a visual indication of the estimated dispense amount and the estimated dispense price.

A still further example of a bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A spout is connected at one end to the compartment and open at an outlet. A valve separates the compartment from the spout. The valve operates to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet of the spout. A controller is operable to receive a dispense instruction input. An electromechanical motor is communicatively connected to the controller and mechanically connected to the valve. The controller operates in response to receipt of the dispense instruction input to produce a control signal to the electromechanical motor. In response, the electromechanical motor operates to move the valve between a closed position and an open position to dispense a portion of the bulk food material from the compartment through the outlet of the spout.

<FIG> presents an example of a currently available gravity feed bulk dispenser <NUM>. The bulk dispenser <NUM> is supported by a fixture <NUM>, which may include a movable arm <NUM> and/or a shelf <NUM>. The fixture may be a built-in installation at the retail location or may be an independent and/or movable structure. The fixture may be configured to support one or more dispensers <NUM> simultaneously. In <FIG> side pieces <NUM>, and a lid <NUM> interconnect to form an enclosure that defines a first compartment <NUM>. The side pieces <NUM> and the front piece <NUM> interconnect to form an enclosure that defines a second compartment <NUM> and a third compartment <NUM>. In operation, the first compartment <NUM> is filled with a bulk product to dispense. The second compartment <NUM> is filled with the same bulk product for display to the customer. The bulk product passes through the third compartment <NUM> as it is dispensed from the first compartment <NUM>. To inform a customer about the bulk material, a printed display or sign can be held by a display holding device <NUM> located on an outside surface of the front piece <NUM>.

A customer initiates the flow of the bulk product by actuating handle <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>. The customer holds a receptacle (not shown) below an outlet <NUM>. The customer holds the handle <NUM> with one hand while holding the receptacle with the other. Actuation of the handle <NUM> opens a door (not depicted) internal to the bulk dispenser <NUM> connecting the first compartment <NUM> to the third compartment <NUM>. Under the force of gravity, material flows from the first compartment <NUM>, through the third compartment <NUM>, out the outlet <NUM> and into the receptacle, in that order. After dispensing a desired amount of material into a receptacle, the customer releases handle <NUM>. Biasing devices (not depicted) interact with the front piece <NUM> and the door to return the handle <NUM> back to the first position in which the rotating door separates the first compartment <NUM> from the third compartment <NUM>, i.e. the normally closed position of the handle and door. As previously indicated, other examples of gravity feed bins are known.

Consumers may use disposable, single-use receptacles (e.g. cups or bags) or may use reusable storage containers to collect the product dispensed from the dispenser. Some consumers and retailers prefer this type of product sale as it generally requires less packaging and therefore less consumer waste. Further, due to supply chain efficiencies, the products can be sold at a more economical price than compared to pre-packaged portions. Lastly, some consumers may prefer the interactivity of the dispense of products from a bulk resource and the control over the volume of the product acquired.

However, consumers and retailers have increased concerns regarding the potential for disease transmission by successive operations of these communally available dispensers. The interactivity of the operation of common bulk dispensers has consumers repeatedly placing their hands on the handles of the dispensers. This could potentially transfer microbes, viruses, and/or other disease vectors from one customer to a subsequent customer using that dispenser. Such transfer could occur across several customers across a series of transactions with the same dispenser. One way to limit this transfer potential is with protocols for cleaning, sanitation, and/or disinfection, which require schedules, supplies, and additional worker actions.

<FIG> provides an example of a new gravity feed bulk dispenser <NUM> that solves the issues of the above concerns with currently available bulk dispensers. Features as presented in <FIG>, as well as other figures and disclosure herein, may exemplarily be incorporated as a retrofit to existing gravity feed bulk dispensers, or may be newly constructed devices while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a side view of the same dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser <NUM> of <FIG> in a closed condition, while <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser <NUM> in an open condition. Examples of the dispenser <NUM> provided herein may minimize the redundant touch of the dispenser <NUM> by successive customers.

The dispenser <NUM> exemplarily includes a similar first compartment <NUM>, second compartment <NUM>, and third compartment <NUM> as described above. Such first compartment <NUM>, second compartment <NUM>, and third compartment <NUM> may be similarly defined by side pieces <NUM>, front piece <NUM>, and a lid <NUM> as described above as well. While it is recognized that these features may remain the same between the dispensers of <FIG> and <FIG>, it is also apparent from the present disclosure that the features of the actuator assembly <NUM> (e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>) as described herein may be used with other examples of dispensers <NUM> while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. The dispenser <NUM> includes an actuator assembly <NUM> that provides electromechanical force to operate one or more mechanical components of the dispenser <NUM> in response to a dispense input.

The actuator assembly <NUM> exemplarily includes a motor <NUM> and a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is exemplarily a single board controller. The controller <NUM> provides a microprocessor, memory, and communication interfaces for the rest of the system. The controller <NUM> communicates with the other components of the system as disclosed herein across wired connections, however, in further examples, at least some of these connections may be made wirelessly, using any of a variety of short-range communication protocols, including, but not limited to Bluetooth or ZigBee. Computer-readable code in the form of software or firmware is exemplarily stored in a computer-readable medium of the controller <NUM> and executed by the microprocessor to carry out the communicative and operational functions as described herein.

The motor <NUM> is exemplarily an electromotor which may be powered by a corded connection to the mains electricity of a building, for example at a retail store. Further examples of the motor <NUM> may use electricity from one or more batteries (not depicted) configured to provide electrical power to the system. The motor <NUM> is configured to provide mechanical force to the system to operate one or more mechanical components as described herein. In an example, the motor <NUM> is configured to operate a valve <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> between open and closed positions to release portions of the bulk material (which may be a foodstuff) stored within the first compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. The valve <NUM> is exemplarily actuated by a rotational movement. To achieve this movement, at least one (e.g. two) linkage <NUM> extend from the motor <NUM> to the valve <NUM>. A motor arm <NUM> extends from a rotating shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and connects to one end of the linkage <NUM>. An opposite end of the linkage <NUM> is connected to a valve arm <NUM> secured to the valve <NUM>, the valve arm <NUM> and the valve <NUM> are configured to rotate about a rotation point <NUM>. A valve shaft <NUM> is oriented at the rotation point <NUM>. The valve shaft <NUM> may extend between the valve arms <NUM> or may be a split shaft with a separate portion associated with each of the respective valve arms <NUM>. The mechanical connection between the motor <NUM> and the valve <NUM> provided in part by the linkage <NUM> results in rotation of the valve arms <NUM> and the valve <NUM> about the axis of the valve shaft <NUM>, causing the valve <NUM> to move between a closed position (e.g. <FIG>) and an open position (e.g. <FIG>). It will be recognized that other mechanical connections between the motor <NUM> and the valve <NUM> are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, including, but not limited to, mechanical connections incorporating gears, linear actuators, or drive chains.

In the closed position, the valve <NUM> selectively occludes a passageway from the compartment <NUM> through an outlet <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. The valve may typically be positioned anywhere within the third compartment <NUM> as described above. In examples, a spout <NUM> may provide an extension between the third compartment <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>. In the closed position, the valve <NUM> occludes passage of the bulk material through the outlet <NUM>. In the open position, the valve <NUM> permits passage of bulk material from the compartment, in a fixed displacement or a flow metering configuration as described in further detail herein.

The valve <NUM> may exemplarily include a gate <NUM>, for example as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>. However, it will be recognized that the valve <NUM> may be embodied in a variety of other components, any of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. The valve <NUM> may take any of a variety of configurations within the dispenser <NUM> to operate to control the start, stop, or other metering of the flow of the bulk product held within the dispenser <NUM>. The valve <NUM> controls the ejection of the bulk product at a rate that is suitable for delivery to the customer. The valve <NUM> may be configured to operate with minimal lag time between starting and stopping the bulk product dispense and do so with minimal leakage of the bulk material when the valve <NUM> is in the closed position. The valve <NUM> generally may operate according to one of two different valve configurations: a fixed displacement valve, an example of which is shown and described with respect to <FIG> herein, or a flow metering valve, an example of which is shown and described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>. In examples, valves of either of these two configurations may include the same or similar components, yet arranged to operate in one of these configurations.

In a fixed displacement valve system, a chamber of a defined volume is alternately opened and closed such that a constant fixed volume of material is sequentially trapped/portioned and then released with each successive operation of the valve. An example of a fixed displacement valve system is shown and described in further detail with respect to <FIG> herein. <CIT> provides other general examples of fixed displacement valves. Fixed displacement valve systems segregate a portion of the bulk material from the stored material as a whole and dispense sequential increments of these segregated portions. These sequential increments of portions may be used to estimate and/or monitor the amount of the bulk material that has been dispensed. The valve system may be designed to repeatably produce a portion of a known volume. The portion volume may be defined by the configuration of the dispenser. The portion volume and/or portion mass may be defined based upon the bulk food product to be dispensed. In examples as detailed herein, dispense portion information, including portion volume for various dispenser configurations and portion volume and/or mass for various bulk food products, is stored in a manner communicatively accessible to the controller. Fixed displacement systems may include any of a variety of mechanical systems as described herein, or will be recognized in view of the present disclosure.

A bi-gate fixed displacement valve system, while not depicted, is one example of a fixed displacement valve system. The bi-gate system adds an input gate to an output gate to define a chamber there-between. First, the input gate is opened while the output gate remains closed, until the chamber is filled to the desired measured level. This level may be defined by the volume of the chamber in which the chamber is configured to fill to a particular volume. Secondly, the input gate is closed while the output gate is opened, to evacuate the chamber and dispense the portioned product. In examples, the input gate and the output gate may be separate gating structures, or in other examples, the input gate and the output gates may be combined and provided as portions of a single gating structure that operate to provide the functions of both the input gate and the output gate.

A combined gate fixed displacement valve system incorporates the input gate and the output gate, as described above, into a single moving part. Such a system functions the same as the bi-gate system as described above, except the two gates are moved as a pair in a single motion under the same actuation. In some examples of such a system, both gates may both momentarily exist in a transitional state, wherein both gates are partially open, however, the geometry of the system is such that no significant leakage past both the input gate and the output gate during a single movement occurs.

A rotary gate fixed displacement valve system operates similarly to the bi-gate and combined gate systems as described above, however the gate system revolves to positions between open and closed positions of the input gate and the output gate. This is exemplarily contrasted with a reciprocal pivot as may be used to move the bi-gate or the combined gate as described above.

A screw fixed displacement valve system may use a rotary motion of a screw to draw bulk material axially along the length of the screw, pushed by the flight or flights of the screw. The spacing between the flight(s) move regular volumes with each rotation of the screw.

In a flow metering valve system, for example as shown and described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve is positioned between the container or compartment holding the bulk material and the outlet of the dispenser. The valve selectively defines an orifice with a controllable area through which the bulk material can flow to the outlet. The open area of the valve controls the rate at which the bulk material flows to the outlet. The valve can be movable between open and closed positions or may be continuously adjusted between fully open and fully closed positions. Flow metering valve systems may exemplarily be used to compute volume and mass from a calibration-based and/or formula-based flow rate and duration calculation. The flow rate may be derived from a determination of the orifice area size (which may be determined based upon a detected or known position of the valve). A known or measured upstream pressure, weight, or volume of bulk material above the valve is used along with the orifice area size to determine the flow rate. A calibration technique and/or model equations and/or experimentally derived lookup tables for various bulk materials and/or conditions may be used to calculate the flow rate. Measurement of the volume or mass of the bulk material held within the dispenser may be further used in adjustment factors or formula variables in further calculations of the bulk material flow rate.

Flow metering valve systems may be implemented with any of a variety of structures, including with the examples provided herein. Gate valves may include a plate or door which is moved (e.g. raised or lowered) transverse to the outlet. A ball valve may be a cylindrical, elliptical, or spherical element with a cutout in the valve body, which as the valve body rotates within a valve housing, the orifice area through the valve is changed. A butterfly valve includes a plate that may be rotated via a shaft such that the plate is positioned into more axial alignment with the outlet (open) or more transverse across the outlet (closed). An iris valve includes a plurality of plates that are connected to move in a coordinated fashion to radially change the open cross-sectional area of the orifice.

<FIG> depicts an example of the dispenser <NUM> where the valve <NUM> is a fixed displacement valve, for example as described above. The valve <NUM> includes a gate <NUM> and the gate <NUM> moves between a closed position (shown) and an open position (dashed lines). In the closed position the gate <NUM> is positioned across the outlet <NUM> and the third compartment <NUM> is filled with the bulk material. The gate <NUM>, for example, but not limiting, is concave and between the gate <NUM> and the third compartment <NUM> defines a fixed volume of the bulk material contained therein. As the motor <NUM> operates to move the valve arms <NUM> and the valve <NUM> to the open position, the gate <NUM> moves in the direction of arrow <NUM> to the open position (dashed lines). In the open position, the gate <NUM> occludes passage of bulk material from the first compartment <NUM> into the third compartment <NUM>. The bulk material that was already within the third compartment <NUM> is dispensed through the outlet <NUM>, while the gate <NUM> prevents further passage of bulk material from the first compartment <NUM> into the third compartment <NUM> and out the outlet <NUM>.

In examples, the controller <NUM> receives, during configuration or otherwise, an identification of the configuration of the dispenser <NUM>, for example a volume of the portion dispensed by each cycle of the valve <NUM> in the fixed-displacement system. In examples, different configurations of valves, for example, the shape of the gate <NUM>, including the concavity of the gate <NUM> defines a volume within the compartment <NUM> that fills with the bulk food product to dispense. This configuration information may be stored in a database or lookup table for use during configuration of the controller. Additionally, the controller <NUM> may be able to access a database or look up table storing portion volumes or masses, or food product densities. The controller receives an identification of the bulk food product to dispense and uses this information to access the associated food product data. The controller <NUM> uses this information pertaining to the dispenser configuration and the physical properties of the bulk food product to be dispensed, to calculate estimates of cumulative dispense volume, estimated dispense cost, and/or estimated dispense mass as described herein.

In examples, including any of <FIG>, the actuator assembly <NUM>, and exemplarily the motor <NUM>, linkage <NUM> and or other components of the actuator assembly <NUM> are configured to apply the corresponding motive force against the valve <NUM> to operate the valve <NUM> between the open and closed positions or to a position therebetween. The actuator assembly <NUM> thus provides the motive power to operate the valve <NUM> to carry out a dispense operation of the dispenser <NUM>. In an example, the dispenser <NUM> includes a dispenser base <NUM>, which is configured to support and hold the compartment <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. The actuator assembly <NUM> may be exemplarily be located partially or fully within the dispenser base <NUM>, with the dispenser base <NUM> providing a housing for the actuator assembly. It will be recognized that in examples, the dispenser base <NUM> may be used when the dispenser is positioned on a shelf, while in still further examples, the dispenser <NUM> is secured to a movable arm <NUM> (see <FIG>). In such examples, a mounting fixture of related construction to the dispenser base <NUM> incorporated into the shelf or movable arm may provide a housing to some or all of the actuator assembly <NUM>, while also providing an interface to secure the actuator assembly <NUM> to the compartment. In an example, the dispenser base <NUM> may be secured to or integral with a fixture <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the compartment <NUM> is releasably connectable and/or removable from the dispenser base <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> is arranged to move the valve <NUM> between open and closed positions by operation of the valve arm <NUM> by the linkage upon receiving an input instruction to dispense. In an example, the dispenser <NUM> includes a user interface <NUM> that is communicatively connected to the controller <NUM> by wired or wireless connection. The user interface <NUM> incorporates a user input sensor <NUM>. In touch-enabled devices, this may be a graphical user interface (GUI) button configured to receive a touch-input to initiate a dispense. In a touchless operation, the user input sensor <NUM> may be a motion sensor, for example one that optically detects motion and/or proximity within a predetermined distance of the sensor. Such sensors may use infra-red (IR), although other options will be recognized in the art, including cameras and associated digital vision processing. In still other examples, the user input sensor <NUM> may incorporate radio frequency (RF) technology wherein the customer uses an RFID tag, for example encoded with a customer ID moved into proximity with the user input sensor to touchlessly initiate a dispense.

In another example, the spout <NUM> or the outlet <NUM> may be fitted with a sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may, for example, be a ranging sensor or a proximity sensor. The sensor <NUM> may be implemented with an infrared or an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor <NUM> may further include or use a camera and computer vision processing system. Any of these or other arrangements of the sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect the presence of a receptacle, for example a bag or a jar, in a proper position below the outlet <NUM> to receive the bulk material once it is dispensed. The sensor <NUM> may incorporate an IR time of flight sensor. The sensor <NUM> may be communicatively connected to the controller <NUM> by wired or wireless configurations. The sensor <NUM> may use IR or visible light to detect the presence and/or position of a receptacle below the outlet <NUM>. In operation, the controller <NUM> may wait for a predetermined time (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) of similarly detected presence before initiating a dispense to avoid inadvertent or unintentional dispenses. In still further examples, the controller <NUM> may require both a presence detected by the sensor <NUM> and an input detected by the user input sensor <NUM> before initiating a dispense. In still further examples, the user input sensor <NUM> may be a physical button or a lever positioned within the area below the outlet <NUM>. Actuation of the user input sensor <NUM>, for example by engagement of the user input sensor <NUM> with the receptacle may provide a signal to the controller <NUM> and the controller <NUM> may operate to initiate a dispense operation in response to the signal from the user input sensor <NUM> and/or the sensor <NUM>.

An adapter ring <NUM> may be configured to secure about the spout <NUM> at the outlet <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be incorporated into the adapter ring <NUM>, for example, the adapter ring <NUM> may be injection molded and a housing for the proximity sensor molded into the adapter ring during manufacturing. The adapter ring <NUM> may further be constructed in two interlocking pieces to facilitate securement of the adapter ring <NUM> to the spout <NUM>. In a still further example, the adapter ring <NUM> may be made of an elastomeric material that helps to grip or hold a plastic bag against the spout <NUM> to limit spillage of the bulk material. The sensor <NUM> may thus be positioned in the spout <NUM>, adapter ring <NUM>, the dispenser base <NUM>, or at a position below the outlet <NUM> of the spout <NUM>. Other positions of the sensor <NUM>, including those separate from the dispenser or mounted to dispenser support structure or shelf, will be recognized within the scope of this disclosure.

The user interface <NUM> further includes a graphical display <NUM> which is operated by the controller to present a GUI. The GUI presented on the graphical display <NUM> may provide one or more of a variety of functions. The GUI may present an identification of the bulk material within the dispenser, a volumetric or by weight cost of the bulk material, a dispense portion size or flow rate, a dispense estimate and an estimated cost of the estimated dispense. The graphical display <NUM> may further be operated to present a GUI with instructions for how to operate the dispenser, images, branding, or logos of the bulk material and/or the retailer. In doing so, the controller may access stored dispense information, for example representative of a configuration of the dispenser and/or representative of the bulk food product to dispense, including dispense/portion volumes and mass and/or density of each bulk food product. Upon a configuration of the controller, the controller may have this information accessible to perform the calculations above with an identification of the dispenser configuration and/or the bulk food product to dispense.

The dispenser <NUM> is filled with a bulk material. In an example, the controller <NUM> further can receive an user input through the user interface <NUM> or by RFID communication with an RFID tag of a packaging for the bulk material to inform the controller <NUM> of the identity of the bulk material. This may include a product look-up (PLU) number and/or a stock-keeping unit (SKU) number that identifies the bulk material. Based upon the identified bulk material, the controller may operate the motor during the dispense in different manners, for example, the portion size, the orifice size in a flow metering valve, or the use of agitation.

When a user approaches the dispenser, the user may observe the product and price identification and dispense instructions presented on the graphical display <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the GUI presented on the graphical display <NUM> may operate to provide operational instructions to the user. In the example shown in <FIG>, the user is instructed to "Move Container under Spout. " This movement is detected by the sensor <NUM> as described above. It will be recognized that in other examples, the user may provide at least one dispense input through interaction with the user input sensor <NUM>, which may be presented in the user interface <NUM> as described above. In an example, the graphical display <NUM> or another visual indicator (e.g. LED lights) or audio indicator may provide feedback to the user that the dispenser is about to initiate a dispense. In the example provided in <FIG>, the graphical display <NUM> presents information that a "Green Light" indicates the detection of a container in the dispense area below the outlet <NUM> of the spout <NUM>. While a "Red Light" indicates that the bulk material is being dispensed and the container should not be moved. In still further examples, the graphical display <NUM> or other visual indicators as described herein may operate to present an operational status including a stand-by, receptacle detected, active dispensing, dispense operation reset, or fault condition statuses of the dispenser.

Upon receiving the dispense instruction, the controller <NUM> operates the motor <NUM> to move the linkage <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM> to move the valve <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM> into an open position. As described above, depending upon the arrangement of the valve <NUM>, the valve may move to a fully open position to dispense a withheld portion of the bulk material, as shown in <FIG>. In another example, the valve <NUM> may be moved in the open direction to a partially or fully open position to control a flow of the bulk material out of the dispenser. In an example, a maximum dispense time may be defined in which, even in a flow metering dispensing configuration, the dispenser terminates the dispense, so as to limit the potential for overflow or spillage. When the dispense of a portion is terminated or the flow metering ended, the controller <NUM> operates the motor <NUM> to move the valve <NUM> to the closed position.

<FIG> presents an example of the dispenser <NUM> operating during a dispense operation. A container <NUM>, depicted as a bowl, but which may be a jar, box, bag or other receptacle, is positioned below the outlet <NUM> of the spout <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>. A light source (e.g. light source <NUM> in <FIG>) which may, for example, be secured to the adapter ring <NUM>, the spout <NUM>, or the dispenser base <NUM>, projects illumination <NUM> onto the container <NUM> in the dispensing area. As noted with respect to <FIG>, the light source may operate to project illumination <NUM> in, for example, one color (e.g. green) to indicate that the container <NUM> is detected, and, for example, in another color (e.g. red) to indicate that the bulk material is actively being dispensed. This operational feedback may also or alternatively be provided in audible indications and/or be presented visually in the graphical display <NUM> or other dedicated indicator lights secured to the user interface <NUM>.

As previously noted, initiation of a dispense operation may result in operation of the dispenser <NUM> by the controller <NUM> to dispense a portion or defined quantity of the bulk material. In a fixed displacement valve described above, this is the volume of the dispense portion. In a flow metering valve, this may be defined flow conditions and duration to dispense a portion while limiting any potential for overflow or over-dispense. In such examples, the graphical display <NUM> may operate to present a GUI with dispense information including an identification of the product being dispensed, a price (e.g. per ounce or per dispense portion) <NUM> and a total estimated dispense amount <NUM>. It will be recognized that estimates of dispense portion amounts may be obtained for different dispenser and valve combinations and bulk material properties. It is further recognized that according to the invention, such estimated dispense amount is for customer information purposes and not measure for trade purposes. In examples, the controller <NUM> receives, during configuration or otherwise, an identification of the bulk food product to be dispensed from the dispenser <NUM>. With an identification of the bulk food product, the product dispense portion volume, mass, and/or density may be accessible to the controller, for example, in a database or lookup table that may be stored local to the controller, or stored remotely from the controller, for example across a communications network. Upon a configuration of the controller, the controller may have this information accessible to perform the calculations above with an identification of the dispenser configuration and/or the bulk food product to dispense.

As noted, upon the initiation of a dispense operation, the dispenser <NUM> may operate to dispense a single dispense portion. After this, the dispenser <NUM> may enter an interlock routine to prevent further dispense until an additional input is received. In an example, the graphical display <NUM> may be operated to present a GUI with instructions to remove and reposition the container <NUM> below the spout <NUM>. Detection of the container reintroduced to the position below the spout <NUM> by the sensor <NUM> will initiate a dispense operation to dispense a further dispense portion. The graphical display <NUM> may be operated to present a GUI with a dispense quantity count <NUM> and further update the total estimated dispense amount <NUM>. From the price of the bulk material and the estimated dispense, the controller <NUM> can operate the graphical display to present an estimated total price <NUM> within the GUI. It will be recognized that since a dispense event with a user may extend across multiple dispense operations of the dispenser <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may operate to make a determination of when a dispense event has started and stopped. In examples, the controller <NUM> may use a timer or clock and as long as a subsequent dispense operation occurs within a predetermined time of a previous dispense operation, such dispense operations are included as a single dispense event. Should the timer or clock time out of this time threshold, then the dispense event is deemed concluded and the dispense quantity count <NUM>, estimated dispense amount <NUM>, and estimated total price <NUM> are reset. The controller <NUM> may operate the graphic display <NUM> to return to the standby GUI, e.g. as presented in <FIG>. In still other examples, additional information, for example user inputs, detection of with proximity, ranging or computer vision systems, RFID detection or others may be used to determine if a user is still in a position to interact with the dispenser <NUM> and incorporate this information into the determination of a completed dispense event.

In examples, the compartment <NUM> may be configured with an agitator <NUM>. An optional linkage <NUM> may extend from the motor <NUM> and operably connected to the agitator <NUM>. In the dispense of bulk materials that require agitation, operation of the motor <NUM> by the controller <NUM> may further operate the agitator as the valve <NUM> moves between the closed and open positions.

In addition to the operation and structures above, examples of the dispenser <NUM> may include other features and functions as well. In a system with a fixed displacement valve, each cycle of the valve dispenses an amount of the bulk material that can be estimated and multiplied by the number of cycles to produce an estimated dispense amount over monitored time periods (e.g. customer interaction, time of day, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc.). Similarly, in a system with a flow metering valve, the position of the flow metering valve corresponds to an estimated bulk product flow rate, which can be multiplied by the open valve open time to produce an estimated dispense amount over similar time periods. It will be recognized that such calculations may be performed in other manners, including integral math or lookup tables. Such functions can be performed using the controller <NUM> with inputs of the control signals to the motor <NUM> for the valve status information.

In still further examples, the controller <NUM> is communicatively connected to one or more other computers or devices. Such communicative connections may be performed through wired or wireless communicative connections. The communicative connections may be to local devices or to remotely located devices. The controller <NUM> may share data with other computers or devices to send or receive data from them. In examples, this data may be settings or parameters used for operation of the devices. In other examples, such information may document or monitor use of the device. Such shared data may include PLUs or SKUs of the bulk material stored and dispensed from the dispenser, a density of the bulk material, item identification/pricing information, or system calibration parameters, fault codes, or other maintenance information.

According to the invention, the dispenser communicates with a separate weighing/pricing/labeling station. In the retail setting, particular standards and requirements must be met to weigh and label bulk goods for sale, often requiring a separate weighing and/or labeling station which exemplarily includes a scale and a label printer. In an example, the controller <NUM> may communicate to the weighing and labeling station: an identification of the bulk product dispensed, a time of the dispense, and/or an estimated dispensed amount. When the user takes the dispensed bulk product in the receptacle to the weighing and labeling station, the user may be presented with the recent dispenses from the surrounding dispenses from which to make a selection. This can avoid customer confusion or difficulty with relaying PLUs or SKUs from the dispenser to the weighing and labeling station. The user selects the corresponding dispense information and the weighing and labeling station operates to produce an "official" measurement and print the label for check out. In addition, in an example, wherein the customer has produced an identification, for example by using an RFID tag to initiate a dispense, the customer identification can be communicated from the controller <NUM> to the weighing and labeling station, and the customer can select their name or identification to complete the weighing and labeling process.

It will be recognized that in examples as provided herein, the controller, sensors, graphical display, linkages, and electromechanical motor may be configured for external contact with the compartment and/or spout of the dispenser <NUM>. In such examples, the food-contact of the dispenser are not modified in response to incorporation of those components as described herein. This may facilitate retrofit incorporation of features disclosed in the present application to provide such functionality to existing dispensers, including, but not limited to, those as described above with respect to <FIG>.

Citations to a number of references are made herein. In the event that there is an inconsistency between a definition of a term in the specification as compared to a definition of the term in a cited reference, the term should be interpreted based on the definition in the specification.

In the above description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different systems and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other systems and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives, and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A system comprising:
a bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser (<NUM>) for use by customers in a retail setting, the gravity-feed dispenser comprising:
a compartment (<NUM>) configured to receive and store bulk food material;
a valve (<NUM>) separating the compartment (<NUM>) from an outlet (<NUM>), the valve operable to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet (<NUM>);
a controller (<NUM>) configured to, upon operation of the valve, calculate an estimated dispense volume based upon the operation of the valve and an estimated dispense price based upon the estimated dispense volume; and
a graphical display (<NUM>) operable by the controller (<NUM>) to present a visual indication of an estimated dispense amount and the estimated dispense price, wherein the estimated dispense amount is the estimated dispense volume or an estimated dispense mass calculated from the estimated dispense volume ;
wherein the system further comprises a weighing and labeling station separate from the dispenser and comprising a scale configured to perform a measure for trade weight measurement, wherein the controller is configured to communicate at least one of an identification of the bulk food material, a dispense event, a customer identification, or the estimated dispense amount to the weighing and labeling station.