Patent Description:
The invention finds particular application in the dispensing to the public of doses of edible products that are in the fluid state at room temperature. Said products may have a creamy, pasty or semi-liquid consistency, when they are at room temperature, and may consist, in particular, though not exclusively, of sauces and food seasonings.

The invention is particularly suitable for dispending doses of edible products in the fluid state, having a density between <NUM> and <NUM> cp (centipoise) and even higher densities.

Known edible products of the aforementioned type are commonly used to flavor foodstuffs and include, for example, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, various kinds of sauces, tomato sauce, fruit mustard, jams, zabaiones, oils, condiments.

These edible products are sometimes dispensed to the public in the form of loose foodstuffs to be consumed immediately.

Manual-type dispensers for edible products are known, which use dispensing devices attached to containers of different shapes and capacities. In general, the dispensing devices comprise small manual pumps, typically lever-operated ones, which are applied to glass jars, buckets or flexible bags, containing the edible product to be dispensed. In general, these known dispensers have a series of drawbacks. Although the volume of the container may vary according to the amount of product to be dispensed and therefore depending on the intended use, for example in small or large communities, these dispensers still have a reduced capacity for storing food and therefore they do not lend themselves to frequent and prolonged use.

In addition, manual dispensers do not usually have measures for storing the food product to be dispensed, which comes into contact with the air, for example through the dispensing conduit. In these cases, the preservation of the food is entrusted to the preservatives present in the product itself and these dispensers are therefore unsuitable, for example, to dispense biological sauces, which are exempt by law from preservatives.

In general, cleaning and sanitizing of manual dispensers is difficult and sometimes impossible, unless following the complete disassembly of the pumping system and therefore with considerable loss of time.

In the case of products in which animal proteins deriving, for example, from eggs, milk, meat, fish and their derivatives are present, the difficulty of cleaning substantially precludes the use of these dispensers, as it is impossible to provide consumers with sufficient hygienic guarantees in accordance with the laws in force in the food sector.

In known devices it is also difficult to precisely define the quantity of product dispensed, said quantity being given by the force applied to the linkage which drives the pumping mechanism and therefore differing from one operator to another and from one product to another. This last drawback also translates into the impossibility of replicating a predefined dosage, a need that is particularly felt when the device is used in a community or in the catering sector.

For dispensing doses of condiments to be used directly on the purchased food, in the catering sector and in particular in community canteens and fast-food restaurants, small pre-packaged bags containing the condiment are currently used.

However, this practice causes an increase in dispensing costs and product waste, due to the fact that each dose is pre-packaged in a food bag, which therefore can contain an excessive quantity of product for many customers. In addition, bags are frequently not used and are destroyed along with uneaten food residues.

Vending machines capable of dispensing a fluid edible product in the loose state are also known.

An example of a machine of this type for dispensing liquid products such as syrups, concentrates, milk, cheeses, condiments, sauces, is described in <CIT>. This machine includes a peristaltic pump to pump the liquid contained in a bag and deliver it through a nozzle.

Machines of this kind are, however, complex and expensive and are suitable for use by service personnel, who work on the machine to dispense the desired dose of product, possibly directly onto the already prepared food.

Furthermore, the cleaning of these machines is cumbersome and, having to be carried out frequently, leads to an increase in operating costs. In addition, the results obtained in the cleaning phase are often not optimal for hygiene.

The use of these machines by the public in the catering sector involves a series of drawbacks.

In the first place, the public tends to dispense a quantity of product greater than the quantity that would be dispensed by service personnel, with a consequent increase in product consumption.

Secondly, the average public is not always capable of operating complex machines, therefore requiring the presence of an operator, and this brings about an increase in machine management costs.

In known machines of the described type, the use of valves and other organs to interrupt the flow of the product, avoid dripping, etc. makes washing and complete sanitization problematic.

Currently known machines are mostly suitable for dispensing water, beverages, milk, wine and beer, products which, however, involve hygienic problems of a completely different nature and in any case less relevant and critical than in the case of dense products, such as condiments and, for example, protein sauces.

Each element which does not have rounded and blunt shapes and is intercepted by the flow of the edible product can retain parts of the product, which can also be very viscous: think, for example, of a mayonnaise that may have a viscosity (absolute and dynamic) of over <NUM>,<NUM> cp (centipoise).

The treatment of products with these viscosity characteristics consequently makes washing and sanitizing of the machine more complex.

<CIT> describes a machine for dispensing doses of edible products comprising: a supporting structure, a chamber capable of receiving a container of a product to be dispensed, a dispensing spout from which the doses of the dispensed product exit, a conduit having one end associated with the container and the opposite end associated with the spout, an electric pump capable of pumping the product from the container towards the spout through the conduit, an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of the pump.

However, the machine described in the aforementioned document does not solve the problem of how to avoid excessive dispensing of the product by the user. It also has the disadvantage caused by the delayed and unwanted delivery of a certain amount of product, due to dripping from the spout at the end of delivery.

<CIT>, in the name of the applicant, describes a machine that overcomes the drawbacks of the known art and solves the aforementioned problems by means of a control circuit, associated with the electronic control unit and programmed to make the pump perform a first, pumping cycle, in which the pump operates to pump the product contained in the container towards the spout, a second, suction cycle, in which the pump operates to suck up at least part of the product remaining in the conduit, and a waiting cycle, in which the pump is inhibited from pumping the edible product.

A problem associated with the aforementioned vending machine derives from the complexity of the washing operations, which must necessarily be carried out when the product container to be dispensed is replaced, for example when it is exhausted, with a new one.

This problem derives in particular from the fact that known machines of the aforementioned type generally use flexible conduits for dispensing the fluid product. Flexible conduits are advantageous since they can be adapted to the use of peristaltic pumps, associated along the conduit, the organs of which do not come into contact with the product dispensed. This configuration provides advantages in terms of ease of cleaning of the parts of the vending machine, washing of the conduits alone being sufficient. On the other hand, the material of the flexible conduits is not suitable for making the outlet portion of the circuit for dispensing the product. It is therefore necessary to connect the flexible conduit to a rigid spout, firmly attached to the structure of the machine. The spout represents the end part of the dispensing circuit and the open front end of the spout defines the outlet opening for the product. In use, in general, the user places a container under the spout to collect the dose of product dispensed. The container can be a vessel or a glass or a plate and can sometimes contain food products, for example foodstuffs ready to be consumed, destined to be seasoned with the product supplied by the vending machine. This circumstance, together with the fact that the container of the product to be dispensed must periodically be replaced, since it is exhausted, can cause contamination of the spout and the consequent need for thorough washing.

A first object of the invention is therefore to obtain cleaning of the product delivery circuit so that the vending machine is ready to receive a new container of product to be dispensed without risk of contamination with unwanted substances.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine for dispensing edible products in the fluid state, which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and can be easily washed, allowing compliance with the hygiene standards adopted in the food sector.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vending machine of the aforementioned type, which allows flexibility of use and is therefore suitable for multiple situations of use, both for service to the public, for example for service in canteens, fast food shops, etc., and service in kitchens and other places for food preparation, as well as in the private sector.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine of the aforesaid type particularly suitable for dispensing doses of edible products in the fluid state having preferably a density of between <NUM> and <NUM> cp (centipoise), but also higher densities.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vending machine which can be produced industrially at low costs. <CIT> discloses a dispenser for dispensing products which allows packaging of the products in a container, such as a flexible plastic bag, with a discharge tube extending therefrom. The dispenser includes a receptacle with an outlet opening in the lower portion thereof and a pump adjacent to the outlet opening. A container of product is received in the receptacle with the discharge tube extending through the outlet opening and through the pump. The product is dispensed by operating the pump to force product to flow through and from the discharge tube. This dispenser allows to reduce the amount of cleaning needed to maintain product and dispenser in a sanitary condition by keeping the product enclosed in a disposable container, such as a storage bag, and dispensing tube. This prevents the product from coming in direct contact with the dispenser parts.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended figures, in which:.

The same reference numerals have been used in all figures to identify the same or functionally equivalent components.

Referring to <FIG>, a first preferred embodiment of the vending machine which is not according to the invention and is present for illustration purposes only is shown, which has been indicated as a whole with reference numeral <NUM>.

The vending machine <NUM> for dispensing edible products in the fluid state comprises a supporting structure <NUM> in which three seats <NUM> are defined capable of housing a corresponding flexible container <NUM> containing a product to be dispensed by means of the vending machine <NUM>.

A seat <NUM> defined within the supporting structure <NUM> comprises a supporting base 15a for the container <NUM>, and side walls 15b,15c, a rear wall 15d and a pair of front wings 15e partially frontally extending in order to hold the peripheral edges of the containers <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the side walls of adjacent seats <NUM> are in common between the seats <NUM>. The base 15a, the side walls 15b,15c, the rear wall 15d and the front wings 15e are made of sheet metal or plastic.

A corresponding number of spouts <NUM> are provided for the exit of the product contained in each of the three containers <NUM>.

A flexible conduit <NUM> is associated, at a first end 21a thereof, with the container <NUM> by means of a corresponding fitting <NUM>. The supporting base 15a, or lower base, has a horseshoe shape capable of supporting the periphery of the base of the container <NUM>, leaving free the central part provided with an outlet mouth and a corresponding fitting <NUM> for the product contained in the container.

The opposite end 21b of the conduit <NUM> is associated with the spout <NUM>, as will become more evident from the ensuing description.

A pump <NUM> associated with the supporting structure <NUM> and driven by an electric motor 23a is adapted to create, at predetermined intervals, a throttling slidable along a portion of the conduit <NUM>. The cyclic sliding of the throttling is capable of imparting prevalence to the fluid carried within the conduit <NUM> and, consequently, of pumping the product contained in the flexible container <NUM> towards the open end 21b of the conduit <NUM> associated with the spout <NUM>.

An electronic control unit <NUM>, comprising a corresponding electronic circuit board and respective printed circuits, is provided for controlling the operation of the electric motor 23a of the pump <NUM>.

According to the invention, the dispensing spout <NUM> comprises a rigid tube 19a made of stainless steel and having opposite open ends 19b,19c. Advantageously, according to a preferred embodiment which is not according to the invention and is present for illustration purposes only, the spout <NUM> has a circular cross-section having a diameter "D" substantially equal to the diameter "d" of the outer cross-section of the conduit <NUM>, so that the flexible conduit <NUM> can be inserted and held by interference fit in the spout <NUM>. Possibly the inner diameter of the spout <NUM> may be made slightly smaller than the diameter of the conduit <NUM>, which, being made of a compressible material, can be inserted by interference fit into the spout <NUM>. In still further embodiments, the inner diameter of the spout <NUM> may be made so as to interfere with the outer diameter of the conduit <NUM> only over a portion of said spout. In this case, the spout may contain, for example, a squashing or narrowing, for holding therein the flexible conduit <NUM>.

The spout <NUM>, being adapted to receive therein an end portion 21c of the conduit <NUM>, having a length at least substantially equal to the length of the spout <NUM>, allows exit of the product without the product coming into contact with the surface of the spout <NUM>, which, therefore, does not substantially require internal washing, but only, if at all, external cleaning.

As can be better appreciated in <FIG>, the spout <NUM> comprises a connecting portion 19d provided with means <NUM> capable of cooperating with corresponding counter-means <NUM> for removably connecting the spout <NUM> to the supporting structure <NUM>. According to this embodiment which is not according to the invention and is present for illustration purposes only, said means include a flange 33a extending radially outside the spout <NUM> and having holes for the passage of the threaded shafts of screws engaging in threaded bores provided in the supporting structure <NUM>, or in corresponding threaded nuts.

In an embodiment variant shown in <FIG>, the end portion 21c of the flexible conduit <NUM> comprises a proximal end 21d having stop means 21e capable of interfering with the first end 19b, or inner end, of the dispensing spout <NUM>. Thanks to this measure, advantageously, when said stop means 21e are in abutment against said first end 19b of the dispensing spout <NUM>, the flexible conduit <NUM> extends within the spout <NUM> over the entire length of the spout, until at least the open end 19c, which is opposite to said first end and from which the dispensed product exits. In a particular embodiment, the stop means 21e may consist of a ring <NUM> surrounding the conduit <NUM> and press-fitted on the conduit <NUM>. Alternatively, a mark, for example a colored annular band can be provided on the conduit <NUM>, said mark indicating to the installer the correct position for placing the portion 21c into the spout <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, an embodiment variant of the means <NUM> capable of cooperating with corresponding counter-means <NUM> for removably connecting the spout <NUM> to the supporting structure <NUM> is also illustrated. According to this embodiment variant, the means <NUM>,<NUM> comprise a corresponding quick release coupling of the bayonet-like type.

Referring again to <FIG>, the supporting structure <NUM> comprises a housing 13a defining therein a chamber <NUM>, separated from the environment outside the vending machine <NUM> by the walls <NUM> of the housing 13a. In the shown embodiment, the chamber <NUM> houses therein three seats <NUM> for corresponding flexible containers <NUM>. In addition, the pump <NUM> and the conduit <NUM> are also housed within the chamber <NUM> on the horizontal base wall 41d. Preferably, each pump <NUM> is arranged with the motor 23a under the base wall 41d and with the pump portion above said base wall 41d. Advantageously, this arrangement allows to rationally distribute the parts within the chamber <NUM> and to separate the electric motors from the region exposed to liquid or semi-liquid products, while also making cleaning of the chamber <NUM> safer and easier. The dispensing spout <NUM> communicates the chamber <NUM> with the environment outside the vending machine <NUM>. According to this preferred embodiment which is not according to the invention and is present for illustration purposes only, the conduit <NUM> exits said chamber <NUM> with an end portion 21c extending within said spout <NUM>.

In order to facilitate the operations of cleaning the structure <NUM>, each seat <NUM> comprises a supporting base 15a defining a corresponding horseshoe-shaped horizontal shelf arranged in a raised position at a certain distance from the horizontal base 41d of the vending machine.

In this preferred embodiment which is not according to the invention and is present for illustration purposes only, the front wall 41a of the housing 13a is openable, preferably hinged at its lower part, and the counter-means for removably connecting the spout <NUM> are associated with said openable wall 41a at a corresponding hole <NUM> for the passage of the tube made of stainless steel 19a defining the spout <NUM>. A rear wall 41e, possibly a removable one, is also provided for closing the chamber <NUM> at its rear.

The electronic control unit <NUM> preferably comprises a microprocessor, a storage unit and a power supply unit and is connected to a visual display <NUM> as well as to a set of control push-buttons <NUM> and a set of indicator lights <NUM>. The electronic control unit <NUM> is programmed to cause the pump to complete a pumping cycle which corresponds to a number N1 of revolutions of the rotor of the electric motor 23a driving the pump <NUM>. For this reason, the pump <NUM> is provided at its inside with an encoder device arranged to generate an electric signal indicative of the number of revolutions performed by the motor 23a. The pump <NUM> operates to pump the product contained in the container <NUM> towards the spout <NUM>. In addition, the pump <NUM> preferably operates, at the end of the cycle of dispensing the predetermined dose, a suction cycle corresponding to a number N2 of revolutions of the rotor of the electric motor <NUM>. The suction cycle can be obtained by inverting the direction of rotation of the electric motor 23a driving the pump <NUM>. In the suction cycle, at least part of the product that may be present in the end portion of the flexible conduit <NUM> is sucked up towards the container <NUM>.

In addition, preferably, the electronic control unit <NUM> is programmed for carrying out, after each dispensing cycle, a waiting cycle having a duration T1, in which the pump <NUM> is inhibited from pumping the product contained in the container <NUM>.

According to the invention, for each product to be dispensed, i.e. for each container <NUM>, a corresponding dispensing spout <NUM>, a corresponding conduit <NUM> and a corresponding pump <NUM> are preferably provided, said spout <NUM>, conduit <NUM> and pump <NUM> being dedicated solely to a single product and container <NUM>. Furthermore, still according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the product contained in the corresponding container <NUM> can be dispensed by acting onto a corresponding push-button 49a,49b,49c provided on the wall 41a of the housing 13a next to the hole <NUM> from which the corresponding spout <NUM> protrudes. A label or indicator light or display <NUM> may preferably be provided next to each push-button 49a,49b,49c in order to indicate the kind of product dispensed through the corresponding spout <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting structure <NUM> comprises panels <NUM>, for example made of wood, metal or plastic, mutually associated so as to form a self-standing structure. At least one of the panels <NUM> is preferably removable for accessing the inside of the vending machine <NUM> and in particular the chamber <NUM>, for example for placing or removing the containers <NUM>. In order to make visible the parts of the vending machine <NUM> that are arranged within the chamber <NUM>, the illustrations of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> show a vending machine <NUM> without the front panel 41a, the top panel 41b and the side panel 41c, respectively. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, the conduit <NUM> has been shown only in <FIG> in association with the container <NUM> located in the central seat <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> may, preferably, be part of a refill kit for the vending machine <NUM>. Said kit preferably comprises a container <NUM> full of the product to be dispensed, a conduit <NUM> already associated with the container <NUM> by means of the fitting <NUM>, and a closing element, for example a removable clip or a cap which prevents the product from exiting the container <NUM> through the conduit <NUM> during transport. Alternatively, it will also be possible to provide the container <NUM> and the conduit <NUM> separated from each other, and to fit the conduit <NUM> onto the fitting <NUM> only when the kit has to be installed on the vending machine <NUM>. In this case, the conduit <NUM> can be associated with the container <NUM>, for example made as a bag, by means of the fitting <NUM>, preferably of the quick release type, which allows to associate the conduit <NUM> with a flexible-type container having, in turn, a complementary fitting.

In the illustrated example, the vending machine <NUM> defines a corresponding unit provided with three dispensing spouts <NUM>, each of them being associated with a corresponding container <NUM> through a corresponding conduit <NUM> associated with a corresponding pump <NUM>. However, embodiments of the vending machine <NUM> according to the invention are possible in which a single dispensing spout <NUM> is provided or more than three spouts are provided. In addition, the panels <NUM> preferably define a supporting structure <NUM> of the modular type, adapted to be associated with an equivalent structure, for making a complex vending machine <NUM>, equipped with any number of dispensing spouts, for example multiples of three in the illustrated example.

The dispensing spout <NUM> preferably has a curved or "L" shape and is preferably oriented downwards when the vending machine <NUM> is in operation, as illustrated in the figures, and is preferably free, i.e. it has no block valves. According to the invention, indeed, any leakage of the edible product dispensed through the corresponding spout <NUM> is substantially prevented by the suction cycle of the pump <NUM>. Preferably, outside the housing 13a a collecting region <NUM> is provided having a grid 53a and a pan 53b, preferably a removable pan, for collecting drops of product that may be dispersed during dispensing through the spouts <NUM>.

The conduit <NUM> extends from the container <NUM> to the dispensing spout <NUM>, preferably in a seamless manner, i.e. without any interruptions of the conduit <NUM>, whereby the edible product flows through the conduit <NUM> without coming into contact with other parts of the vending machine <NUM>. The conduit <NUM> is made of an elastic compressible material, which makes said conduit flexible. In addition, preferably, the conduit <NUM> will be made of a single material.

Referring to <FIG>, the invention is described. The supporting structure <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>' provided with a front wall <NUM> having at least one hole <NUM> receiving a removable annular elastic member <NUM>. The annular elastic member <NUM> is axially bored and is adapted to hold a spout <NUM>' within said axial bore. More precisely, the spout <NUM>' is held within said axial bore provided in the annular elastic member <NUM> so that a first spout portion <NUM> associated with the flexible conduit <NUM> is inside the housing <NUM>' and a second spout portion <NUM>, ending in an outlet end <NUM> of the spout <NUM>' protrudes outside the housing <NUM>' for dispensing, through said outlet end <NUM> of the spout <NUM>', the fluid edible product contained in a container <NUM> from which the conduit <NUM> comes.

Referring to <FIG>, according to a further embodiment of the invention, said dispensing spout <NUM>' comprises a tube made of plastic material, said tube being rectilinear with a cylindrical shape in the illustrated example, in which a first portion <NUM> is defined having, on its outside, annular retaining protrusions 20a, adapted to keep the flexible conduit <NUM> firmly fixed to the spout <NUM>', which flexible conduit is arranged with interference fit on said tube portion <NUM>.

Still referring to the illustrated example, said tube comprises a second portion <NUM> which is smooth on its outside in order to reduce the possibility that the edible product or some dirt may adhere to the spout.

An annular projection <NUM> adapted to form a corresponding abutment edge for said annular elastic member <NUM> is provided between said two spout portions <NUM>, <NUM>. Said annular projection <NUM> is arranged outside said housing 13a and forms an abutment edge preventing said spout <NUM> from withdrawing through the annular member <NUM> and into the housing <NUM>' due to an accidental thrust applied for example by the vessel in which the edible product is being dispensed.

Referring again to <FIG>, the structure <NUM> comprises a front wall <NUM> in which the holes <NUM> retaining the corresponding annular elastic member <NUM> are provided. The wall <NUM> is advantageously inclined so as to at least partially conceal the outer portion <NUM> of the spout <NUM>'. The wall <NUM>, in the illustrated example, has an inclination of about <NUM>° relative to a horizontal plane supporting the vending machine when in use.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the pump <NUM> will preferably be of the peristaltic type and the conduit <NUM> will be associated with the pump <NUM> in a known manner. More precisely, the conduit <NUM> passes through the moving parts of the pump <NUM>, typically rotary lobes or cams, without these or other parts of the pump coming into contact with the product to be pumped. These moving parts have the purpose of periodically pressing the conduit <NUM> so as to create, according to prior art, a pumping effect through said conduit. This kind of peristaltic pumps has proved particularly suitable for intermittent operation for periodical dispensing of doses. In this illustrated embodiment, the peristaltic pump <NUM> is provided with an openable lid 23b which can be opened in the direction indicated by arrow 23c for placing or removing the flexible conduit <NUM> into or from the pump <NUM>.

Still referring to the annexed figures, the operation of the vending machine <NUM> according to the invention will now be described in greater detail.

By pressing one of the push-buttons 49a,49b,49c, the circuit controlling operation of a first counter determining starting of the pump <NUM> for dispensing the product for a predetermined number of revolutions N1 of the motor of the pump <NUM> is closed. The push-button 49a,49b,49c will preferably be of the internally lit type for facilitating identification thereof by the user and will preferably have a different color depending on the edible product to be dispensed. Preferably, the push-buttons are always lit when the vending machine is on, to facilitate identification thereof by users and the light flashes during dispensing of the product.

The starting of the pump <NUM> as a consequence of the pressure on one of the push-buttons 49a,49b,49c causes pumping of the product contained in the container <NUM> through the conduit <NUM> and dispensing, through the spout <NUM>, <NUM>', of an amount of product contained in the container which will be proportional to the number of working cycles of the pump <NUM>.

For example, a number of revolutions N1 of the motor 23a may correspond to the dispensing of approximately <NUM> gr of product through the corresponding spout <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> is preferably programmed for controlling, at the end of the cycle of revolutions N1, i.e. at the end of the dispensing of the product, a cycle of starting of the pump <NUM> in a direction opposite to the pumping direction. This causes suction of at least part of the edible product present between the pump <NUM> and the spout <NUM>, <NUM>', and forming a residue that might exit the spout <NUM>, <NUM>', for example by gravity, even when the pump is not operating. Advantageously, this measure prevents undesired leakages of product out of the spout <NUM>, <NUM>' and guarantees more cleanness and hygiene for the vending machine <NUM>, thus reducing product waste, and therefore allows to save money.

The number of revolutions N2 of the motor 23a of the pump <NUM> for the suction cycle may be for example about N1/<NUM>.

A controller <NUM> is also preferably programmed to control, at the end of the cycle of revolutions N2, therefore at the end of the cycle of sucking the product, a timer which has the purpose of inhibiting operation of the pump over a predetermined time T1. Advantageously, this measure prevents consumption of an excessive amount of product, due to the repeated demand by a user of the vending machine. Indeed, in the event that the vending machine is used to dispense edible products "on free service", i.e. without paying any consideration (for example in diners, company canteens, self-service restaurants), by dispensing a few grams of product for each dose (<NUM>-<NUM>) control of the dose itself will be obtained simply by adjusting the number of revolutions N1. In addition, preferably, if a plurality of dispensing spouts <NUM> and corresponding conduits <NUM> are present, the operation of the pump <NUM> associated therewith will also preferably be inhibited by the electronic control unit <NUM>.

At the end of the inhibiting cycle with the duration T1, the pump <NUM> is again ready to dispense a new dose of edible product from the container <NUM> associated therewith and can therefore be actuated through one of the push-buttons 49a, 49b, 49c for dispensing a further dose of the same edible product. Said push-buttons may, for example, correspond to the delivery of a first sauce = mayonnaise, a second sauce = rice mayonnaise and a third sauce = ketchup.

Although the vending machine according to the invention has been described with reference to a configuration in which three different types of products to be dispensed are provided, it will nevertheless be possible, still in accordance with the same inventive principle, to provide vending machines for dispensing a greater number of products, or even a single product. In the latter case, in particular, though not exclusively, the vending machine can be made modular, so as to allow a combined vending machine to be obtained for any number of products by mutually associating a sufficient number of modules.

When an edible product is to be dispensed which must be stored at a temperature lower than ambient temperature, the corresponding container <NUM> and the dispensing circuit comprising the conduit <NUM> can be cooled, for example down to about +<NUM>, by means of Peltier cells. On the other hand, if a lower temperature is required, typically between <NUM> and +<NUM> (for example in the case of so-called fresh products, typically sauces), it will be necessary to use a cooling machine equipped with a compressor.

In the example, a vending machine <NUM> has also been described provided with containers <NUM> placed aboard the machine, which therefore lends itself to not too high dispensed quantities, for example to containers <NUM> for about <NUM> of product.

When the vending machine <NUM> is intended for an environment in which consumption is higher, for example to dispense products contained in large-volume containers, typically from <NUM> to <NUM>, the container <NUM> will preferably be placed outside the vending machine <NUM>, for example in another room (a conditioned warehouse, a refrigerated store, etc.) connected by means of a suitable conduit <NUM> to the room where the vending machine <NUM> is located. Certain parts of the vending machine, such as the pump <NUM> and the conduit <NUM>, must obviously be suitably sized. The principle of operation of the vending machine will, however, remain substantially the same.

If the edible product is dispensed through the vending machine <NUM> upon payment of a consideration, the vending machine <NUM> may be equipped with a coin validator or equivalent, a small load cell, a controller of the cell itself and a receipt emitter with report on the dispensed dose: weight, type of product, price, etc..

Furthermore, by reading a carrier, such as a receipt, by means of a small optical scanner and a PLC that manages reading thereof, the vending machine can dispense the desired product. It is also clear that a magnetic stripe reader and corresponding card, a microchip reader, etc., or an Ethernet network can be used to give consent, for example by the cash desk, to the dispensing itself, after the consideration has been paid. For this purpose, the vending machine <NUM> can be equipped with a switching apparatus <NUM> connected to the electronic control unit <NUM>. Moreover, in rooms where electrical wiring is problematic, the vending machine may be equipped with a WiFi system that performs, even remotely, the above operations.

Advantageously, the vending machine according to the invention does not provide for washing cycles for cleaning the conduits for dispensing the edible product, thanks to the fact that the conduits carrying the product are replaced together with the flexible container, and thanks to the fact that the product never comes into contact with fixed parts of the vending machine, i.e. with parts that are not intended to be replaced together with the container.

A set of push-buttons <NUM>, in the illustrated example seven push-buttons 49d, 49e, 49f, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are also provided close to the visual display <NUM> for programming the electronic unit <NUM> and, consequently, the functions and working cycles of the vending machine <NUM>.

By keeping the push-button "menu" 49d pressed for a time t1 (for example: t1=<NUM> sec), the displaying function of the minimum stock, i.e. of the minimum quantity of product below which the electronic control unit <NUM> is programmed to emit an optical or acoustic alert signal, corresponding to the signaling of the almost exhausted container (bag), is activated on the visual display <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> is programmed to vary the minimum quantity by acting on the push-buttons "+" and "-" 49e,49f. Further pressing on the push-button "menu" allows, by subsequent pressing on the push-buttons "+" and "-", to inhibit or enable the alarm.

Further pressing on the push-button "menu" allows, by subsequent pressing on the push-buttons "+" and "-", to adjust the duration of an acoustic signal emitted by a buzzer, when any programming push-button <NUM> is pressed. A zero duration corresponds to the inhibition of said acoustic signal.

Further pressing on the push-button "menu" allows, by subsequent pressing on the push-buttons "+" and "-", to enable or disable the request for a password in order to start the function of replacing the exhausted container (bag).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the password is stored in the storage unit associated with the electronic unit <NUM> and corresponds to a predetermined sequence of push-buttons <NUM>. Access to this function is preferably protected by a password known only to the authorized personnel and stored in the storage unit, for example corresponding to pressing some push-buttons <NUM> in a predetermined sequence.

The function allowing replacement of the container of the product to be dispensed, either because it is exhausted or almost exhausted, or because dispensing of another product is desired, can preferably be accessed by means of a password known only to the authorized personnel.

The settings menu allows to change some functional parameters of the vending machine.

In particular, it is possible to vary the duration of the interval in which dispensing is inhibited. A time t1 = <NUM> corresponds to the programming that allows continuous dispensing, useful when the vending machine is used in a private environment, for example in a kitchen.

The settings menu further comprises a function of setting the options for each dispensed product. The main functions allow the Name Change of the product on the visual display <NUM>, the quantity of product to be dispensed expressed in number or revolutions N1 of the electric motor 23a of the pump <NUM>, the number of revolutions N2 of the motor 23a of the pump <NUM> for the inversion function, the capacity of the flexible container (bag) present in the vending machine (default = <NUM>).

Claim 1:
Vending machine (<NUM>) for dispensing edible products in a fluid state, comprising:
- a supporting structure (<NUM>);
- at least one seat (<NUM>) defined within the supporting structure (<NUM>) and adapted to house at least one corresponding flexible container (<NUM>) of the product to be dispensed, which product is in the fluid state at room temperature;
- a dispensing spout (<NUM>) comprising a rigid tube having a first outlet end from which the dispensed product contained in the container (<NUM>) exits;
- a flexible conduit (<NUM>) having one end associated with the container (<NUM>) by means of a corresponding fitting (<NUM>) and the opposite end associated with the spout (<NUM>) at a second inlet end of said spout opposite to the outlet end;
- a pump (<NUM>) associated with the supporting structure (<NUM>) and actuated by an electric motor (23a), said pump being adapted to create, at predetermined intervals, a throttling slidable along a portion of the conduit (<NUM>), said throttling being capable of imparting prevalence to the fluid carried within the conduit (<NUM>) and consequently of pumping the product contained in the flexible container (<NUM>) towards the dispensing spout (<NUM>);
- an electronic control unit (<NUM>) for controlling the operation of the electric motor (23a) of the pump (<NUM>), wherein the dispensing spout (<NUM>) comprises a rigid tube (19a) adapted to receive at least partially with interference fit an end portion (21c) of said flexible conduit (<NUM>), and in that the supporting structure (<NUM>) comprises a housing (<NUM>') provided with a front wall (<NUM>) having at least one hole (<NUM>) receiving a removable annular elastic member (<NUM>) axially bored and adapted to hold said spout (<NUM>') within said hole (<NUM>) so that a first spout portion (<NUM>) associated with the flexible conduit (<NUM>) is inside the housing (<NUM>') and a second spout portion (<NUM>), ending in an outlet end (<NUM>) for dispensing, through said outlet end (<NUM>) of the spout (<NUM>'), the fluid edible product contained in said container (<NUM>), protrudes outside the housing (<NUM>'), whereby the kit comprising the flexible container (<NUM>), the flexible conduit (<NUM>) and the spout (<NUM>) is removable from the vending machine (<NUM>) for being replaced with a similar kit .