Patent ID: 12185847

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

FIG.1presents an example of a currently available gravity feed bulk dispenser10. The bulk dispenser10is supported by a fixture70, which may include a movable arm76and/or a shelf78. 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 dispensers10simultaneously. InFIG.1side pieces16, and a lid12interconnect to form an enclosure that defines a first compartment20. The side pieces16and the front piece18interconnect to form an enclosure that defines a second compartment21and a third compartment22. In operation, the first compartment20is filled with a bulk product to dispense. The second compartment21is filled with the same bulk product for display to the customer. The bulk product passes through the third compartment22as it is dispensed from the first compartment20. To inform a customer about the bulk material, a printed display or sign can be held by a display holding device46located on an outside surface of the front piece18.

A customer initiates the flow of the bulk product by actuating handle34in the direction of arrow40. The customer holds a receptacle (not shown) below an outlet42. The customer holds the handle34with one hand while holding the receptacle with the other. Actuation of the handle34opens a door (not depicted) internal to the bulk dispenser10connecting the first compartment20to the third compartment22. Under the force of gravity, material flows from the first compartment20, through the third compartment22, out the outlet42and into the receptacle, in that order. After dispensing a desired amount of material into a receptacle, the customer releases handle34. Biasing devices (not depicted) interact with the front piece18and the door to return the handle34back to the first position in which the rotating door separates the first compartment20from the third compartment22, i.e. the normally closed position of the handle and door. As previously indicated, other examples of gravity feed bins are known and incorporated by reference in their entireties.

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.2provides an example of a new gravity feed bulk dispenser100that solves the issues of the above concerns with currently available bulk dispensers. Features as presented inFIG.2, 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.3is a side view of the same dispenser100.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser100ofFIG.3in a closed condition, whileFIG.5is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser100in an open condition. Examples of the dispenser100provided herein may minimize the redundant touch of the dispenser100by successive customers.

The dispenser100exemplarily includes a similar first compartment20, second compartment21, and third compartment22as described above. Such first compartment20, second compartment21, and third compartment22may be similarly defined by side pieces16, front piece18, and a lid12as described above as well. While it is recognized that these features may remain the same between the dispensers ofFIGS.1and2, it is also apparent from the present disclosure that the features of the actuator assembly110(e.g.FIGS.4and5) as described herein may be used with other examples of dispensers100while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. The dispenser100includes an actuator assembly110that provides electromechanical force to operate one or more mechanical components of the dispenser100in response to a dispense input.

The actuator assembly110exemplarily includes a motor112and a controller114. The controller114is exemplarily a single board controller. The controller114provides a microprocessor, memory, and communication interfaces for the rest of the system. The controller114communicates 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 controller114and executed by the microprocessor to carry out the communicative and operational functions as described herein.

The motor112is 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 motor112may use electricity from one or more batteries (not depicted) configured to provide electrical power to the system. The motor112is configured to provide mechanical force to the system to operate one or more mechanical components as described herein. In an example, the motor112is configured to operate a valve116of the dispenser100between open and closed positions to release portions of the bulk material (which may be a foodstuff) stored within the first compartment20of the dispenser100. The valve116is exemplarily actuated by a rotational movement. To achieve this movement, at least one (e.g. two) linkage118extend from the motor112to the valve116. A motor arm120extends from a rotating shaft122of the motor112and connects to one end of the linkage118. An opposite end of the linkage118is connected to a valve arm124secured to the valve116, the valve arm124and the valve116are configured to rotate about a rotation point126. A valve shaft128is oriented at the rotation point126. The valve shaft128may extend between the valve arms124or may be a split shaft with a separate portion associated with each of the respective valve arms124. The mechanical connection between the motor112and the valve116provided in part by the linkage118results in rotation of the valve arms124and the valve116about the axis of the valve shaft128, causing the valve116to move between a closed position (e.g.FIG.4) and an open position (e.g.FIG.5). It will be recognized that other mechanical connections between the motor112and the valve116are 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 valve116selectively occludes a passageway from the compartment20through an outlet138of the dispenser100. The valve may typically be positioned anywhere within the third compartment22as described above. In examples, a spout136may provide an extension between the third compartment22and the outlet138. In the closed position, the valve116occludes passage of the bulk material through the outlet138. In the open position, the valve116permits passage of bulk material from the compartment, in a fixed displacement or a flow metering configuration as described in further detail herein.

The valve116may exemplarily include a gate131, for example as depicted inFIGS.4and5. However, it will be recognized that the valve116may be embodied in a variety of other components, any of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. The valve116may take any of a variety of configurations within the dispenser100to operate to control the start, stop, or other metering of the flow of the bulk product held within the dispenser100. The valve116controls the ejection of the bulk product at a rate that is suitable for delivery to the customer. The valve116may 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 valve116is in the closed position. The valve116generally may operate according to one of two different valve configurations: a fixed displacement valve, an example of which is shown and described with respect toFIG.9herein, or a flow metering valve, an example of which is shown and described with respect toFIGS.4and5. 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 toFIG.9herein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,393, incorporated by reference above, 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 toFIGS.4and5, 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.9depicts an example of the dispenser100where the valve116is a fixed displacement valve, for example as described above. The valve116includes a gate131and the gate131moves between a closed position (shown) and an open position (dashed lines). In the closed position the gate131is positioned across the outlet138and the third compartment22is filled with the bulk material. The gate131, for example, but not limiting, is concave and between the gate131and the third compartment22defines a fixed volume of the bulk material contained therein. As the motor112operates to move the valve arms124and the valve116to the open position, the gate131moves in the direction of arrow145to the open position (dashed lines). In the open position, the gate131occludes passage of bulk material from the first compartment20into the third compartment22. The bulk material that was already within the third compartment22is dispensed through the outlet138, while the gate131prevents further passage of bulk material from the first compartment20into the third compartment22and out the outlet138.

In examples, the controller114receives, during configuration or otherwise, an identification of the configuration of the dispenser100, for example a volume of the portion dispensed by each cycle of the valve116in the fixed-displacement system. In examples, different configurations of valves, for example, the shape of the gate131, including the concavity of the gate131defines a volume within the compartment22that 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 controller114may 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 controller114uses 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 ofFIGS.2-9, the actuator assembly110, and exemplarily the motor112, linkage118and or other components of the actuator assembly110are configured to apply the corresponding motive force against the valve116to operate the valve116between the open and closed positions or to a position therebetween. The actuator assembly110thus provides the motive power to operate the valve116to carry out a dispense operation of the dispenser100. In an example, the dispenser100includes a dispenser base130, which is configured to support and hold the compartment20of the dispenser100. The actuator assembly110may be exemplarily be located partially or fully within the dispenser base130, with the dispenser base130providing a housing for the actuator assembly. It will be recognized that in examples, the dispenser base130may be used when the dispenser is positioned on a shelf, while in still further examples, the dispenser100is secured to a movable arm76(seeFIG.1). In such examples, a mounting fixture of related construction to the dispenser base130incorporated into the shelf or movable arm may provide a housing to some or all of the actuator assembly110, while also providing an interface to secure the actuator assembly110to the compartment. In an example, the dispenser base130may be secured to or integral with a fixture70(seeFIG.1) and the compartment20is releasably connectable and/or removable from the dispenser base130.

The dispenser100is arranged to move the valve116between open and closed positions by operation of the valve arm124by the linkage upon receiving an input instruction to dispense. In an example, the dispenser100includes a user interface132that is communicatively connected to the controller114by wired or wireless connection. The user interface132incorporates a user input sensor134. 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 sensor134may 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 sensor134may 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 spout136or the outlet138may be fitted with a sensor140. The sensor140may, for example, be a ranging sensor or a proximity sensor. The sensor140may be implemented with an infrared or an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor140may further include or use a camera and computer vision processing system. Any of these or other arrangements of the sensor140may be configured to detect the presence of a receptacle, for example a bag or a jar, in a proper position below the outlet138to receive the bulk material once it is dispensed. The sensor140may incorporate an IR time of flight sensor. The sensor140may be communicatively connected to the controller114by wired or wireless configurations. The sensor140may use IR or visible light to detect the presence and/or position of a receptacle below the outlet138. In operation, the controller114may wait for a predetermined time (e.g. 200 ms, 500 ms, or 800 ms) of similarly detected presence before initiating a dispense to avoid inadvertent or unintentional dispenses. In still further examples, the controller114may require both a presence detected by the sensor140and an input detected by the user input sensor134before initiating a dispense. In still further examples, the user input sensor134may be a physical button or a lever positioned within the area below the outlet138. Actuation of the user input sensor134, for example by engagement of the user input sensor134with the receptacle may provide a signal to the controller114and the controller114may operate to initiate a dispense operation in response to the signal from the user input sensor134and/or the sensor140.

An adapter ring142may be configured to secure about the spout136at the outlet138. The sensor140may be incorporated into the adapter ring142, for example, the adapter ring142may be injection molded and a housing for the proximity sensor molded into the adapter ring during manufacturing. The adapter ring142may further be constructed in two interlocking pieces to facilitate securement of the adapter ring142to the spout136. In a still further example, the adapter ring142may be made of an elastomeric material that helps to grip or hold a plastic bag against the spout136to limit spillage of the bulk material. The sensor140may thus be positioned in the spout136, adapter ring142, the dispenser base130, or at a position below the outlet138of the spout136. Other positions of the sensor140, 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 interface132may further include a graphical display144which is operated by the controller to present a GUI. The GUI presented on the graphical display144may 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 display144may 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 dispenser100is filled with a bulk material. In an example, the controller114further can receive an user input through the user interface132or by RFID communication with an RFID tag of a packaging for the bulk material to inform the controller114of 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 display144. As depicted inFIG.7, the GUI presented on the graphical display144may operate to provide operational instructions to the user. In the example shown inFIG.7, the user is instructed to “Move Container under Spout.” This movement is detected by the sensor140as 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 sensor134, which may be presented in the user interface132as described above. In an example, the graphical display144or 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 inFIG.7, the graphical display144presents information that a “Green Light” indicates the detection of a container in the dispense area below the outlet138of the spout136. 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 display144or 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 controller114operates the motor112to move the linkage118in the direction of arrow146to move the valve116in the direction of arrow148into an open position. As described above, depending upon the arrangement of the valve116, the valve may move to a fully open position to dispense a withheld portion of the bulk material, as shown inFIG.9. In another example, the valve116may 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 controller114operates the motor112to move the valve116to the closed position.

FIG.8presents an example of the dispenser100operating during a dispense operation. A container154, depicted as a bowl, but which may be a jar, box, bag or other receptacle, is positioned below the outlet138of the spout136of the dispenser100. A light source (e.g. light source166inFIG.6) which may, for example, be secured to the adapter ring142, the spout136, or the dispenser base130, projects illumination156onto the container154in the dispensing area. As noted with respect toFIG.7, the light source may operate to project illumination156in, for example, one color (e.g. green) to indicate that the container154is 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 display144or other dedicated indicator lights secured to the user interface132.

As previously noted, initiation of a dispense operation may result in operation of the dispenser100by the controller114to 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 display144may 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)158and a total estimated dispense amount160. 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 in some embodiments, such estimated dispense amount may be for customer information purposes and not measure for trade purposes, while in other examples, the dispenser100may integrate measure for trade capabilities. In examples, the controller114receives, during configuration or otherwise, an identification of the bulk food product to be dispensed from the dispenser100. 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 dispenser100may operate to dispense a single dispense portion. After this, the dispenser100may enter an interlock routine to prevent further dispense until an additional input is received. In an example, the graphical display144may be operated to present a GUI with instructions to remove and reposition the container154below the spout136. Detection of the container reintroduced to the position below the spout136by the sensor140will initiate a dispense operation to dispense a further dispense portion. The graphical display144may be operated to present a GUI with a dispense quantity count162and further update the total estimated dispense amount160. From the price of the bulk material and the estimated dispense, the controller114can operate the graphical display to present an estimated total price164within the GUI. It will be recognized that since a dispense event with a user may extend across multiple dispense operations of the dispenser100, the controller114may operate to make a determination of when a dispense event has started and stopped. In examples, the controller114may 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 count162, estimated dispense amount160, and estimated total price164are reset. The controller114may operate the graphic display144to return to the standby GUI, e.g. as presented inFIG.7. 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 dispenser100and incorporate this information into the determination of a completed dispense event.

In examples, the compartment20may be configured with an agitator150. An optional linkage152may extend from the motor112and operably connected to the agitator150. In the dispense of bulk materials that require agitation, operation of the motor112by the controller114may further operate the agitator as the valve116moves between the closed and open positions.

In addition to the operation and structures above, examples of the dispenser100may 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 controller114with inputs of the control signals to the motor112for the valve status information.

In still further examples, the controller114is 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 controller114may 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.

In still further examples, the dispenser may communicate with a 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 controller114may 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 controller114to 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 dispenser100. In such examples, the food-contact portions 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 toFIG.1.

Citations to a number of references are made herein. The cited references are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 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.

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.