Patent ID: 12240746

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.1thereof, a first embodiment of a new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character100. More particularly, it is seen that the first embodiment of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser100is seen to comprise a housing102within which a flowable product dispensing system, to be disclosed more fully hereinafter, is disposed such that the flowable product can in fact be dispensed from a flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle104. At the bottom of the housing102, there is provided a horizontally oriented bracket106which is provided with a centrally located arcuately-configured cut-out section108which is adapted to accommodate a suitably sized cup or similar container, not shown, into which a precisely metered supply of the flowable product can be dispensed from the flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle104. It is also noted that the lowermost portion of the housing102is provided with a horizontally oriented support platform110, which is disposed beneath the horizontally oriented bracket106such that the bracket106is disposed above and effectively overhangs the support platform110.

Therefore, it can be readily appreciated that the suitably sized cup or similar container, not shown, is adapted to be supported upon the support platform110wherein the lower portion of the cup or container will be confined within the arcuately shaped cut-out section108of the bracket106. Lastly, it is seen that a suitable sensor, such as, for example, a through-beam sensor, comprising a light beam transmitter112aand a light beam receiver112b, is interposed between the support platform110and the bracket106. Accordingly, when a cup or container is disposed upon the support platform110, and disposed within the arcuately shaped or semi-circular cut-out section108of the bracket106, the cup or container will block the transmitter/receiver components112a,112bwhich normally emits, for example, a visible or infrared light beam, whereby the touchless flowable product dispenser will now know that a cup or container is physically present beneath the flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle104and will dispense a precisely metered amount of the flowable product from a flowable product storage canister, not shown but which will be disclosed and described hereinafter, disposed internally within the housing102. It is to be noted that while the first embodiment100of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser of the present invention is disclosed as comprising a single flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle104, more than one flowable product output dispensing spouts or ports may be provided upon a single housing102.

With reference now being made toFIG.2, a second embodiment of a new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character200. It is to be noted that the second embodiment200of the present invention comprises structural components which are similar to structural components present within the first embodiment100of the present invention, and therefore such similar structural components will be provided with reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers noted in connection with the first embodiment100of the present invention, however, they will be within the200series. It is further noted that the description of the second embodiment200of the present invention will be directed toward those structural components which are different from the structural components of the first embodiment100of the present invention. More particularly, it is seen, for example, that in lieu of a single flowable product output dispensing spout or port104, the second embodiment200of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser comprises four (4) flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles204, all of which are mounted upon the housing202and all of which are individually operatively associated with respective flowable product dispensing mechanisms, not shown inFIG.2but which will become apparent hereinafter, which are disposed internally within the housing202.

Another significant difference between the first embodiment100of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser and the second embodiment200of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser is that the second embodiment200of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser is adapted to provide touchless flowable product dispensing to food items that are not adapted to be contained within a cup or similar container. Accordingly, while a support platform210is provided, the support platform210is provided for supporting food containers214within which various food items are disposed and upon which a particular flowable product or condiment can be dispensed from a particular one of the plurality of flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles204. Still further, it is seen that the bracket106and cut-out section108, for accommodating the lower portion of a cup or container, have been eliminated, as well as the through-beam transmitter/receiver sensor112a,112b, and in lieu thereof, each one of the flowable product output stations, as defined by means of each one of the plurality of flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles204, is provided with a hand-wave proximity sensor216. Accordingly, when a patron wants to have a particular condiment dispensed onto the food disposed within the food container214, the patron simply waves or moves his hand in front of the proximity sensor216so as to activate the condiment dispensing equipment as will be more fully disclosed hereinafter.

With reference now being made toFIG.3, a third embodiment of a new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character300. It is to be noted that the third embodiment300of the present invention comprises structural components which are similar to structural components present within the first and second embodiments100,200of the present invention, and therefore such similar structural components will be provided with reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers noted in connection with the first and second embodiments100,200of the present invention, however, they will be within the300series. It is further noted that the description of the third embodiment300of the present invention will be directed toward those structural components which are different from the structural components of the first and second embodiments100,200of the present invention. More particularly, it is seen for example, that while in the first embodiment100of the present invention, a single flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle104was mounted upon the housing102, while in the second embodiment200of the present invention, multiple, or a plurality of, flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles204were mounted upon the housing202, in accordance with the third embodiment300of the present invention, each flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle304is mounted upon its individual housing302, and the plurality of housings302are aligned with each other within a horizontally extending array so as to define laterally separated condiment dispensing stations, each station dispensing a different condiment.

Several other additional structural differences for this third embodiment300of the present invention are also to be noted. For example, all of the individual housings302are adapted to be mounted upon another major housing or mounting bracket, not shown. Still further, a support platform, not shown but similar to the support platform110of the first embodiment100of the present invention, is to be provided beneath the plurality of dispensing ports or spouts304, and a bracket, also not shown but similar to the bracket106of the first embodiment100of the present invention will also be provided, along with arcuately shaped cut-out sections and sensors/transmitters/receivers similar to the arcuately shaped cut-out section108and the transmitter/receiver112a,112bof the first embodiment100of the present invention. Still yet further, these laterally separated condiment dispensing stations are adapted to dispense cooled or chilled condiments. Accordingly, the flowable product storage cannisters, not shown, will be disposed within a cabinet318within which cooling equipment, such as, for example, compressors and the like, that are utilized in conjunction with refrigerators, freezers, or air conditioners, not shown, will also be disposed. Lastly, it is seen that the upper surface of the cabinet318comprises a deck320which is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced apertures322having covers324covering the same. These apertures322and covers344provide access to the flowable product storage canisters disposed within the cabinet318so as to enable replacement of a particular canister when its supply of condiment is exhausted.

With reference now being made toFIG.4, a fourth embodiment of a new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character400. It is to be noted that the fourth embodiment400of the present invention comprises structural components which are similar to structural components present within the first, second, and third embodiments100,200,300of the present invention, and therefore such similar structural components will be provided with reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers noted in connection with the first, second, and third embodiments100,200,300of the present invention, however, they will be within the400series. It is further noted that the description of the fourth embodiment400of the present invention will be directed toward those structural components which are different from the structural components of the first, second, and third embodiments100,200,300of the present invention. More particularly, it is seen that the fourth embodiment400of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser of the present invention comprises a housing402, a support platform410, and a through-beam sensor412disposed within the central part of the platform410. In addition, in accordance with the principles and teachings of this fourth embodiment400of the present invention, the flowable product storage canisters, not shown, disposed internally within the housing402are adapted to be heated by any suitable heating components, such as, for example, heating coils placed within the vicinity of the flowable product storage canisters or even integrally embedded within the surrounding walls of the flowable product storage canisters. In this manner, the flowable product is pre-heated, and maintained at a predetermined temperature, prior to its dispensing onto a food item. Lastly, while all of the new and improved embodiments of the touchless flowable product dispensers are provided with electrical power so as to enable the peristaltic pumps, the sensors, and the heating and cooling equipment to operate, an electrical power cord426is actually seen inFIG.4as being electrically connected to the housing402.

With reference now being made toFIG.5, a fifth embodiment of a new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character500. It is to be noted that the fifth embodiment500of the present invention comprises structural components which are similar to structural components present within the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments100,200,300,400of the present invention, and therefore such similar structural components will be provided with reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers noted in connection with the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments100,200,300,400of the present invention, however, they will be within the500series. It is further noted that the description of the fifth embodiment500of the present invention will be directed toward those structural components which are different from the structural components of the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments100,200,300,400of the present invention. More particularly, it is seen that the fifth embodiment500of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser of the present invention is similar to the fourth embodiment400touchless flowable product dispenser400in that it comprises a housing502, and a support platform510, however, in the fifth embodiment500of the touchless flowable product dispenser500there is provided a plurality of aligned, laterally spaced dispensing stations each one of which comprises a through-beam sensor512disposed within the laterally spaced parts of the platform510, as well as a plurality of flowable product output ports, spouts, or nozzles504. In addition, as was the case for the fourth embodiment400of the present invention, the flowable product storage canisters, not shown, disposed internally within the housing502are adapted to be heated by any suitable heating components, such as, for example, heating coils placed within the vicinity of the flowable product storage canisters or even integrally embedded within the surrounding walls of the flowable product storage canisters. Again, in this manner, the flowable product is pre-heated, and maintained at a predetermined temperature, prior to its dispensing onto a food item.

With reference now being made toFIG.6, there is discloU98sed a first embodiment of a typical flowable product storage canister628within which a predetermined amount of a particular flowable product, not shown, is stored for dispensing when a predetermined amount of the flowable product is to be dispensed. More particularly, the touchless flowable product dispenser of the present invention comprises a housing602, which can be similar to any one of the housings102,202,302,402,502previously noted in connection with the description of any one of the first through fifth embodiments, and within the housing602, a peristaltic pump632is fixedly mounted within or upon a suitable housing or mounting bracket633such that a rotor634of the peristaltic pump632can rotate around a horizontally oriented rotary axle636when the peristaltic pump632is actuated. A dispensing valve mechanism or assembly638, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, is mounted upon the bottom of the flowable product storage canister628such that when the flowable product storage canister628is mounted upon the peristaltic pump housing or mounting bracket633, the dispensing valve mechanism638will automatically be moved to its OPEN position so as to permit dispensing of the flowable product out from the flowable product storage canister628when the peristaltic pump632is activated, whereas, to the contrary, when the flowable product storage canister628has been removed from the peristaltic pump housing or mounting bracket633, the dispensing valve mechanism638will automatically be moved to its CLOSED position so as to prevent any leakage of the flowable product out from the flowable product storage canister628. It is also noted that a flexible, compressible tube640has one end fixedly attached to an output port642of the dispensing valve mechanism, while an opposite end of the flexible, compressible tube640is fixedly attached to an inlet end of a flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle604which may be similar to any one of the previously noted flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles104,204,304,504. It is further noted that the flexible, compressible tube640is routed around the outer periphery of the peristaltic pump rotor634. Still further, different flexible, compressible tubes, having for example, different internal diametrical dimensions, can be utilized so as to enable different flowable products, characterized by different viscosities, to flow therethrough without any fluid flow problems. It is of course to be appreciated that the connections for the opposite ends of the different tubes would have to also be changed so as to accommodate the different sized tubes.

As is well known in the art, the rotor of a peristaltic pump, in its simplest form or structure, comprises a rotor having two diametrically opposite sides provided with rollers or cams. As the rotor rotates, the rollers or cams, disposed upon the diametrically opposite sides of the rotor, operatively cooperate with internal peripheral wall portions of the pump housing assembly such that as a first one of the rollers or cams engages and compresses a first section of the flexible, compressible tube, that first roller or cam occludes that first section of the flexible, compressible tube such that flowable product cannot flow beyond that first roller or cam. At the same time, the second, diametrically opposite roller or cam, which has also been occluding a second section of the flexible, compressible tube, is disengaged from the flexible, compressible tube such that flowable product, trapped within that section of the flexible, compressible tube which was interposed between the first and second rollers or cams, is now able to escape from the second section of the flexible, compressible tube such that a precise, predetermined volume of flowable product can in fact be dispensed, it of course being realized that the rollers or cams are constantly rolling along the compressed flexible, compressible tube so as to constantly cause the flowable product to move along the tube. This operation is known as peristalsis whereby precise predetermined volumes of flowable product are dispensed as desired. As can therefore be appreciated, the volume of fluid or flowable product, that is to be dispensed at any one time, is defined by means of the volume of that section of the flexible, compressible which is interposed between the rollers or cams. More particularly, as is illustrated withinFIG.6, the particular rotor634of the present invention is provided with six (6) rollers or cams646which are mounted upon the rotor634in an equiangularly spaced array, although, of course, a different number of rollers or cams646may be utilized for different flow volumes as may be needed or desired.

With reference now being made toFIGS.6-9, the valve mechanism or assembly638will be more explicitly illustrated and described. As can best be seen fromFIG.9, the valve mechanism638is mounted within a valve mounting block648which is fixedly mounted upon the bottom of the flowable product storage canister628as can best be seen inFIG.8. In turn, a flowable product dispensing block650, which includes the flowable product output port642to which one end of the flexible, compressible tube640is to be fixedly attached as was shown inFIG.6, is adapted to be fixedly attached to the upper end of the peristaltic pump housing633as can also be appreciated fromFIG.6.

As can best be appreciated fromFIG.8, the valve mounting block648is adapted to be removably mounted upon or connected to, as well as dismounted or disconnected from, the flowable product dispensing block650by means of a suitable bayonet connection, the male members of the bayonet connection, fixedly mounted upon the valve mounting block648, being shown as radially outwardly projecting, diametrically opposed pins651inFIG.8. The flowable product output port642is seen to be fluidically connected a first bore652defined within the flowable product dispensing block650, wherein the first bore652has a first predetermined diametrical extent. The first bore652, in turn, is fluidically connected to a second bore654which is also defined within the flowable product dispensing block650and is seen to have a diametrical extent which is greater than that of the first bore652, the first and second bores652,654effectively meeting or being smoothly connected or melded to each other by means of an annular shoulder portion656. It is lastly seen that the upper part of the flowable product dispensing block650is provided with a substantially frustoconical bore section658which is adapted to accommodate the lower end portion of the valve mounting block648when the valve mounting block648is fixedly mounted upon the flowable product dispensing block650by means of the aforenoted bayonet connection, and an annular O-ring660is fixedly mounted upon the lower external portion of the valve mounting block648so as to provide a tight seal between the flowable product dispensing block650and the valve mounting block648, when the valve mounting block648is fixedly mounted upon the flowable product dispensing block650, so as to prevent any leakage of the flowable product out from the valve mounting block648and the flowable product dispensing block650.

With reference still being made toFIGS.7-9, the actual flowable product control valve of the valve mechanism or assembly638will now be described. More particularly, it is first seen that the valve mounting block648comprises a lower axial cylindrical bore662and an upper frustoconically shaped bore664fluidically connected to the lower bore662at its lower end and fluidically connected to an outflow aperture or opening666defined within the bottom wall670of the flowable product storage cannister628as can best be appreciated fromFIGS.7and8. The actual flowable product control valve can best be appreciated fromFIG.9and is seen to comprise a first, substantially T-shaped upper member672and a second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674. The first, substantially T-shaped upper member672comprises a transversely oriented upper portion676and an axially extending stem portion678, while the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674comprises a transversely oriented lower portion680and an axially extending stem portion682wherein the upper end of the stem portion682of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674is fixedly embedded within the stem portion678of the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672.

As can be further appreciated, a coiled spring684is coaxially disposed around the axially extending stem portion682of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674such that the upper end of the coiled spring684is engaged with an undersurface portion of the stem portion678of the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672, while a lower end of the coiled spring684is engaged with an axially located upper surface portion of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674. It is of course to be appreciated that both the coiled spring684and the axially extending stem portion682of the lower member674pass through a hole defined within the bottom portion of the valve mounting block648, as can best be appreciated fromFIGS.7and8. It is also to be noted that while the transversely oriented upper portion676of the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672comprises a solid annular disk, the transversely oriented lower portion680of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674actually comprises four equiangularly spaced spokes, arms, or legs686projecting radially outwardly from a central portion688of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674as can best be seen inFIG.8.

Lastly, it is also to be appreciated that the annular periphery690of the transversely oriented upper portion676of the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672has a frustoconical configuration, while the upper internal walls of the valve mounting block648, which define the upper frustoconically shaped bore664, also define a frustoconically shaped valve seat692for the annular periphery690of the transversely oriented upper portion676of the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672. Therefore, as can best be appreciated fromFIG.7, when the flowable product storage canister628is fixedly mounted upon the flowable product dispensing block650as a result of the aforenoted bayonet connection, the four radially outwardly projecting spokes, arms, or legs686of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674will be seated within the annular shoulder portion656defined between the first and second bores652and654such that the axially oriented stem portion682of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674will force the first substantially T-shaped upper member672of the flowable product control valve to move upwardly thereby effectively raising the transversely oriented upper portion676of the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672and its annular peripheral portion690away from the annular valve seat692.

Accordingly, flowable product, stored within the flowable product storage canister628, can now flow into the annular frustoconical bore664, past the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672of the flowable product control valve, through the bore662defined within the valve mounting block648, through a pair of holes694defined within the bottom portion of the valve mounting block648, as best seen inFIG.8, through the bore654defined within the flowable product dispensing block650, past the plurality of radially outwardly projecting spokes, arms, or legs686of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674of the flowable product control valve, into the lower bore652defined within the flowable product dispensing block650, and into the flowable product output port642such that a precise, predetermined amount of the flowable product can be dispensed when the rotor634of the peristaltic pump632is rotated a predeterminedly stepped or incremental amount. To the contrary, when the flowable product storage canister628is disconnected and removed from the flowable product dispensing block650, the coiled spring684will force the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member674of the flowable product control valve to move downwardly so as to, in turn, move the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672of the flowable product control valve downwardly whereby the annular peripheral portion690of the first, substantially T-shaped upper member672will again be seated upon its valve seat692of the valve mounting block648such that flowable product cannot leak out from the flowable product storage canister628.

It is lastly to be noted that the motor drive, not shown, for the peristaltic pump632can be operated in reverse immediately after a particular flowable product dispensing operation or cycle has been completed. The reason for this is that it has been noted that upon completion of a particular dispensing operation or cycle, product may tend to nevertheless drip out from the flowable product dispensing nozzle. The operation of the peristaltic pump drive motor in a reverse mode tends to suck product away from the dispensing nozzle so as to resolve this potential problem. In a similar manner, it is noted that if the flowable product container or cup is removed from the flowable product dispensing station prior to completion of a complete flowable product dispensing cycle or operation, the sensor will transmit a signal to the peristaltic pump to cease its forward movement for dispensing and to immediately reverse movement so as to prevent further flowable product from being dispensed onto the dispensing station since the flowable product container or cup is no longer present at the flowable product dispensing station.

Continuing further, it has also been noted in conjunction with the dispensing of flowable products, that due to the viscosities of some flowable products, as the flowable product exits the axially central portion of the bottom of the flowable product storage canister628, a vortex is effectively created at the exit of the canister628. This vortex, in turn, can cause cavitation to occur at the exit of the canister628whereby the flowable product container628may not be completely evacuated, thereby leaving flowable product within the canister628that could otherwise be dispensed. In order to prevent these occurrences from happening, an evacuation puck can be utilized within the flowable product canister628. One such evacuation puck is disclosed at694inFIGS.6and7. The puck694may simply comprise a flat, sheet metal plate696which is provided with a manipulative handle698fixedly secured to an upper surface portion of the puck694. The puck694is adapted to simply sit atop the flowable product stored within the flowable product storage canister628and thereby exert a predetermined downwardly directed force upon the flowable product so as to prevent the aforenoted vortex and cavitation problems from occurring.

It is noted that the diametrical extent of the puck694is somewhat less than the interior diametrical extent of the flowable product canister628, however, the presence of the evacuation puck694nevertheless serves the desired purpose and achieves the desired result. Alternatively, as disclosed withinFIG.9, a second embodiment of an evacuation puck is shown at700and is seen to comprise a main body portion702which has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and an upper handle portion704which is adapted to be fixedly secured to the lower body portion702by suitable fasteners706. Contrary to the first embodiment puck694, the second embodiment puck has a diametrical extent just slightly smaller than the internal diametrical extent of the flow product storage canister628such that as the supply of the flowable product is gradually depleted or exhausted, the annular peripheral portion708of the evacuation puck700will engage the internal peripheral surface portion of the flowable product canister628and thereby effectively scrape or wipe down the internal peripheral surface portion of the flowable product storage canister628so as to ensure that substantially all of the flowable product, disposed within the flowable product storage canister628, will be evacuated and dispensed.

With reference now being made toFIG.10, a sixth embodiment of a new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character800. It is to be noted that the sixth embodiment800of the present invention comprises structural components which are similar to structural components present within the previous embodiments100,200,300,400,500of the present invention, and therefore such similar structural components will be provided with reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers noted in connection with the previous embodiments100,200,300,400,500of the present invention, however, they will be within the800series. It is further noted that the description of the sixth embodiment800of the present invention will be directed toward those structural components which are different from the structural components of the previous embodiments100,200,300,400,500of the present invention. More particularly, it is noted that flowable products are not always packaged within canisters, but may be alternatively packaged within bags, pouches, or other containers. Accordingly, it is desirable to utilize the principles and teachings of the present invention in connection with containers that may not be canisters. Therefore, as seen withinFIG.10, the sixth embodiment800of the present invention comprises a housing802within which there is disposed a plurality of caddies804. Within each caddy804, there is disposed a bag or pouch, not shown, but which, for the purposes of this disclosure, is similar to the flowable product storage canister628, for containing a flowable product. A suitable flowable product conduit or tube, not shown, is fluidically connected at one end thereof to an outlet port of each bag or pouch, not shown, while the opposite end of such flowable product conduit or tube is fluidically connected to a nipple806. Another flowable product conduit or tube, also not shown, would fluidically connect each nipple806to a peristaltic pump, similar to the peristaltic pump632such that precise predetermined volumes of the flowable product can be dispensed. It is lastly to be understood that the entire touchless flowable product dispensing system is under the control of suitable electronic hardware and software.

With reference lastly being made toFIG.11, a seventh embodiment of a new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character900. It is to be noted that the seventh embodiment900of the present invention comprises structural components which are similar to structural components present within the previous embodiments100,200,300,400,500,800of the present invention, and therefore such similar structural components will be provided with reference numbers corresponding to the reference numbers noted in connection with the previous embodiments100,200,300,400,500,800of the present invention, however, they will be within the900series. It is further noted that the description of the seventh embodiment900of the present invention will be directed toward those structural components which are different from the structural components of the previous embodiments100,200,300,400,500,800of the present invention.

More particularly, it is seen that in accordance with the seventh embodiment900of the present invention, the dispenser or dispensing system900comprises a housing902, a flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle904, a horizontally oriented bracket906which is provided with a centrally located arcuately-configured cut-out section908which is adapted to accommodate a suitably sized cup or similar container909into which a precisely metered supply of the flowable product can be dispensed from the flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle904, and a horizontally oriented support platform910. A user interface is disclosed at911, and a pushbutton activator is disclosed at913. The pushbutton activator913is operatively connected to the peristaltic dispensing pump disposed internally within the housing902, but not visible, whereupon depression of pushbutton activator913causes the peristaltic pump to be actuated. As has been previously noted, the peristaltic pump may be repetitively actuated byrepeatedly depressing the pushbutton activator913so as to sequentially discharge or dispense precisely predetermined amounts of food product, or still yet further, the pushbutton mechanism or activator913may be continuously activated by exerting a push or depression force upon the pushbutton mechanism or activator913such that the peristaltic pump will continuously dispense or discharge the food product until the push force, exerted upon the pushbutton mechanism, is removed.

Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.