U.S. patent application number 10/661459 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for temperature controlled frozen food dispenser.
Invention is credited to Hammer, Donald J., Koerner, Bruce H., Schmoll, Jeremy A..
Application Number | 20050051232 10/661459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34227072 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050051232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schmoll, Jeremy A. ; et
al. |
March 10, 2005 |
Temperature controlled frozen food dispenser
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing food articles to a food article
receiving container that includes a hopper that defines a primary
food article storage location configured to hold the food articles,
and an accumulator that defines a secondary food article storage
location and is positioned adjacent to the primary food article
storage location so as to receive food articles held in the primary
storage location. The food article receiving container is
positioned generally beneath the accumulator so that food articles
moving from the accumulator food article storage location land in
the food article receiving container. The apparatus also includes a
cooling device and a substantially air-tight seal in order to
maintain a predetermined temperature range in the primary food
article storage location and the accumulator food article storage
location. The apparatus may also include a load/weight
sensing/measuring assembly in place of or in addition to the
cooling device. The load/weight sensing/measuring assembly is
configured to weigh the food articles in the primary food article
location and generate a weighed signal.
Inventors: |
Schmoll, Jeremy A.; (Pine
Island, MN) ; Koerner, Bruce H.; (Red Wing, MN)
; Hammer, Donald J.; (Red Wing, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Merchant & Gould P.C.
P.O. Box 2903
Minneapolis
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
34227072 |
Appl. No.: |
10/661459 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 9/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/083 |
International
Class: |
B65B 001/30 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus for dispensing food articles to a food article
receiving container, comprising: a first hopper defining a first
primary food article storage location configured to hold the food
articles; a first accumulator defining a first accumulator food
article storage location positioned adjacent to the first hopper so
as to receive food articles held in the first primary storage
location, wherein the food articles move from the first accumulator
food article storage location to the food article receiving
container, the food article receiving container being located
generally beneath the first accumulator; and a cooling device
configured to maintain a predetermined temperature range in the
first primary food article storage location.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a load/weight
sensing/measuring assembly configured to weigh the food articles in
the first primary food article location and generate a weighed
signal.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the load/weight
sensing/measuring assembly determines the weight of the food
articles moving from the first primary food article storage
location to the first accumulator food article storage location by
continuously weighing the food articles in the primary food article
location as the food articles are being dispensed out of the first
primary food article storage location.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable,
reversible drum for controllably transferring the food articles
from the first primary food article storage location to the first
accumulator food article storage location in response to a first
control signal.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an accumulator door
for controllably dispensing the food articles from the first
accumulator food article storage location to the food article
receiving container in response to a second control signal.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a controller for
receiving a dispense signal and generating the first control signal
for the reversible drum and the second control signal for the
accumulator door.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the dispense signal is
generated when the food article receiving container is aligned in a
loading position beneath the accumulator.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second hopper
defining a second primary food article storage location configured
to hold the food articles, and a second accumulator defining a
second accumulator food article storage location positioned
adjacent to the second hopper so as to receive food articles held
in the second primary storage location, wherein the food articles
move from the second accumulator food article storage location to
the food article receiving container, the food article receiving
container being located generally beneath the second
accumulator.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is further
configured to maintain the predetermined temperature range in the
first accumulator food article storage location.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the predetermined temperature
range is about 0.degree. F. to about 10.degree. F.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the predetermined temperature
range is less than about 20.degree. F.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the predetermined temperature
range is controlled to be maintained at a set point
temperature.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is a
coldwall evaporator.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a freezer cabinet
defining a cavity that is configured to house the first accumulator
and the first hopper, wherein the cooling device maintains a
predetermined temperature in the freezer cabinet cavity.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cavity includes an
aperture through an exterior wall of the freezer cabinet and the
first accumulator extends through the aperture, the aperture being
sized and configured to mate with the first accumulator to provide
a substantially air-tight seal with the first accumulator.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first accumulator
includes an accumulator housing that defines the first accumulator
food article storage location, and an accumulator door that is
rotatable between an open position and a closed position.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first accumulator
provides a substantially air-tight seal between an outer surface of
the accumulator housing and an aperture formed in an exterior wall
of the freezer cabinet, and provides a substantially air-tight seal
between an inner surface of the accumulator housing and the
accumulator door when the accumulator door is in the closed
position.
18. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cooling device is further
configured to maintain the predetermined temperature range in the
second primary food article storage location and the second
accumulator food article storage location.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the freezer cabinet cavity
is configured to further house the second primary food article
storage location and the second accumulator food article storage
location.
20. An apparatus for dispensing food articles to a food article
receiving container, comprising: a first hopper defining a first
primary food article storage location configured to hold the food
articles; a first accumulator defining a first accumulator food
article storage location positioned adjacent to the first hopper so
as to receive food articles held in the first primary storage
location, wherein the food articles move from the first accumulator
food article storage location to the food article receiving
container, the food article receiving container being located
generally beneath the first accumulator; and a load/weight
sensing/measuring assembly configured to weigh the food articles in
the first primary food article location and generate a weighed
signal.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the load/weight
sensing/measuring assembly determines the weight of the food
articles moving from the first primary food article storage
location to the first accumulator food article storage location by
continuously weighing the food articles in the first primary food
article storage location.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a second hopper
defining a second primary food article storage location configured
to hold the food articles, and a second accumulator defining a
second accumulator food article storage location positioned
adjacent to the second hopper so as to receive food articles held
in the second primary storage location, wherein the food articles
move from the second accumulator food article storage location to
the food article receiving container, the food article receiving
container being located generally beneath the second
accumulator.
23. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a mounting plate
assembly and a hopper support assembly supported by the mounting
plate assembly and configured to support the first hopper.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the hopper support assembly
includes a load cell configured to determine the total weight of
the food articles in the first primary food article storage
location.
25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the mounting plate assembly
includes a vertical support and a mounting bracket secured to the
vertical support and movable vertically relative to the vertical
support, and the hopper support assembly is supported by the
mounting bracket.
26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the hopper support assembly
is vertically movable relative to the mounting plate assembly, and
the load cell is positioned between the mounting plate assembly and
the hopper support assembly.
27. A method of dispensing food articles from a food dispensing
unit to a food article receiving container, the dispensing unit
including a primary food article storage location, an accumulator
food article storage location having an accumulator door, and a
weighing device, the method comprising the steps of: loading the
articles into the primary food article storage location; weighing
the food articles in the primary food article storage location;
moving food articles from the primary food article storage location
to the accumulator food article storage location; determining the
weight of the moved food articles by calculating a difference
between the weight of the food articles in the primary food article
storage location before and after the food articles are moved into
the accumulator food article storage location; and opening the
accumulator door to dispense the food articles from the accumulator
food article storage location to the food article receiving
container.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the opening step occurs after a
target weight is reached and the food article receiving container
is positioned beneath the accumulator food article storage
location.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the accumulator food article
storage location is defined by an accumulator housing, and the
method further includes the step of forming a substantially
air-tight seal between the accumulator door and the accumulator
housing when the accumulator door is in a closed position.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the determining step includes
continuous calculation of the difference in weight.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein the moving step includes
rotating a drum positioned within the primary food article storage
location.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the dispensing unit further
includes a hopper that defines the primary food article storage
location, a hopper support assembly that supports the hopper, a
load cell, and a cabinet that houses the hopper, hopper support
assembly and load cell, and the weighing step includes determining
the change in mass of the food articles within the primary food
article storage location.
33. A method of dispensing food articles from a food dispensing
unit to a food article receiving container, the dispensing unit
including a primary food article storage location, an accumulator
article storage location having an accumulator door positioned
therein, and a cooling device, the method comprising the steps of:
loading the articles into the primary food article storage
location; maintaining a predetermined temperature range in the
primary food article storage location with the cooling device;
moving food articles from the primary food article storage location
to the accumulator food article storage location; and opening the
accumulator door to dispense the food articles from the accumulator
food article storage location to the food article receiving
container.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the dispensing unit further
includes a freezer cabinet that houses the primary food article
storage location and the accumulator food article storage location,
and the maintaining step includes maintaining the predetermined
temperature range in the freezer cabinet.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the predetermined temperature
range is about 0.degree. F. to about 10.degree. F.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein the opening step includes
pivoting the accumulator door between a closed position and an open
position.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein the maintaining step further
includes providing a substantially air-tight seal between the
accumulator door and the freezer cabinet.
38. An apparatus for dispensing food articles to a food article
receiving container, comprising: a hopper configured to hold the
food articles; an accumulator positioned adjacent to the hopper;
and a cooling device configured to maintain a predetermined
temperature range in the hopper and the accumulator; whereby the
food articles are moved from the hopper to the accumulator storage
location, and from the accumulator storage location to the food
article receiving container.
39. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising a weighing device
configured to determine the weight of food articles in the
hopper.
40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the load cell is further
configured to determine the amount of food articles moved from the
hopper to the accumulator by continuously monitoring the weight of
food articles remaining in the hopper.
41. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising first and second
hoppers and first and second accumulators, and each hopper is
configured to hold a different type of food article.
42. An apparatus for dispensing food articles to a food article
receiving container, comprising: a hopper configured to hold the
food articles; an accumulator positioned adjacent to the hopper and
configured to receive food articles from the hopper and move the
received food articles to the food article receiving container; and
a weighing device configured to determine the weight of food
articles held in the hopper and the weight of food articles moved
from the hopper to the accumulator.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the weighing device includes
portions of a hopper support assembly and portions of a mounting
plate assembly.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising first and second
hoppers and first and second accumulators, and each hopper is
configured to hold a different type of food article.
45. An apparatus for dispensing food articles to a food article
receiving container, comprising: a cabinet including a plurality of
panels that define a substantially air-tight internal cavity and
including an accumulator aperture formed in a bottom panel of the
cabinet providing access to the internal cavity of the cabinet; a
hopper positioned in the internal cavity of the cabinet and
configured to hold the food articles; an accumulator at least
partially positioned in the internal cavity of the cabinet at a
location adjacent the hopper to receive food articles from the
hopper and move the received food articles through the accumulator
aperture to the food article receiving container, the accumulator
being aligned with the accumulator aperture and configured to
provide a substantially air-tight seal between the interior cavity
of the cabinet and air outside the cabinet.
46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the substantially air-tight
seal is provided by a substantially air-tight fit between an outer
surface of the accumulator and that portion of the bottom panel
defining the accumulator aperture.
47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the substantially air-tight
seal is provided by a substantially air-tight fit between an inner
surface of the accumulator and an accumulator door positioned
within the accumulator.
48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of the cabinet
panels defines an access door that is movable between an open
position in which the hopper is accessible for filling the hopper
with food articles, and a closed position in which the access door
forms an air-tight seal with the remaining cabinet panels.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to dispensing; more
particularly to dispensing food items; and more particularly still
to a temperature controlled dispensing unit for dispensing frozen
food items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Frozen french fry dispensers are known in the art. An
example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,498 issued to Cahlander
et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,847 issued to Cahlander et al; and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,191,918 issued to Cahlander et al. Each of the foregoing
patents discloses a french fry dispenser that includes a main
storage bin, a device for moving the fries from the main storage
bin into a secondary location, a structure for holding the fries in
the secondary location, and a complex apparatus for moving empty
cooking baskets into position under the secondary storage
location.
[0003] While the disclosed food dispenser in the Cahlander patents
automates the process of dispensing frozen articles and has been
successful in the marketplace, there are several areas in which the
food dispenser may be improved. First, the complex apparatus used
for automatically moving the plurality of baskets into position
under the secondary position is often not needed and/or desired by
the end-user. Further, in such instances, providing such a device
introduces unnecessarily complex and expensive equipment into the
dispenser.
[0004] Second, the manner in which the disclosed apparatus
determines the weight of the articles to dispense does not provide
highly accurate results (e.g., dispensing by time and by volume may
be non-linear based in part upon the articles dispensed). To solve
the problem, a load cell is often used to accurately measure the
weight of the articles. However, such a load cell can be an
expensive piece of equipment that adds more expense into the food
dispenser apparatus. Furthermore, there is no accurate way of
determining the amount of product left in the main storage bin.
Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive and accurate
load/weight measuring device.
[0005] Third, the device for moving the fries from the main storage
bin into the secondary location can become clogged by large clumps
of fries, thus causing breakage of the fries. Further, in some
instances, articles that have different characteristics from fries
are desired to be dispensed. Accordingly, a controllable device is
needed to resolve this problem.
[0006] Fourth, the manner in which the disclosed apparatus
dispenses does not have an efficient dispensing rate for various
types of food products or articles. More specifically, the
dispensing rate is either too fast, which causes difficulty in
stopping at an accurate weight, or too slow, which extends to an
unreasonable time for many applications, such as the fast food
industry. A fundamental problem when rapidly dispensing a dense
product or product with a large weight per particle is that the
product cannot be stopped at an accurate weight, for example, due
to the weight of product in flight (i.e., the weight of the product
that has not reached the weighing mechanism but that has been
dispensed). Thus, there is a need to dispense the product at an
appropriate rate, e.g. at a rate which reacts to the approaching
target weight. Another associated problem is that if the
load/weight sensing/measuring assembly operates at a rate
appropriate to a denser product, a weighing cycle may be extended
to an unreasonable time (e.g., four to six times the cycle for a
heavier product). Thus, there is a need for a controllable weighing
mechanism to provide an appropriate dispensing rate based on the
weight of articles dispensed.
[0007] Fifth, it is often desired to limit the defrosting/thawing
of the frozen articles or to maintain the frozen articles at a
predetermined temperature. In many cases, however, the frozen
articles to be dispensed from the disclosed apparatus are easily
defrosted or thawed, especially when the dispenser is near the
cooking area. Accordingly, there is a need for an air restricting
mechanism implemented in the apparatus to help slow the
defrosting/thawing of the frozen articles. Furthermore, there is a
need for an apparatus that controls the temperature of the frozen
articles.
[0008] Sixth, the disclosed Cahlander apparatus is adapted for
dispensing frozen fries. The disclosed apparatus is not configured
and arranged to dispense other articles, such as onion rings,
different sized frozen fries, or protein products such as chicken
tenders, drummies, etc. Therefore, there is a need for an improved
dispenser apparatus that is configured and arranged to dispense a
variety of food products or articles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention generally relates to a food dispensing
apparatus and method that maintains food articles within a
predetermined temperature range prior to dispensing of the food
articles. One aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for
dispensing food articles to a food article receiving container that
includes a hopper that defines a primary food article storage
location configured to hold the food articles, and an accumulator
that defines an secondary food article storage location (which may
be referred to throughout the specification and claims as an
"accumulator food article storage location") and is positioned
adjacent to the primary food article storage location so as to
receive food articles held in the primary storage location. The
food article receiving container is positioned generally beneath
the accumulator so that food articles moving from the accumulator
food article storage location land in the food article receiving
container. The apparatus also includes a cooling device configured
to maintain a predetermined temperature range in the primary food
article storage location and the accumulator food article storage
location. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a
load/weight sensing/measuring assembly in place of or in addition
to the cooling device. The load/weight sensing/measuring assembly
is configured to weigh the food articles located in the primary
food article location and generate a weighed signal.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of
dispensing food articles from a food storage device to a food
article receiving container. The device includes a primary food
article storage location, an accumulator food article storage
location having an accumulator door, a weighing device, and a
cooling device. The method may include the steps of loading the
articles into the primary food article storage location, weighing
the food articles in the primary food article storage location,
moving food articles from the primary food article storage location
to the accumulator food article storage location, determining the
weight of the moved food articles by calculating a difference
between the weight of the food articles in the primary food article
storage location before and after the food articles are moved into
the accumulator food article storage location, and opening the
accumulator door to dispense the food articles from the accumulator
food article storage location to the food article receiving
container.
[0011] A yet further aspect of the invention relates to a method of
dispensing food articles from a food storage device to a food
article receiving container, the device including a primary food
article storage location, an accumulator article storage location
having an accumulator door, and a cooling device. The steps of the
method may include loading the articles into the primary food
article storage location, maintaining a predetermined temperature
range in the primary food article storage location with the cooling
device, moving food articles from the primary food article storage
location to the accumulator food article storage location, and
opening the accumulator door to dispense the food articles from the
accumulator food article storage location to the food article
receiving container.
[0012] A still further aspect of the invention relates to an
apparatus for dispensing food articles to a food article receiving
container that includes a hopper configured to hold the food
articles, an accumulator positioned adjacent to the hopper, and a
cooling device configured to maintain a predetermined temperature
range in the hopper and the accumulator. The food articles held in
the hopper are moved from the hopper to the accumulator storage
location, and from the accumulator storage location to the food
article receiving container.
[0013] A further aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus
for dispensing food articles to a food article receiving container
that includes a hopper configured to hold the food articles, an
accumulator positioned adjacent to the hopper and configured to
receive food articles from the hopper and move the received food
articles to the food article receiving container, and a weighing
device configured to determine the weight of food articles held in
the hopper and the weight of food articles moved from the hopper to
the accumulator.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for
dispensing food articles to a food article receiving container that
includes a cabinet, a hopper and an accumulator. The cabinet
includes a plurality of panels that define an internal cavity and
includes an accumulator aperture formed in a bottom panel of the
cabinet to provide access to air outside the cabinet. The hopper is
configured to hold the food articles and is positioned in the
cabinet. The accumulator is positioned in the cabinet vertically
below the hopper to receive food articles from the hopper and
configured to move the received food articles to the food article
receiving container. The accumulator is aligned with the
accumulator aperture and further configured to provide a
substantially air-tight seal between an interior of the freezer
cabinet and air outside the freezer cabinet.
[0015] These and various other advantages and features which
characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in
the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a
better understanding of the invention, its advantages and
objectives obtained by its use, reference should be had to the
drawings which form a further part hereof and to the accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a
preferred embodiment to the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals represent
like parts throughout the several views:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one example food
dispensing apparatus according to principles of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the food dispensing
apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the front and top covers
removed;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the
dispensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the food dispensing
apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the right side hopper
assembly also removed;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the food dispensing
apparatus shown in FIG. 4 with the right side accumulator assembly
also removed;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the food dispensing
apparatus shown in FIG. 5 with the cover panel also removed;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the food dispensing
apparatus shown in FIG. 6 with the right side hopper support
assembly also removed;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the mounting plate
assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the right side linear rail,
solenoid and fan exploded from the rest of the assembly;
[0025] FIG. 9 is an exploded front perspective view of the hopper
support assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0026] FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the hopper
support assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0027] FIG. 11 is an exploded front perspective view of the
accumulator assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 12 is an exploded rear perspective view of the
accumulator assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 13 is an exploded top perspective view of the left side
hopper assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a side view of the right and left side hopper
assemblies shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; and
[0031] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the hopper assemblies
shown in FIG. 14 taken along cross-sectional indicators 15-15,
illustrating the left side accumulator door in an open position and
the right side accumulator door in a closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] The present invention provides for a method and apparatus
for dispensing food articles and controlling the temperature of the
food articles held in the apparatus. The invention also provides
for a method and apparatus for weighing the food articles held in
the apparatus and controlling the amount of food articles dispensed
based on the weighed amount of food articles.
[0033] The food article receiving container that receives dispensed
food articles may include, for example, a basket, tray, a cooking
sheet, or other kitchen utensil/container that is suitable for
receiving the dispensed food articles. For ease in describing the
invention, the food article receiving container will be referred to
throughout the specification and some of the claims as a "basket".
The hopper defines a "primary food article storage location" which
may be referred to throughout the specification and claims as a
"hopper food article storage location." The accumulator defines an
"secondary food article storage location" which may be referred to
throughout the specification and claims as an "accumulator food
article storage location."
[0034] In the following description of the exemplary embodiment,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific
embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized when structural
and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0035] An example food-dispensing unit 10 incorporating principles
of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The food dispenser 10 includes
a freezer cabinet 12 and a lower frame structure 14. Freezer
cabinet 12 includes a top door 16 that is movable from the closed
position show in FIG. 1 to an open position in which it slides into
first and second brackets 18, 19 (see FIG. 3). Freezer cabinet 12
also includes a front door 20 and an operator control panel 22, and
includes a plurality of panels (not labeled) that together with the
top door 16 and front door 20 define a freezer cavity 24 (see FIGS.
2 and 3). Freezer cavity 24 can be maintained at a predetermined
temperature range for the purpose of maintaining a predetermined
temperature range of the food articles stored within freezer
cabinet 12.
[0036] Lower frame structure 14 includes first and second side
basket trays 30, 32, that support at least first and second baskets
34, 36 on each tray 30, 32. The position of a basket on one of
trays 30, 32 may be determined by a position sensor 38 (see FIGS.
1-3; a separate sensor being associated with tray 32, but not shown
in any of the Figures) that senses when a basket is in the fill
position beneath one of the accumulators. When basket 34 is removed
from tray 32, basket 36 may slide into the fill position
automatically and sensor 38 detects the basket 36 in the fill
position ready for filling with food articles.
[0037] Baskets 34, 36 may be filled either manually or
automatically with food articles through the use of operator
control panel 22. For example, food dispenser 10 may be programmed
through a controller (not shown) that is operated by operator
control panel 22 to automatically fill a basket with food articles
as soon as sensor 38 indicates that the basket is in a loading
position.
[0038] Lower frame structure may further include a lower front
panel 42 that provides access to a refrigeration unit (not shown)
and electrical systems (not shown) of food dispenser 10. Panel 42
may include vents or louvers as shown in FIG. 1 to permit free flow
of air to the refrigeration unit.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, food dispenser 10 further
includes a mounting plate assembly 50, first and second hopper
support assemblies 70, 72, first and second accumulator assemblies
90, 92, first and second hopper assemblies 120, 122, and a cover
panel 140. These assemblies will be discussed below in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 8-15. Assemblies 50, 70, 72, 90, 92,
120, 122 and panel 140 are positioned within freezer cabinet 12 and
are arranged and configured to dispense food articles stored in
freezer cabinet 12 through right and left side cabinet openings 26,
28 into baskets (such as baskets 34, 36) that are supported by
lower frame structure 14. Each of the first assemblies 70, 90, 120
cooperate with mounting plate assembly 50 to dispense food articles
on the right side of food dispenser 10, while second assemblies 72,
92, 122 cooperate with mounting plate 50 to dispense food articles
in the left side of food dispenser 10. Because the assemblies are
separated from each other on the right and left sides of food
dispenser 10, each set of assemblies may be used to dispense
different types of food articles, such as, for example, vegetables
like french fries and protein products like chicken tenders.
[0040] Food dispenser 10 controls the amount of food articles
dispensed using a negative weighing system, as opposed to a
positive weighing system common in known food dispensing units.
Known positive weighing systems control the amount of food articles
dispensed by weighing the accumulator assembly and continuously
monitoring the weight of the accumulator assembly as it is filled
with food articles from the hopper assembly until a desired weight
is attained. This type of weighing system has some drawbacks as
discussed above in the background section of this document. Two
primary drawbacks of known weighing systems for food dispensers are
that first, the amount of food articles remaining in the hopper
assembly is undetermined or must be determined using a separate
weighing system, and second, there is decreased weighing accuracy
due to "in flight" food articles and the need for calibration of
the weighing system. The weighing system of the present invention
addresses these drawbacks by continuously monitoring the weight of
the food articles remaining in the hopper assembly and eliminating
the need to account for "in flight" food articles and to calibrate
the weighing system.
[0041] Another significant drawback of known food dispensing units
is that they are not refrigerated and therefore cannot reliably
maintain a predetermined temperature (or temperature range) of the
stored food articles. Although known food-dispensing units may
include insulated cabinets, hoppers, accumulators, and other
features, as well as control the flow of room temperature air into
the insulated areas where the food articles are stored, known food
dispensers cannot prevent the stored food articles from undergoing
at least a partial thaw prior to being dispensed to a basket.
[0042] The food dispenser of the present invention includes a
refrigeration unit that actively cools the cavity in which the
hopper and accumulator assemblies are stored. When dealing with
frozen food articles, the food dispensing unit of the present
invention preferably maintains a target temperature within the
freezer cavity of less than 20.degree. F., and more preferably a
target temperature between about 0.degree. to 10.degree. F. In
other applications that require only refrigeration of the food
articles rather than freezing of the food articles, the
refrigerated cavity may be maintained at a target temperature of
less than 60.degree. F. and preferably a temperature range between
about 30.degree. to 50.degree. F. A "predetermined temperature
range" is broadly defined as including a specified temperature
range, such as 0.degree. to 10.degree. F., or may be temperature
range controlled to be maintained at a set point temperature, such
as 20.degree. F. A set point (or target) temperature may include a
range of temperature degrees above and/or below the set point
temperature, for example, 20.degree. F. .+-.1.degree. F. Using a
temperature range may be preferable in many embodiments in order to
improve efficiency of the cooling device, for example, by reducing
the number of cycles of the cooling device.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, the positional relationship
between various assemblies of food dispensing unit 10 are shown in
greater detail. FIG. 4 illustrates food dispenser 10 with the first
hopper 120 removed. FIG. 5 illustrates food dispenser 10 with first
accumulator assembly 90 also removed, and further illustrates right
side cabinet opening 26. FIG. 6 illustrates dispensing unit with
cover panel 140 also removed. FIG. 7 illustrates food dispenser 10
with the first hopper support assembly 70 also removed. Removal of
assembly 50, 70, 72, 90, 92, 120, 122 can be done with relative
ease to facilitate, for example, cleaning and repair of food
dispenser 10. The separate nature of assemblies 70, 72, 90, 92,
120, 122 make it possible to remove and replace these assemblies on
one side of food dispenser 10 without having to remove the
assemblies on the opposite side of food dispenser 10, thus further
promoting accessibility, cleaning and repair of those
assemblies.
[0044] A particular advantage of food dispenser 10 is that it
includes two hopper assemblies with associated accumulator and
hopper support assemblies. Known food-dispensing units typically
include a single hopper assembly so that only a single type of food
article can be dispensed at a time. As a result, there would
typically be a need for separate food dispensing units for each
individual type or shape of food; for example, one food dispenser
dedicated to vegetable products and a separate food dispenser for
all protein products. Because some types of food require more
regular cleaning and sanitation of the food dispenser, require
storage at a specific temperature (or within a specific temperature
range), or must be dispensed at a certain rate or a certain
quantity, known food dispensers are often specialized for a certain
type of food. The food dispenser of the present invention has the
added versatility of dispensing at least two different food items
using a single food-dispensing unit. For example, first hopper
assembly 120 may be used for dispensing a protein-based product of
a specific size and density while second hopper assembly 122 may be
used for dispensing a vegetable product such as french fries.
Because hopper assemblies 120, 122 are separate and distinct from
each other and are individually programmable and removable from
freezer cabinet 12, each hopper assembly may be cleaned, repaired
or otherwise maintained and programmed separately from the other
hopper assembly.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 8, mounting plate assembly 50 may
include a mounting plate 52, first and second linear rails 58, 60
with associated rail support blocks 59, 61, first and second
mounting brackets 54, 56, first and second solenoids 62, 64, and a
fan unit 66. Mounting brackets 54, 56 are configured to support
first and second hopper support assemblies 70, 72 and are
maintained in a pre-determined vertical position relative to
support blocks 59, 61 that are free to move vertically on linear
rails 58, 60. Solenoids 62, 64 are used to actuate the accumulator
assemblies 90, 92, and fan unit 66 may be used to create air
movement within the cabinet. In other example embodiments, mounting
plate assembly 50 may have different configurations such as, for
example, the first and second linear rails being integrated as a
single rail supported by a single support bracket, or multiple
linear rails and support brackets may be used to support each of
the hopper support assemblies.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, hopper support assembly 70
includes load cell brackets 74, 75, a load cell 76 positioned
between brackets 74, 75, a hopper support 78, a drum motor shaft
80, a drum motor 82, a drum motor bracket 84 that supports the
shaft 80 and motor 82, a drum shaft aperture 86 formed in the
hopper support 78, and a drum shaft bushing 88 sized to fit within
aperture 86. Hopper support assembly 70 is symmetrical about a
vertical centerline (not shown) so that it can be used on either
the right or left side of cabinet 12. In other embodiments, hopper
support assembly 70 may be asymmetrical and configured for use on a
single side of cabinet 12.
[0047] When the entire food dispenser 10 is assembled together, the
upper load cell bracket 74 is mounted to hopper support 78, which
is supported by one of vertically movable supports 59, 61, while
lower load cell bracket 75 is supported in a stationary position on
a bottom portion of mounted plate assembly 50 (see the side view of
FIG. 14). With the load cell secured to both the movable upper load
cell bracket 74 and the fixed lower load cell brackets 75, the load
cell 76 can measure the change in mass due to changes in the amount
of product in the hopper.
[0048] Referring now to the front and rear perspective views of
FIGS. 11 and 12, an accumulator assembly 90 includes an accumulator
housing 94 that defines an accumulator food article storage
location 98, and an accumulator door 96 sized to fit within housing
94. Front and rear ends 100, 102 of housing 94 include front and
rear apertures 104, 106 that pivotally engage portions of
accumulator door 96. The accumulator may be symmetrical about a
vertical plane (not shown) extending between apertures 104, 106 so
that the accumulator assembly 90 can be used in either side of the
cabinet 12 to receive food articles from either hopper assembly
120, 122.
[0049] Door 96 is rotatable within accumulator housing 94 between
an open position 108 (see FIG. 15) and a closed position 110 (see
FIG. 15). When door 96 is in the closed position 110, a
substantially air tight seal is formed between the door 96 and an
interior surface of accumulator housing 94, and a substantially air
tight seal is formed between an outside surface of accumulator
housing 94 and that portion of freezer cabinet 12 that define
cabinet openings 26, 28 in order to prevent outside air from
entering into freezer cabinet 12. These substantially airtight
seals facilitate maintenance of a predetermined temperature range
within the freezer cabinet.
[0050] Typically, the accumulator assemblies are removed from
cabinet 12 (when food dispenser 10 is being cleaned or repaired),
which would allow outside air to enter through openings 26, 28.
Furthermore, the only time that accumulator door 96 is moved into
the open position 108 (using solenoid 62 or 64) is when the
accumulator assembly is dispensing food articles into a basket.
After the dispensing of the food articles is complete, the
accumulator door preferably immediately returns to the closed
position 110 (using solenoid 62 or 64) to prevent cool air from
exiting cabinet 12 and prevent warm air from entering into cabinet
12.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 13, the hopper assembly 122 is shown
in an exploded perspective view, and includes a hopper 124 that
defines a primary food article storage location 126, a rotatable
drum 128, a hopper lid 130, and a diverter 132. Hopper assembly 122
may be a mirror image of hopper assembly 120.
[0052] As shown in further detail in the cross sectional view of
FIG. 15, drum 128 is mounted to the drum motor shaft 80 of hopper
support assembly 72. Diverter 132 is positioned adjacent to drum
128 to create a specified gap with the drum 128 that allows, when
the drum 128 turns, food articles to flow with the drum, but stops
the flow of food articles when the drum 128 stops turning. As food
articles move past diverter 132, they pass directly into
accumulator 92. Unless accumulator door 96 is in the closed
position 110, the food articles will move through the accumulator
and into a basket positioned below the accumulator 92. Preferably,
the accumulator door 96 is maintained in the closed position 110
until a predetermined amount of food articles is moved from hopper
124 via rotation of drum 128 into accumulator housing 94. Food
articles are then maintained in the accumulator housing 94 until a
basket is positioned in the loading position (which is either
automatically or manually determined using, for example, sensor
38), at which time the accumulator door 96 is rotated into the open
position 108 and the desired amount of food articles fill the
basket.
[0053] As discussed above, the amount of food articles passed from
hopper 124 into accumulator housing 94 is determined based on
change in total weight of food articles within hopper 124. By using
a continuous weighing method, rotation of the drum 128 can be
controlled with precision so as to pass an accurate amount of food
articles into the accumulator housing 94. This type of negative
weighing also provides for an accurate assessment of the amount of
food articles left within hopper 124. An empty signal may be
initiated when the hopper reaches a certain empty level.
[0054] Although load cell 76 is the primary weight measuring
feature of food dispenser 10, there are other features that
together with load cell 76 define a load/weight sensing/measuring
assembly that measures the change of weight of the food articles in
food dispenser 10. The load/weight sensing/measuring assembly
includes at least the features of mounting plate assembly 50 and
hopper support assembly 70. Various sensors (not shown) that are
controlled by a controller (not shown, but stored in lower frame
structure 14) may be associated with the load/weight
sensing/measuring assembly to indicate when targeted weights have
been attained. For example, a sensor may be used to send a weighed
signal to a controller, and the controller generates a signal at
operator control panel 22 when a target weight for food articles
dispensed into the accumulator 90, 92 has been reached. Based on
the weighed signal and the predetermined parameters, the controller
may send a control signal to drum motor 82, 84 for operation of
drum motor 82 in specific directions, for a specified period of
time, and at a specified rate. Once the desired weight is reached,
the controller then determines whether a manual dispensing request
(for example, via operator control panel 22) or an automatic
dispensing request (for example, via a pre-programmed operation of
the controller) is made. If the request is made, the controller
sends a control signal to an accumulator solenoid 62, 64 to open
the accumulator door 96.
[0055] The various features described herein can be made from
different materials depending on the purpose of that feature and
whether that feature is exposed to food articles. For example, most
of the features that are in direct contact with food articles, such
as the hopper and accumulator housing, are made from a sterile,
easy to clean material such as a polymer-based material. Some
polymer-based materials also act as an insulator to help maintain
the predetermined temperature range within freezer cabinet 12. For
example, accumulator housing 94 may extend out of freezer cabinet
12 in the direction of the baskets supported by lower frame
structure 14. Some types of materials with high heat conduction may
transfer the heat absorbed from the outside air into the freezer
cabinet or to the food articles held by the accumulator housing. In
contrast, materials with high insulating properties and low heat
conduction help create a temperature barrier between the outside
and inside of the freezer cabinet 12 via the accumulator
housing.
[0056] Other features of the food dispenser 10 may be made of
metals and metal alloys such as stainless steel that are corrosion
resistant and easy to clean, while some features that are not
exposed to food articles, such as the mounting plate assembly and
some features of the hopper support assembly, can be made of any
suitable material in order to perform their intended function.
[0057] Although the illustrated embodiment includes two separate
hoppers, other embodiments may include only a single hopper
assembly with an associated accumulator assembly and hopper support
assembly rather than having two such sets of assemblies. Such a
single hopper assembly configuration would still possess the
advantages described above related to a negative weighing system
and temperature control. In yet further embodiments, the
food-dispensing unit may include three or more hoppers positioned
within a freezer cabinet that possessing the advantages described
above. In yet further examples, the food dispenser examples
disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with an automated
basket system such as the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,125,894, or with a system that adjusts for various densities of
food articles as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,573, which
references are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
[0058] The controller (not shown) of the food dispenser 10 is
stored in the lower frame structure 14 and may be used to control
several features of the food dispenser either automatically or
through the operator control panel 22. The controller may include
memory and a microprocessor for preprogramming of the food
dispenser for certain types and sizes of food articles. The
controller may (for example, using the operator control panel 22)
control the temperature within the freezer cabinet, provide signals
when the amount of food articles in the hopper reaches a certain
level, or automatically dispense food when a basket is brought into
a load position. Many other control functionality options may be
possible with the controller and the operator control panel 22
within the scope of the present invention.
[0059] While a particular embodiment of the invention has been
described with respect to its application for dispensing articles,
such as frozen french fries, onion rings, and protein products such
as chicken tenders, etc., it will be understood by those of skill
in the art that the invention is not limited by such application or
embodiment for the particular components disclosed and described
herein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
other configurations that embody the principles of this invention
and other applications therefore can be configured within the
spirit and intent of this invention. The example configurations
described herein are provided as only example embodiments that
incorporate and practice the principles of this invention. Other
modifications and alterations are well within the knowledge of
those skilled in the art and are to be included within the broad
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *