U.S. patent application number 17/368264 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-06 for touchless flowable product dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is A. J. ANTUNES & CO.. Invention is credited to Joe Carone, Chad Elliott, Margaret Naden.
Application Number | 20220002137 17/368264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220002137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carone; Joe ; et
al. |
January 6, 2022 |
TOUCHLESS FLOWABLE PRODUCT DISPENSER
Abstract
A new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser which is
to be utilized to reduce the amount of bacteria and germs
transmitted when a customer wishes to dispense a flowable product,
such as, for example, various condiments into a container. This
invention allows large quantities of the flowable product to be
stored and dispensed without customer contact, thereby reducing the
risk of germ and bacteria transmission inside of a restaurant,
particularly during infectious disease events or calendar
seasons.
Inventors: |
Carone; Joe; (Darien,
IL) ; Elliott; Chad; (Naperville, IL) ; Naden;
Margaret; (West Dundee, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
A. J. ANTUNES & CO. |
Carol Stream |
IL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/368264 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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63048599 |
Jul 6, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
B67D 1/12 20060101
B67D001/12; B67D 1/08 20060101 B67D001/08; B67D 1/00 20060101
B67D001/00; B67D 1/10 20060101 B67D001/10 |
Claims
1. A touchless flowable product dispenser so as to dispense
flowable products in a hands-free, minimal contact manner,
comprising: a housing; at least one first container disposed within
said housing and within which a supply of at least one flowable
product is stored; at least one dispensing nozzle mounted upon said
housing for dispensing the at least one flowable product stored
within said at least one first container; a flowable product
dispensing mechanism for causing a predetermined amount of the
flowable product to be dispensed from said at least one first
container to said at least one dispensing nozzle when said flowable
product dispensing mechanism is activated; a horizontally oriented
platform disposed upon said housing for supporting at least one
second container into which at least one flowable product can be
dispensed; and a sensing system operatively connected to said
flowable product dispensing mechanism such that when the at least
one second container is disposed upon said horizontally oriented
platform, a signal is transmitted to said flowable product
dispensing mechanism so as to dispense a precise predetermined
amount of the flowable product into the at least one second
container in a hands-free, minimal contact manner.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said at least one
first container comprises at least one canister.
3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said at least one
canister comprises a plurality of canisters; and said at least one
dispensing nozzle comprises a plurality of dispensing nozzles
respectively fluidically connected to said plurality of
canisters.
4. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said horizontally
oriented platform has a shelf operatively associated therewith
wherein said shelf has at least one arcuate cut-out region
operatively associated therewith for respectively confining a lower
end portion of at least one second container into which the at
least one flowable product is to be dispensed.
5. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said sensing system
comprises a light beam sensing system for sensing the presence of
the at least one second container disposed upon said horizontally
oriented platform and for sending a signal to said flowable product
dispensing system so as to activate said flowable product
dispensing system.
6. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said flowable
product dispensing system comprises a peristaltic pump.
7. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said peristaltic
pump comprises: a flexible, compressible tube through which the
flowable product can flow from said at least one canister to said
at least flowable product dispensing nozzle; a rotor; and a
plurality of rollers mounted upon said rotor such that as said
rotor rotates, said plurality of rollers will occlude said
flexible, compressible tube so as to trap a precise predetermined
amount of flowable product between two consecutive ones of said
plurality of rollers and then release said flexible, compressible
tube so as to permit said peristaltic pump to dispense the precise
predetermined amount of flowable product that was trapped between
said two consecutive ones of said plurality of rollers.
8. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said sensing system
comprises a hand-wave sensor for sensing a person's hand and for
sending a signal to said flowable product dispensing system when a
person's hand in waved in front of said hand-wave sensor so as to
activate said flowable product dispensing system.
9. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said at least one
canister is removably mounted upon said peristaltic pump.
10. The system as set forth in claim 9, wherein: a flowable product
flow control valve is mounted upon said at least one canister.
11. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein: said flowable
product control valve is automatically moved to an OPEN position
when said at least one canister is mounted upon said peristaltic
pump so as to permit flowable product to be dispensed by said
peristaltic pump when said peristaltic pump is activated, and
automatically moved to a CLOSED position when said at least one
canister is removed from said peristaltic pump so as to prevent
leakage of the flowable product out from said at least one
canister.
12. The system as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said at least one
canister is removably mounted upon said peristaltic pump by a
bayonet connection.
13. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said peristaltic
pump is reversible so as to suck back flowable product after a
precise predetermined amount of flowable product has been dispensed
so as to prevent inadvertent dripping of the flowable product.
14. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: an evacuation puck
is disposed internally with said at least one canister and disposed
atop the flowable product disposed within said at least one
canister so as to prevent vortex and cavitation events from
occurring within said at least one canister as flowable product is
dispensed out from said at least one canister.
15. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein: said evacuation
puck comprises a flat metal plate.
16. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said flat metal
plate has a diametrical extent which is less than the internal
diametrical extent of said at least one canister.
17. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein: said evacuation
puck comprises a disk having a substantially U-shaped
cross-sectional configuration.
18. The system as set forth in claim 17, wherein: said evacuation
puck has a diametrical extent less than, but substantially the same
as, the internal diametrical extent of said at least one canister
such that as flowable product is dispensed from said at least one
canister, peripheral edge portions of said evacuation puck will
scrape or wipe internal peripheral wall portions of said at least
one canister so as to ensure that substantially all of the flowable
product, originally disposed within said at least one canister,
will be dispensed from said at least one canister.
19. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said at least one
first container comprises at least one bag within which flowable
product is stored.
20. The system as set forth in claim 19, wherein: at least one
caddy is mounted within said housing; and said at least one bag
comprises at least two bags mounted within said at least one
caddy.
21. A touchless flowable product dispenser so as to dispense
flowable products in a hands-free, minimal contact manner,
comprising: a housing; at least one first container disposed within
said housing and within which a supply of at least one flowable
product is stored; at least one dispensing nozzle mounted upon said
housing for dispensing the at least one flowable product stored
within said at least one first container; a reversible flowable
product dispensing mechanism for causing a predetermined amount of
the flowable product to be dispensed from said at least one first
container to said at least one dispensing nozzle when said flowable
product dispensing mechanism is activated in a first direction, and
to suck back flowable product after a precise predetermined amount
of flowable product has been dispensed so as to prevent inadvertent
dripping of the flowable product when said flowable product
dispensing mechanism is activated in a second opposite direction; a
horizontally oriented platform disposed upon said housing for
supporting at least one second container into which at least one
flowable product can be dispensed; and a sensing system operatively
connected to said flowable product dispensing mechanism such that
when the at least one second container is disposed upon said
horizontally oriented platform, a signal is transmitted to said
flowable product dispensing mechanism so as to dispense a precise
predetermined amount of the flowable product into the at least one
second container in a hands-free, minimal contact manner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a non-provisional conversion of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/048,599 which was filed
on Jul. 6, 2020, the priority benefits of which are hereby
claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to food service
equipment, and more particularly to a new and improved touchless
flowable product dispenser which is to be utilized to reduce the
amount of bacteria and germs transmitted when a customer wishes to
dispense a flowable product, such as, for example, various
condiments, such as, for example ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise,
salsa, and the like, into a vessel, such as, for example, a souffle
cup, where the dispensed flowable product can then, in turn, be
used upon various food items, such as, for example, hamburgers,
French fries, nachos, salads, and the like. Alternatively, the new
and improved touchless flowable product dispenser can likewise be
utilized to dispense beverages, such as, for example, tea, coffee,
soft drinks, and the like, into the souffle cup. Still yet further,
the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser can
likewise be utilized to dispense a flowable product, such as, for
example, various condiments, such as, for example, ketchup,
mustard, mayonnaise, salsa, soy sauce, and the like, directly onto
a food item that would not be capable of being contained within a
souffle cup or where the consumer desires the flowable product to
be dispensed directly onto his particular food item. This invention
would allow large quantities of the flowable product to be stored
and dispensed without customer contact, thereby reducing the risk
of germ and bacteria transmission inside of a restaurant,
particularly during infectious disease events, occurrences, or
calendar seasons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As the world experienced the coronavirus pandemic of
2019-2021, many businesses, including restaurants, were forced to
temporarily close, or in the case of the restaurant business, to
only offer take-out orders or the delivery of food by food courier
services, as opposed to permitting any indoor dining. As the
pandemic has now been, for the most part, contained and
significantly mitigated as a result of the discovery and
availability of coronavirus vaccines, businesses are re-opening,
including restaurants for inside or indoor dining. However, the
risk of the pandemic, and that of future pandemics, still exists,
and so extraordinary precautions are being taken to ensure, or at
least minimize to the greatest extent possible, the potential for
any germs, bacteria, and viruses to be transmitted. One area in
which germs, bacteria, and viruses can be easily spread in, for
example, restaurants and fast food establishments, are those areas
which are commonly utilized by multiple customers or consumers.
More particularly, one such area would be that area of the
restaurant or fast food establishment where customers go to apply
condiments to their food items, or, alternatively, to receive a
beverage, all of which may be dispensed into a souffle cup or the
like, or directly onto a food item.
[0004] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved
product dispenser. Another need exists in the art for a new and
improved product dispenser which comprises a touchless flowable
product dispenser. Still another need exists in the art for a new
and improved product dispenser which comprises a touchless flowable
product dispenser for dispensing food products. Yet another need
exists in the art for a new and improved product dispenser which
comprises a touchless flowable product dispenser for dispensing
food products into a container such as, for example, a souffle cup
or the like. An additional need exists in the art for a new and
improved product dispenser which comprises a touchless flowable
product dispenser for dispensing food products directly onto a food
item, such as, for example, hamburgers, French fries, nachos,
salads, and the like. Still another need exists in the art for a
new and improved product dispenser which comprises a touchless
flowable product dispenser for dispensing food products, such as,
for example, condiments to be placed upon food items. Yet still
another need exists in the art for a new and improved product
dispenser which comprises a touchless flowable product dispenser
for dispensing food products, such as, for example, hot or cold
beverages into a container, such as, for example, a souffle cup or
the like.
OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An overall objective of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved product dispenser. Another overall objective of
the present invention is to provide a new and improved product
dispenser which comprises a touchless flowable product dispenser.
Still another overall objective of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved product dispenser which comprises a
touchless flowable product dispenser for dispensing food products.
Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved product dispenser which comprises a
touchless flowable product dispenser for dispensing food products
into a container such as, for example, a souffle cup or the like.
An additional overall objective of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved product dispenser which comprises a
touchless flowable product dispenser for dispensing food products
directly onto a food item, such as, for example, hamburgers, French
fries, nachos, salads, and the like. Still another overall
objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved
product dispenser which comprises a touchless flowable product
dispenser for dispensing food products, such as, for example,
condiments to be placed upon food items. Yet still another overall
objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved
product dispenser which comprises a touchless flowable product
dispenser for dispensing food products, such as, for example, hot
or cold beverages into a container, such as, for example, a souffle
cup or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the principles and teachings of the
present invention, there is disclosed a new and improved touchless
flowable product dispenser for dispensing food products, such as,
for example, various condiments to be placed upon food items and
which may be dispensed into a suitable container, such as, for
example, a souffle cup or the like, or directly onto a food item,
or alternatively, the food product may be a beverage. More
particularly, it is seen that the new and improved touchless
flowable product dispenser essentially comprises a canister or bag
containing the food product to be dispensed, a tube extending from
a food product outlet port of the canister or bag to a food product
dispensing outlet port of the touchless flowable product dispenser,
and a peristaltic pump interposed between the food product outlet
port of the canister or bag to a food product dispensing outlet
port of the touchless flowable product dispenser. When a food
product container, such as, for example, a souffle cup or the like,
or when a food item, or when a person's hand is waived in front of
a suitable sensor, the peristaltic pump is actuated for one
rotational cycle whereby a precisely predetermined amount of food
product is dispensed from the food product dispensing outlet port
of the touchless flowable product dispenser into the container or
onto the food item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Various other features and attendant advantages of the
present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic front, right side, top perspective
view of 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;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic front, right side, top perspective
view of 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;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic front, right side, top perspective
view of 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;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic front, right side, top perspective
view of 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;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic front, right side, top perspective
view of 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;
[0013] FIG. 6 is effectively a cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of the new and improved touchless flowable product
dispenser of the present invention, showing, in particular, the
peristaltic pump and how it operates to dispense the flowable
product;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the touchless
flowable product dispenser disclosed within FIG. 6 so as to clearly
disclose the various operative components thereof including a first
type of puck disposed atop the flowable product inside of a
flowable product storage canister;
[0015] FIG. 8 is schematic bottom perspective view of the valve
mechanism utilized within new and improved touchless flowable
product dispenser of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is effectively a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of the new and improved touchless flowable product
dispenser of the present invention, similar to the embodiment
illustrated within FIG. 7, showing, however, the use of a different
type of puck disposed atop the flowable product stored within the
flowable product storage canister; and
[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic front, right side, top perspective
view of 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1 thereof, 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 character 100. More
particularly, it is seen that the first embodiment of the new and
improved touchless flowable product dispenser 100 is seen to
comprise a housing 102 within 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 nozzle 104. At the bottom
of the housing 102, there is provided a horizontally oriented
bracket 106 which is provided with a centrally located
arcuately-configured cut-out section 108 which 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 nozzle 104. It is also noted that the lowermost portion of
the housing 102 is provided with a horizontally oriented support
platform 110, which is disposed beneath the horizontally oriented
bracket 106 such that the bracket 106 is disposed above and
effectively overhangs the support platform 110.
[0019] Therefore, it can be readily appreciated that the suitably
sized cup or similar container, not shown, is adapted to be
supported upon the support platform 110 wherein the lower portion
of the cup or container will be confined within the arcuately
shaped cut-out section 108 of the bracket 106. Lastly, it is seen
that a suitable sensor, such as, for example, a through-beam
sensor, comprising a light beam transmitter 112a and a light beam
receiver 112b, is interposed between the support platform 110 and
the bracket 106. Accordingly, when a cup or container is disposed
upon the support platform 110, and disposed within the arcuately
shaped or semi-circular cut-out section 108 of the bracket 106, the
cup or container will block the transmitter/receiver components
112a,112b which 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 nozzle 104 and
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 of the
housing 102. It is to be noted that while the first embodiment 100
of 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 nozzle 104, more than one
flowable product output dispensing spouts or ports may be provided
upon a single housing 102.
[0020] With reference now being made to FIG. 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 character 200. It is to be noted that the second
embodiment 200 of the present invention comprises structural
components which are similar to structural components present
within the first embodiment 100 of 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 embodiment 100 of the present invention,
however, they will be within the 200 series. It is further noted
that the description of the second embodiment 200 of the present
invention will be directed toward those structural components which
are different from the structural components of the first
embodiment 100 of the present invention. More particularly, it is
seen, for example, that in lieu of a single flowable product output
dispensing spout or port 104, the second embodiment 200 of the new
and improved touchless flowable product dispenser comprises four
(4) flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles
204, all of which are mounted upon the housing 202 and all of which
are individually operatively associated with respective flowable
product dispensing mechanisms, not shown in FIG. 2 but which will
become apparent hereinafter, which are disposed internally within
the housing 202.
[0021] Another significant difference between the first embodiment
100 of the new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser
and the second embodiment 200 of the new and improved touchless
flowable product dispenser is that the second embodiment 200 of 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 platform 210 is provided, the support
platform 210 is provided for supporting food containers 214 within
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 nozzles 204. Still further, it is seen that the bracket
106 and cut-out section 108, for accommodating the lower portion of
a cup or container, have been eliminated, as well as the
through-beam transmitter/receiver sensor 112a,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 nozzles 204, is provided with a
hand-wave proximity sensor 216. Accordingly, when a patron wants to
have a particular condiment dispensed onto the food disposed within
the food container 214, the patron simply waves or moves his hand
in front of the proximity sensor 214 so as to activate the
condiment dispensing equipment as will be more fully disclosed
hereinafter.
[0022] With reference now being made to FIG. 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 character 300. It is to be noted that the third
embodiment 300 of the present invention comprises structural
components which are similar to structural components present
within the first and second embodiments 100,200 of 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 embodiments
100,200 of the present invention, however, they will be within the
300 series. It is further noted that the description of the third
embodiment 300 of the present invention will be directed toward
those structural components which are different from the structural
components of the first and second embodiments 100,200 of the
present invention. More particularly, it is seen for example, that
while in the first embodiment 100 of the present invention, a
single flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle
104 was mounted upon the housing 102, while in the second
embodiment 200 of the present invention, multiple, or a plurality
of, flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles
204 were mounted upon the housing 202, in accordance with the third
embodiment 300 of the present invention, each flowable product
output dispensing spout, port, or nozzle 304 is mounted upon its
individual housing 302, and the plurality of housings 302 are
aligned with each other within a horizontally extending array so as
to define laterally separated condiment dispensing stations, each
station dispensing a different condiment.
[0023] Several other additional structural differences for this
third embodiment 300 of the present invention are also to be noted.
For example, all of the individual housings 302 are 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 platform 110 of the first embodiment 100 of the present
invention, is to be provided beneath the plurality of dispensing
ports or spouts 304, and a bracket, also not shown but similar to
the bracket 106 of the first embodiment 100 of 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 section 108 and the transmitter/receiver
112a,112b of the first embodiment 100 of 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 cabinet 318 within 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 cabinet 318 comprises a deck 320
which is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced apertures
322 having covers 324 covering the same. These apertures 322 and
covers 344 provide access to the flowable product storage canisters
disposed within the cabinet 318 so as to enable replacement of a
particular canister when its supply of condiment is exhausted.
[0024] With reference now being made to FIG. 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 character 400. It is to be noted that the fourth
embodiment 400 of the present invention comprises structural
components which are similar to structural components present
within the first, second, and third embodiments 100,200,300 of 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 embodiments 100,200, 300 of the present invention, however,
they will be within the 400 series. It is further noted that the
description of the fourth embodiment 400 of the present invention
will be directed toward those structural components which are
different from the structural components of the first, second, and
third embodiments 100,200,300 of the present invention. More
particularly, it is seen that the fourth embodiment 400 of the new
and improved touchless flowable product dispenser of the present
invention comprises a housing 402, a support platform 410, and a
through-beam sensor 412 disposed within the central part of the
platform 410. In addition, in accordance with the principles and
teachings of this fourth embodiment 400 of the present invention,
the flowable product storage canisters, not shown, disposed
internally within the housing 402 are 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 cord 426 is
actually seen in FIG. 4 as being electrically connected to the
housing 402.
[0025] With reference now being made to FIG. 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 character 500. It is to be noted that the fifth
embodiment 500 of the present invention comprises structural
components which are similar to structural components present
within the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments
100,200,300, 400 of 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 embodiments
100,200,300,400 of the present invention, however, they will be
within the 500 series. It is further noted that the description of
the fifth embodiment 500 of the present invention will be directed
toward those structural components which are different from the
structural components of the first, second, third, and fourth
embodiments 100,200,300,400 of the present invention. More
particularly, it is seen that the fifth embodiment 500 of the new
and improved touchless flowable product dispenser of the present
invention is similar to the fourth embodiment 400 touchless
flowable product dispenser 400 in that it comprises a housing 502,
and a support platform 510, however, in the fifth embodiment 500 of
the touchless flowable product dispenser 500 there is provided a
plurality of aligned, laterally spaced dispensing stations each one
of which comprises a through-beam sensor 512 disposed within the
laterally spaced parts of the platform 510, as well as a plurality
of flowable product output ports, spouts, or nozzles 504. In
addition, as was the case for the fourth embodiment 400 of the
present invention, the flowable product storage canisters, not
shown, disposed internally within the housing 502 are 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.
[0026] With reference now being made to FIG. 6, there is disclosed
a first embodiment of a typical flowable product storage canister
628 within 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 housing 602, which can be similar to
any one of the housings 102,202,302,402,502 previously noted in
connection with the description of any one of the first through
fifth embodiments, and within the housing 602, a peristaltic pump
632 is fixedly mounted within or upon a suitable housing or
mounting bracket 633 such that a rotor 634 of the peristaltic pump
632 can rotate around a horizontally oriented rotary axle 636 when
the peristaltic pump 632 is actuated. A dispensing valve mechanism
or assembly 638, which will be described in more detail
hereinafter, is mounted upon the bottom of the flowable product
storage canister 628 such that when the flowable product storage
canister 628 is mounted upon the peristaltic pump housing or
mounting bracket 633, the dispensing valve mechanism 638 will
automatically be moved to its OPEN position so as to permit
dispensing of the flowable product out from the flowable product
storage canister 628 when the peristaltic pump 632 is activated,
whereas, to the contrary, when the flowable product storage
canister 628 has been removed from the peristaltic pump housing or
mounting bracket 633, the dispensing valve mechanism 638 will
automatically be moved to its CLOSED position so as to prevent any
leakage of the flowable product out from the flowable product
storage canister 628. It is also noted that a flexible,
compressible tube 640 has one end fixedly attached to an output
port 642 of the dispensing valve mechanism, while an opposite end
of the flexible, compressible tube 640 is fixedly attached to an
inlet end of a flowable product output dispensing spout, port, or
nozzle 604 which may be similar to any one of the previously noted
flowable product output dispensing spouts, ports, or nozzles
104,204,304,504, It is further noted that the flexible,
compressible tube 640 is routed around the outer periphery of the
peristaltic pump rotor 634. 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.
[0027] 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. As illustrated within FIG. 6, the
particular rotor 634 of the present invention is provided with six
(6) rollers or cams 646 which are mounted upon the rotor 634 in an
equiangularly spaced array, although, of course, a different number
of rollers or cams 646 may be utilized for different flow volumes
as may be needed or desired.
[0028] With reference now being made to FIGS. 6-9, the valve
mechanism or assembly 638 will be more explicitly illustrated and
described. As can best be seen from FIG. 9, the valve mechanism 638
is mounted within a valve mounting block 648 which is fixedly
mounted upon the bottom of the flowable product storage canister
628 as can best be seen in FIG. 8. In turn, a flowable product
dispensing block 650, which includes the flowable product output
port 642 to which one end of the flexible, compressible tube 640 is
to be fixedly attached as was shown in FIG. 6, is adapted to be
fixedly attached to the upper end of the peristaltic pump housing
633 as can also be appreciated from FIG. 6. As can best be
appreciated from FIG. 8, the valve mounting block 648 is adapted to
be removably mounted upon or connected to, as well as dismounted or
disconnected from, the flowable product dispensing block 650 by
means of a suitable bayonet connection, the male members of the
bayonet connection, fixedly mounted upon the valve mounting block
648, being shown as radially outwardly projecting, diametrically
opposed pins 651 in FIG. 8. The flowable product output port 642 is
seen to be fluidically connected a first bore 652 defined within
the flowable product dispensing block 650, wherein the first bore
652 has a first predetermined diametrical extent. The first bore
652, in turn, is fluidically connected to a second bore 654 which
is also defined within the flowable product dispensing block 650
and is seen to have a diametrical extent which is greater than that
of the first bore 652, the first and second bores 652,654
effectively meeting or are smoothly connected or melded to each
other by means of an annular shoulder portion 656. It is lastly
seen that the upper part of the flowable product dispensing block
650 is provided with a substantially frustoconical bore section 658
which is adapted to accommodate the lower end portion of the valve
mounting block 648 when the valve mounting block 648 is fixedly
mounted upon the flowable product dispensing block 650 by means of
the aforenoted bayonet connection, and an annular O-ring 660 is
fixedly mounted upon the lower external portion of the valve
mounting block 648 so as to provide a tight seal between the
flowable product dispensing block 650 and the valve mounting block
648, when the valve mounting block 648 is fixedly mounted upon the
flowable product dispensing block 650, so as to prevent any leakage
of the flowable product out from the valve mounting block 648 and
the flowable product dispensing block 650.
[0029] With reference still being made to FIGS. 7-9, the actual
flowable product control valve of the valve mechanism or assembly
638 will now be described. More particularly, it is first seen that
the valve mounting block 648 comprises a lower axial cylindrical
bore 662 and an upper frustoconically shaped bore 664 fluidically
connected to the lower bore 662 at its lower end and fluidically
connected to an outflow aperture or opening 666 defined within the
bottom wall 670 of the flowable product storage cannister 628 as
can best be appreciated from FIGS. 7 and 8. The actual flowable
product control valve can best be appreciated from FIG. 9 and is
seen to comprise a first, substantially T-shaped upper member 672
and a second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member 674.
The first, substantially T-shaped upper member 672 comprises a
transversely oriented upper portion 676 and an axially extending
stem portion 678, while the second, inverted, substantially
T-shaped lower member 674 comprises a transversely oriented lower
portion 680 and an axially extending stem portion 682 wherein the
upper end of the stem portion 682 of the second, inverted,
substantially T-shaped lower member 674 is fixedly embedded within
the stem portion 678 of the first, substantially T-shaped upper
member 672.
[0030] As can be further appreciated, a coiled spring 684 is
coaxially disposed around the axially extending stem portion 682 of
the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member 674 such
that the upper end of the coiled spring 684 is engaged with an
undersurface portion of the stem portion 678 of the first,
substantially T-shaped upper member 672, while a lower end of the
coiled spring 684 is engaged with an axially located upper surface
portion of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower
member 674. It is of course to be appreciated that both the coiled
spring 684 and the axially extending stem portion 682 of the lower
member 674 pass through a hole defined within the bottom portion of
the valve mounting block 648, as can best be appreciated from FIGS.
7 and 8. It is also to be noted that while the transversely
oriented upper portion 676 of the first, substantially T-shaped
upper member 672 comprises a solid annular disk, the transversely
oriented lower portion 680 of the second, inverted, substantially
T-shaped lower member 674 actually comprises four equiangularly
spaced spokes, arms, or legs 686 projecting radially outwardly from
a central portion 688 of the second, inverted, substantially
T-shaped lower member 674 as can best be seen in FIG. 8.
[0031] Lastly, it is also to be appreciated that the annular
periphery 690 of the transversely oriented upper portion 676 of the
first, substantially T-shaped upper member 672 has a frustoconical
configuration, while the upper internal walls of the valve mounting
block 648, which define the upper frustoconically shaped bore 664,
also define a frustoconically shaped valve seat 692 for the annular
periphery 690 of the transversely oriented upper portion 676 of the
first, substantially T-shaped upper member 672. Therefore, as can
best be appreciated from FIG. 7, when the flowable product storage
canister 628 is fixedly mounted upon the flowable product
dispensing block 650 as a result of the aforenoted bayonet
connection, the four radially outwardly projecting spokes, arms, or
legs 686 of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower
member 674 will be seated within the annular shoulder portion 656
defined between the first and second bores 652 and 654 such that
the axially oriented stem portion 682 of the second, inverted,
substantially T-shaped lower member 674 will force the first
substantially T-shaped upper member 672 of the flowable product
control valve to move upwardly thereby effectively raising the
transversely oriented upper portion 676 of the first, substantially
T-shaped upper member 672 and its annular peripheral portion 690
away from the annular valve seat 692.
[0032] Accordingly, flowable product, stored within the flowable
product storage canister 628, can now flow into the annular
frustoconical bore 664, past the first, substantially T-shaped
upper member 672 of the flowable product control valve, through the
bore 662 defined within the valve mounting block 648, through a
pair of holes 694 defined within the bottom portion of the valve
mounting block 648, as best seen in FIG. 8, through the bore 654
defined within the flowable product dispensing block 650, past the
plurality of radially outwardly projecting spokes, arms, or legs
686 of the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped lower member
674 of the flowable product control valve, into the lower bore 652
defined within the flowable product dispensing block 650, and into
the flowable product output port 642 such that a precise,
predetermined amount of the flowable product can be dispensed when
the rotor 634 of the peristaltic pump 632 is rotated a
predeterminedly stepped or incremental amount. To the contrary,
when the flowable product storage canister 628 is disconnected and
removed from the flowable product dispensing block 650, the coiled
spring 684 will force the second, inverted, substantially T-shaped
lower member 674 of the flowable product control valve to move
downwardly so as to, in turn, move the first, substantially
T-shaped upper member 672 of the flowable product control valve
downwardly whereby the annular peripheral portion 690 of the first,
substantially T-shaped upper member 672 will again be seated upon
its valve seat 692 of the valve mounting block 648 such that
flowable product cannot leak out from the flowable product storage
canister 628.
[0033] It is lastly to be noted that the motor drive, not shown,
for the peristaltic pump 632 can 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.
[0034] 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 canister 628, a vortex is effectively created at
the exit of the canister 628. This vortex, in turn, can cause
cavitation to occur at the exit of the canister 628 whereby the
flowable product container 628 may not be completely evacuated,
thereby leaving flowable product within the canister 628 that could
otherwise be dispensed. In order to prevent these occurrences from
happening, an evacuation puck can be utilized within the flowable
product canister 628. One such evacuation puck is disclosed at 694
in FIGS. 6 and 7. The puck 694 may simply comprise a flat, sheet
metal plate 696 which is provided with a manipulative handle 698
fixedly secured to an upper surface portion of the puck 694. The
puck 694 is adapted to simply sit atop the flowable product stored
within the flowable product storage canister 628 and thereby exert
a predetermined downwardly directed force upon the flowable product
so as to prevent the aforenoted vortex and cavitation problems from
occurring.
[0035] It is noted that the diametrical extent of the puck 694 is
somewhat less than the interior diametrical extent of the flowable
product canister 628, however, the presence of the evacuation puck
694 nevertheless serves the desired purpose and achieves the
desired result. Alternatively, as disclosed within FIG. 9, a second
embodiment of an evacuation puck is shown at 700 and is seen to
comprise a main body portion 702 which has a substantially U-shaped
cross-sectional configuration and an upper handle portion 704 which
is adapted to be fixedly secured to the lower body portion 702 by
suitable fasteners 706. Contrary to the first embodiment puck 694,
the second embodiment puck has a diametrical extent just slightly
smaller than the internal diametrical extent of the flow product
storage canister 628 such that as the supply of the flowable
product is gradually depleted or exhausted, the annular peripheral
portion 708 of the evacuation puck 700 will engage the internal
peripheral surface portion of the flowable product canister 628 and
thereby effectively scrape or wipe down the internal peripheral
surface portion of the flowable product storage canister 628 so as
to ensure that substantially all of the flowable product, disposed
within the flowable product storage canister 628, will be evacuated
and dispensed.
[0036] With reference lastly being made to FIG. 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 character 800. It is to be noted that
the sixth embodiment 800 of the present invention comprises
structural components which are similar to structural components
present within the previous embodiments 100,200,300,400,500 of 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 embodiments
100,200,300,400,500 of the present invention, however, they will be
within the 800 series. It is further noted that the description of
the sixth embodiment 800 of the present invention will be directed
toward those structural components which are different from the
structural components of the previous embodiments 100,
200,300,400,500 of 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
within FIG. 10, the sixth embodiment 800 of the present invention
comprises a housing 802 within which there is disposed a plurality
of caddies 804. Within each caddy 804, there is disposed a bag or
pouch, not shown, but which, for the purposes of this disclosure,
is similar to the flowable product storage canister 628, 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 nipple 806. Another flowable product conduit or
tube, also not shown, would fluidically connect each nipple 806 to
a peristaltic pump, similar to the peristaltic pump 632 such 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 a
suitable electronic hardware and software.
[0037] 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.
* * * * *