Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6422421
-
Patent Number
6,422,421
-
Date Filed
Friday, July 28, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 23, 200221 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 222 63
- 222 71
- 222 74
- 222 75
- 222 333
- 222 527
- 222 529
- 222 530
- 222 537
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A pizza sauce dispensing apparatus that includes a base, a motor mounted within the base, a pump mounted to the base, a container of sauce mounted on the base, a removable conduit connecting the container and the pump, a valve removably mounted to the container, a nozzle, another removable conduit between the pump and the nozzle, a nozzle switch, a bracket for storing the nozzle when not in use, an electrical control circuit for programming the apparatus to dispense sauce as a function of pizza size, a sauce addition switch and a sauce subtraction switch, and an electrical path including two metal posts and wire from the base to the nozzle switch. The parts having the sauce path are removable and washable even though some of the parts include an electrical path which typically cannot be immersed in water. The result is an efficient, relatively inexpensive apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus and more particularly to a food dispensing apparatus which is efficient, reliable and effective.
2. Description of the Related Art
Food dispensing devices are well known in the art. For example, single and multiple condiment dispensing devices, usually with under-counter condiment bags and a carbon dioxide tank to power the devices, are currently on the market. With such devices dispensing nozzles are located above the counter for use by consumers or by professional food preparers.
There are also dispensers for such food products as pizza sauce. These include a nozzle having the shape of a ladle. The handle for the ladle includes a sauce conduit which empties into the ladle, and there is an operating switch, also attached to the handle, to activate the compressed gas which forces the sauce from a sauce container to the ladle when the switch is activated. Other nozzles for pizza sauce dispensing include those having a spoodle base. These may be suspended from flexible overhead hoses so as to leave counter space free for food items. Counter top devices including the spoodle nozzle base, a flexible hose, a base unit with a pump and a motor and a sauce container mounted on the base have all appeared in the marketplace, but each such device has undesirable shortcomings.
The above described devices have, however, a number of desirable features when compared to dispensing food items manually. For example, they provide reproducible, consistent portions, and they provide for faster food preparation. They also tend to be more sanitary, there is less spoilage and waste, and less counter space is used for equipment. Nevertheless, there is a need for more reliable and efficient structures than those which now exist.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The difficulties encountered by previous systems have been overcome by the present invention.
What is described here is a dispensing apparatus comprising a base, a motor operatively connected to the base, a pump operatively connected to the base, a conduit adapted to connect to the pump and a container of product to be pumped, a nozzle operatively connected to the pump and being movable between a storage position and a dispensing position, a second conduit for connecting the pump and the nozzle, an electrical conducting wire adapted to connect the motor to a source of power, a first switch connected to the electrical line adapted to control power from a source and a bracket removably mounted to the base for mounting the nozzle when the nozzle is in the storage position and for controlling leakage of product from the nozzle. The invention is disclosed in another manner by providing a dispensing apparatus comprising the base, the motor, the pump, the first conduit, the nozzle, the second conduit, the electrical conducting wire, the first switch and a monitoring element operatively connected to the motor for indicating the number of revolutions made by the pump. The invention also includes a dispensing apparatus comprising the base, the motor, the pump, the first conduit, the nozzle, the second conduit, the electrical conducting wire, the first switch, a container for storing the product to be pumped, a valve having a valve seat, an element movable between open and closed positions, and a biasing element, the valve being removably connected to the container and the movable element being biased to the closed position, and an end portion on the first conduit for biasing the valve element to its open position. Further the invention may be described as a dispensing apparatus comprising the base, the motor, the pump the first conduit, the nozzle, the second conduit, the electrical conducting wire, the first switch where the switch is connected to the nozzle and is movable therewith an electrical path connecting the second conduit and operatively connected to the switch and the motor, the electrical path including two metal rods and electrical wire.
An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus which is reliable and relatively inexpensive. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus which is efficient and which utilizes a minimum number of parts for ease of handling. Another aim of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus which is easy to disassemble and clean and thereafter reassemble. Still a further advantage of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus with an electrical path that is effective in operation and yet the apparatus may be immersible in water without damage. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus which includes an inexpensive and effective shut-off valve structure, a simple but accurate mechanism for metering the dispensing product and a bracket for cleanly cradling the dispensing nozzle when it is not in use.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects, aspects, aims and advantages thereof will be gained from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front isometric view of the food dispensing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is an exploded front isometric view, partially broken away, of the food dispensing apparatus shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a front isometric view of the motor and mounting plate of the food dispensing apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
FIG. 4
is an exploded rear isometric view of the motor and mounting plate shown in FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
is an exploded rear isometric view of the pump of the food dispensing apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
FIG. 6
is an enlarged rear elevation view of the inner housing of the pump shown in FIG.
5
.
FIG. 7
is an enlarged rear elevation view of the outer housing of the pump shown in FIG.
5
.
FIG. 8
is an enlarged top plan view of the pump shown in FIG.
5
.
FIG. 9
is a sectional view of a connector used in the food dispensing apparatus shown in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 10
is an exploded front isometric view of a sauce hose and two adapters used to connect a food container and a pump of the food dispensing apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
FIG. 11
is a rear exploded isometric view of a valve of the food dispensing apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
FIG. 12
is an enlarged sectional view of the valve shown in FIG.
11
.
FIG. 13
is an elevation view of a spring retainer taken along line
13
—
13
of FIG.
12
.
FIG. 14
is a sectional elevation view of a variation of the valve shown in FIG.
11
.
FIG. 15
is an isometric view of a combination spring and retainer of the valve illustrated in FIG.
14
.
FIG. 16
is a front exploded isometric view of a nozzle, a nozzle handle, an outer hose, an inner hose and a connector block of the food dispensing apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
FIG. 17
is a front sectional view of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG.
16
.
FIG. 18
is a side elevation view, partially broken away, of the nozzle assembly shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17
.
FIG. 19
is an enlarged sectional view of an outer hose adapter shown in FIG.
16
.
FIG. 20
is an enlarged sectional view of an inner hose adapter shown in FIG.
16
.
FIG. 21
is an enlarged isometric view of the connector block shown in FIG.
16
.
FIG. 22
is a top plan view of the connector block shown in FIG.
21
.
FIG. 23
is a bottom plan view of the connector block shown in FIG.
21
.
FIG. 24
is a sectional elevation view taken along line
24
—
24
of FIG.
22
.
FIG. 25
is a sectional elevation view taken along line
25
—
25
of FIG.
23
.
FIG. 26
is an isometric view of the nozzle and the nozzle handle shown in FIG.
16
.
FIG. 27
is an elevation view of the nozzle shown in FIG.
26
.
FIG. 28
is a partial elevation view of a variation of the nozzle shown in
FIGS. 26 and 27
.
FIG. 29
is a rear isometric view of a bracket of the food dispensing apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
FIG. 30
is an enlarged elevation view of the bracket shown in FIG.
29
.
FIG. 31
is a diagrammatic elevation view of an automated food dispensing apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While the present invention is open to various modifications and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings will be described herein in detail. It is understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalent structures and methods, and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
The food dispensing apparatus of the present invention has a number of beneficial features. The apparatus has a minimum number of parts for cost savings in production and to enhance handling when assembling and disassembling sections of the apparatus. The apparatus is also easy to assemble and disassemble to facilitate washing; the food path must typically be washed on a daily basis. Thus, the hoses from the food container to the pump and from the pump to the nozzle are easily removed and are water safe. To allow this, the apparatus includes a self-closing valve so that food in the container does not inadvertently spill out. Also, the electrical path to the nozzle is easily engaged and disengaged and is also fully immersible in water without malfunction. Further, the food holding container may be removed easily from the apparatus and put within a refrigeration unit every night. The pump itself is also easily disassembled for washing. Again, the number of parts are minimized so as to reduce the likelihood of parts being misplaced or lost. The apparatus also includes a mechanism to easily count motor revolutions down to a quarter rotation so that food may be accurately dispensed and the amount dispensed may be reproduced time after time. In addition, controls are provided which specifically address pizza sauce dispensing so that different size pizzas may be easily handled, and variations in sauce amounts for each size may be easily accommodated.
Referring now to
FIG. 1
, there is illustrated a food dispensing apparatus
10
having a base
12
in the form of a stainless steel metal enclosure, a container
14
of food product to be dispensed, a pump
16
, a first or supply conduit
18
communicating the product in the container
14
with the pump
16
, and a second or dispensing conduit
20
communicating the pump
16
and a nozzle
22
. The nozzle
22
is movable between a storage or at rest position where it is supported by a bracket
24
at the front of the base and a dispensing position when an operator holds the nozzle by a handle
26
over a location, usually in front of the base, where food product
28
is situated. A first switch
30
on the nozzle handle
26
may be used to activate the pump. Another switch
32
mounted on the base offers an alternative means for activating the pump.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1
,
2
,
3
and
4
, the base
12
includes a front slanted wall
34
, a back wall
36
, left and right side walls
38
,
40
, a bottom wall
42
and a flat top wall
44
. A motor
46
is mounted within the base to the right side wall
40
. Mounting is facilitated with a wall block
48
. A motor shaft
50
is connected to a pump shaft
52
, which when assembled extends beyond the right side wall
40
to engage the pump
16
, for causing the pump to operate when the motor is activated.
Counting motor revolutions to ensure the feature of consistent and reproducible dispensing amounts is accomplished by a disk
54
,
FIG. 4
, having four openings
56
,
58
,
60
and
62
. The disk is fixed to the pump shaft
52
and attached to the motor shaft
50
by any suitable means, such as threaded fasteners (not shown). An electrical component
64
comprising a light source and a photo sensor is mounted to the wall block
48
to operate with the disk, and is connected to control circuitry
66
,
FIG. 2
, mounted to the back wall
36
of the base. As the disk rotates with the motor shaft and pump shaft, light from the light source of the electrical component
64
will energize the photo sensor every time light passes through one of the openings
56
,
58
,
60
and
62
of the disk
54
. In this way, each revolution of the motor causes four light pulses to be received by the photo sensor. Each pulse creates a signal that is transmitted to a counter in a programmable control circuitry
66
. Thus, counting revolutions to a quarter turn is easily accomplished in a simple, economical and reliable manner. Once the programmed number of revolutions have been signaled, the control circuitry switches the motor off.
A seal
68
is provided around the pump shaft
52
where it passes through the right side wall of the base. Two electrical pins
70
,
72
made of stainless steel are also mounted to the wall block
48
and these also extend through the right wall
40
of the base
12
. Seals
74
and
76
are mounted to the wall block
48
around the pins
70
,
72
respectively, to prevent moisture from getting inside the base. Four threaded fasteners
78
,
80
,
82
,
84
, four spacers
86
,
88
,
90
,
92
and four nuts
94
,
96
,
98
,
100
are provided to secure the motor and the wall block. An additional four threaded fasteners
102
,
104
,
106
,
108
pass through the wall block
48
and the side wall
40
of the base to mount the motor and block assembly to the base. A power cord
110
,
FIG. 1
, is connected to the motor and allows energy from a wall socket (not shown) to activate the motor. The cord is connected to the control circuitry and the motor in the usual fashion.
The motor
46
is preferably a direct current type and has a one-eighth horse power rating. Such motors may be purchased from Flolo Electric of Calumet City, Ill. Electrical terminals
112
,
114
are attached to threaded ends
116
,
118
of the electrical pins
70
,
72
, respectively. Washers
120
,
122
, lock washers
124
,
126
and nuts
128
,
130
which engage the electrical pins are provided to make electrical contacts between the pins and electrical wires
132
,
134
. The wires
132
,
134
lead back to the control circuitry
66
.
A switch
136
,
FIG. 1
, is connected to the control circuitry for controlling the speed of rotation of the motor
46
. The switch may be in the form of a variable resistor. This allows an operator, for example, who is new to the dispensing apparatus to run the motor in a slow mode until he/she reaches a comfort level that allows the speed of the motor to be increased.
Referring now to
FIGS. 5-8
, the pump
16
is illustrated in more detail. The pump includes an inner housing
138
, an outer housing
140
and an impeller
142
. The outer housing
140
includes an opening
144
for receiving the impeller. The impeller is mounted to the pump shaft
52
,
FIG. 4
, and the pump shaft extends through an opening
146
in the inner housing
138
. A shaft seal
148
is provided to prevent leakage through the opening
146
. A casing seal
150
is provided to fit into a recess
151
about the opening
144
and prevents leakage between the inner and outer housings. An impeller pin
152
is connected to the impeller and the impeller slips over the pump shaft
52
so that the pin is received by a slot
153
in the shaft. In this manner the rotational force of the shaft is transferred to the pin which then drives the impeller.
The inner housing
138
has two vertically disposed cylindrical openings
154
,
156
relating to the electrical path to be described below. The outer housing also has two vertically disposed cylindrical openings, an input opening
158
and an output opening
160
. Both of these openings
158
,
160
communicate with the impeller opening
144
. The input opening is in communication with the food product in the container
14
and the output opening is in communication with the nozzle
22
. The inner housing has four corner openings
162
,
164
,
166
,
168
and the outer housing has four aligned corner openings
170
,
172
,
174
,
176
. The two sets of four corner openings allow the pump to be mounted to the base in a simple and effective manner.
When discussing the motor and block in relation to
FIGS. 3 and 4
above, the four threaded fasteners
102
,
104
,
106
,
108
projected through the wall block
48
and the right wall
40
of the base. Fitted to each of these fasteners is a two headed connector such as the connectors
186
,
188
,
190
,
192
, FIG.
2
. These connectors, exemplified by the connector
186
,
FIG. 9
, are generally cylindrical in shape and each includes a first threaded end portion
194
, an opposite second threaded end portion
196
and a wrench receiving a flattened middle portion
198
. The first end portion
194
is threaded to the fastener
102
. Each of the other connectors mates with one of the remaining fasteners
104
,
106
,
108
in the same way. The connectors not only fasten the motor
46
and the wall block
48
to the base but they provide mounting studs over which the pump is mounted. For example, the two aligned sets of openings of the inner and outer housings
162
,
164
,
166
,
168
and
170
,
172
,
174
,
176
, respectively, fit over the connectors
186
,
188
,
190
,
192
which are tightly threaded to the threaded fasteners
102
,
104
,
106
,
108
, respectively.
Four additional threaded fasteners
178
,
180
,
182
,
184
,
FIG. 5
, are provided, each with a knurled knob, such as the knobs
202
,
204
,
206
,
208
, to threadedly engage to second end portions of each of the connectors, such as second end portion
196
. The fastener and knob combinations are provided to allow quick and easy manual disassembly of the inner and outer pump housings and the impeller to allow all of the parts of the pump to be washed; as can be appreciated, the pump is part of a food path from the container
14
to the nozzle
22
and must be washed regularly. Retainer rings, such as the ring
210
, are attached to each of the additional threaded fasteners
178
,
180
,
184
,
186
so that when the housings are disengaged from one another and from the base, the additional fasteners remain with the outer housing
140
and do not become lost or misplaced.
Two additional openings
212
,
214
, horizontally disposed, are provided in the inner housing
138
to receive the electrical pins
70
,
72
, respectively. These pins intersect the vertical cylindrical openings
154
,
156
so that rods plugged into the openings
154
,
156
will engage the pins
70
,
72
as will be explained below. The preferable material for the inner and outer housings is Delrin, a trademark of DuPont for one of its synthetic resins commonly used in food handling equipment. Delrin may also be used for the wall block
48
. Sealing rings
216
,
218
are provided in the vertical openings
158
,
160
of the outer housing
140
to prevent seepage of food product during use of the dispensing apparatus. A locking pin
220
is also provided. The pin slips into a hole
222
in the outer housing
140
. The pin has a flat region
224
facing the vertical opening
160
and an adapter
226
, as shown in
FIG. 20
, to be described later, may be inserted into this opening
160
. An annular recess
228
in the outer surface of the adapter
226
aligns with the pin. The flat region does not interfere with the adapter
226
when inserted into the opening
160
. But when the pin is rotated, the flat region
224
moves away and is replaced with the usual rounded circumference of the pin. This expanded geometry engages the recess
228
and provides a lock of the adapter
226
in the opening
160
. Since the pump creates a high pressure in the opening
160
, the “output” of the pump, the lock ensures that the adapter
226
is not blown out of the opening
160
. The pin has a head portion
227
which extends beyond the outer housing
140
for gripping by an operator.
The pump
16
and the container
14
are bridged by the supply conduit
18
. The supply conduit includes a valve adapter
230
,
FIG. 10
, a hose
232
and a pump adapter
234
. The container
14
has an opening
236
,
FIG. 2
, near its bottom which is used to receive a valve assembly
238
. The valve assembly
238
comprises a housing
240
,
FIGS. 11-13
, having a central opening
242
. Three grooves
244
,
246
,
248
are provided for receiving O-ring seals
250
,
252
,
254
, respectively. The valve assembly
238
includes a threaded downstream outer surface
256
and a flange
258
. An outer seal
260
is provided to abut against the flange. An upstream portion of the housing has a smooth outer surface
262
. The valve assembly is mounted to the container
14
by having the valve assembly placed within the container. The housing is inserted into the container opening
236
such that the threaded downstream outer surface
256
extends outside the container. The valve assembly is retained by a nut
264
threaded onto the threaded downstream outer surface
256
and tightened against the container wall
14
so as to squeeze the container wall between the nut
264
on the outside and the seal
260
and flange
258
on the inside.
Within the central opening
242
is a movable valve element
266
having a head portion
268
at one end and a threaded portion
270
at the other end. A spring retainer
272
is provided to engage the threaded end portion
270
of the movable valve element. The retainer has an outer ring
274
and a bridge
276
with a threaded hole
278
. Right and left openings
280
,
282
are provided through which food product being dispensed may pass. A spring
284
is trapped between the spring retainer
272
and a converging section
286
of the central opening
242
. Normally the spring biases the movable valve element to seat against an outer or upstream surface
288
of the valve assembly
238
as shown in FIG.
12
.
The valve adapter
230
,
FIG. 10
, is generally tubular in shape and has a first downstream end
290
which fits into an upstream end
291
of the hose
232
until the hose abuts a downstream flange
292
. A second upstream flange
294
limits the insertion of the valve adapter into the valve assembly
238
,
FIG. 11. A
leading edge
296
of the valve adapter opens the valve assembly by having the leading edge
296
abut and push a downstream side
298
,
FIG. 12
, of the spring retainer
272
. This leading edge engages the spring retainer and causes it to move approximately one-tenth of an inch against the bias of the spring
284
. Engagement is complete when the upstream flange
294
,
FIG. 10
, on the valve adapter abuts the downstream edge
300
,
FIG. 12
, of the housing
240
. An upstream end
302
of the adapter includes two grooves
304
,
306
which engage the O-ring seals
250
,
252
of the valve assembly. This is sufficient to retain the valve adapter
230
and the valve assembly
238
in engagement during operation of the dispensing apparatus. The third O-ring
254
acts as a seal and frictionally engages the valve adapter. When the valve adapter
230
is withdrawn from the valve assembly, the biasing spring
284
acting upon the upstream side
308
of the spring retainer
272
causes a leftward movement (with reference to
FIG. 12
) of the valve element
266
and causes the head portion
268
to engage the upstream surface
288
of the housing
240
thereby closing the valve assembly. Hydrostatic pressure within the container also helps to close the movable valve element as soon as the force acting upon the retainer is removed.
Referring now to
FIGS. 14 and 15
, a variation of the valve assembly is illustrated. Like the
FIG. 12
embodiment, the modified valve assembly
310
includes a housing
312
, a peripheral flange
314
, an O-ring seal
316
and a threaded downstream outer surface
318
. A nut
320
is engageable with the downstream outer surface. A valve element
322
is movable away from and into engagement with an upstream surface
324
of the housing. Instead of a spring and spring retainer, there is a one-piece biasing element
326
having a downstream abutment base
328
and extending flexible biasing beams
330
,
331
,
333
,
335
. When the valve adapter
230
engages the abutment base
328
of the biasing element, it moves rightwardly opening the valve. At the same time the beams flex inwardly upon sliding along the converging section
332
of the housing. Since the biasing beams have memories, once the valve adapter is removed, the beams will tend to flex outwardly to return to the positions shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15
. The expansion of the beams against the converging section
332
will cause the valve element to move leftward thereby closing the valve.
A downstream end
334
,
FIG. 10
, of the hose
232
engages the pump adapter
234
. The adapter has an upstream end portion
336
which fits inside the hose and an upstream flange
338
for limiting movement of the adapter into the hose. A downstream flange
340
acts as a stop or limit to the insertion of a downstream end portion
342
into the pump
16
through the opening
158
in the outer housing.
The conduit
20
between the nozzle
22
and the pump
16
takes the form of a flexible outer hose
344
,
FIGS. 16-20
, a flexible inner hose
346
, a metal support tube
348
, a support block
350
, the upstream adapter
226
and a downstream adapter
354
. The food carrying path extends from the output opening
160
,
FIG. 5
, of the pump
16
to the upstream adapter
226
to the inner hose
346
to the nozzle
22
. The upstream adapter has a tubular body with an upstream portion
356
and a downstream portion
358
. The upstream portion
356
includes an upstream annular recess
228
which is engaged by the locking pin
220
,
FIG. 5
, of the pump
16
. When the upstream adapter is plugged into the output opening of the pump and the looking pin is rotated so that the flat portion
224
is moved away from the upstream adapter, the adapter is effectively locked in place. A second smaller annular recess
362
is provided to receive a press fitted pin
364
,
FIG. 21
, into the support block
350
. In this fashion the upstream adapter
226
is attached to the support block
350
so that they move during assembly and disassembly as a single unit along with all of the other elements shown in FIG.
16
. The downstream portion
358
of the upstream adapter includes annular barbs
360
which are used to frictionally engage the upstream end
361
of the inner hose
346
.
A downstream end
365
of the inner hose
346
attaches to a barbed stem
366
,
FIG. 27
, molded with or affixed to the nozzle
22
. Between the two ends the inner hose is protected and supported by the support tube
348
and the outer hose
344
. The support tube is comprised of a bent stainless steel tube and a stainless steel cover plate
368
which is fastened to the support block
350
by threaded fasteners
370
,
372
,
374
,
376
. The support tube
348
in turn is attached to the downstream adapter
354
. The downstream adapter
354
includes a tubular upstream portion
378
and a downstream barbed portion
380
. A flange
382
separates the two portions and acts to limit both the depth of insertion of the barbed portion
380
into an upstream end
382
of the outer hose
344
and the depth of the upstream end
378
into the support tube
348
. The outer hose, made of PVC, extends to its downstream end
384
which receives a barbed upstream end
386
,
FIGS. 16 and 27
, of the handle
26
of the nozzle. The inner hose is made of silicon especially adapted to carry food product.
The support block
350
,
FIGS. 21-25
, is made of Delrin resin and includes an upper surface
390
, four side walls
392
,
394
,
396
,
398
and a lower surface
400
. Formed in the block is a hole
402
into which is seated the upstream adapter
226
,
FIG. 16
, and the upstream end
361
of the hose
346
. A lateral hole
404
is formed in the block to receive the pin
364
that locks the upstream adapter in place. Two parallel holes
406
,
408
are also formed in the block. These receive stainless steel rods
410
,
412
,
FIGS. 16 and 18
, which terminate in the support block
350
and support not only the block but also the dispensing conduit
20
including the support tube
348
, the outer hose
344
, the inner hose
346
, the upstream adapter
226
, the downstream adaptor
354
, the handle
26
and the nozzle
22
, in other words, all of the elements shown in
FIGS. 16-18
are supported. The rods are retained by two threaded fasteners
416
,
418
. The threaded fasteners also connect two electrical wires
420
,
422
, respectively, and appropriate washers
424
,
426
,
428
,
430
are also provided. The electrical wires form an electrical path with the rods
410
,
412
from the pins
70
,
72
to the switch
30
. These are all placed in a chamber
414
which is sealed by the plate
368
. The electrical wires extend the electrical path from the rods through the support tube
348
, the downstream adapter
354
, the outer hose
344
and the nozzle handle
26
before terminating at a switch
30
in the handle. The electrical wires parallel the inner hose
346
but are exterior to the inner hose so that food product and the wires never come into contact. Instead, the food path is separate and distinct and so is the electrical path. Furthermore, the electrical wires are sealed so that the conduit
20
can be washed to sanitize the food path and yet no harm comes to the electrical path.
Four openings
434
,
436
,
438
,
440
are provided to receive the fasteners
370
,
372
,
374
,
376
for sealing the plate
368
to the top of the block. In addition, an indentation
442
is provided in the bottom of the support block to accommodate the pump adapter
234
, FIG.
10
.
The downstream end
384
of the outer hose
344
, attaches to the barbed end
386
of the handle
26
,
FIGS. 26 and 27
. The nozzle
22
is press fitted to the opposite end of the handle. Integral with the handle is a projection
444
with an opening
446
for receiving the switch
30
. The switch is connected to the wires
420
,
422
so that a user may activate the dispenser from the handle. The nozzle has a bowl shaped face
450
surrounding a central opening
452
through which the dispensing product flows. The nozzle face may be relatively flat as is the face
454
shown in
FIG. 28
or it may be domed as shown in
FIGS. 26 and 27
. The shape may depend upon the use for which the dispenser is operated. When the dispenser is being used for very thin crust pizza, it has been found that the domed face
450
operates better, since it does not create an attachment through surface tension or otherwise with the surface of the thin crust pizza. It has been found that the flat face may cause the thin pizza dough to adhere to the sauce and the sauce to the nozzle and tear apart when the nozzle is lifted after the pizza sauce is dispensed.
Reference is now made to
FIGS. 29 and 30
where the bracket
24
is illustrated. The bracket has a rounded front surface
460
and a slanted back surface
462
. A dishlike recessed surface
464
is formed in the top
466
of the bracket and this surface mates with the nozzle. An upstanding post
468
is formed in the middle of the recess. The size of the recess is such that the nozzle
22
may be received and supported. When the nozzle is placed in the recess
464
, the upstanding post
468
is received by the central opening
452
,
FIG. 26
of the nozzle and the post acts as a plug to prevent or control any leakage from the nozzle. A shoulder
469
is formed in the post for this purpose. As can be seen, the bracket is centrally located on the front slanted wall
34
,
FIG. 2
of the base, which wall has the same slant as the back surface
462
of the bracket so that mating may occur. This is done for the convenience of the operator and provides the ergonomically beneficial feature of placing the nozzle handle in a convenient location to be gripped by the operator. The nozzle handle
26
is positioned close to the operator and near to the pizza dough on which pizza sauce is to be dispensed.
To facilitate removal of the bracket for cleaning, there are two projections, such as the post
470
, mounted to the front wall
34
of the base. Two post openings
472
,
474
are formed in the slanted back face of the bracket which allows the bracket to be mounted on the posts simply by aligning the openings with the posts and pressing downwardly toward the front wall of the base. The opposite motion removes the bracket from the slanted wall. The operator merely grips the bracket and moves the bracket at an angle of about 45 degrees from a reference horizontal, such as a counter on which the dispensing apparatus is placed. The bracket may be formed of Delrin while the posts are stainless steel. Again, it can be appreciated how easy it is to disassemble and clean parts of the apparatus and then reassemble them quickly and easily.
The nozzle
22
may also be mounted to an arm
476
,
FIG. 31
, which is movable in a linear and/or a rotatable fashion. The arm may also be mounted to move vertically by any suitable arrangement shown diagrammatically at
477
. A rotating platform
478
may also be used. The pizza dough may be placed on the platform to be rotated while the arm may simply be moved back and forth. In this fashion the dispensing process may be automated and the movable arm or the arm in combination with the platform may cause the nozzle to move over the pizza dough in a predetermined pattern. After completion of the sauce dispensing, the nozzle may be lifted and returned to the bracket
24
.
As mentioned earlier, there is a unique electrical path used in the present invention to allow the nozzle
22
and the conduit
20
to be easily removed and washed. And, this is true even though the nozzle hose
344
and support block
350
contain electrical elements which are generally incompatible with immersion in water. As explained above, power emanates from a wall socket through the electrical cord
110
to the control circuitry
66
and from there to the motor
46
, the switch
32
on the front wall of the base
12
and the switch
30
in the nozzle handle
26
. To connect the switch in the nozzle handle there must be an electrical path. This path from inside the base
12
terminates in the pins
70
,
72
which then project from the right side wall
40
of the base. The inner and outer housings
138
,
140
of the pump are removably connected to the base and two horizontal openings
212
,
214
in the inner housing
138
of the pump receive the pins such that they are physically exposed in the vertically disposed cylindrical openings
154
,
156
also in the inner housing
138
. The two rods
410
,
412
connected to the support block, when inserted into the vertical openings, make physical contact with the pins. Since both the pins and the rods are formed of stainless steel, which are good electrical conductors, the electrical path extends from the pins to the rods. Hence, the rods both support the dispensing conduit and also become part of the electrical path. The wires
420
,
422
are attached to the upper ends of the rods and extend from the upper portion of the support block through the nozzle hose to the nozzle handle. The switch is mounted in the nozzle handle and is connected to the wires. The wires are sealed against water, as are all other electrically related components except the stainless steel pins and rods.
The front wall
34
of the base
12
,
FIG. 1
, includes a control panel comprising a series of switches. For example, there are four control panel switches
480
,
482
,
484
,
486
on the left side of the front wall and four control switches
488
,
490
,
492
,
32
on the right side of the front wall. The switches on the left determine the basic quantity of pizza sauce to be dispensed. For example, there may be an “S” switch
480
to dispense sauce for a “small” pizza, an “M” switch
482
for a medium size pizza, an “L” switch
484
for a large pizza and an “X” switch
486
for an extra large pizza. In all cases the precise amount of pizza sauce for each of the sizes is predetermined and programmed into the control circuitry so that when the motor is activated, it will rotate the predetermined number of revolutions and then stop. For example, it may be predetermined that 163¼ revolutions of the motor will cause the pump to dispense two cups of sauce which may be the right amount of sauce for a large pizza as determined by the operator of the apparatus.
The switches on the right may control such features as extra sauce, switch
488
(and labeled “+”), less sauce, switch
490
(and labeled “−”), a cycle start, switch
32
(and labeled “C”) and initial set up, switch
492
(and labeled “*”). During set up, motor revolutions for each pizza size are programmed into the control circuitry. The number of extra revolutions or a percentage for more sauce and the number of revolutions or percentage to be subtracted for less sauce may also be programmed into the control circuitry. The number of revolutions added or subtracted are from the number of revolutions programmed for each size pizza and determined by the S, M, L and X switches.
For thin crust pizza, it has been found that a suitable pizza is created when the motor dispenses a half cup of sauce for a small pizza, a full cup for a medium pizza, a cup and a half for a large pizza and two cups for an extra large pizza. An extra large pizza has a diameter of eighteen inches, a large size pizza has a diameter of sixteen inches, a medium size pizza has a diameter of twelve inches and a small pizza has a diameter of ten inches. Depressing the “extra” switch causes the motor to revolve an additional twenty-five percent more revolutions than the programmed number based on size. Depressing the “less” switch will subtract twenty-five percent of the number of revolutions from the predetermined amount based on size. Pressing the cycle start switch causes the control circuitry to reset in anticipation of new instructions from the operator.
The control circuitry may include a programmable microprocessor of the type commonly available. A suitable microprocessor is GE Programmable Logic Controllers and may be purchased from Powermation, located in Illinois and Minnesota. As explained, the microprocessor is programmed with the number of motor revolutions for each of four sized pizzas. Thus, when a signal is received from one of the four switches
480
,
482
,
484
and
486
, the motor, upon activation of the “cycle” switch
32
or the switch
30
on the nozzle handle will proceed to rotate the number of predetermined revolutions. If the “extra” or “less” switch
488
,
490
is also depressed, then more or less revolutions will occur. Each switch is illuminated and is sold by Newark Electronics for MGR Industries, Inc.
In operation, the dispensing apparatus is first calibrated. This is done by an operator who meters sauce into a measuring cup, the amount of sauce he/she normally uses for each pizza size. In some cases an experienced operator may “eyeball” the amount to be used. In others the operator has already determined the exact amounts. After the pump is primed, the operator momentarily depresses a pizza size switch on the left, “S”, “M”, “L” or “X”, and the “set up” switch
492
on the right. Then he/she depresses the “cycle” switch
32
(or the nozzle switch
30
) while a cup or other container is filled to the desired level. These operations program the apparatus. The same technique is used to calibrate the “extra” or “less” operations. There is a light associated with each switch so that the operator is informed which switches have been depressed.
Once calibration is completed, an operator places a disk of pizza dough in front of the base, lifts the nozzle from the bracket by the nozzle handle and brings the nozzle to a position just above the disk of pizza dough. The operator begins dispensing sauce by pressing the appropriate size switch and the cycle switch either on the nozzle handle or on the front wall of the base. The amount dispensed is determined by revolutions of the impeller which in turn is directly tied to the number of revolutions of the motor shaft. The number of revolutions of the motor shaft is predetermined by the user. Once the motor has rotated the predetermined number of revolutions, the motor will stop automatically. During the time that the motor is rotating, the operator will move the nozzle about the pizza dough to spread the sauce evenly over the dough. When the operator is finished, he/she replaces the nozzle into the bracket and the pizza dough with the sauce is moved to another station, or other ingredients are brought to the same station and deposited on the pizza. Thereafter, the pizza is baked in an oven until finished.
The specification describes in detail several embodiments of the present invention. Other modifications and variations will under the doctrine of equivalents come within the scope of the appended claims. Various types of containers of food to be dispensed may be used. A large plastic bucket is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, however, food to be dispensed may be packaged in soft sided resin packages. The specific shape of the base may be varied as a function of the counter space available or of the packaging of the food to be dispensed as may be the shape of the nozzle. The nozzle handle may also be modified to the taste of various operators. The apparatus may also be used to deposit sauce on food items beside pizza. Still other alternatives will also be equivalent as will many new technologies. There is no desire or intension here to limit in any way the application of the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
- 1. A dispensing apparatus comprising in combination:a base; a motor operatively connected to said base; a pump operatively connected to said base and being operable by said motor; a first conduit adapted to connect said pump and a container of product to be pumped; a nozzle operatively connected to said pump, said nozzle being moveable between a storage position and a dispensing position; a second conduit for connecting said pump and said nozzle; an electrical conducting wire adapted to connect said motor to a source of power; a first switch connected to said electrical line adapted to control power from the source of power to said motor; and a bracket removably mounted to said base, said bracket for mounting said nozzle when said nozzle is in said storage position and for controlling leakage of product from said nozzle.
- 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:said bracket has a dish shape with an upstanding post within said dish shape.
- 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:said bracket includes a surface for mating with said nozzle.
- 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:said bracket includes a surface for mating with said base.
- 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein:said bracket and said base have engageable openings and projections.
- 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein:said bracket and said base have complementary slanted surfaces.
- 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein:said projections are mounted to said base and said openings are formed in said bracket.
- 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein:said bracket includes a surface for mating with said nozzle.
- 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein:said post includes a shoulder for engaging said nozzle.
- 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:a monitoring element operatively connected to said motor for indicating the number of revolutions made by said pump.
- 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:a container for storing product to be pumped; and a valve having a valve seat, an element movable between open and closed positions, and a biasing element, said valve being removably connected to said container, and said movable element being biased to said closed position; said first conduit having an end portion for biasing said valve element to said open position.
- 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:said first switch being connected to said nozzle and movable therewith; and an electrical path connected to said second conduit and operatively connecting said first switch and said motor, said electrical path including two metal mounting pins and an electrical wire.
- 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 including:a container for storing product to be pumped; a valve having a valve seat, an element movable between open and closed positions, and a biasing element, said valve being removably connected to said container, and said movable element being biased to said closed position; and an end portion on said first conduit for biasing said valve element to said open position.
- 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including:a monitoring element operatively connected to said motor for indicating the number of revolutions made by said pump, said monitoring element including a rotatable disk having spaced openings therein, and a circuit having a light source, a light detector and a counting component for counting the number of times light passes through said spaced openings.
- 15. A dispensing apparatus comprising in combination:a base; a motor operatively connected to said base; a pump operatively connected to said base and being operable by said motor; a first conduit adapted to connect said pump and a container of product to be pumped; a nozzle operatively connected to said pump, said nozzle being movable between a storage position and a dispensing position; a second conduit for connecting said pump and said nozzle; an electrical conducting wire adapted to connect said motor to a source of power; a first switch connected to said electrical line adapted to control power from the source of power to said motor; and a monitoring element operatively connected to said motor for indicating the number of revolutions made by said pump.
- 16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein:said monitoring element including a rotatable disk having spaced openings therein, and a circuit having a light source, a light detector and a counting component for counting the number of times light passes through said spaced openings.
- 17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 including:a shaft mounted to said motor; and wherein: said disk is mounted to said shaft.
- 18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 including:a mounting block connected to said base; and wherein: said light source and said light detector are mounted to said mounting block; and said pump is mounted to said mounting block.
- 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 including:a first panel switch for signaling that a small amount of product is to be dispensed; a second panel switch for signaling that a medium amount of product is to be dispensed; a third panel switch for signaling that a large amount of product is to be dispensed; and a fourth panel switch for signaling that an extra large amount of product is to be dispensed.
- 20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 including:a fifth panel switch for signaling that an extra amount of product is to be dispensed, said extra amount being a function of the amount determined by the first, second, third or fourth panel switch; and a sixth panel switch for signaling that a lesser amount of product is to be dispensed, said lesser amount being a function of the amount determined by the first, second, third or fourth panel switch.
- 21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 including:a container for storing product to be pumped; and a valve having a valve seat, an element movable between open and closed positions, and a biasing element, said valve being removably connected to said container, and said movable element being biased to said closed position; and wherein: said first conduit has an end portion for biasing said valve element to said open position.
- 22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein:said first switch is connected to said nozzle and movable therewith; and including: an electrical path connected to said second conduit and operatively connecting said first switch and said motor, said electrical path including two metal mounting pins and an electrical wire.
- 23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 including:a bracket removably mounted to said base, said bracket for mounting said nozzle when said nozzle is in said storage position and for controlling leakage from said nozzle.
- 24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 including:a shaft mounted to said motor; and a mounting block connected to said base; and wherein: said monitoring element including a rotatable disk having spaced openings therein, and a circuit having a light source, a light detector and a counting component for counting the number of times light passes through said spaced openings; said pump is mounted to said mounting block; said circuit is programmable; said disk is mounted to said shaft; and said light source and said light detector are mounted to said mounting block.
- 25. A dispensing apparatus comprising in combination:a base; a motor operatively connected to said base; a pump operatively connected to said base and being operable by said motor; a first conduit adapted to connect said pump and a container of product to be pumped; a nozzle operatively connected to said pump, said nozzle being movable between a storage position and a dispensing position; a second conduit for connecting said pump and said nozzle; an electrical conducting wire adapted to connect said motor to a source of power; a first switch connected to said electrical wire adapted to control power from the source of power to said motor; a container for storing product to be pumped; a valve having a valve seat, an element movable between open and closed positions, and a biasing element, said valve being removably connected to said container, and said movable element being biased to said closed position; and an end portion on said first conduit for biasing said valve element to said open position.
- 26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein said valve includes:a retainer connected to said movable element; and a housing having an internal chamber; and wherein said biasing element is trapped between said retainer and a portion of said housing within said internal chamber.
- 27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein:said end portion of said first conduit engages said retainer.
- 28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein:said retainer has a round periphery and at least one passageway; and said biasing element is a coil spring.
- 29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein:said retainer and said biasing element are integral; and said internal chamber includes a converging wall.
- 30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein:said biasing element comprises a plurality of flex beams.
- 31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 including:a plurality of O-rings mounted within said housing in said internal chamber.
- 32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 including:an electrical path connected to said second conduit and operatively connecting said first switch and said motor, said electrical path including two metal mounting pins and an electrical wire; and wherein said first switch is connected to said nozzle and movable therewith.
- 33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 including:a shaft mounted to said motor; a disk with peripheral openings mounted to said shaft; and a circuit having a light source, a light detector and a counting means for counting the number of times light passes through said openings, said circuit being mounted to said base.
- 34. A dispensing apparatus comprising in combination:a base; a motor operatively connected to said base; a pump operatively connected to said base and being operable by said motor; a first conduit adapted to connect said pump and a container of product to be pumped; a nozzle operatively connected to said pump, said nozzle being moveable between a storage position and a dispensing position; a second conduit for connecting said pump and said nozzle; an electrical conducting wire adapted to connect said motor to a source of power; a first switch connected to said electrical wire adapted to control power from the source of power to said motor; said first switch being connected to said nozzle and movable therewith; and an electrical path connected to said second conduit and operatively connecting said switch and said motor, said electrical path including two metal rods and electrical wire.
- 35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 including:an internal food carrying tube mounted in said second conduit; and wherein: said electrical wire is located adjacent said internal tube.
- 36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 including:a support block; and wherein said rods are mounted to said support block; said internal food carrying tube is mounted to said support block; and said electrical wire is connected to said rods in said support block.
- 37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 36 including:a cover for said support block; a rigid outer support tube connected to said cover; and said support tube for containing said internal food tube and said electrical wire.
- 38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 including:a bracket removably mounted to said base, said bracket for mounting said nozzle when said nozzle is in said storage position and for controlling leakage of product from said nozzle; a container for storing product to be pumped; a valve having a valve seat, an element movable between open and closed positions, and a biasing element, said valve being removably connected to said container, and said movable element being biased to said closed position; an end portion of said first conduit for biasing said valve element to said open position; a monitoring element operatively connected to said motor for indicating the number of revolutions made by said pump, said monitoring element including a rotatable disk having spaced openings therein, and a circuit having a light source, a light detector and a counting component for counting the number of times light passes through said spaced openings; and a second switch for stopping said motor after a predetermined number of revolutions or fractions thereof.
US Referenced Citations (5)