Food product dispenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a food product dispenser, in particular such dispenser intended for dealing out metered amounts of powder products in general, ground coffee, tea leaves, products in granular form or in the form of thick liquids in a beverage or food-item vending machine. The inventive dispenser comprises a box-shaped container (1) for storing a food product, comprising at least a substantially planar wall portion (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and a dispensing outlet (5); the dispenser further comprises scraper means (7) for removing product from said wall (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and actuating means (10) for driving said scraper means (7). The inventive dispenser is characterized in that said scraper means (7) are operated by said actuating means (10) to displace in a direction parallel to at least a substantially planar wall portion (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) with a reciprocating translatory motion.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a food dispenser, in particular a dispenser suitable for dispensing powders, granules or dense liquids in food vending machines. Background technique [0002] Prior art food dispensers are generally known, e.g. generally powdered food, ground coffee, tea leaves, food in granular form or in the form of a dense liquid, comprising a container for storing the food, a container adapted to obtain a metered amount from the container A feed screw or similar arrangement for dispensing food and conveying it towards a dispensing nozzle or outlet, and an agitator adapted to agitate the food in the container so as to prevent it from clumping or coagulating, which could cause Food is dispensed in inappropriate quantities for its intended application. The agitator, usually constituted by an arm extending into the storage chamber formed by said container, is generally operated by performing a rotary motion, either by the same dispensi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

If, on the one hand, in fact, devices of this type allow the use of containers of any desired shape, thereby solving the aforementioned space problems in vending machine housings, on the other hand they still have the disadvantage that they produce a Noise that is uncomfortable for users of the vending machine, thereby making the vending machine unwelcome

A further disadvantage associated with devices of the type described above lies in the fact that after a certain number of operating cycles, the spring so repeatedly hitting the container wall tends to cause this same container to rupture or become damaged, thereby allowing food to leak out.

Also, springs, usually of the wound type, prove to be really difficult to clean

Images