Food processing systems

Abstract

A food dispensing system is provided, wherein the food dispensing hopper includes a gate rotatably mounted adjacent to a bottom opening to selectively open and close the bottom opening. The hopper also includes a coupling device for removably and rotationally coupling the hopper to an apparatus and an interlocking mechanism for interoperating with the gate so that when the coupling device is rotationally coupled to the apparatus, the bottom opening is rotated relative to the gate into an open position, and when the coupling device is reversely rotated to be separated from the apparatus, the bottom opening is rotated relative to the gate into a closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to food processing systems and, more particularly, to food dispensing hopper assemblies for use in such systems. Background Art

[0002] Food processing systems often have a hopper or hopper assembly attached to the food processing equipment for storing and dispensing food to the equipment. For example, coffee grinders and coffee machines with built-in grinders often use such a removable hopper to store and dispense coffee beans to the grinder. Because the hopper or hopper assembly is removable, it can be removed to clean, service and repair the processing mechanism within the processing equipment, for example, to clean or service the grinding burrs of a coffee grinder.

[0003] The hopper needs to be closed before removing the hopper from its respective equipment to prevent the food from leaking during and after the removal process. Some hoppers include a spring-loaded trapdoor that is biased to close and mechanically held open when inserted into its respective equipment. Other hoppers include a manually operated gate to close the dispensing opening of the hopper. These hoppers involve many limitations and compromises. For example, a disadvantage of the spring-loaded trapdoor design is that any food stuck in the operating area of ​​the door will prevent the door from closing, thereby allowing the food to leak and spill. With this manual gate, the user needs to remember to completely close the gate before removing the hopper.

[0004] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not an acknowledgement or implication that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction, or that a person skilled in the art could reasonably expect the prior art to be understood, regarded as relevant and / or combined with other prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a food dispensing hopper is provided, which includes: a side wall; a bottom opening; a gate rotatably installed adjacent to the bottom opening to selectively open and close the bottom opening; a connecting device for detachably and rotatably connecting the hopper assembly to a food processing device, wherein the bottom opening is connected to a food receiving opening of the food processing device; and an interlocking mechanism for interacting with the gate so that when the connecting device is rotationally connected to the food processing device, the bottom opening rotates relative to the gate into an open position, and when the connecting device is reversely rotated to separate from the food processing device, the bottom opening rotates relative to the gate into a closed position.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a food processing system is provided, which includes: a food processing device for processing food, and a food dispensing hopper for storing and dispensing food to be processed, wherein the hopper includes a side wall, a bottom opening, a gate rotatably installed adjacent to the bottom opening to selectively open and close the bottom opening, and a connecting device for detachably and rotatably connecting the hopper to the processing device, wherein the processing device includes a food receiving opening, a connecting device for receiving the hopper so that the bottom opening of the hopper is connected to the food receiving opening, and a food processing mechanism for processing food dispensed from the hopper through the food receiving opening, and wherein the processing system also includes an interlocking mechanism, which is suitable for locking the gate of the hopper with the processing device when the hopper is rotated between an insertion position and a connection position, so that the gate is fixed relative to the processing device and the hopper rotates relative to the gate, wherein the gate in the insertion position closes the bottom opening, and the hopper rotates to the connection position to selectively open the bottom opening.

[0007] As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised" are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0008] Further aspects of the invention and aspects of the other embodiments described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a front right top perspective view of an espresso machine having a coffee bean hopper according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2A is a top perspective view of a coffee bean hopper according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2B and Figure 2C They are the exploded top and bottom perspective views of the hopper.

[0012] Figure 3A is a top view of the coffee bean hopper in the closed position with portions of the hopper removed to provide an unobstructed view of the interlock mechanism.

[0013] Figure 3B Yes Figure 3A A perspective cross-sectional view of the hopper in the closed position depicted in , with the removed parts being reinstalled.

[0014] Figure 4Ais a top view of the coffee bean hopper in a partially open position with portions of the hopper removed to provide an unobstructed view of the interlock mechanism.

[0015] Figure 4B Yes Figure 4A A perspective cross-sectional view of a hopper in a partially open position depicted in , with the removed portion being reinstalled.

[0016] Figure 5A is a top view of the coffee bean hopper in the fully open position with portions of the hopper removed to provide an unobstructed view of the interlock mechanism.

[0017] Figure 5B Yes Figure 5A A perspective cross-sectional view of the hopper in the fully open position depicted in , with the removed portion being reinstalled.

[0018] Fig. 6A is a top view of the coffee bean hopper in the fully open and over-rotated position with portions of the hopper removed to provide an unobstructed view of the interlock mechanism.

[0019] Figure 6B Yes Fig. 6A A perspective cross-sectional view of the hopper in the fully open and over-rotated position depicted in FIG. 1 , with the removed portion being reinstalled.

[0020] Fig. 7A is a partial top perspective view of a portion of an espresso machine showing a hopper receiving opening.

[0021] Figure 7B is a partial plan view of an espresso machine showing the hopper receiving opening.

[0022] Figure 7C is a plan view of an espresso machine showing a hopper received in a receiving opening.

[0023] Fig.7D An exploded top perspective view of a grinding mechanism and complementary coupling arrangement of a coffee bean grinder according to

[0024] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an espresso machine with a coffee bean hopper according to the present disclosure, wherein the hopper is inserted into the espresso machine in a closed position.

[0025] Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of an espresso machine with a coffee bean hopper, wherein the hopper is engaged with the espresso machine in an open position.

[0026] Fig.10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an espresso machine with a coffee bean hopper engaged with the espresso machine in an open position and over-rotated.

[0027] Fig.11 is a schematic block diagram of the microcontroller input and output.

[0028] Fig.12 It is a detailed bottom view of the hopper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] First reference Figure 1 , the espresso machine 10 includes a built-in grinder (not shown) with a removable hopper assembly 12. The espresso machine 10 includes a group head 14 for receiving a filter basket 16, a steam wand 18, a control panel 20, and a grinder bracket 22. The grinder bracket is configured to activate a micro switch that activates the grinder when the filter basket 16 is in the proper position. It should be understood that although not described in detail, the various additional components that make up the espresso machine are familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0030] Figure 2A 1, with cover 12A removed, and includes a hopper 24 formed of a hard transparent plastic material such as styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) or polycarbonate (PC) having a rounded cylindrical sidewall 26 and a lower frustoconical portion 28 terminating in a reduced diameter portion 30. A series of labeled graduations 32 and 34 are formed on the respective reduced diameter portion 30 and sidewall 26 and indicate grind finenesses from coarse to medium to fine to allow adjustment of the grinder according to hopper rotation as will be further described in the specification. Fig.12 These labeled scales 32 and 34 are illustrated in more detail in FIG.

[0031] The hopper assembly 12 also includes a locking ring 36 and a coupling ring 38 . Figure 2B and Figure 2C The various components of the hopper assembly can be clearly seen in the exploded view of FIG. 1 , including the hopper 24, the locking ring 36, the coupling ring 38, and the gate 40 sandwiched between the coupling ring 38 and the locking ring 36. The coupling ring 38 is connected to the hopper 12 by three screws (not shown) that pass through screw holes 42 in the coupling ring to internal threaded bosses 44 extending downwardly from the base of the hopper. The coupling ring 38 is formed by a circumferentially long bayonet tab 39A and an opposing circumferentially short bayonet tab 39B, which, although shorter in the circumferential direction, protrudes more outward in the radial direction.

[0032] The boss 44 passes through an arcuate guide slot 46 in the gate 40 which allows the gate to rotate relative to the hopper. The locking ring 36 is rotatably mounted between the hopper and the coupling ring and includes an upper recess 48 which locates with an edge 50 of a skirt 52 extending from the hopper. The locking ring is formed with locking lugs 54 which prevent the ring from rotating relative to the espresso machine.

[0033] The hopper 24 is formed with a lowermost cylindrical wall 56 defining a bottom opening 58. The bottom opening is divided into three fan-shaped window portions 60 that alternate with three closed portions 61 at 60 degree intervals. The gate 40 is similarly formed with corresponding baffles 62 and window portions 64. It should be understood that the number of windows and closed portions and the number of corresponding baffles and window portions are not limited to three, and other embodiments may use 1, 2, 4 or more windows and closed portions and corresponding baffles and window portions, and their shapes may also vary.

[0034] A central stub shaft 66 extends upward from the gate and is positioned with a corresponding hole 68 formed in the center of the opening 58 so that the gate 40 can rotate with respect to the opening 58 of the hopper about the central axis with a relative movement of 60 degrees between an open position and a closed position, in which the respective windows 64 and 60 are aligned to allow coffee beans to pass through, and in which the baffle 62 closes the window 60.

[0035] As from Figure 3B As best seen in FIG. 3B , a central hole 68 is formed in the base of a hollow turret 70 onto which a dome 72 fits. The dome is anchored to three side posts 76 and is configured to control the flow of coffee beans from the hopper 24 and to prevent direct access to the grinding burrs by a user. FIG. 3B also illustrates how the gate 40 is rotatably mounted within the base of the hopper. The gate 40 is also formed with first and second axially projecting resilient detent formations 78 and 90 that cooperate with the locking ring 38 and the hopper 24 to form an interlocking mechanism, the operation of which will now be described.

[0036] First reference Figure 3A , shows the hopper 24 in a closed position, wherein the flap 62 of the gate 40 is aligned with the corresponding window 60 of the hopper. In this position, it can be clearly seen how the first resilient pawl formation 78 is located in a corresponding recess 82 formed on the inner surface of the locking ring 36. The first resilient pawl formation 78 is retained in the locked position by a retaining formation or protrusion 84, which extends from the hopper and has an arcuate profile 86 that abuts against the interior of the first resilient pawl formation 78. The gate 40 and the retaining ring 36 are thus locked together. When the hopper and the coupling ring are able to be in a closed position, the gate 40 and the retaining ring 36 can be locked together. Figure 4A and Figure 4BWhen rotated in the manner shown in FIG. 1 , the locking lugs 54 hold the locking ring 36 and the gate 40 in a fixed position relative to the espresso machine.

[0037] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B , the hopper 24 and coupling ring 38 are shown rotated through an arc of approximately 60 degrees, wherein the locking ring 36 and gate 40 remain in a fixed position. Thus, the respective windows 60 and 64 of the bottom opening 58 and gate 40 are rotated toward the fully open position to align with each other. In this position, the trailing edge of the arcuate profile 86 of the retaining projection 84 still locks the first resilient pawl formation 78 in place, and the movable projection 88 on the hopper abuts against the second resilient pawl formation or movable pawl 90 extending from the gate 40.

[0038] exist Figure 5A and Figure 5B 8, the first resilient pawl formation 78 is no longer locked in place by the arcuate profile of the projection 84 and is able to move out of the recess 82. At the same time, the movable projection 88 snaps onto the movable pawl 90. At the same time, the boss 44 abuts against the end of the guide slot 46 in the gate 40, causing the gate 40, which has now been disengaged from the locking ring 36 and moves in a clockwise direction with the hopper 24. Because the gate and hopper are now rotating together, they remain in the fully open position.

[0039] Reference now Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , showing the hopper over-rotated more than 60 degrees in the clockwise direction, wherein the gate and hopper move together, and the movable pawl 90 bears against a locking or support rib 92 extending from the locking ring 36. This effectively prevents the moving protrusion 88 from returning to the movable pawl 90 and ensures that the hopper and gate rotate in unison in the counterclockwise direction. Based on the corresponding arc of the support rib 92, a maximum rotation arc of 210 degrees is possible. It should be understood that different

[0040] If the hopper is rotated back counterclockwise beyond the 60 degree mark, which corresponds to point 92A, the support rib 92 terminates at that point causing the movable projection to be able to pass back over the movable pawl 90, which is now free to move outward. At the same time, the gate 40 reengages the locking ring 36 as the arcuate profile of the retaining projection 84 abuts the first resilient pawl formation 78 and engages in locking engagement with the corresponding recess 82 in the locking ring. Thus, the counterclockwise rotation of the hopper causes the gate to retract in a manner that is consistent with the present invention. Figure 3A 4A and the hopper is simultaneously disengaged from the grinder opening.

[0041] In the described embodiment, the first resilient pawl structure 78 and the second resilient pawl structure 90 protrude axially from the gate and are adapted to be elastically deformed in the radial direction. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, these resilient pawl structures may extend in the radial direction and be adapted to be elastically deformed in the axial direction. It will also be appreciated that in such alternative embodiments, the corresponding features on the hopper 24 (e.g., the retaining protrusion 84 and the moving protrusion 88) and the locking ring 36 (e.g., the corresponding recess 82 and the support rib 92) will be changed accordingly.

[0042] Furthermore, in the depicted embodiment, the first resilient detent formation 78 is formed on the gate 40 and the corresponding recess 82 is formed on the locking ring 36. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the detent formation may be formed on the locking ring 36 and the recess may be formed on the gate 40.

[0043] Reference now Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , respectively a partial top perspective view and a partial plan view, the espresso machine 10 is shown with an opening 100 for receiving the hopper, the opening being surrounded by a raised lip 102 formed with a front recess 104 designed to provide access to the relevant portion of the adjustment scale 30 on the hopper. In the middle of the recess 104 is a slot 106 for receiving the locking lug 54 so that the locking ring remains in a fixed position when the hopper is engaged with the espresso machine. A complementary rotational coupling arrangement 108 is located within the above-mentioned opening and engages with a grind adjustment collar 109.

[0044] The bayonet rib 110 is integrally formed with the lip 102 just above the rotational coupling arrangement and has a first wide opening 102a and a second narrow opening 102b that provide access to corresponding wide bayonet recesses 112a and narrow bayonet recesses 112b that are defined in the coupling arrangement to engage when corresponding bayonet tabs 39A and 39B are located. Figure 2A Due to the variation in the circumferential and radial dimensions of the bayonet tabs and corresponding recesses and openings, the hopper can be rotated 180 degrees without the bayonet being disengaged from the housing opening because the radially long tabs cannot pass through the radially short openings, and the circumferentially long tabs cannot pass through the circumferentially short openings. It will therefore be appreciated that in embodiments where rotation is limited to less than 180 degrees, a standard bayonet-style fitting may be used where the tabs and recesses have the same shape and dimensions.

[0045] Figure 7C1 is a plan view illustrating one example of various angular positions of the hopper 24 when the hopper assembly 12 is received in the opening 100 of the espresso machine 10. The hopper assembly 12 is inserted in the "gate closed" position and thereafter engaged to the espresso machine 10 by rotating the hopper 24 to the "gate open" position. In this position, the gate is fully open and the hopper fully engages the espresso machine 10 in the manner described above. Over-rotation occurs between the "gate open" and "open / engaged" positions, in which the gate and hopper rotate together in the manner described above and the angular position of the hopper controls the fineness of the grind, as will now be described in more detail.

[0046] Fig.7D A coupling arrangement is shown with an additional grinder component, namely a grinder assembly 114 having a central lower rotating grinding burr 116 driven by a motor (not shown) and including a feed chute 117 which supplies ground coffee to the filter holder 14 when the feed chute 117 activates the bracket 22. A housing 118 extends upwardly from the grinder assembly and is provided with a pair of opposed recesses 120 for receiving opposed engagement wings 122 of a fixed upper burr insert 124 in which an upper burr 126 is located.

[0047] The grinder adjustment collar 109 comprises an internal double-start threaded portion 128. The upper edge of the ring is formed by toothing 130 which engages with complementary toothing 132 defined in a lower recess of the coupling arrangement 108 to enable the two components to rotate together.

[0048] Reference now Figure 8 , shows a partial cross-sectional view of the coffee grinder portion of the espresso machine 10, wherein a portion of the hopper assembly 24 is in the inserted position. In this position, the upper bayonet portion 134 of the locking ring 36 is in contact with the Figure 2A 102a and 102b, and the hopper is closed. The aligned tabs are then inserted through the wide opening 102a and the narrow opening 102b, and the bayonet tabs 39A and 39B are nested in the complementary recesses 112a and 112b. Any rotation of the gate from the closed position will result in misalignment of the bayonet portion 134 and the bayonet tabs 39A, 39B, thereby preventing the hopper from being inserted into the bayonet recess when the gate is open or partially open.

[0049] The downward movement of the locking lug 54 in the slot 106 causes a corresponding downward movement of the spring-loaded drive pin 136, which in turn activates the micro switch 138 to indicate that the hopper is in the engaged position or in the engaged position. Figure 8In the inserted position, the wings 122 of the upper burr insert 124 are shown placed at the uppermost starting portion of the internal stud threads 122 of the swivel coupling arrangement.

[0050] Reference now Fig. 9 , corresponding to a 60 degree rotation of the hopper 24 and the coupling ring 38, the bayonet tabs 39A and 39B of the coupling ring cause a corresponding rotation of the rotational coupling arrangement 108 via engagement with the corresponding bayonet recesses 112a and 112b. Fig. 9 10, how rotation of the hopper, engaged rotary coupling arrangement 108, and engaged grinder adjustment collar 109 causes the stationary wings 122 and the entire upper burr insert 124 to move downwardly toward the lower grinding burr 116 as the wings 122 are brought downwardly onto the rotating threads 128. In the 60 degree position, the gate 40 is open and the conical burr grinder is in a position corresponding to a coarse grind.

[0051] Because the hopper, coupling arrangement and adjusting collar rotate together, the hopper is further over-rotated to Fig.10 The 120 degree position will result in further downward movement of the upper burr insert 124, wherein the gap 140 between the upper burr 126 and the lower conical burr 116 is reduced to result in a finer grind. As already described, the rotation of the hopper from the 60 degree position to the 120 degree position and back results in the hopper and gate rotating in the normally open position of the grinder adjustment mode. An additional micro switch (not shown) may be activated in response to the hopper moving beyond 60 degrees, thereby indicating the adjustment mode of operation.

[0052] Reference now Fig.11 , a block diagram of a microcontroller 150 of an espresso machine is shown with various inputs and outputs, including a hopper interlock microswitch 152, an engagement microswitch 154, and a grinder carriage microswitch 156. The outputs include a grinder motor output 158, a white indicator 160, and a red or warning indicator 162. The hopper interlock may include a microswitch 138 that may be activated to simply indicate whether the hopper is covering the grinder burrs, regardless of whether the bayonet tabs are engaged. In the inserted position, this thus enables the motor to be operated when the gate is closed, so that the coffee beans in the grinder can be ground before servicing the burr area.

[0053] A second microswitch in the form of an engagement microswitch 154 is used to detect the angle to which the hopper is rotated when fully engaged by being activated by the circumferential projecting ribs on the upper locking ring 36. Once the gate is opened (detected by the engagement microswitch), and when both the upper interlock and engagement microswitches are activated, the microcontroller understands that the grinder is ready for normal operation. The various states of the grinder, as indicated in the table below, are communicated using indicator LEDs having a white indicator 160 and a red indicator 162. The grinder is typically actuated by actuating the grinder carriage 22. An overheat condition of the motor may be determined by measuring a temperature sensor on the motor or may alternatively be inferred by calculating the sum of the accumulated run time within an operating cycle.

[0054]

[0055] Fig.12 The bottom of the hopper 24 is depicted and the scales 32 and 34, the retaining projection 84 and the moving projection 88 are shown in greater detail. The scale 32 on the reduced diameter portion 30 includes a point 32a between the insertion position and the engagement position and a number 32b in the over-rotation region, the point 32a indicating that the gate is not fully open and the number 32b indicating a specific fineness level of the grind. When the side wall 26 is perpendicular to the Fig.12 As the page extends, the scale 34 includes text and dots in the over-rotation region to indicate the relative fineness of the grind and its likely effect on the grinding speed, for example, the former ranging from "coarse" to "fine" and the latter corresponding to "faster extraction" to "slower extraction", and are depicted as if they had been peeled away from the side wall 26.

[0056] The above description of the espresso machine and the hopper assembly is an embodiment of a food processing device and a food dispensing hopper assembly, respectively. It is understood that other embodiments of such food processing devices and food dispensing hopper assemblies include appliances such as spice grinders, spice shears, vegetable graters and slicers, and their corresponding hopper assemblies.

[0057] In the described embodiment, over-rotation of the hopper assembly relative to the espresso machine controls the fineness level of the coffee bean grinder built into the espresso machine. It will be appreciated that over-rotation of the hopper assembly can be used to control any function of the food processing equipment that varies continuously or discretely within a certain range, including temperature, crushing or slicing fineness, and motor speed.

[0058] In the embodiments described above, the rotation between the gate open position and the gate closed position and between the corresponding hopper assembly insertion position and the hopper assembly engagement position is described as an angle of 60 degrees. It will be appreciated that other angles are possible depending on the configuration of the gate, for example, dividing the bottom opening into two fan-shaped window portions, alternating with two closed portions, which would correspond to the rotation between the gate open position and the gate closed position being described as an angle of 90 degrees.

[0059] In the described embodiment, the locking ring is used to ensure that the gate is prevented from moving relative to the food processing device and allowed to move relative to the hopper until the gate is opened, and then the hopper is switched so that the gate is prevented from moving relative to the hopper and allowed to move relative to the food processing device. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, this switching function can be achieved without a locking ring by providing relevant features (e.g. corresponding recesses and retaining ribs) in the receiving opening of the food processing device.

[0060] It is to be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A food dispensing hopper assembly, comprising: Side wall; Open bottom; a gate rotatably mounted adjacent the bottom opening to selectively open and close the bottom opening; a coupling device for removably and rotatably coupling the hopper assembly to a food processing device, wherein the bottom opening is in communication with a food receiving opening of the food processing device; as well as an interlock mechanism for interacting with the gate so that when the coupling device is rotationally coupled to the food processing device, the bottom opening is rotated relative to the gate into an open position, and when the coupling device is reversely rotated to be separated from the food processing device, the bottom opening is rotated relative to the gate into a closed position, The interlocking mechanism comprises: a locking ring rotatably mounted to the hopper assembly and adapted to rotate the hopper assembly between a first angular position and a second angular position; as well as locking ring engagement means adapted to lock the gate to the locking ring when the hopper assembly is rotated between the first angular position and the second angular position, The locking ring engagement device is suitable for unlocking the gate from the locking ring when the hopper assembly is over-rotated beyond the second angular position, and the interlocking mechanism also includes a hopper engagement device, which is suitable for locking the gate to the hopper assembly when the hopper assembly is over-rotated between the second angular position and a third angular position, so that the gate rotates together with the bottom opening and the bottom opening is maintained in the open position.

2. The food dispensing hopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking ring engagement means comprises: a recess formed on one of the locking ring and the gate; as well as a complementary pawl formation disposed on the other of said locking ring and said gate, Wherein the locking ring engagement means is adapted such that relative rotation between the locking ring and the gate causes the recess and the complementary detent formation to lock into and out of engagement with each other.

3. A food dispensing hopper assembly according to claim 2, wherein the locking ring engagement device also includes a retaining structure extending from the hopper assembly, and the retaining structure is positioned and dimensioned so that it retains the pawl structure and the recess in a locked engagement with each other between the first angular position and the second angular position.

4. The food dispensing hopper assembly of claim 1, wherein the hopper engagement means comprises: first abutment means for keeping the gate aligned with the bottom opening during transition from the second angular position to the third angular position; as well as Second abutment means for keeping the gate aligned with the bottom opening during reverse rotation from the third angular position to the second angular position.

5. The food dispensing hopper assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second abutment means comprises: A movable pawl extending from the gate, a protrusion defined on the hopper assembly, and a locking rib defined on the locking ring, the protrusion being configured to pass over the pawl during initial over-rotation of the gate and the bottom opening, the locking rib being used to lock the pawl into an abutting relationship with the protrusion to prevent the protrusion from passing over the pawl to return to its original position.

6. The food dispensing hopper assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bottom opening comprises a plurality of radially spaced scalloped windows alternating with closed portions, and the gate comprises a plurality of corresponding radially spaced scalloped windows and a baffle.

7. A food dispensing hopper assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting device includes a long circumferential bayonet tab and a relatively short circumferential bayonet tab, and although the short circumferential bayonet tab is shorter in the circumferential direction, the short circumferential bayonet tab protrudes more outward in the radial direction than the long circumferential bayonet tab.

8. A food processing system comprising: The food dispensing hopper assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7; as well as Food processing equipment, the food processing equipment comprising: Food receiving openings; complementary coupling means for receiving said coupling means of said hopper assembly so that said bottom opening of said hopper assembly communicates with said food receiving opening; and A food processing mechanism is used for processing the food.

9. A food processing system comprising: Food handling equipment used to handle food; as well as a food dispensing hopper assembly for storing and dispensing said food to be processed, wherein the hopper assembly includes a side wall, a bottom opening, a gate rotatably mounted adjacent to the bottom opening for selectively opening and closing the bottom opening, and a coupling device for detachably and rotatably coupling the hopper assembly to the food processing equipment, wherein the food processing apparatus comprises a food receiving opening, a complementary coupling device for receiving the coupling device of the hopper assembly so that the bottom opening of the hopper assembly communicates with the food receiving opening, and a food processing mechanism for processing the food dispensed from the hopper assembly through the food receiving opening, and wherein the processing system further comprises an interlocking mechanism adapted to lock the gate of the hopper assembly with the food processing device when the hopper assembly is rotated between an insertion position and a coupling position, so that the gate is fixed relative to the food processing device and the hopper assembly rotates relative to the gate, wherein the gate in the insertion position closes the bottom opening, and the hopper assembly rotates to the coupling position to selectively open the bottom opening, The interlocking mechanism comprises: a locking ring rotatably mounted to the hopper assembly and adapted to rotate the hopper assembly between a first angular position and a second angular position; as well as locking ring engagement means adapted to lock the gate to the locking ring when the hopper assembly is rotated between the first angular position and the second angular position, The interlock mechanism is configured to unlock the gate from the food processing device and engage the gate with the hopper assembly when the hopper assembly is over-rotated beyond the coupling position, so that the gate and the hopper assembly over-rotate together and the bottom opening remains open during the over-rotation.

10. The food processing system of claim 9, wherein the system is configured such that over-rotation controls a function of the food processing device.

11. The food processing system of claim 10, wherein the food processing system includes a grinder and the over-rotation controls the fineness of the grind via a grind adjustment mechanism.

12. The food processing system of claim 11 , wherein the grinder comprises a burr grinder having upper and lower burrs, and wherein the grind adjustment mechanism comprises a rotatable grinder adjustment collar and is configured such that during over-rotation of the hopper assembly, the grinder adjustment collar rotates with the hopper assembly to change the axial distance between the upper and lower burrs and thereby control the fineness of the grind.

13. A food processing system according to claim 12, wherein the lower burr is arranged in a lower burr housing fixed to the food processing equipment, the upper burr is arranged in an upper burr insert, and the grinding adjustment mechanism also includes an engagement wing radially extending from the upper burr insert and a complementary axial guide slot, the complementary axial guide slot is formed in the lower burr housing to receive the engagement wing, thereby allowing the upper burr insert to translate in the axial direction but rotate relative to the lower burr housing; and the grinder adjustment collar is provided with an internal thread, which is suitable for engaging with the engagement wing of the upper burr insert during over-rotation of the hopper assembly.

14. A food processing system according to claim 13, wherein the complementary coupling device includes a rotating hopper engagement ring, which is suitable for engaging the grinder adjustment collar to the hopper assembly so that the hopper assembly, the hopper engagement wing and the grinder adjustment collar rotate together.

15. A food processing system according to claim 14, wherein the connecting device includes a first bayonet tab and a second bayonet tab, and the complementary connecting device includes a first bayonet receiving recess and a second bayonet receiving recess and a retaining rib for respectively receiving and retaining the first bayonet tab and the second bayonet tab.

16. A food processing system according to claim 15, wherein the retaining rib is formed in the top cover of the lower burr shell and defines complementary first bayonet insertion opening and second bayonet insertion opening, and the first bayonet receiving recess and the second bayonet receiving recess are formed on the hopper engaging ring, so that the first bayonet tab and the second bayonet tab can be inserted into the first bayonet insertion recess and the second bayonet insertion recess respectively through the first bayonet insertion opening and the second bayonet insertion opening, and then rotate with the hopper engaging ring.

17. The food processing system of claim 15, wherein: the first bayonet tab having a circumferential length greater than a circumferential length of the second bayonet tab, and the first bayonet tab having a radial depth less than a radial depth of the second bayonet tab; as well as The dimensions of the retaining lip and the first and second bayonet insertion recesses are designed so that, when the hopper assembly is inserted into the food processing equipment and rotated 180 degrees, the first bayonet tab is retained by the retaining lip because the circumferential length of the first bayonet tab is greater than the circumferential length of the second bayonet insertion recess, and the second bayonet tab is retained by the retaining lip because the radial depth of the second bayonet tab is greater than the radial depth of the first bayonet insertion recess.

18. A food processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein the food processing equipment includes an insertion interlock switch for detecting insertion of the hopper assembly into the food processing equipment, the insertion interlock switch enabling the food processing mechanism to operate with the hopper assembly in an inserted but not fully engaged position.

19. A food processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein the food processing apparatus comprises an engagement interlock switch for detecting rotational coupling of the hopper assembly to the food processing apparatus.

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