Food dispenser with movable module

Abstract

A food product dispenser includes a drive unit and a dispensing unit removably coupled to the drive unit. The dispensing unit includes a product reservoir configured to store a food product, a dispensing nozzle, and a product delivery assembly including a pump assembly configured to be driven by the drive unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the drive unit to transport the food product from the product reservoir to the dispensing nozzle.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 985,142, filed March 4, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to food dispensers, and more particularly to temperature-controlled food dispensers for dispensing consumable food or beverage products, such as whipped toppings. BACKGROUND

[0004] Existing dispensers for whipped products (e.g., whipped cream or other aerated emulsions) include a product reservoir containing a liquid product to be whipped, a whipping assembly (such as a static mixing / aerator bar), and a drive mechanism (such as a motor / pump or pressurized gas source) configured to move the product from the product reservoir through the whipping assembly to form a whipped product. The whipped product is then dispensed through a nozzle for use.

[0005] For food safety reasons, the product reservoir and downstream components in contact with the product must be maintained at a sufficiently low temperature. Accordingly, previous dispensers have included internal refrigeration systems for keeping the product and other components cool. However, these refrigeration systems add cost, size, operating noise, and energy consumption to the dispensers. SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a food dispenser including a drive unit and a dispensing unit removably coupled to the drive unit. The dispensing unit includes a product reservoir configured to store a food product, a dispensing nozzle, and a product delivery assembly including a pump assembly configured to be driven by the drive unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the drive unit to transport the food product from the product reservoir to the dispensing nozzle.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a food dispenser including a drive unit and a dispensing unit removably coupled to the drive unit. The dispensing unit includes a product reservoir configured to store a food product, a dispensing nozzle, and a product delivery assembly configured to be driven by the drive unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the drive unit to transport the food product from the product reservoir to the dispensing nozzle. The product delivery assembly includes a fixed mixing bar upstream of the dispensing nozzle to aerate the food product before it is expelled from the dispensing nozzle.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention provides a dispensing system including a drive unit and a plurality of interchangeable dispensing units removably coupled to the drive unit. Each dispensing unit includes a product reservoir configured to store food, a dispensing nozzle, and a product transfer assembly configured to be driven by the drive unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the drive unit to deliver food from the product reservoir to the dispensing nozzle.

[0009] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a food dispenser including a drive unit and a dispensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of a food dispenser, in which part of the housing of the drive unit is hidden.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a food dispenser, showing the dispensing unit separate from the drive unit.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the dispensing unit of a food dispenser.

[0014] Figure 5 This shows multiple dispensing units stored in the refrigerator, which can be connected to... Figure 1 It is used in conjunction with a food dispenser.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A breakdown diagram of the allocation units.

[0016] Figure 7 It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of the air inlet of the distribution unit is shown by line 7-7.

[0017] Figure 8 It is along Figure 4 The section shown in line 8-8 is a cross-sectional view of the pump of the distribution unit.

[0018] Figure 9 It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken by line 9-9 shows the product flow path of the distribution unit.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an allocation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Before explaining any embodiments of the invention in detail, it should be understood that the application of the invention is not limited to the details of the construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or shown in the drawings. The invention can have other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in various ways. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 A food dispenser 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The dispenser 10 includes a drive unit 14 and a dispensing unit or module 18 removably coupled to the drive unit 14. The dispensing unit 18 includes a product reservoir 20 containing liquid product to be mixed, a dispensing nozzle 22, and a product transfer assembly or mixing assembly 26 configured to be powered by the drive unit 14 to move the product from the reservoir 20 to the dispensing nozzle 22.

[0022] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The drive unit 14 shown includes a housing 27 and a motor 28 supported in the upper part of the housing 27. Figure 2 ) and drive shaft 30 driven by electric motor 28 Figure 3 When the dispensing unit 18 is connected to the drive unit 14, the drive shaft 30 engages with the drive sleeve 32 on the agitation assembly 26 to provide rotational input to the agitation assembly 26.

[0023] refer to Figure 2 The drive unit 14 includes a power supply 33 for supplying power to the motor 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 33 is positioned within the housing 27 below the motor 28; however, the relative positions of the power supply 33 and the motor 28 can vary. The power supply 33 may accept a source of AC power (e.g., from a wall outlet) and may include a rectifier to convert the AC power into DC power to be supplied to the motor 28. In other embodiments, the motor 28 may be an AC motor. In still other embodiments, the power supply 33 may include a battery to allow cordless operation of the drive unit 14.

[0024] As described in more detail below, the agitation assembly 26 includes an aerator in fluid communication with the product reservoir 20 and a pump (e.g., a gear pump, a wiper pump, etc.) driven by an electric motor 28 (via a drive shaft 30 and a drive sleeve 32) for drawing product from the product reservoir and forcing the product through the aerator to form an aerated or “aggregated” product. The aerator is in communication with a dispensing nozzle 22 configured to dispense the agitated product.

[0025] In some embodiments, the dispensing unit 18 may include a motor 28. In such embodiments, the drive shaft 30 and drive sleeve 32 may be replaced by an electrical connector. Then, when the drive unit 14 is coupled to the dispensing unit 18, the power supply 33 of the drive unit 14 may supply power to the motor 28 in the dispensing unit 18 via the electrical connector to drive the pump.

[0026] In other embodiments, the drive unit 14 may include a pressurized gas source (such as a refillable and / or interchangeable pressurized gas canister) and / or a compressor operable to generate pressurized gas as needed. In such embodiments, the drive shaft 30 and drive sleeve 32 may be replaced by pneumatic connectors, and preferably quick-release pneumatic connectors (such as bayonet fittings). The drive unit 14 may then supply pressurized gas to the distribution unit 18 to force liquid product from the product reservoir 20 through an aerator (e.g., by pressurizing the product reservoir 20). Alternatively, the pump may include rotating vanes, and the pressurized gas may drive the rotating vanes to operate the pump. In other embodiments, the pressurized gas may be directed through a venturi tube to generate suction to draw liquid product from the product reservoir. The liquid product may then be entrained in the stream of pressurized gas and directed through the aerator.

[0027] refer to Figure 3 The dispensing unit 18 and the drive unit 14 include alignment features 34, 38 (e.g., a non-circular protrusion 34 on the dispensing unit 18 and a correspondingly shaped recess 38 on the drive unit 14, or vice versa), which cooperate to align the dispensing unit 18 and the drive unit 14. The alignment features 34, 38 facilitate the connection of a drive shaft 30, an electrical connector, or a pneumatic connector (all of which can be referred to as power transfer connectors) on the drive unit 14 to the dispensing unit 18 to drive the agitator assembly 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 34 and the recess 38 are each generally shaped as a parallelogram.

[0028] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The dispensing unit 18, including the product reservoir 20, agitator 26, and dispensing nozzle 22, can be quickly removed from the drive unit 14 as a single, independent component. This allows the user to remove the dispensing unit 18 when not in use and store it in the refrigerator 50. Therefore, the product and all downstream components in contact with the product can be maintained at a safe temperature without the need for a dedicated refrigeration system. Compared to existing dispensers with onboard refrigeration systems, this advantageously reduces the size, cost, complexity, energy requirements, and operating noise of the dispenser 10.

[0029] refer to Figures 4 to 6The product storage container 20 of the dispensing unit 18 is preferably insulated to maintain the product contained therein at an appropriate low temperature for an extended period when the dispensing unit is outside the refrigerator 50. For example, the product storage container 20 may be a double-walled vacuum insulated container. The product storage container 20 may be made of stainless steel or any other insulated, food-safe material, including but not limited to plastic materials. In some embodiments, the product storage container 20 may include a heat-conducting area in contact with the inner wall of the product storage container 20 to enhance cooling of the product within the storage container 20 when the dispensing unit 18 is placed in the refrigerator 50. In such embodiments, an insulated cover may be provided to cover the heat-conducting area when the product storage container 20 is removed from the refrigerator 50 for use. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit 18 is coupled to the drive unit 14, the heat-conducting area may be cooled by ice or a cooling device such as a thermoelectric cooler.

[0030] In some embodiments, the product reservoir 20 may be a single-use product package (such as aseptic brick packaging), a plastic or metal foil bag, or a bag-in-box assembly. Single-use product packaging can facilitate the exchange of product types to be dispensed by the dispensing unit 18 without requiring cleaning of the product reservoir 20. In any such embodiment, the product reservoir 20 may be optionally inserted into an insulated sleeve or housing.

[0031] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 The agitator assembly 26 includes a housing 52 removably coupled to the product reservoir 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 52 includes a protrusion 54 (e.g., a pin) received in an L-shaped groove 56 in the product reservoir 20 to removably couple the housing 52 to the product reservoir 20. The agitator assembly 26 can thus be removed from the product reservoir 20 by rotating the housing 52 relative to the product reservoir 20, which can facilitate cleaning and refilling of the product reservoir 20. In some embodiments, multiple interchangeable product reservoirs 20 may be provided and each may be coupled to the agitator assembly 26. In such embodiments, the product reservoirs 20 may have different sizes and / or volumes. In some embodiments, the housing 52 and the product reservoirs 20 may be coupled together in other ways (e.g., via a threaded connection).

[0032] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6The dispensing nozzle 22 is removably coupled to the housing 52. To facilitate hygienic storage of the dispensing unit 18, the dispensing unit 18 may include a hygienic cap (not shown) configured to cover the dispensing nozzle 22. The cap is held in place by a threaded connection, friction (e.g., a press-fit connection), retaining pin or retaining ring, or any other suitable means. The user may manually remove the cap before using the dispensing unit 18, or in some embodiments, it may be removed in response to coupling the dispensing unit 18 to the drive unit 14 (…). Figure 1 The cap is automatically removed from or moved away from the dispensing nozzle 22. In other embodiments, the dispensing nozzle 22 may include an internal cap made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone. In such embodiments, the cap may retract into the dispensing nozzle 22 during storage and may extend from the dispensing nozzle 22 when the dispensing unit 18 is activated or when the dispensing unit 18 is coupled to the drive unit 14.

[0033] In other embodiments, during the storage period of the dispensing unit 18, the dispensing nozzle 22 can be dispensed from... Figure 4 The position shown is removed. In such an embodiment, the dispensing nozzle 22 can be inserted into an opening (not shown) in the housing 52 to protect the product contact surface of the dispensing nozzle 22 from dust or other contaminants during storage of the dispensing unit 18. In such an embodiment, the opening in the housing 52 can also provide an air inlet passage into the product reservoir 20. Inserting the dispensing nozzle 22 into the opening both protects the dispensing nozzle 22 from contamination and seals the air inlet passage to maintain the freshness of the product contained in the product reservoir 20.

[0034] refer to Figures 6 to 9 The agitation assembly 26 includes an aerator 142 in fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle 22. Figure 6 and Figure 9 ), Air inlet 144 ( Figure 7 ) and pump assembly 146 ( Figure 6 and Figure 8 The pump assembly 146 is operable to draw product from the product reservoir 20 and air through the air inlet 144, and forces the mixture of product and air through the aerator 142. In the illustrated embodiment, an adjustable valve 156 (e.g., a duckbill valve or any other suitable valve) is provided at the air inlet 144 to selectively change the amount of air drawn in through the air inlet 144 during operation of the pump assembly 146 in order to provide the desired consistency for the agitated product discharged through the nozzle 22. The illustrated valve 156 includes a knob 161 arranged on the top side of the housing 52 to facilitate adjustment of the valve 156.

[0035] The pump assembly 146 shown includes a housing 148, a rotor shaft 150, and a wiper assembly 152, which is coupled to the rotor shaft 150 within the housing 148 for co-rotation. The housing 52 includes a first channel 154 extending from an air inlet 144 and a pickup tube 159 (…). Figure 7 The first channel 154 and the second channel 155 communicate with the product reservoir 20. The first channel 154 and the second channel 155 intersect at the inlet passage 157 of the pump assembly 146. The discharge passage 158 of the pump assembly 146 ( Figure 6 It is in fluid communication with aerator 142.

[0036] refer to Figure 8 The housing 148 of the pump assembly 146 includes an eccentric bore 160 for receiving the wiper assembly 152. When the rotor shaft 150 rotates the wiper assembly 152, air is drawn in through a first channel 154, and product passes through a second channel 155. Figure 7 Air and product are drawn in. Air and product mix at inlet 157 and are drawn into housing 148. The mixture is compressed by rotating wiper assembly 152 and discharged through outlet channel 158. Figure 6 It is discharged into aerator 142.

[0037] refer to Figure 9 The housing 52 of the agitator assembly 26 includes an aerator housing portion 170 extending into the product reservoir 20. The housing portion 170 includes a first chamber 172 and a second chamber 174 separated by a longitudinally extending partition wall 175. The second chamber 174 is in fluid communication with the first chamber 172 via a transmission passage 176 extending through the partition wall 175.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer path 176 includes a first circular hole 176a and a second circular hole 176b intersecting the first circular hole 176a. The circular holes 176a and 176b may have a generally spherical profile. In some embodiments, the first circular hole 176a is formed by inserting a ball-end mill through the bottom end of the aerator housing portion 170 into the first chamber 172 until the ball-end mill engages the partition wall 175 and removes material from the partition wall 175. Similarly, the second circular hole 176b is formed by inserting a ball-end mill through the bottom end of the aerator housing into the second chamber 174 until the ball-end mill engages the partition wall 175 opposite the first circular hole 176a and removes material from the partition wall 175. Machining the transfer path 176 in this manner advantageously allows the transfer path 176 to be formed without any additional access openings (e.g., an access opening would be required if drilling laterally through the partition wall 175 using a straight drill bit). Additionally, the circular holes 176a and 176b have no sharp corners or 90-degree interface angles, which prevents product from remaining in the transfer path 176, thereby facilitating cleaning. In some embodiments, the transfer path 176 (including the circular holes 176a and 176b) may be formed in other ways, including but not limited to injection molding or 3D printing.

[0039] Continue to refer to Figure 9 A first mixing rod 178 is supported within a first chamber 172, and a second mixing rod 180 is supported within a second chamber 174. In the illustrated embodiment, the first mixing rod 178 and the second mixing rod 180 are fixed labyrinthine mixing rods, each having multiple grooves and / or teeth to define a tortuous flow path along the exterior of the mixing rods 178, 180. In other embodiments, one or more mixing rods of other types or geometries may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the mixing rods 178, 180 is made of plastic; however, in other embodiments, the mixing rods 178, 180 may be made of other materials.

[0040] refer to Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, each of the mixing rods 178, 180 includes an annular groove 191 that receives a retaining pin assembly 192 to engage the mixing rod 178, 180 to the housing 52. To remove the mixing rod 178, 180 (e.g., for cleaning or replacement), the retaining pin assembly 192 can be pulled out of the housing 52, and the mixing rod 178, 180 can be pushed down from the top side of the housing 52 and pushed out from its respective chamber 172, 174. In other embodiments, the mixing rods 178, 180 may be otherwise removably engaged to the housing 52. For example, in some embodiments, the mixing rods 178, 180 may include threads, cam profiles, etc., to allow the mixing rods 178, 180 to be inserted into and removed from the bottom end of the aerator housing portion 170.

[0041] In use, drive unit 14 drives pump assembly 146, which forces the air and product mixture through discharge channel 158 and into the first chamber 172 of housing portion 170. The air and product mixture then moves in a first direction (i.e., as...) Figure 9 The product flows along the first mixing rod 178 in the direction of arrow A shown, partially aerating the product. Upon reaching the end of the first mixing rod 178, the partially aerated product flows through the transfer passage 176 in a second direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the second direction is generally transverse to the first direction. The partially aerated product then flows in a third direction (i.e., in the direction of arrow B) generally opposite to the first direction and flows through the second mixing rod 180. This completes the aeration of the product, and the aerated or agitated product is discharged from the second chamber 174 through the dispensing nozzle 22.

[0042] By providing two mixing rods 178, 180 in the separated sections, the overall height of the aerator 142 is reduced, which in turn allows for a minimization of the overall size of the distribution unit 18. Furthermore, the relatively short length of each rod 178, 180 (compared to a single rod with a length equal to the combined length of rods 178, 180) results in less tolerance overlap, thus reducing the manufacturing tolerances of the mixing rods 178, 180. However, in other embodiments, the aerator 142 may include other mixing rod configurations, including single-piece mixing rods or any other number of mixing rods.

[0043] During operation, heat is generated by shearing of the product mixture as it flows through mixing rods 178 and 180. Because mixing rods 178 and 180 are made of a material with low thermal conductivity (e.g., plastic in the illustrated embodiment), minimal amount of heat is absorbed by the mixing rods 178 and 180. Instead, the generated heat is carried away by the product. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal conductivity of mixing rods 178 and 180 is between 0.1 and 0.5 W / (m·Kelvin). In contrast, conventional mixing rods, typically made of metals such as stainless steel, can have a thermal conductivity of 10 to 20 W / (m·Kelvin) or higher. Therefore, conventional mixing rods can have a thermal conductivity at least 50 to 100 times greater than that of mixing rods 178 and 180, resulting in more heat being absorbed by the mixing rods. When the outer casing portion 170 is immersed in the product contained within the product reservoir 20, the low thermal conductivity of the mixing rods 178, 180 in the illustrated embodiment is particularly advantageous, minimizing the heat generated by the product within the product reservoir 20.

[0044] Figure 8 A dispensing system 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The dispensing system 300 includes a drive unit 14 and a plurality of interchangeable dispensing units 18. By including the plurality of interchangeable dispensing units 18, the illustrated dispensing system 300 allows a user to connect dispensing units 18, which hold different products (e.g., dairy-based products, soy-based products, almond milk-based products, oat milk-based products, etc.), to the drive unit 14 to quickly change the type of product to be dispensed. Since all parts that come into contact with the product are part of the interchangeable dispensing units 18, disassembly or cleaning is not required when changing products.

[0045] Various features and aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A food dispenser, comprising: The driving unit includes a first alignment feature; A distribution unit, removably coupled to the drive unit, the distribution unit comprising: Product storage container, configured for storing food. Distribute nozzles, and Product delivery components include: A housing removably coupled to the product reservoir, the housing including a second alignment feature configured to engage with a first alignment feature to couple the dispensing unit to the drive unit; A pump assembly configured to be driven by the drive unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the drive unit to deliver the food from the product reservoir to the dispensing nozzle; and An aerator, located upstream of the dispensing nozzle, The dispensing nozzle is removably connected to the housing of the product delivery assembly. The pump assembly is configured to aerate the food along the aerator before it is discharged from the dispensing nozzle. The aerator extends into the product storage container.

2. The food dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, The pump assembly includes a rotor shaft, wherein the drive unit includes a drive shaft, and wherein the drive shaft is drivably connected to the rotor shaft when the distribution unit is coupled to the drive unit.

3. The food dispenser according to claim 2, wherein, When the distribution unit disengages from the drive unit, the drive shaft disengages from the rotor shaft.

4. The food dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, The product storage container includes an insulated container.

5. The food dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, The aerator includes a fixed mixing rod.

6. The food dispenser according to claim 5, wherein, The hybrid rod is made of plastic.

7. The food dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The allocation unit is one of a plurality of interchangeable allocation units, each of which is removably connected to the drive unit.

8. A food dispenser, comprising: Drive unit; A distribution unit, removably coupled to the drive unit, the distribution unit comprising: Product storage container, configured for storing food. Distribute nozzles, and Product delivery components include: A housing, which is removably connected to the product storage unit; A pump assembly configured to be driven by the drive unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the drive unit to deliver the food from the product reservoir to the dispensing nozzle; and An aerator, located upstream of the dispensing nozzle, The pump assembly is configured to aerate the food along the aerator before it is discharged from the dispensing nozzle. The outer casing includes an aerator casing portion having a first chamber, a second chamber, a longitudinally extending partition wall separating the first chamber and the second chamber, and a transmission passage interconnecting the first chamber and the second chamber. The transmission passage includes a first circular orifice and a second circular orifice intersecting the first circular orifice. The aerator includes a first fixed mixing rod supported in the first chamber and a second fixed mixing rod supported in the second chamber.

9. The food dispenser according to claim 8, wherein, The food is configured to flow through the first fixed mixing bar in a first direction and through the second fixed mixing bar in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

10. The food dispenser according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The allocation unit is one of a plurality of interchangeable allocation units, each of which is removably connected to the drive unit.

11. A food dispenser, comprising: Drive unit; A distribution unit, removably coupled to the drive unit, the distribution unit comprising: Product storage container, configured for storing food. Distribute nozzles, and The product delivery assembly is configured to be driven by the drive unit when the dispensing unit is coupled to the drive unit to deliver the food from the product reservoir to the dispensing nozzle. The product delivery assembly includes an aerator housing portion extending into the product reservoir, the aerator housing portion enclosing a fixed mixing rod upstream of the dispensing nozzle to aerate the food before it is discharged from the dispensing nozzle. The fixed mixing rod is made of a material with a thermal conductivity between 0.1 and 0.5 W / m·Kelvin.

12. The food dispenser according to claim 11, wherein, The product storage container includes an insulated container, and the product delivery assembly includes a housing removably coupled to the product storage container.

13. The food dispenser according to claim 12, wherein, The fixed mixing rod is a first fixed mixing rod, wherein the product delivery assembly further includes a second fixed mixing rod fluidly positioned between the first fixed mixing rod and the dispensing nozzle, and wherein the aerator housing portion has a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber receiving the first fixed mixing rod and the second chamber receiving the second fixed mixing rod.

14. The food dispenser according to claim 13, wherein, The first and second fixed mixing rods are made of plastic.

15. The food dispenser according to claim 13, wherein, The first chamber and the second chamber are separated by a partition wall, and a transmission path extends through the partition wall to interconnect the first chamber and the second chamber.

16. The food dispenser according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein, The allocation unit is one of a plurality of interchangeable allocation units, each of which is removably connected to the drive unit.

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