Apparatus, system, and related method for supplying multiple types of seasonings

Abstract

A seasoning dispenser is provided, configured to supply and mix multiple types of seasonings to a user. The seasoning dispenser has multiple outlets, each of which supplies one of multiple seasoning components. The outlets are positioned to supply seasonings into a container located in the seasoning receiving section of the seasoning dispenser, which is positioned adjacent to the outlets. Furthermore, the seasoning dispenser includes a stirring mechanism, which is capable of stirring the container and, for example, mixing the selected seasonings supplied into the container from the outlets.

Description

Cross - reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 448,936, filed on February 28, 2023, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 466,920, filed on May 16, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 466,928, filed on May 16, 2023, and incorporates these in their entirety by reference herein.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to devices for supplying and mixing fluids, and more particularly to seasoning mixing devices, systems, and methods.

Background Art

[0003] In restaurants, customers are often provided with one or more seasonings for use in food. These seasonings include, for example, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and other seasonings including granular substances. Some restaurants install large containers containing one or more seasonings and allow customers to use the seasonings in their food by operating a manual pump. Here, individual seasoning supply units are provided for each type of seasoning. Therefore, the restaurant needs to maintain and clean each seasoning supply unit individually.

[0004] In recent years, customers have increasingly demanded to use combinations of basic seasonings and auxiliary seasonings (flavoring / accent flavoring), etc. In this regard, for example, when a user wants to combine ketchup and mayonnaise, the user has to go to a first dispensing device, then to a second dispensing device, and finally mix the seasonings with a spoon or the like. Such operations are cumbersome and can also cause mess for consumers. Furthermore, to provide a wide range of seasonings that can be selected by users in a restaurant, a large space is generally required to accommodate a number of seasoning supply devices.

[0005] Instead of installing multiple individual dispensers, a single dispenser can be provided to supply multiple types of seasonings. However, to maintain cleanliness and prevent cross-contamination between different seasonings, each basic and auxiliary seasoning is supplied by its own independent dispensing line. Therefore, the user must take the first seasoning, then the second seasoning, and then manually mix the seasonings. For these reasons, there is a need for a seasoning dispenser that can combine and mix different seasoning components, such as basic and auxiliary seasonings, and provide the customized seasoning to the user in a clean and cross-contamination-free state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1A] This is an overhead perspective view of a seasoning dispenser. [Figure 1B] Figure 1A is a downward perspective view of the seasoning dispenser. [Figure 2A] Figure 1A is a perspective view of the seasoning dispenser, showing the unit with the front door removed from the main casing. [Figure 2B] Figure 1A is a perspective view of the seasoning dispenser, showing the dispenser tube removed and the pouch support tray pulled out from the main body of the casing. [Figure 3A] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of the internal support structure of the seasoning dispenser, showing the pouch support trays of the upper rack, middle rack, and lower rack in a supported state. [Figure 3B] Figure 3A is a rear perspective view of the internal support structure. [Figure 4A] Figure 3A is an upward perspective view of a part of the internal support structure, showing the pouch support tray, drip tray, and pump of the middle rack in a supported state. [Figure 4B] Figure 4A is an upward perspective view of a part of the internal support structure, showing the pouch support tray and pump separated from the internal support structure. [Figure 4C] Figure 4A is a downward perspective view of a portion of the internal support structure, showing the pouch support tray and pump separated from the internal support structure. [Figure 5A] Figure 3A is an upper perspective view of the upper part of the internal support structure, showing the pouch support tray, drip tray, and pump of the upper rack in a supported state. [Figure 5B] Figure 5A is an upper perspective view of the upper part of the internal support structure, showing the pouch support tray and pump of the upper rack separated from the internal support structure. [Figure 5C] Figure 5A is a side view of the upper part of the internal support structure, showing the pouch support tray of the upper rack separated from the internal support structure. [Figure 5D] Figure 5A is a downward perspective view of the upper part of the internal support structure, showing the pumps on the upper rack separated from the internal support structure. [Figure 5E] Figure 5A is a perspective view of the pouch support tray in the upper rack. [Figure 6A] Figure 1A is an upward perspective view of the supply head of the supply device. [Figure 6B] Figure 6A is a downward perspective view of the supply head. [Figure 7] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the supply head, as well as the cup receiver, mixer, and cup. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cup holder and the cup, showing the suction tube and vacuum chamber formed by the cup holder and the cup. [Figure 9] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the supply head along line 9-9. [Figure 10A] Figure 1A is a rear view of the front door of the supply unit, and includes the stirring system and vacuum system. [Figure 10B] Figure 1A is a perspective view of the vacuum system of the seasoning mixing apparatus. [Figure 10C] Figure 10A is an exploded top-perspective view of the stirring system. [Figure 10D] Figure 10A is a downward perspective exploded view of the stirring system. [Figure 11A] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of the lifting system for raising and lowering the supply head of the supply device. [Figure 11B] It is a side view of the lifting system of FIG. 11A. [Figure 11C] It is a rear perspective view of the lifting system of FIG. 11A, showing the state where the supply head is separated from the lifting system. [Figure 12] It is a schematic diagram of various electronic components of the supply device and related systems of FIG. 1A. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing an example of an operation method for supplying and mixing seasonings by the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 14A] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when operating the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 14B] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when operating the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 14C] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when operating the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 14D] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when operating the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 14E] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when operating the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 14F] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when operating the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 15A] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when servicing the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 15B] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when servicing the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 15C] It is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to a user when servicing the supply device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 15D]This figure shows an example of a graphical user interface screen presented to the user when servicing the supply device shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 16] This is an overhead perspective view of a supply device according to another embodiment. [Figure 17A] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the supply device, showing the device with the front door removed from the main casing. [Figure 17B] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the supply device, showing the front door removed and the pouch support tray pulled out from the main body of the housing. [Figure 18] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the shelf of the supply device, showing a state where the pouch support tray is separated from the shelf, and equipped with a weight sensor for supporting the pouch support tray. [Figure 19A] Figure 16 is a front perspective view of the lifting system for raising and lowering the supply head of the supply device. [Figure 19B] Figure 19A is an exploded view of the supply head. [Figure 19C] Figure 19A is a cross-sectional view of the supply head along the line 19C-19C. [Figure 19D] This is a cross-sectional view of the supply head along the line 19D-19D in Figure 19A. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] A condiment dispenser is provided that can supply and mix multiple types of condiments (e.g., mayonnaise and sriracha sauce) to a user. The condiment dispenser includes a housing that contains multiple condiment components. Furthermore, the condiment dispenser has multiple outlets, each of which supplies one of the multiple condiment components. The outlets are positioned to supply condiments into a container (e.g., a cup) located in a condiment receiving section adjacent to the outlets. The condiment dispenser accepts the user's selection of one, two, or more condiments to be supplied and mixed, for example, via a user interface such as a touchscreen display. The condiment container receiving section receives the container to be filled, and the condiment dispenser is capable of supplying the selected condiments into the container from the outlets. Furthermore, the condiment dispenser includes a stirrer that can stir the container, for example, by mixing the selected condiments supplied into the container from the outlets.

[0008] Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, the seasoning dispenser 100 is shown, which includes a housing 102 and has a housing body 104 and a front section (e.g., a door) 106. The door 106 is equipped with a user interface 108, which corresponds to, for example, a touchscreen display, and is used to operate the seasoning dispenser 100, for example, to select the seasonings to be dispensed and mixed (details will be described later).

[0009] The door 106 is equipped with a condiment container receiving section, such as a cup holder 110, into which a container such as a cup 112 that can be filled with condiments is placed. The size of the cup holder 110 can be modified to accommodate different sizes of cups 112. For example, in one configuration, the capacity of the cups 112 may be 2.5 ounces, 4 ounces, 6 ounces, 8 ounces, etc. The condiment dispenser 100 may be equipped with a dispenser head 114 through which condiments are supplied to the cups 112 in the cup holder 110. The door 106 may include a pocket 111 formed recessed from the front surface 116 of the door 106, and the cup holder 110 may be located below the dispenser head 114 in the pocket 111, into which the cups 112 for filling with condiments can be placed. The dispenser head 114 may extend into the pocket 111 or be located above the pocket 111 to supply condiments into the cups 112. As described below, the dispensing head 114 is raised above the pocket 111 or lowered into the pocket 111, positioned above the cup holder 110 and cup 112 to dispense the condiment into the cup. Lowering the dispensing head 114 closer to the cup 112 can help prevent the condiment from spilling out of the cup 112. In other embodiments, the cup holder 110 may be movable up and down relative to the dispensing head 114.

[0010] Door 106 is attached to the housing body 104 by a hinge 117 (see Figures 2A and 10A), and opening door 106 allows access to the inside of housing 102. For example, opening door 106 makes it possible to replace or replenish the seasonings in the seasoning dispenser 100, or to perform maintenance (e.g., cleaning).

[0011] Referring to Figures 2A-2B, the condiment dispenser 100 is shown with the door 106 removed, revealing its interior. The condiment dispenser 100 includes condiment containers (e.g., condiment pouches 120), a fluid transport system 121 including a pump 122, and an internal support frame 118 supporting a dispensing head 114. The internal support frame 118 may include multiple racks for supporting multiple condiment pouches 120 while minimizing the footprint of the condiment dispenser 100 (e.g., on a countertop). The condiment pouches 120 are connected to tubes 166, which extend to the pump 122, and further from the pump 122 to the dispensing head 114. When activated, the pump 122 draws condiments from the condiment pouches 120, pumps them toward the dispensing head 114, and dispenses the condiments into cups 112 placed in a cup holder 110. The supply head 114 may be located at the lower end of the seasoning supply device 100 when supplying seasonings, facilitating gravity-fed supply from the seasoning pouch 120 to the supply head 114, and assisting the pump 122 in transporting the seasonings through the tube 166.

[0012] See also Figures 3A and 3B, the internal support frame 118 has front and rear lateral support sections 126, 127 that form shelves or racks for supporting the condiment pouches 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal support frame 118 has three racks, including a lower rack 125A, a middle rack 125B, and an upper rack 125C. Although the illustrated embodiment has three racks, in other embodiments, the internal support frame 118 may include fewer or more racks to support a desired number of condiment containers or based on the dimensions of the housing 102 of the condiment dispenser 100.

[0013] The lateral support sections 126 and 127 may extend and be fixed between the opposing side walls 130 and 132 (see Figure 2B) of the housing body 104. The rear lateral support section 127 may be further fixed to the rear wall 135 (see Figure 2B) of the housing body 104 by a support bracket 134 (see Figure 3B). The internal support frame 118 includes a longitudinal support section 124 that extends vertically from the bottom wall 123 (see Figure 2A) of the housing 102 to the front lateral support section 126 of the upper rack 125C. The front lateral support sections 126 of the lower rack 125A and the middle rack 125B are fixed to the longitudinal support section 124.

[0014] The internal support frame 118 may also include support bars 136 extending from a front lateral support section 126 to a rear lateral support section 127. A pair of support bars 136 form a dock 137 for housing seasoning pouches 120 loaded into the seasoning dispenser 100. The seasoning dispenser 100 may also include pouch support trays 140, 142 for receiving the seasoning pouches 120 (see Figure 2A). The docks 137 of the lower rack 125A and the middle rack 125B may be larger than the dock 137 of the upper rack 125C and sized to accommodate larger pouch support trays 140. The larger pouch support trays 140 may house and support large seasoning pouches containing large volumes of seasoning, such as basic seasonings, seasonings supplied in large quantities, or seasonings that are consumed quickly. Examples of basic condiments include ketchup, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, Heinz® 57 sauce, mayonnaise, aioli, mustard, relish, sweet and sour sauce, taco sauce, tartar sauce, marinara sauce, buffalo sauce, salsa, chili sauce, cocktail sauce, and burger sauce. The dock 137 of the upper rack 125C is smaller than the dock 137 of the lower rack 125A and the middle rack 125B, and may be sized to accommodate a small pouch support tray 142. The small pouch support tray 142 may contain and support small condiment pouches, which may include, for example, mix-ins or accent flavorings, condiments supplied in small quantities, or condiments that are consumed slowly. Examples of accent flavorings include jalapeño, buffalo, chipotle, mango, curry, garlic, caramelized onion, cilantro lime, honey, sriracha, teriyaki, lemon pepper, jerk, parmesan, malt vinegar, avocado, gochujang, cajun, bacon, smoke, and ghost pepper.

[0015] The pouch support trays 140, 142 may be positioned on the support bar 136 in the corresponding dock 137. The pouch support trays 140, 142 support the seasoning pouches 120 placed therein. Referring to Figure 2B, the pouch support trays 140, 142 may be removed from the dock 137, for example, to load the seasoning pouches. The pouch support trays 140, 142 may be inserted into the dock 137 along the support bar 136, for example, to load the seasoning pouches into the seasoning dispenser 100. The support bar 136 and / or the pouch support trays 140, 142 may include engagement structures for securing the pouch support trays 140, 142 in place along the support bar 136, as will be described later.

[0016] Referring to Figures 4A to 4C, the middle rack 125B of the seasoning dispenser 100 is shown, and two pouch support trays 140, a drip tray 144 and a pump 122 are located there. It is supported. Since the lower rack 125A is similar to the middle rack 125B, the description of the similar configuration of the lower rack 125A will not be repeated. The pouch support tray 140 may include a flange 150 that is sized to rest on the support bar 136 when inserted into the dock 137. The flange 150 may include a notch 152 which may receive a corresponding projection on the support bar 136 when the pouch support tray 140 is properly positioned on the support bar 136. The projection and notch 152 can help align and properly position the pouch support tray 140 on the support bar 136. The projection and notch 152 may also help to prevent the pouch support tray 140 from sliding or moving too much inadvertently on the support bar 136 and to properly hold the pouch support tray 140 on the support bar 136.

[0017] The pouch support tray 140 may include an internal support surface 154 configured to guide the condiment in the pouch toward the opening or slot 156. Guiding the condiment toward the slot 156 helps to more completely drain the condiment from the pouch. The internal support surface 154 may include an inclined side wall 158 that slopes toward the base 160 to guide the condiment toward the base 160. The base 160 is also inclined downward toward the slot 156, guiding the condiment toward the slot 156 and draining it into the associated tube 166. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface 150A of the flange 150 of the pouch support tray 140 (see Figure 4C) extends at an angle to the base 160, so that when the flange 150 is placed on the support bar 136 of the dock 137, the base 160 is inclined toward the slot 156. In other configurations, the support bar 136 itself may be inclined, causing the pouch support tray 140 to be inclined and the base 160 to be inclined. The slot 156 extends from the top to the bottom along the side wall of the tray 140, allowing the tube 166 to be loaded together with the pouch support tray 142 by passing the tube 166 along the slot 156 while connected to the pouch 120 outside the tray, instead of passing the tube 166 through a hole.

[0018] The drip tray 144 includes a tank section 162 and a bracket section 164. The bracket section 164 is used to attach the drip tray 144 to the front lateral support section 126. The drip tray 144 may also be fixed to the internal support frame 118 by extending fasteners through the bracket section 164 and fixing them to the front lateral support section 126. The bracket section 164 supports the tank section 162 so that when the pouch support tray 140 is mounted on the seasoning dispenser 100, the tank section 162 is positioned below the slot 156 of the pouch support tray 140. As shown in Figure 2A, the seasoning pouch 120 is connected to the tube 166 by a connector 168. The connector 168 may be located within or above the slot 156 of the pouch support tray 140, and further above the tank 162 of the drip tray 144, so that seasoning leaking from the connection between the connector 168 and the seasoning pouch 120 or tube 166 drips or falls into the tank 162. Furthermore, if the internal support surface 154 is inclined toward the slot 156, seasoning on the internal support surface 154 flows into the slot 156 and falls into the drip tray 144. Thus, the drip tray 144 is used to receive seasoning leaking from the seasoning pouch 120 and prevent the seasoning from dripping or flowing into other parts of the seasoning dispenser 100. The drip tray 144 may be periodically emptied and / or cleaned.

[0019] The fluid transport system 121 may be associated with each seasoning pouch 120 and operate to transport fluid from the seasoning pouch 120 to the supply head 114 for supply to the cup 112. The fluid transport system 121 includes a pump 122, a motor 170 configured to drive the pump 122, and a tube 166 for pumping the seasoning from the seasoning pouch 120 to the supply head 114. As shown in Figure 2A, the tube 166 extends from the seasoning pouch 120 to the pump 122, and further from the pump 122 to the supply head 114. The motor 170 drives the pump 122, allowing the seasoning to be transported from the seasoning pouch 120 to the supply head 114. The motor 170 and the pump 122 may be connected to the side wall 130 and / or lateral support 126 of the housing body 104 by a support bracket 172. Pump 122 may be a peristaltic pump through which tube 166 extends. Pump 122 is driven by motor 170 and transports the seasoning through tube 166, but does not come into direct contact with the seasoning. Tube 166 is suitable for carrying all kinds of seasonings and may be made of a flexible food-safe material such as silicone or rubber. Tube 166 may have an inner diameter of 3-9 mm and an outer diameter of 4-20 mm. Tube 166 may be made of a flexible material that is compressed by the peristaltic pump 122, allowing the seasoning to be drawn into the pump and then expelled from the pump 122. The hardness (durometer) of tube 166 may be selected to optimize the flow of the seasoning and prevent the formation of a vacuum inside. The diameter, length, and / or hardness of tube 166 are selected based on the type of seasoning being flowed and control the flow of the seasoning. Tube 166 may be cleaned periodically or replaced with a new tube 166, for example, when loading a new seasoning pouch 120 into the seasoning dispenser 100.

[0020] Other types of pumps 146 may be used to transport the seasoning from the seasoning pouch 120 to the supply head 114. For example, the pump 122 may be made of food-safe material and configured to transport the seasoning to the supply head 114 in direct contact with it. For example, the pump 122 may be a disposable pump detachably connected to the motor 170. The pump 122 may be periodically discarded and replaced with a new one, or cleaned, such as when the seasoning pouch 120 is replaced. Alternatively, the pump may have a replaceable pump head that comes into contact with the seasoning.

[0021] In other configurations, the seasoning may be pushed out of the seasoning container by a plunger. The plunger is motor-driven and presses the seasoning, causing it to flow out of the seasoning container toward a connected tube 166 and dispensing head 114.

[0022] Referring to Figures 5A to 5D, the upper rack 125C of the seasoning dispenser 100 is shown, which supports four pouch support trays 142, a drip tray 174, and a pump 122. The upper rack 125C can support four pouch support trays 142 because the pouch support trays 142 are small and sized to accommodate smaller pouches. The small pouch support trays 142 can support small seasoning pouches 120. By positioning the small pouch support trays 142 and seasoning pouches 120 at the top of the seasoning dispenser 100, the weight that the installer has to lift when positioning the pouch support trays 142 in the docks 137 of the upper rack 125C can be reduced. Furthermore, the seasoning pouches 120 placed on the upper rack 125C have a lower viscosity compared to, for example, the more viscous base seasonings, allowing them to flow easily through the long tube 166.

[0023] It should be understood that various types of pouches, base seasonings, and auxiliary seasonings (flavorings / accent flavorings) can be used. For example, the embodiment shown in the figure has four pouch support trays 140 and four pouch support trays 142, but different numbers of pouch support trays 140 and 142 can be used to accommodate a variety of seasonings and flavorings. In other embodiments, ten pouch support trays 140 and ten pouch support trays 142 may be used. The number of seasonings and flavorings can also be expanded by placing the pouch support trays 140 and 142 in separate units or machines. For example, seasoning and flavor pouches can be placed in cabinets or separate units and connected to a seasoning dispenser 100 for supply.

[0024] Each pouch support tray 142 is positioned on a pair of adjacent support bars 136 that form a dock 137. See also Figure 5E, the pouch support tray 142 includes a flange 178 that rests on the support bars 136 when inserted into the dock 137. The ends of the flange 178 are provided with hooks 184 that wrap around the ends of the support bars 136, preventing the pouch support tray 142 from unintentionally sliding on the support bars 136 (see Figure 5C). The pouch support tray 142 includes an opening or slot 180 through which a tube 166 extends from the pouch 120 to the pump 122 within the pouch support tray 142. The slot 180 extends from the top to the bottom along the side wall of the tray, allowing the tube 166 to connect to the pouch 120 outside the tray and be loaded together into the pouch support tray 142 along the slot 180. In the illustrated configuration, slot 180 is located in the center of the pouch support tray 142.

[0025] The drip tray 174 extends from the front lateral support 126 to the rear lateral support 127 below the pouch support tray 142. The drip tray 174 is secured to the front lateral support 126 by fasteners and may also rest on the flange of a support bar 136 extending between the front lateral support 126 and the rear lateral support 127. The drip tray 174 includes a tank 175 located below the slot 180 of the pouch support tray 142 to receive the seasoning pouch 120 and any seasoning that leaks from the connector 168 and the tube 166 or the connection between the seasoning pouch 120. The pouch support tray 142 includes an internal support wall 182 which helps guide the seasoning into the slot 180 to more completely drain the seasoning pouch 120.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2A, the tube 166 extends from the seasoning pouch 120 on the pouch support tray 142 to the corresponding pump 122, and further extends from the pump 122 to the supply head 114. The pump 122 is driven by a motor 170 and transports the seasoning from the seasoning pouch 120 to the supply head 114. The motor 170 and pump 122 may be connected to and supported by a front lateral support 126. The front lateral support 126 of the upper rack 125C may include an opening 189 through which the motor 170 extends when the pump 122 and motor 170 are mounted on the front lateral support 126. The pump 122 may be a peristaltic pump through which the tube 166 extends. The pump 122 is driven by a motor 170 and transports the seasoning through the tube 166, but does not come into direct contact with the seasoning. The diameter, length, and / or hardness of the tube 166 are selected based on the type of seasoning to control the flow of the seasoning. The tube 166 may be cleaned or replaced periodically, for example, when loading a new seasoning pouch 120. All components of the system, including the tube, pump, and dispensing head, may be cleaned on-site. In this case, cleaning parts may be incorporated to allow cleaning without removing the parts. In other forms, the parts may be removed and cleaned in a dishwasher. As mentioned above, seasoning can also be transported from the seasoning pouch 120 to the dispensing head 114 using other types of pumps.

[0027] Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, a dispensing head 114 is shown. In one embodiment, it should be understood that the seasonings are not mixed or come into contact with each other within the dispensing head, and only come into contact with each other after being dispensed from the dispensing head. The dispensing head 114 has a body 190 that forms a number of openings 192 extending from an inlet end 194 to an outlet end 196. A tube 166 is connected to the openings 192 to transport the seasoning from the seasoning pouch 120 to the dispensing head 114. The end of the tube 166 may be secured to the inlet end 194 by a connector 198. Referring also to Figure 7, the connector 198 has a tubular body 200 that forms an opening into which the end of the tube 166 is inserted. The connector 198 may be in a quick-connect / disconnect configuration that allows for rapid attachment and detachment of the tube. The connector 198 may be made of an elastomer material such as rubber. The tube 166 may be secured to the connector 198 by friction fitting with the tubular body 200 of the connector 198. The connector 198 may also be detachably connected to the body 190 of the supply head 114. The connector 198 forms a fluid-tight seal between the tube 166 and the body 190 to prevent leakage of the seasoning.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, the end of the connector 198 may include a recess or annular groove 202. The inlet end of the body 190 of the supply head 114 includes a radial opening 204 into which a fastener 206 can extend. The fastener 206 is a spring-loaded pin attached to the radial opening 204 of the supply head body 190 and is biased radially inward. When the connector 198 is inserted into the supply head body 190, the fastener 206 is pressed radially inward by the spring and operates against the spring until the end of the fastener 206 enters the annular groove 202 of the connector 198. When the fastener 206 is in the groove 202 (see Figure 7), the fastener 206 prevents the connector 198 from being pulled out of the supply head body 190. To connect or disconnect the connector 198 and tube 166 to or from the supply head body 190, the fastener 206 is pulled radially outward against the biasing force of a spring, and its end disengages from the annular groove 202, thereby allowing the connector 198 to be inserted into or removed from the supply head body 190. In other embodiments, the fastener 206 has a threaded shaft, and the radial opening 204 of the supply head body 190 may also be threaded. The fastener 206 is rotated and moved radially relative to the supply head body 190, thereby allowing the connector 198 to be connected to or removed from the body 190. In other embodiments, the connector 198 may be configured to snap into the opening 192 of the body 190. In yet another embodiment, the tube 166 is inserted into the opening 192 of the body 190 of the supply head 114, and no connector is used.

[0029] The supply head 114 may include openings 192 and connectors 198 of different sizes. For example, a large opening 192A (see Figure 9) is used with a large connector 198A, and a small opening 192B (see Figure 7) is used with a small connector 198B. ​​Referring to Figure 9, a cross-sectional view of the supply head 114 is shown, with the large opening 192A extending through the supply head 114. The large opening 192A and connector 198A may be connected to a tube 166 extending from a seasoning pouch 120 containing base seasonings for relatively large volumes of seasonings, for example, the base seasonings for the lower rack 125A and middle rack 125B. Referring to Figure 7, the small opening 192B and connector 198B may be connected to a tube 166 extending from a seasoning pouch 120 containing mix-ins or accent flavors for relatively small volumes of seasonings, for example, the mix-ins or accent flavors for the upper rack 125C. The tube 166 connected to the small connector 198B may have a smaller diameter than the one connected to the large connector 198A. The diameters of the tube 166, connector 198, and opening 192 of the supply head 114 may be set to achieve a desired flow rate of the seasoning.

[0030] When pump 122 is activated, it drives the condiment through tube 166 and delivers it to opening 192 at inlet end 194 of dispenser body 190. The condiment is pushed along opening 192 to outlet end 196 and supplied to cup 112 below from opening located at outlet end 196. As shown in the figure, openings 192A and 192B may be inclined inward from each other as they extend from connector 198 to outlet opening. By inclining the openings 192 inward from each other, the openings are concentrated at outlet end 196, and the spacing at outlet end 196 is narrower than the spacing at inlet end 194. This places the outlet opening in the center of cup 112, and the size of cup 112 required to receive the condiment from all outlet openings can be reduced. In some embodiments, the diameter of opening 192 may change as it extends from inlet end to outlet end, for example, by expanding or contracting. The change in diameter may help reduce dripping.

[0031] To prevent unintended leakage or dripping of seasoning from the supply head 114, the seasoning dispenser 100 may operate the pump 122 in reverse to pull the seasoning back from the opening 192 of the supply head 114. For example, after the supply cycle is complete, the motor 170 may be driven to reverse the pump 122. In addition or alternatively, the diameter of the opening 192 at the outlet end 196 of the supply head 114 may be reduced to make it difficult for the seasoning to pass through unless force is applied by the pump 122. Furthermore or alternatively, a horizontal step may be provided at the end of the opening 192 at the outlet end 196 of the supply head 114 to prevent seasoning from dripping. By providing a horizontal step in the end flow path of the opening 192, the possibility of seasoning dripping or falling can be reduced compared to when the opening 192 is straight and substantially vertical. In some embodiments, a valve (not shown) may be placed in the middle of the opening 192 to help prevent dripping. For example, the valve may be placed near the outlet end.

[0032] Referring to Figures 1A and 7-8, the cup holder 110 is located below the outlet end 196 of the supply head 114. The cup holder 110 has a side wall 210 extending from the bottom wall 211, forming a recess 212 for accommodating the cup 112. The side wall 210 may be sized to engage with a portion of the inserted cup 112 to securely hold the cup 112 (e.g., by friction fitting). In one embodiment, the cup holder 110 may have a projection extending inward from the side wall 210 into the recess 212. The projection is biased radially inward and engages with the cup 112 upon insertion. The projection flexes outward upon insertion of the cup 112, but remains pressed against the cup 112 to hold it in the recess 212. In another embodiment, the cup 112 may snap into place and secure to the cup holder 110. For example, the cup holder 110 may have a flexible retaining arm, the barb at the tip of which engages with the edge of the cup 112 when inserted. In yet another example, the cup holder 110 may have a band that straddles the top of the cup 112, thereby holding the cup 112 on the cup holder 110.

[0033] See also Figures 10A to 10D, or alternatively, the cup holder 110 may hold the cup 112 using suction. An opening 220 is provided in the bottom wall 211 of the cup holder 110 and is fluidly connected to a vacuum system 222. The vacuum system 222 draws in air through the opening 220, creating a vacuum inside the cup holder 110 and drawing the cup 112, located in the recess 212, toward the bottom wall 211.

[0034] The cup holder 110 may include a seal 214 positioned within the recess 212 and on the bottom wall 211 such that when the cup 112 is inserted, the cup 112, the seal 214, and the bottom wall 211 form a vacuum chamber 213 (see Figure 8). For example, the cup 112 is inserted into the recess 212 and pushed in until its bottom surface engages with the seal 214, forming a fluid-tight seal between them. Forming the cup 112 and the vacuum chamber 213 increases the attractive force acting on the cup 112, resulting in a stronger force holding the cup 112 in the cup holder 110. The seal 214 may be positioned to engage with the bottom surface of the cup 112 when the cup 112 is inserted. The seal 214 may be an annular seal such as an O-ring or X-ring. The bottom wall 211 of the cup holder 110 may include an annular groove 216 that receives at least a portion of the seal 214. The seal 214 may be fixed to the bottom wall 211 by friction fitting with the annular groove 216 and / or by adhesive.

[0035] The cup holder 110 may include a tubular section 224 that forms a passage 226 extending from an opening 220 in the bottom wall 211. One end of a hose or tube 228 is connected to the tubular section 224 of the cup holder 110. The tube 228 extends from the cup holder 110 to a vacuum pump 230 of the vacuum system 222. The vacuum system 222 may be mounted to the door 106 together with the cup holder 110 so that it remains connected to the cup holder 110 even when the door 106 is opened. The vacuum pump 230 exhausts the air inside the cup holder 110 through the opening 220 via the tube 228. Once the cup 112, seal 214, and bottom wall 211 form a vacuum chamber 213, the operation of the vacuum pump 230 creates suction, holding the cup 112 inside the cup holder. In some configurations, the vacuum system 222 further includes a solenoid that opens and closes a valve to maintain suction in the vacuum chamber 213 without continuously operating the vacuum pump 230 during seasoning supply. For example, the vacuum pump 230 may be operated to form the vacuum chamber 213 by reducing the pressure until a predetermined threshold is reached, and then the valve may be closed with the solenoid to maintain the pressure and stop the vacuum pump 230. To release the cup from the cup holder 110, the valve may be opened with the solenoid to introduce air into the cup holder 110 and release the suction to the cup 112. The vacuum system 222 may also include a filter system to prevent, for example, any seasoning spilled in the cup holder 110 from entering the vacuum pump 230.

[0036] The condiment dispenser 100 may be able to detect the presence or absence of the cup 112 based on the pressure in the vacuum chamber 213 and / or the tube 228. For example, when the vacuum pump 230 is activated, the pressure in the cup holder 110 when the cup 112 is inserted will be significantly lower than when the cup is not inserted. The condiment dispenser 100 may activate the vacuum pump 230 and determine that the cup 112 has been placed in the cup holder 110 based on the pressure value and / or the timing when the pressure drops significantly (e.g., when the cup 112 is inserted). In addition or alternatively, the condiment dispenser 100 may include a sensor 231 that detects whether the cup 112 is inside the cup holder 110. The sensor 231 may be a proximity sensor that detects when the cup 112 is in the vicinity. For example, the sensor 231 may be placed on the bottom wall 211 of the cup holder 110 to detect the presence of the bottom of the cup when the cup 112 is inserted.

[0037] Securely holding cup 112 within cup holder 110 is advantageous in that it keeps cup 112 in place while seasoning is being supplied from dispensing head 114, ensuring that seasoning is reliably supplied into the cup without spillage. Firmly securing cup 112 also helps to keep it in the correct position when mixing seasoning within cup 112.

[0038] In some embodiments, the condiment dispenser 100 is loaded with cups, so that the user does not need to add cups to the condiment dispenser 100 to fill it with condiments. The condiment dispenser 100 can separate a cup from the stack of cups loaded in the device. When the condiment dispenser 100 receives a request for mixed condiments from the user (for example, a request via the user interface 282), it may fill the cup with condiments, mix the condiments, and provide the user with a cup containing the mixed condiments.

[0039] Referring to Figures 10C to 10D, the seasoning dispenser 100 may include a stirring system 232 that swirls, rotates, vibrates, oscillates, or otherwise mixes the seasonings supplied into the cup 112. The stirring system 232 may be, for example, a vortex mixer, a vibrating mixer, and / or a shaking mixer. As described above, two or more seasonings and / or accent flavorings may be supplied from the dispensing head 114 to the cup 112. The stirring system 232 may be operated to mix the two or more seasonings and / or accent flavorings to form, for example, a generally homogeneous mixture.

[0040] The stirring system 232 may be mounted on the door 106 of the seasoning dispenser 100. The stirring system 232 may be configured to generate motion and connected to the cup holder 110 to transmit that motion to the seasoning in the cup holder 110. The stirring system 232 may be a vortex mixer in which a motor 234 drives a stirring head 236. The motor 234 is capable of rotating a shaft. The stirring head 236 is connected to the shaft of the motor 234 and positioned slightly eccentrically from the center of the shaft, so that the stirring head 236 vibrates in a circular motion around the shaft as the shaft rotates. The stirring head 236 is positioned to engage with the cup holder 110, and as the motor 234 operates, the stirring head 236 vibrates around the motor shaft, causing the cup holder 110 to vibrate rapidly in a circular motion. The stirring head 236 may include a shaft portion 238 sized to fit into an opening 240 provided at the bottom of the cup holder 110. The stirring head 236 may include an elastomer body 242, such as a sleeve and / or ring, attached to the shaft portion 238 of the stirring head. The elastomer body 242 may be positioned to engage with the cup holder 110 to mitigate the impact between the shaft portion 238 of the stirring head and the cup holder 110 during operation. The sleeve and / or ring may be made of a material such as rubber and / or silicone. This allows the shaft portion 238 of the stirring head 236 to transmit vibrational motion to the cup holder 110, causing the cup holder 110 to vibrate, oscillate, or shake.

[0041] The vibration of the cup holder 110 by the stirring system 232 causes the cup 112 within the cup holder 110 to vibrate, and this motion is transmitted to the seasoning in the cup 112. The vibrating motion of the cup 112 causes the seasoning to rotate in a vortex (e.g., form a vortex), and the seasoning can be mixed. The seasoning may be mixed, for example, until the accent flavoring is evenly distributed throughout the base seasoning, and until the seasoning in the cup 112 becomes a homogeneous mixture. The stirring system 232 may operate for a time in the range of, for example, about 1 to 30 seconds, or about 15 to 20 seconds, to thoroughly mix the seasoning. In other embodiments, the seasoning may be mixed additionally or alternatively, for example, by magnetic stirring, top stirring, and / or ultrasonic mixing.

[0042] Referring to Figures 11A to 11C, the seasoning dispenser 100 may include a lift system 244 that can be operated as a linear actuator to raise and lower the dispenser head 114. Specifically, the lift system 244 can lower the outlet end 196 of the dispenser head 114 to be positioned close to or directly above the cup 112 in the cup holder 110. Lowering the dispenser head 114 closer to the cup 112 ensures that the seasoning is reliably dispensed into the cup 112, reducing or preventing dripping or splashing outside the cup. The outlet end 196 of the dispenser head 114 can be lowered into the pocket 111 through an opening provided at the top of the pocket 111 in the door 106. The dispenser head 114 may lower to dispense seasoning after, for example, detection that the cup 112 is positioned in the cup holder 110, or after one or more seasonings have been selected via the user interface 282. Once dispensing is complete, the dispensing head 114 rises and is lifted out of the pocket 111, providing clearance so that the user does not have to touch the dispensing head 114 when removing the cup 112. The dispensing head 114 may also be pulled upward from the pocket 111 when the door 106 is opened, for example, to replace the condiment pouch 120 or to perform maintenance on the device.

[0043] The lift system 244 includes a motor 246 that drives a rotatable screw shaft 248. The motor 246 and screw shaft 248 may be mounted on a longitudinal support 124. The lift system 244 includes a trolley 250 attached to the screw shaft 248. The trolley 250 may have a screw opening 252 that is screw-fitted to the screw shaft 248. The operation of the motor 246 rotates the screw shaft 248, and the trolley 250 moves axially along the screw shaft 248. The trolley 250 moves up and down depending on the direction of rotation of the motor 246.

[0044] The supply head 114 is connected to the trolley 250, and the supply head 114 moves with the movement of the trolley 250. The supply head 114 may be attached to the trolley 250 via a yoke or support bracket 256. The support bracket 256 includes a base 258 and a pair of arms 260 extending from the base 258 to form a substantially U-shape. The base 258 may be attached to the trolley 250, for example, by one or more fasteners or adhesive. The arms 260 extend from the base 258 and form a space to receive the supply head 114. The ends 262 of the arms are attached to the opposite side of the supply head 114, causing the supply head 114 to be supported by the trolley 250 and the lift system 244.

[0045] Therefore, by operating the motor 246 of the lift system 244, the supply head 114 can be moved between the raised and lowered positions as described above. The lift system 244 may further include an upper limit switch 264 and a lower limit switch 266 for detecting when the trolley 250 has reached the raised and lowered positions. The upper limit switch 264 and the lower limit switch 266 may be mounted on the longitudinal support 124. A limit switch dog 268 is mounted on the trolley 250 and / or the support bracket 256 and moves with the trolley 250 along the screw shaft 248 as the motor 246 is driven. The limit switch dog 268 is positioned to contact the upper limit switch 264 or the lower limit switch 266 when the trolley 250 has reached the raised or lowered position. The processor 276 of the seasoning dispenser 100 receives signals from the upper limit switch 264 and the lower limit switch 266 when the limit switch dog 268 contacts or reaches the limit switch. Upon receiving these signals, the processor 276 determines that the supply head 114 has reached the raised or lowered position and stops the operation of the motor 246.

[0046] In some configurations, the processor 276 can move the supply head 114 to three positions: a loading position, a standby position, and a supply position. The loading position is when the processor 276 detects that the door 106 is open or that a seasoning pouch 120 is loaded or replaced, and the supply head 114 is in its highest position (with the limit switch dog 268 positioned at the upper limit switch 264). In the loading position, the supply head 114 is positioned so that the pouch support tray 140 can be inserted and removed without interference. When the door 106 is closed and the seasoning dispenser 100 is not dispensing, the supply head 114 is in the standby position. The standby position is slightly below the loading position and above the supply position, providing clearance for the user to place or remove the cup 112 from the cup holder 110. When dispensing begins, the dispensing head 114 descends to the dispensing position, and the limit switch dog 268 makes contact with the lower limit switch 266. After dispensing, the dispensing head 114 is returned to the standby position, allowing the user to remove the cup without coming into contact with the dispensing head 114.

[0047] In other embodiments, the cup holder 110 may also be attached to the lift system and move up and down relative to the supply head 114.

[0048] In some embodiments, the condiment dispenser 100 includes a movable guard that covers the pocket 111 to prevent the user from reaching into the pocket 111. For example, this can prevent the user from attempting to remove the cup 112 during the dispensing cycle. When the user places the cup 112 in the cup holder 110 and requests the mixed condiments, the guard may move to cover the pocket 111 or a portion of it. Once the dispensing and mixing of the mixed condiments is complete, the guard moves to allow the user to remove the cup 112 from the cup holder 110.

[0049] Referring to Figure 12, the seasoning supply system 270 is shown. The seasoning supply system 270 includes a seasoning dispenser 100, a network 272, and a remote computer 274. The seasoning dispenser 100 includes a processor 276 and memory 278. Memory 278 can contain programs and instructions to perform various operations and provide functionality to the seasoning dispenser 100. For example, memory 278 can contain instructions to operate the pump 122, the lift system 244, the vacuum system 222, and the stirring system 232. For example, it can store data on how long to operate the pump 122 to dispense a predetermined amount of seasoning from the dispenser head 114 into the cup 112. Memory 278 can also store data on how much seasoning has been dispensed from each seasoning pouch 120 (e.g., since loading) or how many dispenses have been made. The processor 276 can calculate the amount of seasoning remaining in each seasoning pouch 120 by tracking the number of times a full seasoning pouch 120 has been dispensed since it was installed. The processor 276 can individually control the motor 170 corresponding to the pump 122 to drive the pump 122 and dispense seasoning into the cup 112. Furthermore, the processor 276 can control the motor 246 of the lift system 244 to raise and lower the dispensing head 114, control the motor 234 of the stirring system 232 to stir the seasoning in the cup 112, and operate the vacuum pump 230 of the vacuum system 222 to hold the cup 112 in the cup holder 110. The processor 276 communicates with the memory 278 to access programs and instructions and provides functions to the seasoning dispenser 100 as described later in Figure 13.

[0050] The seasoning dispenser 100 may further include a communication circuit 280. The processor 276 can communicate with a remote device using the communication circuit 280. For example, the communication circuit 280 may be configured to communicate using wired and wireless communication protocols such as cellular, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, NFC, Zigbee, and Ethernet®. The processor 276 can send signals to and receive signals from a remote device via the communication circuit 280. The seasoning dispenser 100 may also be configured to communicate with a remote computer 274 (e.g., a server computer) via a network 272 using the communication circuit 280. The network 272 may include a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, the internet, and the like. The seasoning dispenser 100 can communicate data with the remote computer 274 regarding the amount of seasoning remaining in the seasoning pouches 120, the type and amount of seasonings and mixed seasonings supplied (for example, to understand the consumption rate of each seasoning), and / or when the seasoning dispenser 100 should be cleaned (for example, based on the time elapsed since the seasoning pouches 120 or tubes 166 were replaced). For example, the seasoning dispenser 100 can record and communicate the type and amount of each seasoning supplied, and track the usage of each seasoning. This makes it possible to understand popular seasonings and mixtures, the consumption rate of each seasoning, and order and replenish additional seasonings before stock runs out. The seasoning dispenser 100 and / or the remote computer 274 can communicate with user devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, PCs, POS terminals, etc.) via the communication circuit 280 to notify users or store staff when the seasoning pouches 120 are running low or when cleaning is required.

[0051] The seasoning dispenser 100 may notify users or staff of errors or the need for maintenance. The seasoning dispenser 100 and / or the remote computer 274 may be associated with a smartphone application, and information about the seasoning dispenser 100 may be presented to or viewable by the user via the smartphone application. The user may use the smartphone application (or other similar program) to record which type of seasoning was placed in which dock 137, and the date and time the seasoning pouch 120 was placed. Furthermore, the user may use the smartphone application (or other similar program) to check the amount of seasoning remaining in each seasoning dispenser 100 and the date the seasoning cartridge was placed (for example, by displaying this data on the app screen). The seasoning dispenser 100 may also be equipped with a user interface 282 (for example, a touchscreen display) and configured to allow the user to access or input information from memory 278 or the remote computer 274.

[0052] The condiment dispenser 100 may be powered by a power supply 284. The power supply 284 may include a power cord with a plug that can be connected to a wall outlet to receive commercial power. Alternatively, the power supply 284 may include a battery. The battery may be replaceable and / or rechargeable. Powering the condiment dispenser 100 with a battery increases the flexibility of its installation location within the restaurant. For example, the condiment dispenser 100 does not need to be installed near a power outlet.

[0053] Referring to Figure 13, the operation method 300 of the seasoning dispenser 100 is shown. Although the steps of this method are described in a specific order, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the order of the steps can be changed. It will also be understood that not all steps are mandatory, and some are optional. This method includes a step 302 in which the seasoning dispenser 100 receives a selection of one or more seasonings to be supplied from the user. The user can select one or more seasonings to be supplied using the user interface 282, as will be described later. For example, the user can select a first seasoning and then select a second seasoning to mix with the first seasoning. As an example, the user may select a base seasoning and then select to add accent seasonings or flavorings and mix them. The processor 276 receives the seasoning selection and stores it in memory 278. Furthermore, the processor 276 determines the fluid transport system 121 of the seasoning dispenser 100 related to the user's seasoning selection.

[0054] The condiment dispenser 100 may perform step 304 to detect whether the cup 112 is placed in the cup holder 110. The condiment dispenser 100 can use the vacuum system 222 and / or sensor 231 (e.g., proximity sensor) to detect whether the cup 112 is present in the cup holder 110. The processor 276 communicates with the sensor 231 and determines, based on the signal received from the sensor 231, whether the cup 112 is correctly positioned in the cup holder 110. The processor 276 may present a message via the user interface 282 prompting the user to insert the cup 112 into the cup holder 110 or to adjust the position of the cup 112 (e.g., push the cup 112 further in).

[0055] The seasoning dispenser 100 performs step 306 to activate the vacuum system 222 in order to secure the cup 112 in the cup holder 110. When the seasoning selection is received, the processor 276 controls the vacuum system 222 and activates the vacuum pump 230. The vacuum pump 230 creates suction within the cup holder 110, drawing the cup 112 into and holding it. The vacuum system 222 may also be activated to prevent the cup 112 from coming loose from the cup holder 110 during the mixing process described later. As described above, the vacuum system 222 is also used to determine whether the cup 112 is properly positioned in the cup holder 110. For example, when a vacuum chamber 213 is formed between the cup holder 110 and the cup 112, the pressure drops significantly compared to when the cup 112 is not present or is not properly positioned. Detecting this low pressure, the processor 276 determines that the cup 112 is secured in the cup holder 110.

[0056] The processor 276 may perform step 308, which involves controlling the lift system 244 to lower the supply head 114 toward the cup 112. Specifically, the processor 276 operates the motor 246 of the lift system 244 to lower the trolley 250 and bring the supply head 114 to the supply position. Once the supply head 114 reaches the lower position, it is positioned directly above the cup 112 (for example, so that the supplied condiment is sure to enter the cup 112), and the processor 276 can determine that the supply head 114 has reached the lower position by receiving a signal from the lower limit switch 266 indicating that the limit switch dog 268 has made contact with the lower limit switch 266.

[0057] The processor 276 activates the fluid transport system 121 associated with the selected condiment and performs the step 310 of supplying the condiment to the cup. Specifically, the processor 276 controls the motor 170 of these fluid transport systems 121 to transfer the condiment from the condiment pouch 120 to the supply head 114 via the tube 166. The processor 276 may operate the motor 170 for a certain period of time to supply a predetermined amount or a predetermined dosage of condiment from the supply head 114 to the cup 112. For example, if the user selects ketchup and sriracha sauce, the processor 276 activates the fluid transport system 121 corresponding to the ketchup condiment pouch 120 and the fluid transport system 121 corresponding to the sriracha sauce condiment pouch 120. The correspondence between the type of condiment and the fluid transport system 121 may be stored in memory 278, and the processor 276 determines which fluid transport system 121 to activate according to the user's selection. In one configuration, the processor 276 operates multiple fluid transport systems 121 simultaneously to supply the seasoning to the cup 112 almost simultaneously. In another configuration, the processor 276 operates a first fluid transport system 121 to supply a first seasoning, and then operates a second fluid transport system 121 to supply a second seasoning.

[0058] If multiple seasonings are selected, the processor 276 activates the stirring system 232 to perform step 312, which mixes the seasonings in the cup 112. The processor 276 may operate the motor 234 for a predetermined time to mix the seasonings until a substantially homogeneous mixed seasoning is obtained. The processor 276 can obtain information from memory 278 regarding how long to operate the stirring system 232 to mix the seasonings. The operating time of the stirring system 232 varies depending on the type of seasoning being supplied; for example, high-viscosity seasonings may be stirred for a longer time to ensure proper mixing. In some configurations, the processor 276 may start operating the stirring system 232 before the seasonings are supplied to the cup 112. The stirring system 232 may operate while the seasonings are being supplied and continue for a predetermined time after the supply has ended until the seasonings are completely mixed. In another configuration, the processor 276 may activate the stirring system 232 after the seasoning has been supplied to the cup 112. In yet another configuration, the processor 276 activates the fluid transport system 121 to supply the seasoning to the cup 112 and simultaneously starts the stirring system 232.

[0059] Once the mixing process is complete, the processor 276 stops the operation of the vacuum system 222 and performs step 314 to release the cup 112. When the vacuum system 222 is stopped, the vacuum pump 230 no longer generates suction in the cup holder 110, and the cup 112 can be removed from the cup holder 110 without being held in place. The processor 276 then performs step 316 to raise the supply head 114 from the cup 112. Specifically, the processor 276 operates the motor 246 of the lift system 244, raising the trolley 250 to return the supply head 114 to the standby position. At this time, the supply head 114 is lifted out of the pocket 111. In one configuration, the processor 276 can determine that the supply head 114 has reached the raised position by receiving a signal from the upper limit switch 264 indicating that the limit switch dog 268 has made contact with the upper limit switch 264. After the dispensing head 114 rises, the cup 112 containing the mixed seasoning is removed from the cup holder 110 by the user.

[0060] Referring to Figures 14A to 14F, examples of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) presented to the user are shown. These are presented to the user via the display screen 288 (e.g., the screen of a touchscreen display) of the user interface 282 and are used to order or select condiments. In Figure 14A, the display screen 288 of the condiment dispenser 100 presents a GUI 330 that includes a button 332 (e.g., a virtual button) that allows the user to start creating or customizing a mixed condiment. The GUI 330 further presents a button 334 that allows the user to select a mixed condiment from popular menus or presets (pre-set menus), such as Spicy Jalapeño Ketchup, Buffalo Ranch, Mango Chipotle BBQ, and Smoky Chipotle Ranch. When the user selects one of these buttons 334, the condiment dispenser 100 displays the GUI 352 shown in Figure 14D, which will be described later.

[0061] Referring to Figure 14B, when a user selects button 332 to customize a seasoning, the seasoning dispenser may display a GUI 336 that includes a prompt 338 prompting the user to select a base seasoning. The GUI 336 may include multiple buttons 340 corresponding to each base seasoning so that the user can select a base seasoning. In the illustrated example, the user can select a base seasoning from ketchup, ranch sauce, BBQ sauce, and Heinz® 57 sauce. The illustrative GUI 336 shows four base seasonings, but in other forms, more or fewer base seasonings may be presented depending on the type of seasoning loaded into the device 100. The GUI 336 may further include a prompt 342 prompting the user to select a mix-in seasoning, such as an accent flavoring or secondary seasoning. The GUI 336 includes multiple buttons 344 corresponding to each mix-in seasoning. The seasoning dispenser 100 may be configured to allow the selection of one, two, or more additional mixins for the selected base seasoning. In the illustrated example, mixins can be selected from spicy jalapeño, buffalo, smoky chipotle, and mango. While the illustrative GUI 336 shows four mixins, other configurations may offer more or fewer mixins depending on the loading conditions.

[0062] When a user selects a base seasoning and any mix-ins, the seasoning dispenser 100 may update the GUI 336 to include a display 340A indicating the selected base seasoning and a display 344A indicating the selected mix-ins. The GUI 336 may also present buttons 350 (e.g., plus / minus buttons) associated with the selected mix-ins to adjust the mix-in ratio (e.g., flavor intensity). Once the desired base seasoning, mix-ins, and mix-in concentration are set, the user can request the supply of the selected mixed seasoning by selecting the button 346 labeled "Mix and Dispense". To return to the initial screen, the user can select the back button 348.

[0063] Referring to Figure 14D, after the user has selected the mixed seasoning to be supplied, the seasoning dispenser 100 may present a GUI 352 displaying the selection 354 (for example, the base seasoning and mix-in seasoning selected by the user). The GUI 352 may further present a prompt 356 prompting the user to place the cup 112 in the cup holder 110. The GUI 352 may further include a button 358 labeled "Ready," by which the user can select this button to proceed with the request for the selected mixed seasoning. If the user decides to adjust the selected mixed seasoning, the user may select the back button 360.

[0064] Referring to Figure 14E, when the user selects button 358, the seasoning dispenser 100 dispenses the selected base seasoning and mix-in from the dispensing head 114 into the cup 112 and begins mixing them in the cup 112. The seasoning dispenser 100 may display a GUI 362 that shows the progress of the mixture preparation. For example, the GUI 362 may include a completion rate display 364 (e.g., 12%).

[0065] Referring to Figure 14F, once the process of supplying and mixing the mixed seasoning into cup 112 is complete, the seasoning dispenser 100 may display a GUI 366 indicating that the mixed seasoning is ready and a prompt 368 prompting the user to remove cup 112 from cup holder 110. GUI 366 may further include a button 370 labeled "Finished," which the user can select to end the ordering process.

[0066] Referring to Figures 15A to 15D, exemplary GUI screens presented to a user for servicing or adjusting the operation of the condiment dispenser 100 are shown. In Figure 15A, the condiment dispenser 100 displays a GUI 372 with a numeric keypad 374 that allows the user to access the settings of the condiment dispenser 100 by entering a code (e.g., a personal identification number (PIN)). Once the correct code is entered, the condiment dispenser 100 may allow the user to view and / or adjust the status and settings of the condiment dispenser 100.

[0067] With respect to Figure 15B, the seasoning dispenser 100 may present a GUI 376 that displays each base seasoning and mix-in, and an indicator 380 (e.g., a status bar) that shows how much seasoning remains in the corresponding seasoning pouch 120. As described above, the seasoning dispenser 100 may monitor the amount of seasoning supplied to determine the remaining amount. When a user replaces a seasoning pouch 120, the user can select button 382 on the GUI 376 to indicate that the seasoning pouch 120 has been replaced with a full pouch. The GUI 376 may further include a button 384 for pre-filling (priming) the seasoning. For example, the associated fluid transport system 121 may be activated to feed the seasoning from the seasoning pouch into the tube 166 leading to the supply head 114, so that the seasoning dispenser 100 can supply the seasoning into the cup 112. When the seasoning pouch 120 is replaced with a new one, the tube 166 is also replaced, and in its initial state, it may be empty and not filled with seasoning. In this case, the pump 122 needs to operate for a certain period of time to move the seasoning along the tube 166 and fill the tube 166. Pre-filling ensures that seasoning is supplied reliably when a user requests mixed seasoning. Furthermore, the user can receive the requested mixed seasoning immediately without waiting for the seasoning dispenser to perform pre-filling.

[0068] GUI376 may include a button 386 for cleaning the seasoning dispenser 100. The seasoning dispenser 100 may be configured to run an automatic cleaning cycle when the button 386 is selected. The automatic cleaning cycle may include cleaning each tube 166 and the opening 192 of the dispenser head 114 with water and / or disinfectant. In another embodiment, the tube 166 may be removed from the seasoning pouch 120, pump 122 and dispenser head 114 for cleaning. The tube 166 may be cleaned, for example, in a dishwasher or replaced with a new, clean tube. GUI376 may also include a button 387 for opening and closing a door to allow access to trays, seasonings, tubes, etc.

[0069] With respect to Figure 15C, the seasoning dispenser 100 may present a GUI 388 for adjusting the settings of each fluid conveying system 121. The GUI 388 includes a list 390 of IDs associated with each fluid conveying system 121 (e.g., each motor 170 / pump 122 combination) and its associated settings, namely speed 392, step count 394, and rotation direction 396. The speed setting 392 is, for example, the speed of the motor 170 that drives the pump, expressed in revolutions per minute (RPM). The speed of the motor 170 may be adjusted based on the type of seasoning being pumped, the size of the tube 166 through which the seasoning flows, and other characteristics that affect the flow rate. For example, a motor 170 associated with a higher viscosity base seasoning may be set to 600 RPM, and a motor 170 associated with a mix-in may be set to 300 RPM. It should be noted that if a stepping motor is used, the step count can be controlled in the same way. The rotation direction setting 396 indicates, for example, whether the motor 170 rotates the shaft clockwise or counterclockwise to pump the seasoning towards the supply head 114. The motor 170 may, however, operate in the reverse direction to pull the seasoning back from the supply head 114 after supplying, thereby preventing the seasoning from dripping from the supply head 114. The GUI 388 may further include buttons 387 for operating each pump 122 to test its performance at the current setting.

[0070] With respect to Figure 15D, the seasoning dispenser 100 may present a GUI 398 for manually creating and requesting recipes for mixed seasonings. The GUI 398 includes a list 400 of each base seasoning and a text box 402 in which the user can input the supply and mixing amount (e.g., grams) of the base seasoning. The GUI 398 further includes a list 404 of each mix-in seasoning and a text box 406 in which the supply and mixing amount of the mix-in seasoning can be input. The user can input which base seasonings and mix-in seasonings to supply and mix, as well as the amount and ratio of each component of the mixture. The GUI 398 may also include a button 408 in which the user can select the button to input a request for a mixed seasoning based on the component amounts entered in text boxes 402 and 406. As shown in Figure 15D, a time input 401 to set the time for the machine to mix after supply, a delay input 403 to delay the start of mixing, and a percentage input 405 to set the speed of the mixing process can also be set.

[0071] The seasoning dispenser may be configured to connect to an operator dashboard / GUI located remotely from the dispenser. In this configuration, the remote dashboard can be used for tracking inventory, viewing maintenance status, tracking seasoning combinations and data, modifying base seasonings, modifying flavor enhancers, setting favorite combinations, and more.

[0072] Referring to Figures 16 to 19D, a condiment dispenser 500 according to another embodiment is shown. The condiment dispenser 500 is similar in many respects to the condiment dispenser 100, with differences highlighted. The condiment dispenser 500 comprises a housing 502 having a housing body 504 and a front section (e.g., a door 506). The door 506 includes a user interface 508, such as a touchscreen display, used to operate the condiment dispenser as described above.

[0073] The housing 502 includes a recess or pocket 511 having a cup holder 510 for receiving a container (e.g., a cup 112) filled with condiments. In this embodiment, the pocket 511 includes a body 513 and a panel 515. The body 513 of the pocket 511 is connected to a door 506, and as the door 506 rotates around a hinge connection with the housing body 504, the body 513 moves together with the door 506. The panel 515 is connected to the housing body 504 and does not move together with the door 506. Separating the panel 515 from the body 513 of the pocket 511 allows the door 506 to be opened even when the dispensing head 514 is in the lowered position. When the door 506 is closed, the panel 515 prevents access to the interior of the housing 502.

[0074] The condiment dispenser 500 may include a locking mechanism 516 to fix the door 506 to the housing body 504 in the closed position to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the housing. For example, the locking mechanism 516 may include a cylinder lock that unlocks the condiment dispenser 500 using a key. The condiment dispenser 500 may further include a latch 517, and the door 506 can be opened by moving (e.g., lifting) the latch 517 when it is unlocked. By moving the latch 517, the door 506 can be detached from the housing body 504 and rotated to the open position relative to the housing body 504.

[0075] The seasoning dispenser 500 may include an antenna 507 mounted on the housing 502, which enables the seasoning dispenser 500 to send and receive wireless signals. The antenna 507 may be mounted, for example, on the upper side of the housing body 504. The seasoning dispenser 500 can use the antenna 507 to communicate wirelessly with a cash register, a server computer, and / or a user device such as a smartphone or tablet. The seasoning dispenser 500 can communicate via direct and / or indirect communication protocols as described above. Furthermore, the seasoning dispenser 500 can receive signals from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) via the antenna 507 and process those signals to determine the location of the seasoning dispenser 500.

[0076] Referring to Figures 17A and 17B, the seasoning dispenser 500 includes an internal support frame 518 that supports seasoning pouches 120, a pump 522, and a dispensing head 514. The internal support frame 518 may include multiple racks for supporting multiple seasoning pouches 120. The seasoning dispenser 500 includes a weight sensor 524 mounted on the support frame 518 and supporting a large pouch support tray 540 and a small pouch support tray 542. The weight sensor 524 weighs the seasoning pouches 120 in the pouch support trays 540 and 542 and is used, for example, to determine the amount of seasoning remaining in each pouch 120 or to determine the amount of seasoning dispensed during a dispensing cycle. The weight sensor 524 is connected to a processor in the seasoning dispenser 500 (e.g., a processor 276) that receives the data and determines the weight or weight change of each seasoning pouch. The seasoning dispenser 500 can notify the user when it is time to replace the seasoning pouch. The seasoning dispenser 500 can also monitor the weight change of the seasoning pouch and determine when to stop the operation of the pump 522 during the dispensing cycle. For example, upon receiving a request for a mixed seasoning, the seasoning dispenser 500 operates the pump 522 for the requested seasoning and runs it until the weight of the associated seasoning pouch decreases by a predetermined amount (e.g., the amount specified in the recipe for the requested mixed seasoning).

[0077] See also Figure 18, the weight sensor 524 may include one or more load cells 526 and one or more weight plates 528. The following description mainly relates to the large pouch support tray 540, but the weight sensor 524 for the small pouch support tray 542 has a similar structure and functions similarly. When the large pouch support tray 540 is loaded into the condiment dispenser 500, it is placed on the weight sensor 524 to measure the weight of the support tray and the condiment pouches inside it. In the illustrated configuration, each weight sensor 524 includes two weight plates 528 and four load cells 526. The load cells 526 are mounted on a tray blanket 530 coupled to a support frame 518 to receive the support tray 540. The weight plate 528 extends in the depth direction of the seasoning dispenser 500, spanning the two load cells 526, allowing the support tray 540 to be inserted into or withdrawn from the seasoning dispenser 500 along the weight plate 528 (for example, by sliding backward or forward along the weight plate 528).

[0078] The side flanges 550 of the support tray 540 are each placed on the weight plates 528 when loaded into the seasoning dispenser 500. The weight plates 528 transmit the weight of the support tray 540 (and the seasoning pouches inside it) to the load cells 526. The processor of the seasoning dispenser 500 receives sensor data output from each load cell 526 and determines the weight of the support tray 540 and the seasoning pouches. By using multiple load cells, such as placing load cells on both sides and near the front and rear ends of the support tray 540, accurate weight measurement is possible even if the weight of the seasoning pouches is not uniformly distributed within the support tray. The small pouch support tray 542 also has flanges and is placed on the weight plates 528, and its weight and the weight of the seasoning pouches are measured.

[0079] The weight plate 528 may include a stopper projection 529 at its front end, which prevents the support tray 540 from unintentionally sliding forward and detaching from the seasoning dispenser 500. To remove the support tray 540, slightly lift its front end to position it above the stopper projection 529, and then pull it forward.

[0080] In another configuration, the weight plates 528 for each support tray 540 may be connected to each other to form a weight transfer body on which the support tray 540 can be placed. For example, a bridge member may be extended between the left and right weight plates 528. The left and right weight plates 528 may be formed as a single unit or as separate members and rigidly fixed to each other (for example, by a bridge member that fixes the left weight plate 528 to the right weight plate 528). The weight transfer body is placed on all four load cells 526 and distributes the weight of the support tray 540 to the load cells 526. By rigidly connecting the left and right weight plates 528 to form a weight transfer body, the weight of the support tray 540 can be uniformly distributed by the load cells 526.

[0081] Referring to Figures 19A to 19D, the supply head 514 is attached to a lift system 544. The lift system 544 can be operated to raise and lower the supply head 514, as in the embodiments described above. The supply head 514 has multiple passages 592 extending from an inlet end 594 to an outlet end 596. A tube 166 is inserted into the passages 592 of the supply head 514, and the ends of the tube 166 may be held and aligned to supply to a single location (e.g., into a cup 112). The tube may extend along the passages 592 from the inlet end 594 to the outlet end 596 of the supply head 514. For example, the tube 166 may extend along the entire length of the passages 592. The condiment is pumped through the tube 166 and discharged from the end of the tube 166 to be supplied from the supply head 514 (e.g., into a cup 112). In this way, the seasoning can be transferred directly from the tube 166 to the cup 112 without contacting the passage 592 of the supply head 514. Therefore, the tube 166 forms the entire flow path from the seasoning pouch to the cup 112, limiting the number of parts that the seasoning comes into contact with. This improves cleanability, and in some cases, only the tube 166 may need to be cleaned or replaced to ensure a clean flow path.

[0082] The supply head 514 includes a body 600 consisting of multiple disassemblable components, which can be separated, for example, for mounting or cleaning the tube 166. The body 600 includes an inner body 602 and an outer body 604 extending from an inlet end 594 to an outlet end 596. The outer body 604 defines a central opening 606 (see Figure 19B) for receiving the inner body 602. The inner body 602 has an outer surface 608 having a plurality of grooves 610 extending from the inlet end 594 to the outlet end 596. The outer body 604 has an inner surface 612 defining the central opening 606, which has a plurality of grooves 614 extending from the inlet end 594 to the outlet end 596. Multiple grooves 610 in the inner body 602 correspond to multiple grooves 614 in the outer body 604, and by fitting the inner body 602 into the outer body 604, the grooves 610 and 614 work together to form a passage 592 for the tube 166. For example, the grooves 610 in the inner body 602 are aligned with the opposing grooves 614 in the outer body 604, and the inner body 602 is inserted into the central opening 606 of the outer body 604 to form the passage 592.

[0083] By making the inner body 602 and the outer body 604 separable, it becomes easier to position the end of the tube 166 within the passage 592 of the supply head 514. For example, with the inner body 602 at least partially withdrawn from the outer body 604, the tube 166 can be positioned along the groove 614 of the outer body 604. After positioning the tube 166 within the outer body 604, the inner body 602 can be inserted into the outer body 604 to form the passage 592 around the tube 166. When the inner body 602 is inserted into the outer body 604, the tube 166 is slightly compressed, and the passage 592 frictionally engages with the tube 166, preventing the tube 166 from being easily pulled out of the supply head 514. Separating the inner body 602 and the outer body 604 also allows access to the entire length of the passage 592, facilitating cleaning (e.g., due to spills). In one configuration, the inner body 602 and the outer body 604 are made of dishwasher-safe material and can be easily separated and washed in a dishwasher. The exposed walls of the passage 592 allow the entire length of the passage 592 to be cleaned more effectively by the dishwasher.

[0084] The inner body 602 may have a tapered shape from the inlet end 594 to the outlet end 596. The inner surface 612 of the outer body 604 (and consequently the central opening 606) may also have a corresponding taper from the inlet end 594 to the outlet end 596. Therefore, when inserting the inner body 602 into the outer body 604, the tapered shape of the outer body 604 restricts the axial movement of the inner body 602. The inner body 602 may be fixed to the outer body 604 in a wedge shape by friction fitting. In one embodiment, the outer body 604 is made of a plastic material and the inner body 602 is made of an elastomer material (e.g., silicone or rubber). This compresses the inner body 602 relative to the outer body 604 during insertion, resulting in a firm connection with the outer body 604 between the passages 592.

[0085] The inward taper of the inner body 602 and the outer body 604 forms a passage 592 that slopes inward from each other from the inlet end 594 to the outlet end 596. The passage 592 holds the tube 166 fitted in the passage at a predetermined angle and guides the seasoning supplied from the tube 166 toward a central point (for example, inside the cup 112). This ensures that the seasoning is supplied reliably into the cup 112 and prevents splashing outside the cup. The passage 592, and consequently the tube 166, are more densely concentrated on the outlet end 596 side of the supply head 514 than on the inlet end 594 side.

[0086] The inner body 602 may include a tab 626. The tab 626 extends outward, allowing a user to grasp it and pull the inner body 602 away from the outer body 604, thereby separating the components for, for example, removal and installation of the tube 166.

[0087] The inner body 602 may include a tube connector 616 at the inlet end 594. The tube connector 616 includes a plurality of tube receiving sections 618 that connect the tubes to the supply head 514. Each tube receiving section 618 includes a pair of opposing arms 620, 622 (see Figure 19B) that receive and secure the tubes between them. For example, the opposing arms 620, 622 are arc-shaped and form an opening between them for receiving the tubes. The tube 166 can be passed through a grommet 630 that fits between the arms 620, 622, as shown in Figure 19C. The diameters of the openings formed by the arms 620, 622 may be set to be approximately equal so as to accommodate the grommet 630. For example, some tube receiving sections 618 may be sized to receive small-diameter tubes for flavoring, while others may be sized to receive large-diameter tubes for base seasonings. The ends of the opposing arms 620 and 622 are separated by a gap 624 smaller than the diameter of the grommet 630. To secure the tube to the supply head 514, the tube and grommet 630 are pushed through the gap 624 and inserted into the opening between the opposing arms 620 and 622. Because force is required to pass the grommet 630 and tube through the gap 624, the arms 620 and 622 hold the tube between them, ensuring that the tube is securely fixed to the supply head 514. The arms 620 and 622 may also apply an inward force to the grommet 630, pressing it against the tube and preventing the tube from moving axially within the grommet 630. The grommet 630 may be used for some or all of each tube being connected. In some embodiments, some or all of the tube may not have a grommet 630 and may be received directly into the tube receiving section 618. The tube is flexible and compresses as it passes through the gap 624, and expands within the opening between the opposing arms 620 and 622, so force is required to pull it back through the gap 624 again.

[0088] As shown in Figure 19C, the end 166A of the tube 166 may extend into the passage 592 of the corresponding supply head 514 (for example, before the tube is attached to the tube receiving section 618). A valve 629 may be attached to the end 166A of each tube 166. The valve 629 may be a check valve that allows fluid to flow out of the tube 166 into the passage 592. As an example, the valve 629 is a cross-slit (e.g., X-slit) valve that opens due to the pressure applied to the seasoning by the pump 522.

[0089] The supply head 514 may further include a support body 640 positioned around the flow path body 600. The support body 640 connects the supply head 514 to the lift system 544 and helps prevent contamination by suppressing contact with the body 600 (e.g., the passage 592 and the outlet end of the tube 166) in the event of accidental contact with the supply head 514 by a user. The support body 640 includes an outer wall 642 extending around the body 600 of the supply head 514. The outer wall 642 may extend axially from the inlet end 594 to the outlet end 596. The support body 640 may include a support flange 644 extending from the inlet end of the outer wall 642. The outer body 604 may include a flange 646 that rests on the support flange 644 of the support body 640 when inserted into the support body 640. Thus, the support body 640 supports the flow path body 600. The fastener 648 may pass through the opening 650 of the flange 646 of the outer body 604 and be inserted into the opening 652 of the support flange 644 to fix the outer body 604 to the support body 640. In another embodiment, the outer body 604 may be fixed to the support body 640 by a clip mechanism so that it can be easily separated without tools, for example, for cleaning.

[0090] The support body 640 includes a mounting arm 654. The mounting arm 654 secures the supply head 514 to the lift system 544 and is connected to the lift system 544 so that the supply head 514 can be raised and lowered. The mounting arm 654 may be detachably connected to the lift system 544 so that the supply head 514 can be removed from the lift system 544 for cleaning, for example. The mounting arm 654 includes an opening 656 through which a fastener (e.g., a screw) can be inserted to connect the mounting arm 654 to the trolley 658 of the lift system 544.

[0091] The dispensing head 514 may include lighting such as an LED 660. The LED 660 may be mounted on the outlet end 596 of the dispensing head 514. The LED 660 may form part of the user interface of the condiment dispenser 500 and may light up in various colors or flashing patterns to indicate to the user, for example, when the condiment dispenser 500 is dispensing condiments or when the user can take out a cup 112. The LED 660 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 662. A wire harness 663 may extend from the PCB 662 to a connector 664 that is detachably connected to a connector of the condiment dispenser 500 (for example, a connector mounted on the trolley 658 of the lift system 544). This allows the processor of the condiment dispenser 500 to control the LED 660. In the illustrated embodiment, the PCB 662 and the LED 660 are mounted on the outlet end 596 of the dispensing head 514. The PCB 662 may be attached to the end of the support 640, for example, to a mounting wall 670 extending radially inward from the outer wall 642. An end cap 668 may be detachably fixed to the support 640 so that the PCB 662 is housed by the support 640 and the end cap 668 (for example, between the end cap 668 and the mounting wall 670 of the support 640). For example, the end cap 668 may include an opening 666 through which a fastener extends, and the end cap 668 may be attached to the support 640 to secure the PCB 662 to the end of the feed head 514. The end cap 668 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material (for example, plastic) to transmit light emitted from the LED 660 and be visible to the user. A wire harness 663 may be routed upward inside the feed head 514 through the space between the outer body 604 and the outer wall 642 to a mounting arm 654. The wire harness 663 may extend from the supply head 514 along the mounting arm 654 and be connected to the condiment dispenser 500 (for example, a connector attached to the trolley 658).

[0092] The use of singular terms is intended to encompass both singular and plural forms unless otherwise specified or unless it clearly contradicts the context. Terms such as “to have,” “to possess,” “to include,” and “to encompass” should be interpreted as open terms. The phrase “at least one” is intended to be interpreted disjunctively. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B.

[0093] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will understand that a variety of modifications, changes, and combinations can be made to the above-described embodiments, and that these should not depart from the scope of the invention but should be included within the conceptual framework of the invention.

Claims

1. A housing configured to contain multiple seasoning ingredients, A plurality of outlets, each configured to supply at least one of the plurality of seasoning components, A condiment container receiving section is arranged adjacent to the aforementioned plurality of discharge ports, The seasoning container receiving section is provided with a stirring mechanism capable of stirring, A seasoning dispenser equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The seasoning supply device according to claim 1, wherein the stirring mechanism is at least one of a vibrating mixer, a vortex mixer, a shaking mixer, or a combination thereof.

3. The seasoning supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a seasoning container holder configured to fix a container to the seasoning container receiving portion.

4. The seasoning supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the seasoning container holder includes a vacuum system that holds the container in the container receiving portion while the stirring mechanism is in operation.

5. The seasoning dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the seasoning container holder includes at least one clamp.

6. The seasoning supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of discharge ports is configured to supply a single seasoning component.

7. The seasoning supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply head including the plurality of discharge ports, wherein the supply head has a plurality of passages, each of which is connected to one of the plurality of discharge ports, and each of the plurality of passages is configured to receive one of the plurality of seasoning components.

8. The seasoning supply device according to claim 7, further comprising a linear actuator connected to the supply head, wherein the linear actuator is capable of moving the supply head relative to the seasoning container receiving portion.

9. A plurality of seasoning supports arranged within the housing, each of which is configured to hold one of the plurality of seasoning components within a seasoning container, A pump system comprising multiple pump systems, each of which is configured to pump one of the multiple seasoning components from a corresponding seasoning container to a corresponding discharge port of the multiple discharge ports, The seasoning supply device according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

10. The seasoning supply device according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of tubes, each of which is configured to extend from one of the plurality of seasoning supports through one of the plurality of pump systems to the corresponding discharge port, wherein each of the plurality of pump systems is capable of transporting seasoning from one of the plurality of seasoning supports through the tubes toward the corresponding discharge port.

11. The seasoning supply device according to claim 9, further comprising a user interface, the user interface being configured to accept the selection of a seasoning and to activate one of the plurality of pump systems corresponding to the selection to pump the seasoning component through the corresponding discharge port.

12. Support frame and A plurality of trays supported by the support frame and removable from the support frame, each of the plurality of trays configured to accommodate one of a plurality of condiment containers, The seasoning supply device according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

13. The seasoning dispenser according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of weight sensors attached to the support frame, each of which is configured to support one of the plurality of trays on it.

14. A seasoning support configured to position the seasoning, Outlet and A fluid transport system capable of transporting seasoning from the seasoning support towards the discharge port, A condiment container receiving section is positioned adjacent to the aforementioned discharge port, A container holder configured to detachably secure the container to the aforementioned seasoning container receiving portion, A seasoning dispenser equipped with [a specific feature].

15. The seasoning supply device according to claim 14, wherein the container holder includes a vacuum system capable of fixing the container to the seasoning container receiving portion by suction.

16. The aforementioned vacuum system Vacuum pump and The vacuum pump includes a conduit that fluidly connects to the seasoning container receiving section, The seasoning supply device according to claim 15, wherein the vacuum pump is capable of generating suction in the seasoning container receiving section via the conduit.

17. The seasoning container receiving portion includes a bottom and a side wall extending from the bottom that defines a recess for receiving a container, the bottom having an opening, and the vacuum system drawing air from the seasoning container receiving portion through the opening to create a suction state inside, as described in claim 15.

18. The seasoning supply device according to claim 17, further comprising a seal positioned to be disposed around the opening and to engage with the container to form a fluid-tight seal between them, thereby increasing the suction force on the container by the vacuum system.

19. The seasoning supply device according to claim 14, further comprising a stirring mechanism operably coupled to the seasoning container receiving portion and capable of stirring the container received in the seasoning container receiving portion.

20. The seasoning supply device according to claim 19, wherein the stirring mechanism includes a stirring head, the seasoning container receiving portion includes a recess for receiving the stirring head, and the stirring mechanism is capable of moving the stirring head to stir the container in the seasoning container receiving portion.

21. A method for supplying multiple seasoning components, the method is In a seasoning supply device containing multiple seasoning components, A step of receiving the user's selection of a first seasoning component and a second seasoning component from the aforementioned plurality of seasoning components, A step of supplying the first seasoning component into a container from the first discharge port of the seasoning supply device, The process involves supplying the second seasoning component into the container from the second discharge port of the seasoning supply device, A step of automatically stirring the container containing the first seasoning components and the second seasoning components in order to mix the first seasoning and the second seasoning within the container, A method that includes this.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the stirring step is started before supplying either the first seasoning component or the second seasoning component.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the stirring step is started after the supply of the first seasoning component is started.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the stirring step is continued even after the supply of the first seasoning component and the second seasoning component.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the seasoning supply device includes a stirring mechanism capable of stirring the container, and the stirring mechanism is at least one of a vibrating mixer, a shaking mixer, or a combination thereof.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein the seasoning dispenser includes a touchscreen display, and the step of receiving a selection by the user includes receiving the selection via the touchscreen display.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the step of supplying the first seasoning component and the step of supplying the second seasoning component are performed simultaneously.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the step of supplying the first seasoning component includes operating a pump to transport the seasoning from a first seasoning container containing the first seasoning component toward the first discharge port.

29. The method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of fixing the container to the seasoning supply device.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of fixing the container includes operating a vacuum system to suck and press the container against the seasoning container receiving portion of the seasoning supply device.

31. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first seasoning component is a basic seasoning and the second seasoning component is an auxiliary seasoning.

32. The method according to claim 21, wherein a substantially homogeneous combination seasoning is formed by mixing the first seasoning component and the second seasoning component.

33. The method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of stopping the supply of the first seasoning ingredient when it is detected that a desired weight of the first seasoning ingredient has been supplied.

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