Ingredient dispenser and method for preventing bridging in an ingredient dispenser

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an ingredient dispenser, comprising a container, having and outlet and an interior configured to hold ingredients to be dispensed, a first screw conveyor, extending from the interior of the container to the outlet of the container, and having a first conveying direction, toward the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a first rotational direction, a second screw conveyor, positioned adjacent to the first screw conveyor, and having a second conveying direction, away from the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a second rotational direction, and driving means configured to rotate the first screw conveyor in the first rotational direction and the second screw conveyor in the second rotational direction. The disclosure also provides a method for preventing bridging in an ingredient dispenser.

Description

[0001] INGREDIENT DISPENSER AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING BRIDGING IN AN

[0002] INGREDIENT DISPENSER

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an ingredient dispenser and a method for preventing bridging in an ingredient dispenser.

[0004] Ingredient dispensers, particularly those used in automated food preparation, are known in the art. Such ingredient dispensers generally comprise a container, preferably of stainless steel, plastic or another material suitable for hygienic handling of food ingredients. The container is used for holding the food ingredients before dispensing. The container may comprise an outlet, through which the ingredients can be dispensed. Generally, such outlet is provided at the bottom of the container, such that the dispensing is at least partially aided by gravity. However, an outlet may be provided anywhere in the container, according to certain requirements. The known ingredient dispenser further comprises dispensing means, which may take various forms depending on the characteristics of the ingredients or the intended purpose. For instance, such ingredient characteristics may include density, consistency, particle size, moisture content, dry weight, viscosity, desired dispensing rate or amount (e.g., kg / min, ml / second, weight / dispensing volume, et cetera), or the like. An exemplary dispensing means may include a screw conveyor, a rotary valve, or the like.

[0005] Certain ingredients may have characteristics which allows them to clump together under certain conditions. For instance, ingredients may clump together when a certain pressure is applied to the bulk of ingredients in the container of an ingredient dispenser. The pressure may for instance originate from the dispensing action of a dispensing means, such as a screw conveyor. A screw conveyor conveys ingredients in a certain conveying direction, which primarily affects ingredients located adjacent the screw conveyor, but secondarily also affects the bulk of the ingredients in the container as a whole. In particular, the bulk of ingredients adjacent but not in direct contact with the screw conveyor may be pressured against a wall of the container in the conveying direction. This may result in a column of compressed and / or clumped ingredients substantially in line with the screw conveyor, which form a barrier between the screw conveyor and the remainder of the bulk of the ingredients. Such barrier may be referred to as a bridge of ingredients, such that the phenomenon is referred to as bridging. More in particular, bridging generally refers to the formation of a bridge or arch-like structure that spans across an opening or gap, preventing flow of the particles within a confined enclosure. It occurs when the particles adhere to each other, creating a temporary structure that obstructs the movement. Bridging may happen due to various factors, including the particle size and shape, moisture content, the cohesive properties, et cetera. It is particularly common in particles with cohesive or sticky characteristics.

[0006] It is an object of the invention, amongst other objects, to mitigate bridging in ingredient dispensers by providing, according to a first aspect of the disclosure, a novel ingredient dispenser and, according to a second aspect of the disclosure, a novel method for preventing bridging in an ingredient dispenser.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, an ingredient dispenser is provided, the ingredient dispenser comprising a container, having and outlet and an interior configured to hold ingredients to be dispensed, a first screw conveyor, extending from the interior of the container to the outlet of the container, and having a first conveying direction, toward the outlet (outwards from the container to the desired dispensing location), when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a first rotational direction, a second screw conveyor, positioned adjacent to the first screw conveyor, and having a second conveying direction, away from the outlet (inwards to the container, away from the desired dispensing location), when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a second rotational direction, and driving means configured to rotate the first screw conveyor in the first rotational direction and the second screw conveyor in the second rotational direction.

[0008] By providing a second screw conveyor which has a second conveying direction away from the outlet of the container of the ingredient dispenser, the compressing and / or clumping of ingredients in the container is effectively mitigated as the ingredient mass which is not in direct contact with the first screw conveyor is moved away from the boundary of the container near the outlet, thus preventing a bridge from forming besides the first screw conveyor. The first conveying direction has at least a component in direction of the outlet, i.e., toward the outlet of the container, and the second conveying direction has at least a component in direction away from the outlet. This thus results in the ingredients being dispensed by the first screw conveyor, and bridging of the bulk of the ingredients which is not in contact with the first screw conveyor is mitigated by the second screw conveyor, which moves the bulk away from the outlet and thus away from any boundaries (e.g., walls, dividers, other elements) near the outlet. As such, the ingredient dispenser according to the first aspect increases the reliability and effectiveness of ingredient dispensing, and decreases the amount of maintenance required (e.g., manually resolving bridging that has occurred). For instance, by mitigating bridging the consistency of the dispensing rate is improved. As no or at least less bridging occurs, the occurrence rate of diminished ingredient dispensing rates of the dispenser (causes by a barrier formed by the bridging of ingredients) is decreased. Moreover, the quality of the dispensed ingredients is improved, as squishing of the ingredients in a bridge structure is mitigated. In further addition, the second screw conveyor reduces aggregation of ingredients near and around the outlet of the dispenser, such that ingredients are less likely to clump together and be squished near the outlet. In turn, this increases the dispensing accuracy, as the mixture of ingredients remains more homogeneous (i.e., less local variation in ingredient density). The dispensing accuracy is further aided by the second screw conveyor, as it skims ingredients off the top of the first screw conveyor, such that the amount of ingredient per screw lead of the first screw conveyor is more constant. In even further addition, the second screw conveyor aids in mixing of the ingredients in the container, thus improving the homogeneity throughout.

[0009] Preferably, the driving means are configured to rotate the first screw conveyor in the first rotational direction at a first rotational speed for dispending ingredients, and, preferably subsequently, a second rotational speed for dispensing ingredients, wherein the second rotational speed is smaller than the first rotational speed. Accordingly, just before reaching the desired ingredient dispensing amount, the driving means may be instructed to switch from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed to dispense more accurately (with smaller dispensing rate). Further preferably, the driving means may be configured to rotate the first screw conveyor in a reverse direction. Accordingly, when the desired ingredient dispending amount is reached, the driving means may be instructed (e.g., by a controller) to drive the first screw conveyor in the reverse direction for a relatively small amount of time, to prevent accidental over-dispensing of the ingredients. For instance, when the desired ingredient dispensing amount is reached, a piece of ingredient at the end of the first screw conveyor may still fall off, thus causing over-dispensing, i.e., dispensing an amount of ingredient higher than the desired amount, or spillage in the environment (e.g., so-called carry-over, wherein an ingredient being dispensed by the dispenser in a first dispensing operation is not to be dispensed in a following second dispensing operation, but is accidently dispensed (spilled) in that second dispensing operation). By reversing the first screw conveyor just after reaching the desired amount, the ingredients at the end of the first screw conveyor are conveyed back towards the container by a certain amount, thus preventing over-dispensing. The first rotational speed and second rotational speed, as well as the speed of rotation during the reverse direction, may be chosen on the basis of the specific ingredient that is to be dispensed with the dispenser as well as the ingredient target weight(s).

[0010] The first screw conveyor may be rotated in the first rotational direction at the first rotational speed until a first dispensing threshold is reached. The first screw conveyor may be rotated in the first rotational direction at the second rotational speed until a second dispensing threshold is reached. The first dispensing threshold may comprise a first predetermined time period and / or a first predetermined dispensed weight. The second dispensing threshold may comprise a second predetermined time period and / or a second predetermined dispensed weight. The ingredient dispenser may further be configured to be connected to a scale, such as an electronic scale, which measures a dispensed weight which indicates the weight of ingredients that have been dispensed by the ingredient dispenser during a dispensing operation, so as to monitor whether the first predetermined dispensed weight of the first dispensing threshold and / or the second predetermined dispensed weight of the second dispensing threshold, has been reached. The first screw conveyor may be rotated in the reverse direction until a third dispensing threshold is reached. The third dispensing threshold may comprise a third predetermined time period and / or a third predetermined dispensed weight. In case only a small amount of ingredients are to be dispensed (e.g., the amount to be dispensed is lower than the first threshold) the first screw conveyor may be rotated only at the second rotational speed for that specific case.

[0011] In general, the rotational speed of the first and / or the second screw conveyor may be adjustable based on one or more characteristics of the ingredients in the ingredient dispenser. Examples of characteristics that may have an effect on the desired rotational speed are, for instance, density of the ingredients, size of the ingredients, consistency of the ingredients, moisture content of the ingredients, texture of the ingredients, et cetera. For instance, when the ingredient dispenser is loaded with ingredients that have a higher density than other ingredients that were in the same dispenser earlier, the rotational speed of the first and / or second screw conveyor may be decreased. The size of the ingredients may have an effect on the precision of dispensing (i.e., precision of dispensed weight) which may also have an effect on the rotational speed (e.g., slower speeds may provide more control).

[0012] In other words, the rotational speed of the first and / or second screw conveyor may be calibrated based on one or more characteristics of the ingredients that are to be dispensed. The calibration may be manual or automatic. In case of automatic calibration, a controller may be in communication with a scale that is configured to measure dispensed ingredients, and the driving means. The controller may in that case be configured to: instruct the driving means to rotate the first and / or second conveyor at an initial rotational speed to dispense a desired dispensed weight; measure, via the scale, a dispensed weight of the ingredients dispensed at the initial rotational speed; compare the dispensed weight with the desired dispensed weight, and determine a difference therebetween; and determine a calibrated rotational speed based on the initial rotational speed and the difference between the dispensed weight and the desired dispensed weight. For instance, if the dispensed weight is higher than the desired dispensed weight, the calibrated rotational speed may be set at a rotational speed lower than the initial rotational speed. For instance, if the dispensed weight is lower than the desired dispensed weight, the calibrated rotational speed may be set at a rotational speed higher than the initial rotational speed.

[0013] Preferably, the driving means are configured to rotate the first screw conveyor in the first rotational direction and the second screw conveyor in the second rotational direction through a shared drivetrain. Accordingly, a single motor can be used to drive both screw conveyors.

[0014] Preferably, the ingredient dispenser may be configured to be connected to a scale, such as an electronic scale (e.g., load cell or the like), which measures the ingredients that have been dispensed by the ingredient dispenser during a dispensing operation. The ingredient dispenser may comprise the scale. The scale may be reset and / or calibrated to a tare weight at the start and / or end of a dispensing operation.

[0015] The ingredient dispenser may be connected to a controller configured to control operation of the ingredient dispenser (e.g., control the first and second rotational directions, and / or the rotational speed of the first and second screw conveyor). The controller may be configured to independently control the first and second screw conveyor. The controller may be configured to be connected to the scale and to read and process measurements produced by the scale (e.g., weight of dispensed ingredients during a dispensing operation). The controller may be provided with a predefined ingredient target weight, being the desired weight that is to be dispensed during a dispensing operation. The predefined ingredient target weight may differ between dispensing operations. The controller may thus be configured as a closed-loop controller, wherein the controller controls the ingredient dispenser based on measurements produced by the scale, thus providing feedback control. In an example, the controller may control the driving means so as to rotate the first screw conveyor in the first rotational direction at a first rotational speed at the start of the dispensing operation, and when reaching a first predefined percentage of the ingredient target weight (i.e., when the scale outputs a weight corresponding to the first predefined percentage of the ingredient target weight, also referred to as first predetermined dispensed weight as part of a first dispensing threshold), the controller may control the driving means so as to switch from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed to dispense more accurately (e.g., with smaller dispensing rate as compared to the dispensing rate associated with the first rotational speed). Additionally or alternatively, when reaching a second predefined percentage of the ingredient target weight (i.e., when the scale outputs a weight corresponding to the second predefined percentage of the ingredient target weight, also referred to as second predetermined dispensed weight as part of a second dispensing threshold), the controller may control the driving means so as to rotate the first screw conveyor in a reverse direction. For instance, the first predefined percentage may be between 70 and 90%. For example, the second predefined percentage may be between 80 and 100%. As an example, the target weight may be 50 grams, the first predefined percentage may be 80% (corresponding to 40 grams dispensed) and the second predefined percentage may be 90% (corresponding to 45 grams dispensed). Accordingly, from 0 to 40 grams dispensed the first screw conveyor rotates at the first rotational speed, and from 40 to 45 grams dispensed the first screw conveyor rotates at the second rotational speed, which is preferably lower than the first rotational speed. Further, from 45 grams upwards, the first screw conveyor rotates in reverse (i.e., in the opposite rotational direction as compared to the rotational direction used from 0 to 40 and 40 to 45 grams using, respectively, the first and second rotational speeds).

[0016] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the second conveying direction is substantially opposite the first conveying direction. Providing the first and second conveying directions opposite to each other has proven to be a reliable and predictable measure for mitigating bridging in ingredient dispensers. For instance, the first conveying direction is in direction of a front wall of the container, and the second conveying direction is in direction of a rear wall of the container.

[0017] Preferably, the container comprises a front wall positioned opposite a rear wall. It is preferred that the outlet of the container is provided in the front wall, preferably proximate a bottom of the container.

[0018] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the second screw conveyor is positioned substantially parallel to the first screw conveyor. By providing the second screw conveyor adjacent to the first screw conveyor, and substantially parallel thereto, the first and second conveying direction can conveniently be provided opposite each other.

[0019] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the length of the second screw conveyor is smaller than the length of the first screw conveyor, and / or smaller than the length of the container. Preferably, the second screw conveyor extends approximately from a front wall of the container, and the first screw conveyor extends approximately from the rear wall of the container. Preferably, the length of the second screw conveyor is chosen such that it is smaller than the distance between the front and rear walls of the container. By giving the second screw conveyor a smaller length than the first screw conveyor, secondary bridging is mitigated, which may be defined as bridging adjacent the second screw conveyor. As the second screw conveyor preferably has a smaller length than the first screw conveyor and preferably also smaller than the distance between the front and rear walls of the container, the bulk of the ingredients is circulated through the container. In other words, the second screw conveyor is prevented from forming a secondary bridge of ingredients, which can potentially occur by compression of ingredients at an end of the container opposite the outlet. When the second screw conveyor does not extend fully to the end of the container opposite the outlet, the ingredients can move from the end of the second screw conveyor (in the second conveying direction) to the first screw conveyor. This circulation may be aided by gravity, e.g., by providing the second screw conveyor above the first screw conveyor. The diameters of the first and second screw conveyor may be different from each other or the same, and / or may each have a different pitch or a same pitch.

[0020] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the first screw conveyor and / or the second screw conveyor comprise a drive coupling plug and the driving means comprise a correspondingly shaped drive coupling socket configured to form-fittingly receive the drive coupling plug. Preferably, the drive coupling socket is movable with respect to the driving means through a resilient element, such as a compression spring, and / or wherein the drive coupling plug is movable with respect to the first screw conveyor and / or the second screw conveyor through a resilient element, such as a compression spring. The drive coupling plug and the correspondingly shaped socket (i.e., the socket configured to form-fittingly receive the drive coupling plug) allow for convenient engaging and disengaging of the screw conveyors and their (respective) driving means. The optional feature wherein one of the drive coupling plug and the drive coupling socket is movably by means of a resilient element, such as a compressing spring, makes it possible to bring the driving means in engagement with the screw conveyors without pre-aligning the drive coupling plug and the drive coupling socket. For instance, the drive coupling plug may be a T- shaped element (e.g., element with T-shaped cross-section), and the drive coupling socket may be a U-shaped socket (e.g., socket with U-shaped cross-section) configured to receive the T-shaped element in a form-fitting manner. When the T-shaped element is not properly aligned with the U- shaped socket, the driving means may not properly be engaged with the screw conveyor(s) (i.e., the T-shape is not received by the U-shape) However, when one of the plug and socket is movable in a resilient manner, by means of a compressing spring, the driving means and screw conveyors can be brought into their operating position (engaged position) without pre-aligning, without damaging the plug or socket. Subsequent rotation of the screw conveyor(s) and / or driving means will at a certain moment align the plug with the socket, which will then cause them to snap into engagement through the spring-action of the resilient element, e.g., the compressing spring. Accordingly, the engagement and disengagement of the screw conveyor(s) and the driving means is significantly simplified for the user of the ingredient dispenser.

[0021] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the first screw conveyor is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to a bottom of the container, preferably wherein the bottom of the container is substantially trough-shaped or tapered. Preferably, the second screw conveyor is positioned above the first screw conveyor, opposite the bottom of the container. Further preferably, the outlet of the container is provided in a wall of the container, proximate to the bottom of the container, such that the first screw conveyor conveys ingredients that moved to the bottom of the container (e.g., by gravity) to the outlet, to dispense them. By providing the first screw conveyor adjacent the bottom of the container, the possibility of ingredients remaining at the bottom of the container for a long period of time is mitigated.

[0022] Optionally, the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect further comprises a dispensing channel connected to the outlet of the container, and extending away from the container, preferably wherein the dispensing channel is substantially trough-shaped (e.g., with a U-shaped or V-shaped crosssection). Preferably, the first screw conveyor extends in the dispensing channel. The channel may aid in guiding the ingredients to the desired destination, such as a cooking process (e.g., an automated cooking process). For instance, the distal end of the channel may be positioned over a cooking pot, or the like. Optionally, the ingredient dispenser further comprises a retainer element connected to the dispensing channel, and configured to retain the first screw conveyor in the dispensing channel.

[0023] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the first screw conveyor and / or the second screw conveyor is a shaftless screw conveyor, preferably wherein the shaftless screw conveyor is a helical coil. A shaftless screw conveyor has proven to be surprisingly suitable for dispensing ingredients without squishing them, especially when the shaftless screw conveyor is a helical coil. In addition, a shaftless screw conveyor restricts movement of ingredients in the interior of the container to a lesser extent as compared to traditional conveyors, thus mitigating the chance of ingredient getting stuck.

[0024] A screw conveyor, and thus also a helical coil, can be a right-hand screw or a left-hand screw. Looking at an end of a screw, along the longitudinal direction of the screw, a left-hand screw is wrapped around the longitudinal axis in a counter-clockwise direction in a direction moving away from the observer, and a right-hand screw is wrapped around the longitudinal axis in a clockwise direction in a direction moving away from the observer. When the conveying direction of the screw is in a direction along the longitudinal axis away from the observed end of the screw, a left-hand screw will turn clockwise for the observer, and a right-hand screw will turn counter-clockwise for the observer. The first screw conveyor can be a right-hand screw conveyor or a left-hand screw conveyor, and the second screw conveyor can be a right-hand screw conveyor or a left-hand screw conveyor. The first rotational direction and the second rotational direction are chosen such that the first screw conveyor and the second screw conveyor have the desired first and second conveying directions, respectively.

[0025] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, an end of the second screw conveyor in the second conveying direction, is rigidly fixed to a rod configured to rotate with the second screw conveyor. Preferably, the rod is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second screw conveyor, and / or the rod is at least partially positioned at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the second screw conveyor. The rod may be used to connect said end of the second screw conveyor to a wall of the container at a distance from said end, and / or to driving means of the ingredient dispenser. When the rod is at least partially positioned at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the second screw conveyor, the rod has a stirring effect on the ingredients, thus dispersing the ingredients in multiple directions, and preventing secondary bridging at the second screw conveyor.

[0026] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the first screw conveyor is a double screw conveyor. The double screw conveyor may comprise two screw conveyors placed adjacent and parallel to each other, and both having the first conveying direction. Optionally, the two screw conveyors of the double screw conveyor may have opposite rotational directions. Optionally, the two screw conveyors of the double screw conveyor may include one right-hand screw and one lefthand screw. Preferably, the double screw conveyor has a high-accuracy dispensing mode, wherein only one of the two screws of the double screw conveyor is driven, so as to dispense a smaller amount of ingredients per unit of time.

[0027] Optionally, the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect further comprises a support frame, wherein the container is removably mounted on the support frame, preferably wherein the container is slidably engaged with the support frame, and / or the driving means are hingedly coupled to the support frame. When the container is removably supported on the support frame, it can readily be swapped for another container, which is for instance cleaned and / or provided with fresh ingredients. When the driving means are hingedly supported by the support frame, they may be hinged between an engaged position, wherein the driving means are coupled to the screw conveyor(s), and a disengaged position, wherein the driving means are not coupled to the screw conveyor(s). When the container is slidably and removably engaged with the support frame, and the driving means are hingedly coupled to the support frame, it can be possible to hinge the driving means away from the container, to their disengaged position, after which the container can be slidably removed from the frame. A new, or the same container may be placed back in a sliding fashion, after which the driving means can be hinged to their engaged position again. This enables a cartridge-like container replacement system.

[0028] Optionally, in the ingredient dispenser of the first aspect, the container comprises a drain for draining liquid. Preferably, a bottom of the container is inclined, and the drain is provided in the bottom at a lower end thereof. The lower end referring to the end of the inclined bottom which is located lower than the other opposite end of the inclined bottom. Preferably, the lower end of the inclined bottom is provided distal to the outlet of the container, such that the bottom slopes downward from the outlet to the end of the container opposite the outlet. By providing such inclined bottom with a drain at the lower end, the liquid is moved towards the drain of the container by means of gravity. Certain ingredients that comprise a relatively high moisture content, such as diced tomatoes, may cause pooling of liquid at the bottom of the container. A drain can mitigate this effect, thus preventing the ingredients that are to be dispensed imminently from being too wet for the cooking process to which they are dispensed.

[0029] Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the disclosure, a method for preventing bridging in an ingredient dispenser is provided, the ingredient dispenser comprising a container, having and outlet and an interior configured to hold ingredients to be dispensed, and the method comprising: providing a first screw conveyor, extending from the interior of the container to the outlet of the container, and having a first conveying direction, toward the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a first rotational direction, providing a second screw conveyor, positioned adjacent to the first screw conveyor, and having a second conveying direction, away from the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a second rotational direction, and driving the first screw conveyor in the first rotational direction and driving the second screw conveyor in the second rotational direction.

[0030] Preferably, the ingredient dispenser referenced in the method of the second aspect is an ingredient dispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure, potentially with one or more of the aforementioned optional / preferred features of said ingredient dispenser.

[0031] Optionally, in the method of the second aspect, the second conveying direction is substantially opposite the first conveying direction. Optionally, in the method of the second aspect, the step of providing the second screw conveyor comprises the step of providing the second screw conveyor substantially parallel to the first screw conveyor.

[0032] Optionally, in the method of the second aspect, the step of driving the first and second screw conveyors comprises driving the first and second screw conveyors by means of driving means, such as one or more electric motors.

[0033] Optionally, in the method of the second aspect, the length of the second screw conveyor is smaller than the length of the first screw conveyor, and / or smaller than the length of the container.

[0034] The present disclosure will hereinafter be elucidated by means of illustrative examples with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ingredient dispenser assembly;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the dispenser assembly, wherein certain parts of the assembly are depicted in a transparent manner;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a detail view of the dispenser assembly, wherein driving means are in their disengaged position;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a container of the dispenser assembly being removed from the frame;

[0039] FIG. 5 shows another perspective view of the dispenser assembly, wherein the driving means are in their disengaged position;

[0040] FIG. 6 shows another container of the dispenser assembly being removed from the frame;

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the dispenser assembly from a side view;

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the dispenser assembly from a top view; and

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the drive coupling plugs of the screw conveyors and drive coupling sockets of the driving means.

[0044] In FIG. 1 an ingredient dispenser assembly 1 , also referred to as dispenser 1 or ingredient dispenser 1, is depicted. The dispenser 1 comprises a frame 10, supporting the assembly 1. The ingredient dispenser 1 comprises various containers 2, which are configured to hold ingredients (not shown) therein. The ingredients are to be dispensed from a container 2 of the ingredient dispenser 1 to a cooking process, e.g., to a cooking pot P. The dispenser 1 further comprises a dispensing mechanism 3 through which the ingredients are dispensed from the containers 2. The dispensing mechanisms 3 are driven by driving means 4. The driving means 4 may be hingedly connected to the frame 10. The containers 2 may be slidably engaged with the frame 10, through rollers 11 or the like. The dispenser assembly 1 can be provided as a stand-alone unit, which is couplable to a power source (not shown). The dispenser 1 can for instance be controlled and powered by a main control unit 5. The containers 2 can be provided with lids 21 on their top inlet to close off the container 2 to potential contaminants. The inlet is used for providing the ingredients to be dispensed to interior of the container of the dispenser assembly 1.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of the dispenser 1, wherein certain parts are made transparent to see the inner workings of the dispenser 1. The containers 2 are in this case four separate containers 2, which can each be provided, for example, with a different ingredient, and can each be controlled separately. As the ingredients (not shown) may contain moisture, the containers 2 may be provided with a drain, which drains into a drain tray 20.

[0046] In FIG. 2 two types of dispensing mechanisms 3A, 3B are shown. The first type of dispensing mechanism 3A has a single first screw conveyor 30A, and the second type of dispensing mechanism 3B has a double first screw conveyor 30B. As shown in the present example of FIG. 2, the single first screw conveyor 30A has a larger diameter than the spirals of the double first screw conveyor 30B. On the one hand, the larger diameter of the single first screw conveyor 30A may allow for processing of larger ingredients as compared to the double first screw conveyor 30B, wherein damage to the larger ingredients is mitigated due to the increased diameter of the screw 30A. On the other hand, the smaller diameter of the double first screw conveyor 30B may allow for more precise dispensing as compared to the single first screw conveyor 30A, as less ingredients per rotation of the double screw 30B are dispensed. The smaller dispensing rate of the smaller screw of the double first screw conveyor 30B may be at least partially compensated by having a double screw 30B, i.e., by having two spirals instead of one (as is for instance the case for the single screw 30A).

[0047] Both dispensing mechanism types 3 A, 3B further comprise a second screw conveyor 31 , positioned above the first screw conveyor 30A, 30B, and parallel thereto. The first and second screw conveyors 30A, 30B, 31 can be driven by driving means 4, which may comprise electric motors or the like. The driving means 4 can rotate the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B such that they have first conveying direction Cl, outwards from the containers 2. The driving means 4 can rotate the second screw conveyors 31 such that they have a second conveying direction C2, substantially opposite to the first conveying direction Cl. The second screw conveyors 31 may be referred to as anti-bridge screws 31. The anti-bridge screws 31 mitigate the occurrence of bridging, which is the formation of a bridgelike mass of ingredients formed through clumping above the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B. The first screw conveyors 30A, 30B have a transporting effect on the mass of ingredients above the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B, even when not directly in contact with said mass, through friction between the ingredients that are being transported and said mass of ingredients. Accordingly, ingredients may be pressed against the wall of the container 2 in the first conveying direction Cl, and may eventually clump together to form a bridge-like mass above the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B, thus preventing ingredients from reaching the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B and thus hindering the dispensing of the ingredients. The anti-bridge screws 31 mitigate this phenomenon by transporting ingredients of said mass in an opposite direction C2.

[0048] The anti-bridge screws 31 are depicted as being shorter than the distance between the front and rear walls of the containers 2, and shorter than the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B. The anti-bridge screws 31 are connected to the driving means 4 through a rod 310. The relatively short length of the anti-bridge screw 31 mitigates secondary bridging above the anti-bridge screw 31. The rod 310 is shown to be parallel to and distanced from the longitudinal axis of the anti-bridge screw 31. Accordingly, the rod 310 has a secondary effect of stirring the mass of ingredients, thus further mitigating clumping in the containers 2.

[0049] The dispensing mechanisms 3A, 3B further comprise a dispensing channel 32, which is troughshaped (e.g., has a U-shaped cross-section) and extends away from the containers 2 towards a location where the ingredients are to be dispensed (in this case the cooking pot P). As the containers 2 associated with the second-type dispensing mechanism 3B are located behind the containers 2 associated with the first-type dispensing mechanism 3A (or in other words, further away from the dispensing location), the dispensing channel 32 of the second-type dispensing mechanism 3B is much longer than the dispensing channel 32 of the first-type dispensing mechanism 3A. As shown, the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B extend from the interior of the containers 2 to the free end of the dispensing channels 32, such that the ingredients can be transported to the free end of the dispensing channels 32. The dispensing channels 32 have an open top. In order to prevent the first screw conveyors 30A, 30B from bending upwards, outwards from the open top of the dispensing channels 32, a retainer element 33 is provided in the dispensing channels 32. The retainer element 33 is connected with the upper free edges of the dispensing channel 32, and has a handle-shaped plate 330 which extends downwards, in direction of the bottom of the channel 32, and which is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective screw conveyor 30A, 30B in the channel 32. The handle-shaped plate 330 may be in direct contact with the respective screw conveyor 30A, 30B, or may be positioned by a small distance away therefrom, to hold the respective screw conveyor 30A, 30B in position in the channel 32. The handle-shaped plate 330 preferably has a length of at least 2 times, and more preferably at least 2.5 times, the screw lead (or screw pitch) of the respective screw conveyor 30A, 30B, such that the handle-shaped plate 330 always contacts the screw conveyor 30A, 30B in at least two spots. The handle-shaped plate 330 preferably tapers towards its free edge, so as to minimize the disturbance of the plate 330 to the flow of the ingredients.

[0050] In FIG. 3, one of the driving means 4 are shown in their disengaged position. The driving means 4 are hingedly connected to the frame 10, and are rotatable about a hinge axis 40. The driving means 4 have a locking pin 41 which can be unlocked to allow rotation of the driving means 4 with respect to the frame 10 about the hinge axis 40. The driving means 4 can thus be hinged to its disengaged position by rotation in the disengagement direction D. In its engaged position, the driving means 4 can drive (i.e., rotate) the first screw conveyor 30A, 30B and the anti-bridge screw 31. The screws 30A, 30B, 31 have drive coupling plugs 60, which can be received in correspondingly shaped coupling sockets 61 of the drive means 4. The plugs 60 are shown to be T- shaped, and the sockets 61 are shown to be cylindrical with U-shaped notches 610 for receiving the protrusions 600 of the T-shaped plugs 60. Hence, in the engaged position of the driving means 4 can rotate the screws 30A, 30B, 31 through engagement of the plugs 60 and sockets 61.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, when the rear driving means 4 are disengaged (by hinging the rear driving means 4 about its hinge axis in the disengagement direction D), the associated container 2 is unlocked and free to be removed in the removal direction R, by sliding the container 2 on the rollers 11 in direction R. As such, the container 2 and / or its associated dispensing mechanism 3B may be serviced (e.g., cleaned, refilled, repaired, replaced, et cetera). Accordingly, the container 2 being slidably removable from the frame 10, and the driving means 4 being hingedly disengageable on the frame 10, enable a cartridge-like ingredient dispenser system 1, wherein the containers 2 and dispensing mechanisms 3A, 3B are conveniently replaceable without disassembly of the dispenser assembly 1.

[0052] In FIG. 5 it is shown that the front driving means 4 are disengaged through hinging the driving means 4 in the disengagement direction D about its hinge axis 40. This unlocks the shown containers 2 and their respective dispensing mechanisms 3A. Accordingly, the containers 2 may be removed from the frame 10 in a sliding manner or the like in removal direction R, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view the ingredient dispenser assembly 1 which further highlights the interconnection of the various components of the assembly 1. In front of the assembly 1 a cooking pot P is provided, to which ingredients are to be dispensed by the dispenser 1. In FIG. 7 two containers 2 are visible, in this case referred to as a front container 2A and a rear container 2B. The front container 2A is slidably and removably mounted on the frame 10 of the assembly 1, and is closer to the dispensing location than the rear container 2B. The rear container 2B is also slidably and removably mounted on the frame 10. The rear container 2B is for instance supported on the frame 10 by means of rollers 11.

[0053] To remove the containers 2A, 2B the following procedure may be used. The rear driving means 4B of the rear container 2B may be disengaged from the rear container 2B by hinging the rear driving means 4B about its hinge axis 40B, in a downward direction. When the rear driving means 4B are disengaged, the rear container 2B and its dispensing mechanism 3B may be moved in the rearward direction R, away from the frame 10. After removing the rear container 2B and its mechanism 3B, the front driving means 4A may be disengaged from the front container 2A by hinging the front driving means 4A about its hinge axis 40A, in a downward direction. When the front driving means 4A are disengaged, the front container 2A and its dispensing mechanism 3A may be moved in the rearward direction R, away from the frame 10.

[0054] It can also be seen in FIG. 7 that the containers 2 are placed at an angle P with respect to the horizontal. In particular, the containers 2 are inclined by angle such that the containers 2 slope downwardly in the rear direction R. By placing the containers 2 in this inclined manner, liquids in the containers 2 flows in the rearward direction R under the influence of gravity, and drains through a drain (not shown) into the drain trays 20. The dispensing mechanisms 3A, 3B and thus the channels 32 are also inclined by angle p, such that the amount of liquid dispensed to the dispensing location (in this case cooking pot P) is minimized. This is especially of importance when the cooking pot P is configured to stir-fry the dispensed ingredients, as too much liquid would result in a cooking process under the influence of heat, instead of a stir-frying process under the influence of heat.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a schematic top view of the dispenser assembly 1, wherein the reference numerals correspond to those of FIG. 7. Near the rear driving means 4B a detail of the engagement mechanism is encircled, which is further elaborated upon in reference to FIG. 9.

[0056] In FIG. 9 the drive coupling plugs 60 and the drive coupling sockets 61 are shown, which form the coupling mechanism 6 for coupling the driving means 4 with the screw conveyors 30A, 30B, 31. It can be seen that the sockets 61 are coupled to the driving means 4, and the plugs 60 are coupled to the conveyors 30A, 30B, 31. The plugs 60 and sockets 61 engage with each other when the driving means 4 are in their engaged position, such that the driving means 4 can rotate the conveyors 30A, 30B, 31. The plugs 60 have protrusions 600, rigidly protruding from its core 601. The protrusions 600 of the plugs 60 can be received in the U-shaped notches 610 of the sockets 61, such that the plugs 60 can be form-fittingly engaged with the sockets 61 to form a rigid rotational relationship therebetween (i.e., the plug 60 is rotationally locked with the socket 61).

[0057] However, upon bringing the driving means 4 in engagement with the conveyors 30A, 30B, 31, the plugs 60 may potentially not align with the sockets 61 correctly. In other words, the protrusions 600 may not align with the notches 610. This means that no rigid rotational relationship is formed between the plugs 60 and sockets 61 with misaligned protrusions 600 and notches 610. In order to still allow the driving means 4 to be brought in its engaged position, the sockets 61 are provided with a resilient member 611, in this case a compression spring 611, allowing for the socket 61 to be moved relative to the drive shaft 42 of the driving means 4, particularly in the direction of the rotational axis of the drive shaft 42 and socket 61. Accordingly, when the protrusions 600 are misaligned with the notches 610 (see upper example in FIG. 9), the spring 611 is compressed, and when the protrusions 600 are properly aligned with the notches 610 (see lower example in FIG. 9) the compression spring 611 is not compressed. The spring 611 is connected with the casing 613 of the socket 61, which casing 613 has a cavity (see FIG. 9) in which protrusions 612 of the core 614 of the socket 61 can move. As depicted in FIG. 9, when the plug 60 and socket 61 are misaligned (upper example) the protrusions 612 are moved in their frontal position in the casing 613 (in frontal direction F), and when the plug 60 and socket 61 are properly aligned (lower example) the protrusions 612 are moved in their rear position in the casing 613 (in rear direction R), through action of the spring 611 which is connected to the casing 613 and the core 614 of the socket 61. The action of the spring 611 also ensures that misaligned pairs of plugs 60 and sockets 61 eventually snap into engagement upon alignment through rotation of the sockets 61 by the driving means 4. In another example, the plug 60 may be provided with a resilient element, such as a compression spring 611 instead of the socket 61 (i.e., the plug 60 being movable instead of the socket 61 being movable).

[0058] The rotation of a screw conveyor 30A, 30B caused by the driving means 4 may be transferred to the anti-bridge screw 31 by means of a coupling, such as a drive gearing and belt 43. The driving means 4 may comprise electric motors 44 which drive the drive shafts 42 connected to the sockets 61. The illustrative embodiments or examples described above are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Ingredient dispenser ( 1 ) , comprising: a container (2), having and outlet and an interior configured to hold ingredients to be dispensed; a first screw conveyor (30A, 30B), extending from the interior of the container (2) to the outlet of the container (2), and having a first conveying direction (Cl), toward the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a first rotational direction; a second screw conveyor (31), positioned adjacent to the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B), and having a second conveying direction (C2), away from the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a second rotational direction; and driving means (4) configured to rotate the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) in the first rotational direction and the second screw conveyor (31) in the second rotational direction, wherein the driving means (4) are configured to rotate the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) in the first rotational direction at a first rotational speed for dispensing ingredients, and subsequently a second rotational speed for dispensing ingredients, wherein the second rotational speed is smaller than the first rotational speed.

2. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) is rotated in the first rotational direction at the first rotational speed until a first dispensing threshold is reached.

3. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) is rotated in the first rotational direction at the second rotational speed until a second dispensing threshold is reached.

4. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first dispensing threshold comprises a first predetermined time period and / or a first predetermined dispensed weight.

5. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second dispensing threshold comprises a second predetermined time period and / or a second predetermined dispensed weight.

6. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the ingredient dispenser (1) is configured to be connected to a scale, such as an electronic scale, which measures adispensed weight which indicates the weight of ingredients that have been dispensed by the ingredient dispenser during a dispensing operation, so as to monitor whether the first predetermined dispensed weight of the first dispensing threshold and / or the second predetermined dispensed weight of the second dispensing threshold, has been reached.

7. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second conveying direction (C2) is substantially opposite the first conveying direction (Cl).

8. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second screw conveyor (31) is positioned substantially parallel to the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B).

9. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) and / or the second screw conveyor (31) comprise a drive coupling plug (60) and the driving means (4) comprise a correspondingly shaped drive coupling socket (61) configured to form-fittingly receive the drive coupling plug (60).

10. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 9, wherein the drive coupling socket (61) is movable with respect to the driving means (4) through a resilient element, such as a compression spring (611), and / or wherein the drive coupling plug (60) is movable with respect to the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) and / or the second screw conveyor (31) through a resilient element, such as a compression spring (611).

11. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to a bottom of the container (2), preferably wherein the bottom of the container is substantially troughshaped.

12. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 11, wherein the second screw conveyor (31) is positioned above the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B), opposite the bottom of the container (2).

13. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a dispensing channel (32) connected to the outlet of the container (2), and extending away from the container (2), preferably wherein the dispensing channel (32) issubstantially trough-shaped.

14. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 13, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) extends in the dispensing channel (32).

15. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 14, further comprising a retainer element (33) connected to the dispensing channel (32), and configured to retain the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) in the dispensing channel (32).

16. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) and / or the second screw conveyor (31) is a shaftless screw conveyor, preferably wherein the shaftless screw conveyor is a helical coil.

17. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an end of the second screw conveyor (31) in the second conveying direction (C2), is rigidly fixed to a rod (310) configured to rotate with the second screw conveyor (31).

18. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 17, wherein the rod (310) is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second screw conveyor (31).

19. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the rod (310) is at least partially positioned at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the second screw conveyor (31).

20. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) is a double screw conveyor (30B).

21. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a support frame (10), wherein: the container (2) is removably mounted on the support frame (10), preferably wherein the container (2) is slidably engaged with the support frame (10); and / or the driving means (4) are hingedly coupled to the support frame (10).

22. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 21, wherein the container (2) is removably mounted on the support frame (10), preferably wherein the container (2) is slidably engaged with the support frame (10); andthe driving means (4) are hingedly coupled to the support frame (10).

23. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) comprises a drain for draining liquid.

24. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 23, wherein a bottom of the container (2) is inclined, and the drain is provided in the bottom at a lower end thereof.

25. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the driving means (4) are further configured to rotate the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) in a reverse direction.

26. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 25, wherein the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) is rotated in the reverse direction until a third dispensing threshold is reached.

27. Ingredient dispenser (1) according to claim 26, wherein the third dispensing threshold comprises a third predetermined time period and / or a third predetermined dispensed weight.

28. Method for preventing bridging in an ingredient dispenser (1), the ingredient dispenser (1) comprising a container (2), having and outlet and an interior configured to hold ingredients to be dispensed, the method comprising: providing a first screw conveyor (30A, 30B), extending from the interior of the container (2) to the outlet of the container (2), and having a first conveying direction (Cl), toward the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a first rotational direction; providing a second screw conveyor (31), positioned adjacent to the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B), and having a second conveying direction (C2), away from the outlet, when rotated about its longitudinal axis in a second rotational direction; and driving the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) in the first rotational direction and driving the second screw conveyor (31) in the second rotational direction, wherein the the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B) is rotated in the first rotational direction at a first rotational speed for dispensing ingredients, and subsequently a second rotational speed for dispensing ingredients, wherein the second rotational speed is smaller than the first rotational speed.

29. Method of claim 28, wherein the second conveying direction (C2) is substantially opposite the first conveying direction (Cl).

30. Method of claim 28 or 29, wherein the step of providing the second screw conveyor (31) comprises the step of providing the second screw conveyor (31) substantially parallel to the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B).

31. Method of any one of claims 28 - 30, wherein the step of driving the first and second screw conveyors (30A, 30B, 31) comprises driving the first and second screw conveyors (30A, 30B, 31) by means of driving means (4), such as one or more electric motors (44).

32. Method of any one of claims 28 - 31, wherein the length of the second screw conveyor (31) is smaller than the length of the first screw conveyor (30A, 30B), and / or smaller than the length of the container (2).

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