GB2218410A

GB2218410A - A dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2218410A
Application number: GB8810985A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Miles Mitchell; Trevor Routh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-10
Filing date: 1988-05-10
Publication date: 1989-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-10
Also published as: GB2218410B; GB8810985D0

Abstract

A dispenser for a foodstuff comprises a substantially closed container (1) with a food dispensing nozzle (10). A feeding means (9) is provided for delivering the foodstuff in the container (1) to the nozzle (10). Actuator means (11) are arranged to operate the feeding means (9) for a predetermined length of time to permit a measured amount of foodstuff to be dispensed from the nozzle (10). Fluid foodstuffs could be dispensed using a piston-and-cylinder device in place of the auger (11) shown for the feeding means. The dispenser could be coin-operated. <IMAGE>

Description

A DISPENSER The present invention relates to a dispenser and particularly to a dispenser for foodstuffs.

A new form of grocery store is becoming popular wherein the foodstuffs to be sold are arrangea in large drums around the shop and the customer is free to wander and scoop out desired quantities of the foods required into bags, which are then sealed and weigh ed at the store's check-out counter The advantages of this form of shopping for the customer are that he only needs to huy the exact quantities of the various foodstuffs that he wants and he saves money because he does not have to pay for unnecessary packaging of the food. The disadvantage is that the drums containing the foodstuffs are open and the food tends to become contaminated, not only with dirt but also with foodstuffs from other drums.

In addition, some customers may choose to handle the food instead of using the scoops provided and the food will become contaminated this way.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing a means of storing foodstuffs hygenically whilst still providing the aforementioned advantages to the customer.

According to the present-invention -there - is provided a dispenser for a foodstuff comprising a substantially closed container with a food dispensing nozzle, feeding means for delivering the foodstuff in the container to I-he nozle, and actuator means to operate the feeding means for a predetermined length of time to permit a measured amount of foodstuff to be dispensed from the rto z lie Preferably, the feeding means comprises an auger located in the lower portion of the container and terminating adjacent the nozzle Alternatively, the feeding means comprises a volumetric filler arrangement with its output connected to the nozzle.

Preferably also, the actuator means is controlled by a timing mechanism which can be pre-set to unable the actuator means to be operated for varying lengths of time.

Preferably also, the container is shaped so that the foodstuff is funnelled under gravity towards the feeding means.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a dispenser according to the invention.

The dispenser shown in Figure 1 comprises a container I which is of a substantially closed box-like construction and made from stainless steel, a plastics material such as a perspex material, or any suitable material approved for use with food. A partition 2 is located within the container 1 and divides it into a food storage area 3 and an area 4 containing mechanical and electrical control mechanisms, as will be described. The food storage area 3 is provided with a removable lid 5 to enable the area to be cleaned and for maintenance.A cl of r switch (not shown) activated by the lid 5 prevents the mechanical mechanisms of the dispenser from being operated whilst the lid 4 is removed from the container I The food storage area 3 of the container 1 can be replenished with food by means of a chute 6 so that the lid 5 does not have to be removed. The chute 6 is located above the area 4 of the container 1, feeding directly into the area 3, and is also provided with a removable lid 7 to prevent contaminants from falling accidentally into the storage area 3 of the container 1.

The lower portion 8 of the container .1 is of a substantially V-shaped cross-section and houses a feeding means 9, as will be described. The shape of this portion 8 of the container 1 thereby serves to funnel food within the storage area 3 to the feeding means 9. At bne end of the container 1, the lower portion 8 is formed into a depending dispensing nozzle 10, which is fed by the feeding means 9.

In the present example, as shown in Figure 1, the - feeding means 9 comprises an auger 11 mounted along the length of the lower portion 8 of the container by means of a shaft 12 and a pair of food quality sealed-for-life bearings 13 located one at each end of the auger 11. The shaft 12 passes through an aperture in the position 2 into the area 4 containing the mechanical and electrical corzt;rols which comprise actuating means for the auger 11.

The actuating means are made up of a motor 14 which drives the shaft 12 carrying the auger 11 by means of a telt. drive arrangement 15. The motor 14 is controlled by an adjustable timing mechanism 16 and switched on by meals of a button 17 located on one end 18 of the container t above the nozzle 10. It is intended that the timing mechanism 16 will be pre-set according to the nat,llre of the foodstuff to be dispensed so that a msastlred qiianlity of the foodstuff is delivered through the nozzle 10 when the motor 14 is switched on by the button 17.

In use it is anticipated that a bank of dispensers according to the invention will be mounted in a grocery store so that the end 18 of each dispenser faces the customer and the opposite end 19 of the dispenser is located behind a screen in an area of the store private from the customer. The storage areas 3 of each of the -dispensers are then kept charged with the appropriate foodstuffs via their chutes 6. Depending on the foodstuff to be dispensed, the timing mechanism 16 is set so that after being switched on, the motor 14 of each dispenser runs for a predetermined length of time.Hence, when the customer presses the button 17, the motor 14 is switched on and drives the auger 11 so that a measured amount of the foodstuff is delivered to the nozzle 10 a(nd thereby dispensed into a bag or carton held by the customer.

preferably, a convenient weight o-f foodstuff is dispensed so that if this is insufficient for the customer's requirements, repeated pressings of the button 17 will dispense the desired multiple to provide the weight required.

In order to indicate the level of foodstuff within the container 1, if the container 1 is not of a transparent material, a window can be provided in the end 3. 8.

Although in this example, the feeding means comprises an auger 11, which is suitable for dispensing dry foodstuffs, it is also anticipated.that a volumetric filler arrangement could d be used instead to dispense liquids and foodstuffs such as jam and syrup, unsuitable for delivery b an auger. Such a filler arrangement would comprise a cylinder and piston mechanism with the output from the cylinder feeding directly to the nozzle. Here again, although the total volume of the cylinder would be the maximum volume of the foodstuff that could be dlivre by the dispenser during one cycle of its operation, a motor and timing mechanism 16 as previously described would Id be advantageously employed to permit a predetermined volume of foodstuff to be dispensed and permit: this volume to be varied according to the foodstuff concerned.

It is also anticipated that the dispenser of the invention could be modified so that it is coin operated.

A coin slit could be provided in the end 18 and appropriate conventional mechanisms located in the area 4 so that operation- of the motor 14 is dependent on the correct monies being fed into the machine.

Claims

1. A dispenser for a foodstuff comprising a substantially closed container with a food dispensing nozzle, feeding means for delivering the foodstuff in the container to the nozzle, and actuator means 'to operate the feeding means for a predetermined length of time to permit a measured amount of foodstuff to be dispensed from the nozzle.

2. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the feeding means comprises an auger located in the lower portion of the container and terminating adjacent the nozzle.

3. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the feeding means comprises a volumetric filler arrangement with its output connected to'the nozzle.

4. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator means is controlled by a timing mechanism which can be pre-set to enable the actuator means to be operated for varying lengths of time.

5. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the container is shaped so that the foodstuff is funnelled under gravity towards the feeding means.

6. A dispenser as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the container has a V-shaped cross-section.

7. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, comprising a chute whereby the container can be filled.

8. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, comprising a removable lid which activates a cut-off switch to prevent the actuator means from being operated when the lid is not on the container.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the actuator means is coin operated.

10. A dispenser for a foodstuff substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.