US3717397A - Universal self-leveling dispenser - Google Patents

Universal self-leveling dispenser Download PDF

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Publication number
US3717397A
US3717397A US00137166A US3717397DA US3717397A US 3717397 A US3717397 A US 3717397A US 00137166 A US00137166 A US 00137166A US 3717397D A US3717397D A US 3717397DA US 3717397 A US3717397 A US 3717397A
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United States
Prior art keywords
platform
articles
cabinet
apertures
air
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00137166A
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English (en)
Inventor
G Cummings
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vollrath Co LLC
Peters and Co Inc
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Peters and Co Inc
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Publication of US3717397A publication Critical patent/US3717397A/en
Assigned to VOLLRATH COMPANY, THE, A CORP. OF WIS. reassignment VOLLRATH COMPANY, THE, A CORP. OF WIS. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WHITLOCK, JOHN TRUST IN BANKRUPTCY FOR PETER AND COMPANY INC.
Assigned to WHITLOCK, JOHN TRUST IN BANKRUPTCY, FOR PETER AND COMPANY, INC. reassignment WHITLOCK, JOHN TRUST IN BANKRUPTCY, FOR PETER AND COMPANY, INC. COURT APPOINTMENT (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). IN BANKRUPTCY Assignors: PETERS & CO. ,INC.
Assigned to SECURITY FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SHEBOYGAN reassignment SECURITY FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SHEBOYGAN SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VOLLRATH COMPANY, THE
Assigned to M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK AS AGENT FOR M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK, M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK AS AGENT FOR THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK AS AGENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF WISCONSIN reassignment M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK AS AGENT FOR M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VOLLRATH COMPANY
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B31/00—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons
    • A47B31/02—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons with heating, cooling or ventilating means

Definitions

  • This invention concerns self-leveling dispensers of the type used in food services such as kitchens and cafeterias.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which is both economical to construct and adaptable to a variety of needs.
  • Particular objects include the provision of reliable and simple means for driving an elevator platform into sectors for a number of stacks of articles; presenting the articles to the user at the desired temperature condition; and providing a dispenser construction which can be manufactured as a standard item while providing for ready modification to achieve various temperature conditions.
  • the invention concerns a self-leveling dispenser of the known type comprising an elevator platform biased upwardly which has stationary divider rods resting on a bottom surface and passing through apertures inthe article support surface of the platform to separate stacks of articles on the platform from one another.
  • the invention features in this construction a multiplicity of apertures in the supporting surface of the elevator with vertical tubular form guide members secured in selected apertures, and the guide rods slidably disposed within the tubular guide members,
  • tubular form guide members move vertically along the stationary rods while positioning these rods on the support surface.
  • Preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention feature the tubular guide members removably secured in the apertures to enable change in position of the guide rods; the tubular guide members comprising elongated tubes threaded on one end and including a matching member threaded on the tube and engaging and securing the tubular member vertically with respect to the platform with the tubular member protruding freely, vertically from the point of attachment; apertures of horizontally elongated form with the tubular guide members adjustable therealong; and one of the pair comprising the tubular member and the portion of the platform forming the aperture being resiliently deformable, forming a snap lock between the pair.
  • the invention features a majority of aperture area remaining left open
  • the dispenser includes a cabinet enclosing the elevator platform, and an air temperature modifying means is associated with the cabinet, arranged to change the air temperature in a given area of the cabinet, while the open aperture area of the platform provides air circulation passages enabling temperature-modified air to pass through the platform and contact the various stacks of articles thereon at various self-leveled positions of the platform.
  • the temperature modifying means comprises a heater member located at the bottom of the cabinet, the heater member defining the bottom surface of the cabinet, and the divider rods rest thereon; the heater member is removably mounted in the cabinet to enable replacement by a bottom plate; the temperature modifying means comprises an air cooler forming one side of the cabinet; and the air cooler is removably mounted in the cabinet to enable replacement by a side plate.
  • Still another aspect of the invention features, with a self-leveling dispenser having an elevator platform sized to receive more than one side-byside stack of articles, and a cabinet surrounding the platform, an air temperature modifying means located below the upwardmost position of the platform, and apertures through the platform defining air flow paths whereby temperature modified air can flow freely about articles on the platform.
  • the cabinet defines article guide surfaces closely surrounding the platform, the space therebetween providing restricted air passages;
  • the temperature modifying means comprises a heater member forming the bottom of the cabinet, the cabinet being open interiorly permitting air heated by contact with the heater member to pass upwardly by convection to the platform through which it then passes to contact the articles;
  • the temperature modifying means comprises an air cooling member forming a side of the cabinet and the cabinet being open interiorly permitting air cooled by the cooling member to pass freely to the platform and therethrough, establishing a cooling flow path past articles on the platform;
  • the air cooling member includes an air inlet disposed to draw air from the bottom of the cabinet, and a cooled air outlet is disposed to discharge cooled air at a position spaced above at least certain positions of the platform, whereby when the platform is in those positions, air from the outlet passes directly about the articles, thence through the platform and downwardly to the inlet.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air cooler unit which can replace the door of the embodiment of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an air heater unit which can replace the bottom panel of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating placement of the divider rods, according to the invention and multiple stacks of articles on the platform;
  • FIG. 4a is a cross-section view on a larger scale of the divider rod assembly
  • FIG. 5 is a vertical cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the heater installed
  • FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the air cooler and its flow I path relative to the elevator
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heater unit of FIG. 13 is a plan view of another elevator platform while FIG. 14 is a view of a tubular guide member assembled therewith;
  • FIG. 15 is a plan view of another elevator platform while FIG. 16 is a view of a tubular guide member being assembled therewith.
  • elevator platform is supported on cantilever arms 12 and actuated by biasing mechanism 14 to automatically raise the platform as articles, e.g., plates 16 (FIG. 4) are removed.
  • a cabinet formed by side walls 18, door 20 and bottom panel 22 encloses the platform, and a top 23 can be applied, all serving to protect the articles.
  • the lid When the lid is removed the articles may be progressively added, e.g., dishes, while the dispenser is stationed near a dishwasher, and may be removed e.g., at a serving line.
  • the platform 10 has a multiplicity of apertures 24 having vertical axes.
  • the articlesupporting surface of the platform comprises a metal sheet 10a (FIG. 9) and the apertures are simply stamped therein.
  • tubular guide members 26 are installed at selected apertures (in the particular instance shown at four locations, FIG. 4).
  • each guide member comprises an elongated tubular member 28, e.g., 3 inches length or more,-which is threaded on one end.
  • a first nut 30 is applied, and after insertion of the end of the tube through the aperture from the bottom, a second nut 32 is applied, drawing the first nut tightly against the underside of the plate 10a of the platform.
  • the tubular member extends freely downwardly from this fastening.
  • tubular member may be constructed of any material, including bent wire in tubular array, it is presently preferred to use a tube of low-friction rigid plastic such as nylon.
  • vertical divider rods 36 Into the opening 34 of the tubular guide members 26 are inserted vertical divider rods 36.
  • these comprise cylindrical steel rods 36a carrying an exterior coating, e.g., of vinyl, which preferably has elastomeric and low friction qualities.
  • the diameter of the rods is less than that of the tubular members providing a freely sliding fit, and the vertical rods rest upon bottom surface 22, the weight of the steel rods tending to overcome any chance friction or tendency to catch on the tubular members.
  • Stop members 38 e.g., threaded nuts or snap-on elements are applied to the lower ends of the rods, simply to prevent removal of the rods through the platform.
  • tubular members 28 position the rods vertically in the selected locations on the elevator surface, thus serving to prevent e.g., one stack of dishes from striking the next, see FIG. 4, or otherwise to maintain the integrity of the stacks of articles during dispensing.
  • the rods remain stationary while the tubular members 28 slide thereupon while moving with the elevator.
  • the rods may be relocated using the threaded fastenings mentioned.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a tubular member with integral shoulder 28a and single nut 32a and FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the use of such members with different forms of the member defining the platform surface.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a platform surface having elongated slotform apertures 40 along which the tubular members are adjustable, and enlarged insertion holes into which the tubular member of FIG. 14 may be inserted.
  • opposed shoulders 28c and 28d are permanently joined to the guide tube, and being of resilient material, grip the edges of the elongated slots 40 to retain their position in use.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates a platform formed of wire members 39, defining elongated apertures.
  • the tubular member of FIG. 16 has a single circular ledge 41 defining an annular recess 42.
  • the outer diameter of the ledge is greater than the normal spacing S between adjacent wire members, and is snapped into place, see FIG. 16, by resilient distortion of the wire members, as suggested in dotted lines.
  • tubular members protrude in both vertical directions from the fastening, and thus are adapted to properly position divider rods of considerable length.
  • the open area of the apertures is in excess of that required by the tubular members, and these apertures, or at least a majority of the area of them are left open, defining air flow passages around the various stacks of articles on the elevator.
  • the apertures be distributed in an even, repetitive pattern across the platform surface.
  • this heater unit 50 comprises a top heated surface 52, a pair of insulator panels 54 of mica or mica like material between which is secured a resistive heater element 56, a bottom insulator 58 and panel 61, joined together around the perimeter by fastenings 63.
  • the heater incorporates a control panel 65 which protrudes at an angle-upwardly to be accessible immediately below the door of the cabinet.
  • a standard production item having no heating is thus rapidly convertible into a heated dispenser, e.g., to preheat dishes or to preheat food articles to be dispensed.
  • an air cooler 60 is constructed to be suspended by clips 62 from the cabinet, filling the space previously closed by door 20.
  • This unit includes a fan and coil, has an air inlet 64 at the bottom and an air outlet 66 at the top.
  • the air flow is the reverse, the cooled air flowing downwardly past the articles on the platform, thence through the perforations in the platform surface, thence to the air inlet of the cooler.
  • This arrangement also ensures substantial sweeping of the volume of the cabinet unoccupied by articles on the platform. The interior space between the platform and the air inlet being kept open for this purpose.
  • a self leveling dispenser comprising an elevator platform and means for biasing the platform upwardly to cause its upward travel as articles on the platform are removed, and including stationary rod means resting on a bottom surface and passing through apertures in the article support surface of the platform, said rod means arranged to separate stacks of articles on the platform from one another, the improvement wherein said elevator platform comprises an article supporting surface having a multiplicity of apertures distributed thereover with vertical tubular form guide members secured in selected apertures, said guide rods slidably disposed within said tubular guide members, whereby, as said platform moves, said tubular form guide members move vertically along said stationary rods while positioning said rods on said support surface.
  • tubular guide members comprise elongated tubes threaded on one end and including a member threaded thereon engaging the member defining said article supporting surface, and securing said tubular member vertically with respect thereto, said tubular member protruding freely, vertically therefrom.
  • one of the pair comprising said tubular member and the portion of the platform forming an aperture is resiliently deformable forming a snap lock between said pair.
  • a self-leveling dispenser comprising an elevator platform and means for resiliently biasing the platform upwardly to cause its automatic upward travel as articles on the platform are removed, and including stationary stack guide rods resting on a bottom surface and passing vertically, and relatively slidably through apertures in the article support surface of the platform, said stack guide rods arranged to extend along and stabilize a stack of like articles and to separate stacks of articles on the platform from one another, the improvement wherein said elevator platform comprises an a'rticle supporting surface having a large multiplicity of apertures distributed thereover, said apertures each adapted to receive a said guide rod, said guide rods selectively and removably disposed in a minority of said apertures: while the majority of the aperture area remainsopen, said dispenser including a cabinet enclosing the elevator platform and air temperature modifying means associated with said cabinet, arranged to change the air temperature in a given area of the cabinet, said open aperture area of said platform providing air circulation passages enabling temperature-modified air to fpass through said platform and contact
  • said temperature modifying means comprises a heater member having a heated horizontal surface located at the bottom of said cabinet, said surface defining the bottom surface of said cabinet beneath all of said apertures, and said stack guide rods resting thereon.
  • said temperature modifying means comprises an air cooler forming one side of said cabinet, said air cooler being removably mounted in said cabinet to enable replacement by a side plate.
  • a self-leveling dispenser comprising an elevator platform sized to receive more than one side-by-side stack of articles, means for resiliently biasing the platform upwardly to cause its automatic upward travel as articles on the platform are removed, and a cabinet surrounding said platform while providing access to said articles, an air heater located below said platform, and apertures through said platform defining air flow paths whereby heated air can flow freely about articles on said platform, said air heater comprising a generally planar heated surface forming the bottom of said cabinet and removably supported peripherally by said cabinet, said air heater sized to be removed from said cabinet and a control assembly for powering said air heater carried by said removable heater and protruding from the bottom thereof, said cabinet being open interiorly permitting air heated by contact with said bottom-forming heated surface to pass upwardly by convection to said platform through which it then passes to contact and heat said articles.
  • a self-leveling dispenser comprising an elevator platform sized to receive more than one side-by-side stack of articles, more for resiliently biasing the platform upwardly to cause its automatic upward travel as articles on the platform are removed, and a cabinet surrounding said platform while providing access to said articles, an air cooling member, and apertures through said platform defining air flow paths whereby cooled air can flow freely about articles on said platform, said air cooling member forming a removable side of said cabinet and said cabinet being open interiorly permitting air cooled by said cooling member to pass freely to said platform and therethrough.
  • said air cooling member includes an air inlet disposed to draw air from the bottom of said cabinet, and a cooled air outlet disposed to discharge cooled air at a position spaced above at least certain positions of said platform, whereby when said platform is in said positions, air from said outlet passes directly about said articles, thence downwardly through said platform, downwardly

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Devices For Warming Or Keeping Food Or Tableware Hot (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
US00137166A 1971-04-26 1971-04-26 Universal self-leveling dispenser Expired - Lifetime US3717397A (en)

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US13716671A 1971-04-26 1971-04-26

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US (1) US3717397A (de)
CA (1) CA974565A (de)
DE (1) DE2220511A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1348101A (de)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3937095A (en) * 1974-10-24 1976-02-10 Lincoln Manufacturing Company, Inc. Self adjusting elevator
US4161146A (en) * 1977-08-25 1979-07-17 Avedko B.V. Stacking device
US4206954A (en) * 1977-07-20 1980-06-10 Avedko B.V. Guide bush
US4354605A (en) * 1980-03-12 1982-10-19 Amf Incorporated Adjustable dispenser
US4584467A (en) * 1985-01-28 1986-04-22 Shelley Manufacturing Division Of Alco Food Service Equipment Company Forced hot air heating cabinet for self-leveling plate dispensers and the like
USD432866S (en) * 1999-12-10 2000-10-31 Crest Manufacturing, Inc. Serving pan
US20040069663A1 (en) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-15 Bert-Co Industries, Inc. Package form and method of making a package
US6899223B2 (en) 2002-05-09 2005-05-31 Bert-Co Industries, Inc. Form for a package and method of making same
CN104824981A (zh) * 2015-04-10 2015-08-12 国网浙江永康市供电公司 一种自加热保温推车

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE8625182U1 (de) * 1986-09-20 1986-12-04 Julius Hupfer GmbH & Co, 4400 Münster Staplerwagen für Geschirr od.dgl.
GB2202043A (en) * 1987-02-06 1988-09-14 Luke Frank Wright Food plate warmer
DE29822479U1 (de) 1998-12-17 1999-02-25 E. E. Rilling GmbH & Co. KG, 72147 Nehren Vorrichtung zur Ausgabe, Zubereitung und Präsentation von Speisen und Getränken
DE102008051407B4 (de) 2008-10-11 2011-12-29 Hupfer Metallwerke Gmbh & Co. Kg Stapelgerät für Speisenverteilkomponenten
DE102023102889A1 (de) 2023-02-07 2024-08-08 Fatih Mehmet Öncebe Geschirrkühleinrichtung, Geschirrspender und Verfahren zur Zurverfügungstellung von Speisen

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1946623A (en) * 1932-09-21 1934-02-13 Hiram D Irwin Display tray assembly
US3033633A (en) * 1960-01-28 1962-05-08 American Mach & Foundry Self-leveling dispenser

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1946623A (en) * 1932-09-21 1934-02-13 Hiram D Irwin Display tray assembly
US3033633A (en) * 1960-01-28 1962-05-08 American Mach & Foundry Self-leveling dispenser

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3937095A (en) * 1974-10-24 1976-02-10 Lincoln Manufacturing Company, Inc. Self adjusting elevator
US4206954A (en) * 1977-07-20 1980-06-10 Avedko B.V. Guide bush
US4161146A (en) * 1977-08-25 1979-07-17 Avedko B.V. Stacking device
US4354605A (en) * 1980-03-12 1982-10-19 Amf Incorporated Adjustable dispenser
US4584467A (en) * 1985-01-28 1986-04-22 Shelley Manufacturing Division Of Alco Food Service Equipment Company Forced hot air heating cabinet for self-leveling plate dispensers and the like
USD432866S (en) * 1999-12-10 2000-10-31 Crest Manufacturing, Inc. Serving pan
US6899223B2 (en) 2002-05-09 2005-05-31 Bert-Co Industries, Inc. Form for a package and method of making same
US20040069663A1 (en) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-15 Bert-Co Industries, Inc. Package form and method of making a package
US6802419B2 (en) 2002-10-11 2004-10-12 Bert Co Industries, Inc. Package form and method of making a package
CN104824981A (zh) * 2015-04-10 2015-08-12 国网浙江永康市供电公司 一种自加热保温推车

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Publication number Publication date
DE2220511A1 (de) 1972-11-02
CA974565A (en) 1975-09-16
GB1348101A (en) 1974-03-13

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: WHITLOCK, JOHN TRUST IN BANKRUPTCY, FOR PETER AND

Free format text: COURT APPOINTMENT;ASSIGNOR:PETERS & CO. ,INC.;REEL/FRAME:003862/0980

Effective date: 19800902

Owner name: VOLLRATH COMPANY, THE, 1236 NORTH 18TH ST, SHEBOY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:WHITLOCK, JOHN TRUST IN BANKRUPTCY FOR PETER AND COMPANYINC.;REEL/FRAME:003862/0981

Effective date: 19801215

AS Assignment

Owner name: SECURITY FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SHEBOYGAN

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VOLLRATH COMPANY, THE;REEL/FRAME:004500/0581

Effective date: 19850920

AS Assignment

Owner name: M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK AS AGENT FOR THE PRUDEN

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VOLLRATH COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004485/0822

Effective date: 19850923

Owner name: M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK AS AGENT FOR THE BENEFI

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VOLLRATH COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004485/0822

Effective date: 19850923

Owner name: M&I MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK AS AGENT FOR M&I MARSHA

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VOLLRATH COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004485/0822

Effective date: 19850923