IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0792134
(2004-03-02)
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등록번호 |
US-7258247
(2007-08-21)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Bever, Hoffman & Harms, LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
39 인용 특허 :
5 |
초록
▼
An automated system for dispensing condiment packets includes a magazine for storing a stack of condiment packets and a dispenser for metering out those condiment packets. Multiple magazines and dispensers can be combined in a single condiment delivery assembly, thereby providing the means for dispe
An automated system for dispensing condiment packets includes a magazine for storing a stack of condiment packets and a dispenser for metering out those condiment packets. Multiple magazines and dispensers can be combined in a single condiment delivery assembly, thereby providing the means for dispensing a variety of condiment flavors. The delivery assembly can be incorporated into a fast food vending machine or can be designed as a standalone unit.
대표청구항
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The invention claimed is: 1. A system for dispensing food products, the system comprising: a first dispenser defining a first output channel; a first magazine for feeding a first set of rigid condiment packets to the first dispenser; and a controller for sending a first control signal to the first
The invention claimed is: 1. A system for dispensing food products, the system comprising: a first dispenser defining a first output channel; a first magazine for feeding a first set of rigid condiment packets to the first dispenser; and a controller for sending a first control signal to the first dispenser, the first control signal instructing the first dispenser to dispense a first specified quantity of the first set of rigid condiment packets from the first output channel, wherein each of the rigid condiment packets comprises a flange having a flange outline, wherein the first magazine defines a first guide channel having a first cross-sectional area, the first cross-sectional area being larger than and substantially congruent to the flange outline, and wherein the first dispenser comprises: a first fixed support extending into the first output channel for supporting a first portion of the flange of a selected condiment packet; a first movable support; and a first actuator for extending and retracting the first movable support into and from, respectively, the first output channel in response to the first control signal, wherein when the first movable support is extended, the first movable support supports a second portion of the flange of the selected condiment packet. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first actuator comprises a solenoid, and wherein the controller comprises a microcontroller for providing an actuation signal to the solenoid in response to the first control signal. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first guide channel is oriented to store the first set of condiment packets in a stack above the first output channel, and wherein when the first movable support is extended, a support surface of the first movable support is lower than a support surface of the first fixed support. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first magazine is removable from the system. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first magazine comprises at least one wall for defining the first guide channel, and wherein the at least one wall includes a transparent portion for viewing the first set of rigid condiment packets. 6. The system of claim 3, further comprising an output chute below the first dispenser for guiding a dispensed condiment packet from the first dispenser to an output chamber, the output chute comprising at least one baffle for breaking the fall of the dispensed condiment packet. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the output chute further comprises a sensor for monitoring passage of the dispensed condiment packet into the output chamber. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second dispenser defining a second output channel; a second magazine for feeding a second set of rigid condiment packets to the second dispenser, wherein the controller sends a second control signal to the second dispenser to instruct the second dispenser to dispense a second specified quantity of the second set of rigid condiment packets from the second output channel. 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a selection interface for receiving a selection input, wherein the controller sends the first control signal or the second control signal to the first dispenser or the second dispenser, respectively, based on the selection input. 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a payment interface for receiving payment, wherein the controller sends the first control signal or the second control signal to the first dispenser or the second dispenser, respectively, in response to the payment. 11. A system for dispensing food products, the system comprising: a condiment dispenser defining an output channel; a magazine for feeding sets of rigid condiment packets to the condiment dispenser; and a food dispensing mechanism for dispensing a serving from a set of snack foods in response to a payment and a selection input; and a controller for sending at least one control signal to the food dispensing mechanism and the condiment dispenser based on a selection input of a snack food, wherein the at least one control signal directs the food dispensing mechanism to dispense the serving and directs the condiment dispenser to dispense a first quantity of the set of rigid condiment packets from the output channel. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of snack foods consists of a single type of snack food, wherein each of a first set of condiment packets contains a first condiment flavor, and wherein each of a second set of condiment packets contains a second condiment flavor, the second condiment flavor being different from the first condiment flavor. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the selection input is provided by a remote order entry terminal. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magazine comprises means for pushing the first set of condiment packets towards the first dispenser. 15. A snack food vending machine comprising: a payment interface; a selection interface; means for storing a plurality of snack food items; means for storing a plurality of condiment packets; and means for automatically dispensing a serving of the plurality of snack food items and at least one of the plurality of condiment packets in response to a payment at the payment interface and a selection input at the selection interface. 16. The snack food vending machine of claim 15, wherein the plurality of condiment packets includes a plurality of condiment flavors, and wherein the condiment flavor in the at least one of the plurality of condiment packets is based on the selection input. 17. The snack food vending machine of claim 16, wherein the plurality of snack food items consists of a single snack food type. 18. The snack food vending machine of claim 15, wherein the means for storing the plurality of condiment packets comprises a plurality of removable magazines, wherein each of the plurality of magazines holds a set of condiment packets having a single condiment flavor.
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