Prod dispenser, dispenser container and method
US5282498A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/44
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.