Dispenser for frangible frozen food articles
US6481602B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B39/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing articles into a container or basket and for controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately, efficiently, and intelligently dispense the desired articles with less damages to the articles. The dispenser includes a primary storage location which can take the form of a bulk storage hopper, an accumulator storage location into which the dispensed articles are transferred during the dispensing of the articles. A reversing drum and a flexible, resilient diverter are configured and arranged to reduce article breakage and/or to transfer different types of articles. The diverter apparatus is detachably mounted on an inside wall of the hopper body. The drum is also designed to provide a self-alignment between the drum and a motor shaft when the drum is mounted onto the drum motor shaft. A load/weight sensing/measuring assembly accurately and intelligently weighs the articles in the accumulator by an adaptive weighing method. The load/weight sensing/measuring assembly includes a spring to convert force to displacement and a solid-state sensor/magnet mechanism to replace the expensive load cell assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.