Food product dispenser with cleansing mechanism
US7857910B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2/24
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The invention relates to a food product dispenser that includes a food delivery mechanism and a cleansing mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a food source, a food conduit associated with the food source for receiving a food component therefrom, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense servings of the food component from the conduit. The cleansing mechanism includes a cleansing conduit associated with the food delivery mechanism to direct a cleansing fluid along a fluid path in cleansing association with the food delivery mechanism under conditions for performing a cleansing operation on the food delivery mechanism. A controller can be provided for automatically conducting cleansing operations based on predetermined conditions. The controller, delivery mechanism and cleansing mechanism can be configured to switch between the dispensing of the servings and the cleansing operation at a plurality of intervals during a day without substantial intervention from an operator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.