Dispensing – Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-02-20
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Automatic control
C222S063000, C222S105000, C222S144500, C222S207000, C222S214000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189736
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a condiment dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to an electronically controlled liquid condiment dispensing apparatus utilizing a novel linear peristaltic pump as the liquid pumping elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquid condiments such as catsup (ketchup), mustard, mayonnaise, sauces of all types, salad dressings, syrups, gravies, oils, dairy products coffee creamers and sweeteners, food toppings, flavoring and juices are widely utilized in restaurants of all types. It is a frequent practice to make condiments freely available to restaurant customers for application to the fare of the restaurant, as the customer may desire. This practice is generally known as self serve. Means to do this presently include prepackaged portions contained in small pre-made bags known generally as packets, a manually operated pumping apparatus integrated into a stainless steel holding pot, and serving pots containing spoons or scoops, and squeeze bottles.
Each of the described means of providing self serve condiments to a restaurant patron offers limitations. In the case of the packets, they are very expensive and their use is uncontrolled and wasteful. For example, one study showed that 30% or more of all packets taken by restaurant customers were either discarded as refuse or removed from the restaurant. In the case of squeeze bottles or pots using scoops or pumps, a great deal of the condiment placed into these reservoirs is not recoverable. In addition, these means of presenting condiments frequently suffer from severe problems of clogging, sanitation, contamination and are often aesthetically unappealing in appearance, particularly as condiments congeal or dry and cake on the edges and walls of such reservoirs. It is also important to note that these same condiment dispensing methods, problems and limitations are found in restaurant kitchens as well. Because of these and other problems which will be detailed further on, improved means of providing condiment dispensing in restaurants of every sort is necessary.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the numerous limitations and disadvantages of known liquid condiment dispensing methods as set forth above. Furthermore, the objects of this invention include providing:
1. Automatic condiment dispensers using either one of two disclosed unique types of linear peristaltic pumps as the means of condiment displacement.
2. Automatic condiment dispenser systems particularly suited to dispensing all types of liquid food products and condiments.
3. Automatic condiments dispensers particularly suited to cleaning and sanitizing in place without the necessity of disassembly or replacement.
4. An automatic condiment dispensing system in which all control and system integration functions are electronically derived.
5. An automatic condiment dispensing system which includes the ability to electronically select a dose or on demand (metered) flow.
6. An automatic condiment dispensing system which includes the ability to select for the use of an electronically operated point of dispense positive shut-off valve to achieve a no drip cut-off of the condiment, after dispensing.
7. The ability to use reverse pumped flow to achieve a no drip-cut-off of condiment, after dispensing.
8. The ability to electronically determine the condiment dose volume where a dose mode of operation has been selected.
9. The ability to electronically dispense, on a priority input basis, to more than one location using a single pump, such that only one location at a time is served.
10. The ability to electronically signal dispenser status and diagnostics to a local annunciator panel or to a Programmable Logic Controller or computer and thus to a wide area computer network.
11. The ability to electronically signal and thus record and document condiment usage for purpose of inventory keeping and automatic ordering and re-supply.
12. An automatic condiment dispense system capable of effectively dispensing ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise at a distance of 100 feet from the condiment displacement pump.
13. An automatic condiment dispenser system which utilizes pumps which are particularly designed so as not to compress gas pockets found in condiment products to such a degree as to cause explosive decompression of these gas pockets when they exit to atmosphere at the point of dispense.
14. A design for a condiment dispenser system primarily intended for placement under a counter or cabinet in a restaurant dining or public area.
15. A design for condiment dispenser system primarily intended for use in a restaurant kitchen or food preparation area.
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Phallen Iver J.
Vogt Douglas N.
Deal David
Niagara Pump Corporation
Shaver Kevin
Thompson John C.
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