A gravity feed dispenser for dispensing bulk products from an exchangeable container with a tearable bottom portion. The gravity feed dispenser comprises a stationary holder comprising a seat portion arranged to receive at least a lower portion of the exchangeable container, an outlet opening for dispensing the bulk product and a valve arrangement which is arranged operatively between the seat portion and the outlet opening, for selectively allowing and preventing outward flow of the bulk product from the exchangeable container through the outlet opening. The seat portion comprises essentially vertically arranged opposed side wall portions, a rear wall portion and a front wall portion arranged to receive at least a lower portion of the exchangeable container when inserted from above. The front wall portion of the seat portion exhibits a slit configured to allow removal of said tearable bottom portion of the exchangeable container through the slit.

The disclosure relates to integrated systems for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes one or more storage bins configured to store one or more bulk foods. The storage system further includes a kiosk. The storage system further includes a sensor attached to or positioned adjacent to each storage bin of the one or more storage bins. Each sensor is configured to monitor a movement of a respective storage bin. Additionally, each sensor is configured to transmit a notification or signal to the kiosk identifying the movement of the respective storage bin. Further, the kiosk is configured to receive the notification or signal from the sensor and automatically print a label identifying a bulk food stored in the respective storage bin.

The disclosure relates to integrated systems for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes one or more storage bins configured to store one or more bulk foods. The storage system further includes a kiosk. The storage system further includes a sensor attached to or positioned adjacent to each storage bin of the one or more storage bins. Each sensor is configured to monitor a movement of a respective storage bin. Additionally, each sensor is configured to transmit a notification or signal to the kiosk identifying the movement of the respective storage bin. Further, the kiosk is configured to receive the notification or signal from the sensor and automatically print a label identifying a bulk food stored in the respective storage bin.

A dispensing device (2) for a two-part dispensing unit (1) for dispensing foodstuff, said dispensing device (2) comprising a funnel (5) with a first opening (701) adapted to face the container portion (3) and a second opening (702) adapted to dispense the foodstuff, a forwarding device (15) adapted to lead the amount of foodstuff from the first opening (701) to the second opening (702), and a handle (27) connected to the forwarding device (15) and adapted to activate the forwarding device (15), wherein the handle (27) is connected to the forwarding device (15) such that the forwarding device (15) is only activated when the handle (27) is moved in a first activation direction (A) and is not activated when the handle (27) is moved in an opposite reset direction (R).

A dispensing device (2) for a two-part dispensing unit (1) for dispensing foodstuff, said dispensing device (2) comprising a funnel (5) with a first opening (701) adapted to face the container portion (3) and a second opening (702) adapted to dispense the foodstuff, a forwarding device (15) adapted to lead the amount of foodstuff from the first opening (701) to the second opening (702), and a handle (27) connected to the forwarding device (15) and adapted to activate the forwarding device (15), wherein the handle (27) is connected to the forwarding device (15) such that the forwarding device (15) is only activated when the handle (27) is moved in a first activation direction (A) and is not activated when the handle (27) is moved in an opposite reset direction (R).

A dispenser for stored product such as food products includes a generally hollow housing having a cavity configured to retain product; an outlet provided at a lower portion of the housing with a proximal portion adjacent the cavity and a distal portion spaced from the proximal portion; a gate disposed between the cavity and the distal portion or disposed at the distal portion; an actuator coupled to the gate to selectively position the gate between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position product disposed within the cavity cannot move to the outlet and in the open position product falls by gravity from the cavity to the outlet; and optionally an environmental control unit to control an environmental control apparatus to modulate at least one of temperature, moisture content, or oxygen content within the dispenser or an agitator assisting movement of the product to the outlet.

A dispenser for stored product such as food products includes a generally hollow housing having a cavity configured to retain product; an outlet provided at a lower portion of the housing with a proximal portion adjacent the cavity and a distal portion spaced from the proximal portion; a gate disposed between the cavity and the distal portion or disposed at the distal portion; an actuator coupled to the gate to selectively position the gate between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position product disposed within the cavity cannot move to the outlet and in the open position product falls by gravity from the cavity to the outlet; and optionally an environmental control unit to control an environmental control apparatus to modulate at least one of temperature, moisture content, or oxygen content within the dispenser or an agitator assisting movement of the product to the outlet.

The present system is used for metered dispensing of bulk material. The system includes a hopper containing the bulk material, a base supporting the hopper, and a gate removably interposed between a hopper outlet and a base outlet. The gate rotates between positions either allowing or preventing flow of the bulk material from the hopper outlet to the base outlet. An impeller is located inside of the hopper, extending from an inner surface of the hopper to agitate the bulk material before, during, or after dispensing to ensure the hopper outlet is not blocked.

The present system is used for metered dispensing of bulk material. The system includes a hopper containing the bulk material, a base supporting the hopper, and a gate removably interposed between a hopper outlet and a base outlet. The gate rotates between positions either allowing or preventing flow of the bulk material from the hopper outlet to the base outlet. An impeller is located inside of the hopper, extending from an inner surface of the hopper to agitate the bulk material before, during, or after dispensing to ensure the hopper outlet is not blocked.

A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. The main bin includes a vertical front wall joined to planar first front surface that is disposed below the vertical front wall, at an angle relative to the vertical front wall so as to direct bulk material inwardly towards the interior of the storage reservoir. A second planar front surface is joined to the first front surface, and disposed at an angle relative to the first front surface, so as to direct the bulk material towards the dispensing chute.