SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TOUCHLESS DISPENSING

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods and apparatus for the dispensing of material. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic touchless dispensers for dispensing material (e.g. edible material) to a user. The present disclosure is also directed to retrofitting existing hand operated dispensers that employ a rotational dispensing mechanism so as to convert to these dispensers to automatic, touchless dispensing of material without significantly changing the components, operation, etc. of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing material, the system comprising: a dispenser having a container for holding the material, the container having an opening, wherein the material dispensed through the opening; an automated dispensing apparatus, the automated dispensing apparatus comprising: a handle and shaft assembly attached to the container, the handle and shaft assembly having a open position that permits material to be dispensed through the opening and a closed position where material cannot be dispensed through the opening; a motor attached to the handle and shaft assembly; and a first and second coupler functionally engage with one another to transmit a rotational force of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation, the first coupler functionally engaged with the motor and the second coupler functionally engaged with the handle and shaft assembly; wherein when the motor is activated the first coupler rotates and engages with the second couple to rotate the handle and shaft assembly from the closed position to the open position when the motor is rotating.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first coupler has a recessed channel and the second coupler has a rib designed to functionally engage with the recessed channel of the first coupler to transmit the torque of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the dispensing apparatus further provides a ring housing assembly, the ring housing assembly comprising: a generally circular ring to engage with and support the container when the handle and shaft assembly is engaged with the motor; a sensor connected to the motor that activates the motor when a signal is detected allowing material to be dispensed.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the sensor is a motion sensor, heat sensor or distance sensor.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the sensor is operatively connect to the motor so that when the appropriate signal level is detected by the sensor, the motor is activated.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the timing, speed and power of the motor is set by a user and is under the control of a network ready device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first coupler has a centrally disposed channel that interfaces with a first end of a shaft of the handle and shaft assembly.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the first end of the shaft has a generally D shaped end portion to engage with the centrally disposed channel.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the centrally disposed channel has an engagement slot at an apex of the centrally disposed channel and the centrally disposed channel is angled to align the generally D shaped end portion for releasable engagement in the engagement slot.

10. An automated dispenser for dispensing material comprising: a frame a container removably engageable with the frame, the container having an opening, wherein the material dispensed through the opening; a motor attached to the frame and a first coupler, the first coupler functionally engaged with the motor; and an automated dispensing apparatus disposed in the container, the automated dispensing apparatus comprising: a handle and shaft assembly attached to the container, the handle and shaft assembly having a open position that permits material to be dispensed through the opening and a closed position where material cannot be dispensed through the opening and a first coupler functionally engaged with the handle and shaft assembly and engaged with the first coupler to transmit a rotational force of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation; wherein when the motor is activated the first coupler rotates and engages with the second couple to rotate the handle and shaft assembly from the closed position to the open position when the motor is rotating.

11. The dispenser of claim 10 wherein the first coupler has a recessed channel and the second coupler has a rib designed to functionally engage with the recessed channel of the first coupler to transmit the torque of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 wherein the dispensing apparatus further provides a ring housing assembly, the ring housing assembly comprising: a generally circular ring to engage with the frame and support the container when the handle and shaft assembly is engaged with the motor; a sensor connected to the motor that activates the motor when a signal is detected allowing material to be dispensed.

13. The dispenser of claim 12 wherein the sensor is a motion sensor, heat sensor or distance sensor.

14. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the sensor is operatively connect to the motor so that when the appropriate signal level is detected by the sensor, the motor is activated.

15. The dispenser of claim 14 wherein the timing, speed and power of the motor is set by a user and is under the control of a network ready device.

16. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the rib of the second coupler are movable within the first coupler between a first position and a second position along an axis parallel to the axis of the rib and parallel to the axis of the recessed channel.

17. The dispenser of claim 16 wherein the first coupler has a centrally disposed channel that interfaces with a first end of a shaft of the handle and shaft assembly.

18. The dispenser of claim 17 wherein the first end of the shaft has a generally D shaped end portion to engage with the centrally disposed channel.

19. The dispenser of claim 18 wherein the centrally disposed channel has an engagement slot at an apex of the centrally disposed channel and the centrally disposed channel is angled to align the generally D shaped end portion for releasable engagement in the engagement slot.

20. The dispenser of claim 19 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of crushed and chopped nuts, candy, crushed seeds, bulk spices, sugar, breakfast cereal, whole nuts, and dried fruit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

[0034] FIGS. 1 to 8 provide preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 9 provides a state diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention.

[0037] It should also be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a process, method, an apparatus, a system, a device or a method. In this specification, these implementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as processes. In general, the order of the steps of the disclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention. The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention.

[0038] It will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant art that in different geographical regions and jurisdictions these terms and definitions used herein may be given different names, but relate to the same respective systems.

[0039] In the description and drawings herein, and unless noted otherwise, the terms “vertical”, “lateral” and “horizontal”, are references to a Cartesian co-ordinate system in which the vertical direction generally extends in an “up and down” orientation from bottom to top (y-axis). “Up” in the drawings (moving from the bottom of the drawing towards the top of the drawing) is in the positive y direction. “Down” as provided in the drawings (moving from the top of the drawings towards the bottom of the drawings) is in the negative y direction. Lateral direction generally extends in a “left to right” or “side to side” orientation (x-axis). Left in the drawings (moving from the right towards the left) is in the negative x direction. Right in the drawings (moving from the left to the right) is in the positive x direction. In addition, the horizontal direction extends in a “front to back” orientation and can extend in an orientation that may extend out from or into the page (z-axis). Out of the page towards the reader is in the positive z direction. Into the page or away from the reader is in the negative z direction. The force of gravity typically acts parallel to the y-axis, unless context indicates otherwise.

[0040] Preferred embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in numerous configurations depending on implementation choices based upon the principles described herein. Various specific aspects are disclosed, which are illustrative embodiments not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to standards and protocols known to a person skilled in the art, the present disclosures as well as the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific standard or protocol.

[0041] The present invention relates to systems, methods and apparatus for automatically and touchlessly dispensing an accurate predetermined amount of a product. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the products are food or other snack type of products, such as, for example, ice cream toppings such as sprinkles, crushed and chopped nuts, chocolate flakes, candy, crushed seeds, bulk spices, sugar, breakfast cereal, whole nuts, dried fruit and the like.

[0042] An aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for retrofitting existing hand operated food dispensers (e.g. EZ-PRO™ line by Rosseto) so as to convert these dispensers to “touchless” dispensing. This system requires only minor modification of the existing dispenser. It does not fundamentally change the way the dispenser operates with respect to parts that touch the food product so it should not impact any food service certification of the dispenser. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention that uses a typical dispensing apparatus or dispenser 100 to dispense products. As shown in FIG. 1, dispenser 100 is generally provided with a manual operated rotating handle connected to a shaft that controls the dispensing of the product or material contained in the dispenser. As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a container disposed within the dispenser, the container adapted to hold the material to be dispensed. A handle/shaft subassembly 100a is disposed with a product canister or container 100b. Container 100b has a top opening and a bottom opening to allow for material or product to be added to the container and released from the container through the operation of the handle/shaft subassembly 100a. In operation, the dispenser would typically dispense product or material to a user when the user manually rotates the handle, which turns the shaft to release the material to the user. Typically, some form or system of rotatable, dispenser ball, paddle or other shape (e.g. an auger type dispensing system, not shown), usually with a hard smooth surface, is disposed with the canister 100b and can be rotated by the rotatable handle and shaft mechanism, which typically passes through the dispenser ball, paddle or other shape. The dispensing ball or other rotatable part fits into the container and is turned by handle/shaft mechanism 100a when the handle is manually rotated or turned such that the ball rotates within the canister 100b. The rotatable part has been called a ball for convenience; however, it does not necessarily have to be spherical or have a ball configuration. In fact, it can be any shape as long as it can rotate within the canister 100b. The handle/shaft subassembly 100a passes through the ball so that when 100a is rotated, the ball also rotates. A person skilled in the art will understand that any method of causing the ball or paddle to rotate through a shaft is within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] A person skilled in the art will understand that the rotatable ball, paddle or auger may have a cavity or opening that can be sized to dispense a precise amount of material or product. The cavity can be any shape or depth; however, it is preferred that it have a smooth surface and contour so that the product slides out of or through it when it becomes aligned with dispensing opening of the container 100b. The present invention allows the use of many different size balls or rotatable members with many different sized cavities and/or openings. Any size or shape of rotatable member and any size or shape of cavity is within the scope of the present invention. In one example, the cavity may face upward into the product and typically fills with product. As the handle/shaft subassembly is then rotated, the ball or paddle rotates to delivers the contents of the cavity through the opening or container 100b where it is dispensed.

[0044] The dispensing apparatus/dispenser 100 can be attached to a stand assembly 110. Stand assembly 110 may provide a generally horizontal serving portion 110a where dishes or other items (not shown) may be placed to receive the material being dispensed and a generally vertical back cover 110b having a canister mounting plate portion 110c. The vertical back cover 110b supports the container 100a provided with the dispenser 100 and attaches thereto via canister mounting plate portion 110c. The back cover portion 110b also serves as a point of attachment for the components of the automated rotational dispensing apparatus 120. An example of dispenser that may be used in association with the present invention is a line of hand operated dispensers and stand assemblies sold under or in association with the trademark EZ-PRO™ by Rosseto. While this current implementation is targeted for the EZ-PRO™ line of dispensers, the features and design approaches described here not intended to be limited to this type of dispensers. The concepts described are applicable to a wider range of dispenser designs that employ a rotational dispensing mechanism. A person skilled in the art will understand that a number of other dispenser and stand assemblies could be used in association with the present invention, including, but not limited to, the dispensers sold under the following company and/or brands CAL-MIL™, ECOBOX™, ZEVRO™, COFRIMELL™, TABLECRAFT™, TOOTSI IMPEX™.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows the components of an embodiment of the present invention, namely an automated rotational dispensing apparatus 120 that may be used in association with the dispenser 100 and stand assembly 110. As shown in FIG. 1, there are provided three dispensing apparatus 120 attached to one vertical back cover portion 110b. A person skilled in the art will understand that other configurations of dispensing apparatuses and covers are encompassed within the invention and may be selected based on the needs of the user. For ease of reference, only one of the dispensing apparatuses will be described, but a person skilled in the art would understand that each apparatus 120 has the same configuration.

[0046] In FIGS. 1 to 3, there is provided a motor subassembly or rotary actuator 125 attached directly or indirectly to the back cover 110b. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods and apparatus that transfer or transmit torque from the motor subassembly through a coupler or coupling system into the handle/shaft subassembly 100a in dispenser 100. This coupling design allows efficient torque transmission, easy, tool-less removal of the dispenser-side coupling for servicing and easy, tool-less installation and removal of the canister for servicing (e.g. adding food to the dispenser, washing the dispenser, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the motor subassembly 125 further comprises a motor engagement or coupling device 125a which is rotated through engagement with motor (not shown) disposed in 125 (see also FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates the first and second couplers, 125a and 125c respectively, engaged with one another in their operating position. Motor coupling device 125a is designed to engage with both the motor and the container engagement or couple device 125c (see FIG. 3). The motor (not shown) disposed in 125 engages with device 125a in order to transfer or transmit the torque produced by the motor to the handle/shaft subassembly 100a (See FIGS. 5A and 5B). FIG. 4 shows the motor-side first coupler 125a. As shown in FIG. 4, there are provided a plurality of recessed channels 126 designed to functionally engage with the ridges or ribs 140 (see FIG. 5A) of the dispenser-side second coupler 125c. In a preferred embodiment, it is this interface between the first and second coupler that provides the torque transfer mechanism.

[0047] FIG. 2 also provides a ring housing subassembly 130. Ring subassembly 130 is attached directly or indirectly to the subassembly 125. In a preferred embodiment, ring subassembly 130 provides a generally circular portion 130a (see also FIG. 2) with clearance for dispenser 100. Canister 100b can fixedly or unfixedly mounted to or resting on the ring housing subassembly 130a so as to allow to the handle/shaft subassembly 100a to be engaged with the motor subassembly 125 so that when motor subassembly is activated the handle/shaft subassembly 100a rotates thus releasing material from the container 100 into dishes or other items (not shown) that may be placed to receive the material being dispensed. Ring housing subassembly 130 is also provide with a sensor 130b (see FIG. 1) to detect motion so as to trigger the activation of the motor. Sensor 130b can be any form of suitable sensor such as, for example, but not limited to, motion, heat, distance and the like. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that sensor 130b is operatively connect to the motor so that when the appropriate level of motion is detected by the motion sensor 130b, the motor is activated. As a result, motor coupling device 125a is rotated, which rotation motion is then transferred to container engagement or couple device 125c, which rotational motion is then transferred to the handle/shaft subassembly 100a. As a result, material is then dispensed. It will be understood that the timing, speed and power of the motor may be set by the user and concurrently or alternatively may be under the control of a network ready device and further subject to software or hardware controls

[0048] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrates the container engagement or couple device 125c which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5A to 5C. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, container engagement or coupling device 125c is shown with a plurality of ridges or ribs 140 protruding that are designed to sit in and engage the channels 126 in the motor-side first coupler 125a for torque transfer (shown in FIG. 4). Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, there is provided within coupler 125c a centrally disposed split 135 that interfaces with shaft of the handle/shaft subassembly as shown in FIG. 5B. In a preferred embodiment, container engagement or couple device 125c (see FIG. 5C) is provided with a shaft engagement portion 135 for operatively engaging the handle/shalt subassembly. As shown in FIG. 6, the handle/shaft subassembly can be designed with a generally D shaped end portion 132 of the shaft 131 that is designed to engage with the convergence or termination portion of slit 135; there is also provided a groove portion 136 upstream of the D-neck. As shown in FIG. 5C, coupling device 125c also has a plurality of ridges 140 adapted to operatively engage with motor engagement or coupling device 125a. The split side of 125c features a geometry that self-aligns the D-neck 131 downstream from the handle along the dispenser rotating shaft of handle/shaft subassembly 100a. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is provided the groove 136 disposed to releasably engage within the slit side 135 that engages with the upstream portion of the dispenser rotating shaft, the groove shaped to engage the D-neck end portion 131 so as to transmit torque from the rotating second coupler to the rotating shaft. As can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the D-neck end portion 131 also has a detent feature that snaps the second coupling 125c into position onto the neck for ease of installation. A person skilled in the relevant art would understand that any configuration for engagement with the differing components of the present invention that allows for the transfer of the rotational movement would be encompassed by the present invention.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the slit side of the dispenser side second coupling 125c is a serviceability feature in that it allows the user to quickly remove and re-install the coupler on existing dispensers. This capability allows for ease of reassembly/disassembly of the dispenser during initial assembly and for regular cleaning. The detent retention feature is also useful in that it keeps the dispenser side coupling from coming off the shaft while servicing the dispenser.

[0050] The design of the torque transfer ridges or ribs 140 and the channels 126 enables a relative motion of the couplers in one direction. This aspect of the invention allows for the tool-less removal and installation of the invention to the dispenser canisters.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for mounting/dismounting of the dispenser assembly 100. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ability to have motion of the canister 100b within the dispenser assembly 100 relative to the canister mounting plate 110c. Defining engaging with or removal from the canister mounting plate 110c as along the y-axis (or in the Y direction (+ less engagement and − more engagement)) and closer to and or away from the vertical back cover 110b as along the x-axis (or in the X direction (+ further apart and − is closer)), the canister 110b may be first rotated in a small clockwise direction to position the dispensing chute through the sensor ring. The canister may be moved in a diagonal direction (−X direction and −Y direction) to attach the canister to vertical back cover to engage with the canister mounting plate portion 110c. This relative motion requires a coupling subassembly (e.g. 125a and 125c as shown in FIG. 3) that is capable of a relative motion along the y-axis (e.g. in the Y direction) while being installed. The two channels 126 (as shown in FIG. 4, for example) and ribs 140 allow for this when they are oriented to line up along the y-axis.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the embodiments of the present invention may uses an IR based, ultrasonic or laser based distance sensor 130b that is capable of reliably measuring roughly 20 mm up to 250 mm in front of the distance sensor. Preferred examples of IR based distance sensor include SHARP GP2Y0A41SK0F; alternatively, other forms of distance measurement solutions are also possible including ultrasonic distance measurement devices such as OSEPP Electronics HC-SR04. It may also employ a single LED light strip (not shown) to inform the user of its current state to provide user feedback on the use of the dispenser. The light strip is aimed inward and away from the user to minimize glare and rely on the reflected light for illumination. The controller manages the LED's light output to indicate current operating mode and aid the user in the use of the touchless dispenser. The distance sensor 130b is positioned to monitor the area in front of the dispenser roughly where the manual knob is located. This area serves as the interface zone with the user. See FIG. 8 for an illustration of the measurement location. The sensor will sense the presence of a target (user's hand, for example) and the controller will react based on programming. In a preferred embodiment, FIG. 8 shows a preferred measurement or interface zone of between approximately 20 mm to 250 mm for the detection range. The preferred shape of the measurement zone 200 as shown in FIG. 8 is representative of the general shape of the measurement range of the present invention.

[0053] The state diagram in FIG. 9 shows how the dispenser operates normally. The LED is used to indicate the different states that the dispenser is in. It is meant to let the user know that a target (their hand, for example) has been detected and inform when a delay/cooldown timer is active. Delay timers are employed to properly time actions of the controller. They are used to ignore spurious inputs and grants the user time to place their serving bowl under the dispenser and to retrieve their serving bowl after dispensing without inadvertently activating the dispenser. The dispenser will monitor all the sensors but once a valid target is detected, it will ignore all the other sensors.

[0054] Informing the user of the amount they have received based on weight and nutritional value is highly desirable for bulk dispensing. This provides the user the same information they would find in individually packaged products. This can be accomplished by determining the weight of the dispensed product and using the information in the nutrition panel of the product to generate nutritional information. There are two methods envisioned for determining the weight of the dispensed product: (a) Measurement based on dispensing time and speed; or (b) measurement based on dispensed weight.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, there may be provided a system for determining the amount of material or product dispersed by determining dispensing time and speed. The computer as used in the present invention has access to the dispensing time (e.g. how long the motor subassembly is rotating) and dispensing speed (e.g. how fast the motor subassembly is rotating). Using data tables achieved by standardized testing in the computer which were generated from experiments to measure dispensed weight based on dispensing time and speed of different products, the computer can provide an estimated amount of dispensed product via a small computer display on the dispenser after the product has been dispensed.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, there may also be provided a weight sensor. By adding a weight measurement sensor (loadcell, etc.) that can measure the weight of the product in the canisters, the computer will have access to the initial weight of products at the start of the dispensing cycle. The computer can measure how much weight has been dispensed and provide an estimated amount of dispensed product via a small computer display on the dispenser after the product has been dispensed.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention can be networked such that it can be operated, monitored and serviced remotely. As such, a remote operator can monitor the amount of material dispensed, directly or indirectly control the dispensing of material. In addition, diagnostic functions may also be performed o the dispensing device of the present invention.

[0058] By making the computer aware of the estimated dispensed amount, additional user interaction features are possible. It is envisioned that a smartphone App can be developed that allows the user to input their desired amount of product based on nutritional value (calories, protein, etc.).

[0059] Using some touchless method (QR code, NFC), the user can use an application on a mobile device (e.g. an “App”) to interact with the dispenser computer which would dispense the amount desired by the user. The use of App may also allow for remote control of the device. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a networked dispenser of the present invention can indicate the device status to a user (e.g. that the dispenser is empty or nearly empty and requires refilling). This can result in more efficient servicing of the present invention.

[0060] The ability to control and provide this data to the user or the user's organization, many possibilities are opened up to encourage mindful snacking habits.

[0061] Preferred embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in numerous configurations depending on implementation choices based upon the principles described herein. Various specific aspects are disclosed, which are illustrative embodiments not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to standards and protocols known to a person skilled in the art, the present disclosures as well as the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific standard or construction technique.

[0062] Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that the invention may be not restricted to those particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalence of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated.