WO2000021836A1

WO2000021836A1 - Dispenser for frangible frozen food articles

Info

Publication number: WO2000021836A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/023966
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl J. Fritze; Kirby J. Kuhlemeier; Bruce H. Koerner; Scott M. Harrison; Donald J. Hammer
Original assignee: Robot Aided Manufacturing Center, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-10-14
Filing date: 1999-10-13
Publication date: 2000-04-20
Also published as: DE69922678D1; ES2234314T3; EP1121293A1; DE69922678T2; US6481602B1; EP1121293B1; AU6516999A; US20010040170A1; ATE284811T1; EP1528016A2; EP1528016A3; US6305573B1

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 flexible, resilient diverter are configured and arranged to reduce article breakage and/or to transfer different types of articles. 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.

Description

DISPENSER FOR FRANGIBLE FROZEN FOOD ARTICLES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to dispensing; more particularly to dispensing food items; and more particularly still to an intelligent, efficient dispensing unit for dispensing frozen food items.

Background of the Invention

Frozen french fry dispensers are known in the art. An example is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,282,498 issued to Cahlander et al; U.S. Patent No. 5,353,847 issued to Cahlander et al; and U.S. Patent No. 5, 191,918 issued to Cahlander et al. Each ofthe foregoing patents discloses a french fry dispenser which includes a main storage bin, a device for moving the fries from the main storage bin into a secondary location, a means for holding the fries in the secondary location, and a complex apparatus for moving empty cooking baskets into position under the secondary storage location. While the disclosed dispenser automates the process of dispensing frozen articles and has been successful in the marketplace, there are several areas in which the dispenser may be improved. First, the complex apparatus used for automatically moving the plurality of baskets into position under the secondary position is often not needed and/or desired by the end-user. Further, in such instances, providing such a device introduces unnecessarily complex and expensive equipment into the dispenser.

Second, the manner in which the disclosed apparatus determines the weight ofthe articles to dispense does not provide highly accurate results (e.g., dispensing by time and by volume may be non-linear based in part upon the articles dispensed). To solve the problem, a load cell is often used to accurately measure the weight of the articles. However, such a load cell is usually an expensive piece of equipment which adds more expense into the dispenser apparatus. Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive and accurate load/weight measuring device.

Third, the device for moving the fries from the main storage bin into the secondary location may be clogged by large clumps of fries thus causing breakage of the fries. Further, in some instances, articles which have different characteristics from fries are desired to be dispensed. Accordingly, a controllable device is needed to resolve this problem.

Fourth, the mariner in which the disclosed apparatus dispenses does not have an efficient dispensing rate for various types of food products or articles. More specifically, the dispensing rate is either too fast which causes difficulty in stopping at an accurate weight or too slow which extends to an unreasonable time. The fundamental problem is that a dense product or product with a large weight per particle, if dispensed rapidly, cannot be stopped at an accurate weight, for example, due to the weight of product in flight, i.e. the weight ofthe product which has not reached the weighing mechanism but has been dispensed. Thus, there is a need to dispense the product at an appropriate rate, e.g. at a rate which reacts to the approaching target weight. Another associated problem is that if the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly operates at a rate appropriate to a denser product, a weighing cycle may be extended to an unreasonable time, e.g. four to six times the cycle for a heavier product. Thus, there is a need for a controllable weighing mechanism to provide an appropriate dispensing rate based on the weight of articles dispensed. Such an improved dispenser apparatus should also provide for accurate weighing by taking into account differences in each different dispenser unit and characteristics ofthe articles dispensed, i.e. the weighing mechanism should learn over time, e.g. several dispensing cycles, to account for such discrepancies.

Fifth, it is often desired to limit the defrosting/thawing ofthe frozen articles. In many cases, however, the frozen articles to be dispensed from the disclosed apparatus are easily defrosted or thawed, especially when the dispenser is the near cooking area. Accordingly, there is a need for an air restricting mechanism implemented in the apparatus to help slow the defrosting/thawing ofthe frozen articles.

Sixth, the disclosed apparatus is adapted for dispensing frozen fries. The disclosed apparatus is not configured and arranged to dispense other articles, such as onion rings, drummies, or even different sized frozen fries, etc. Therefore, there is a need for an improved dispenser apparatus which is configured and arranged to dispense a variety of food products or articles. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides for a reliable method and apparatus for dispensing articles and controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately dispense the desired articles. Such control may also be expanded to learn over time to modify the control to achieve even greater accuracy.

In a preferred embodiment constructed according to the principles ofthe present invention, the apparatus for dispensing food articles from a primary storage holding area to a basket includes: a primary food article storage location and an accumulator food article storage location arranged and configured proximate to the primary food article storage location. The food articles fall by gravity to a basket which is generally located beneath the accumulator food article storage location. A rotatable, reversible drum controUably transfers the food articles from the primary to the accumulator food article storage location in response to a control signal. An accumulator door controUably dispenses the food articles from the accumulator food article storage location to the basket in response to a control signal. The control signals are generated by a controller.

In one aspect ofthe invention, the drum motor is reversed in its rotation direction upon detection of a predetermined current increase and/or a predetermined speed decrease ofthe drum motor. After a predetermined period of time or turn, the drum motor is rotated forward again in its normal dispensing direction. One advantage of this aspect ofthe present invention is that it significantly reduces food breakage and can be adapted for various types of food articles (e.g., in one example, frangible frozen food items). In another aspect ofthe invention, the articles in the accumulator food article storage location are retained in that area by the accumulator door. The accumulator door is selectively operated between open and closed positions. A load/weight measurement device is arranged and configured to weigh the articles retained by the accumulator door in real time. In a preferred embodiment, a spring is used to convert the load/weight to displacement. By sensing the displacement with a sensor and sending the sensed weight signal to the controller, the controller calculates the load/weight ofthe articles in the accumulator food article storage location. When a desired or predetermined weight is reached, the controller signals the drum motor to reduce the dispensing rate and stop. The accumulator door may be selectively opened automatically upon reaching the desired weight and detecting the presence of the basket or may be operated by a user when desired. A further aspect ofthe present invention is that an adaptive weighing method is utilized in the controller during the weighing/measuring process ofthe articles in the accumulator storage location. One advantage of using the adaptive weighing method is that it optimizes the dispensing rate by adjusting its dispensing rate to match a predetermined rate. The controller monitors in real time the sensed weight signal from the load sensor and operates the drum motor to control the articles dispensed into the accumulator area to a predetermined level. Thus, by monitoring the movement ofthe drum and the weight ofthe transferred articles, the controller can determine the manner in which the drum should be moved in a future dispensing cycle so as to increase the accuracy ofthe dispensed articles. Accordingly, the adaptive weighing method not only resolves the problem mentioned before but also allows an accurate, intelligent, efficient dispensing process.

An additional aspect ofthe present invention is that it significantly improves the food handling mechanism. First, a flexible diverter is used to flexibly control the distance between the drum and the diverter. It allows a larger article to go through the space between the drum and the diverter without necessarily letting many other smaller articles uncontrollably pass through at one time. Further, it allows various types of articles to be dispensed with significantly less breakage. Second, the drum is arranged and configured to have a number of raised areas with different heights and land areas. Third, air restricting members are provided between a hopper lid and a hopper body and between the hopper and the accumulator. Fourth, the accumulator door is arranged and configured to include two flaps, one of which extends over the other at their connecting end to reduce/restrict the air flow entering into or exiting out ofthe accumulator.

A further additional aspect ofthe invention is that the accumulator is separate from the hopper. The accumulator is preferably mounted on a frame or housing of the dispenser apparatus. One advantage of such feature is that the accuracy ofthe weight measurement ofthe articles in the accumulator storage location is improved. It will be appreciated that in the prior art systems, some ofthe food articles may reside within the accumulator area and some may extend up into the hopper. Because friction may exist between these latter items and the walls ofthe hopper, the accuracy ofthe weight measurement may be improved (and variability reduced) by separating the accumulator from the hopper as in the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

A yet another aspect ofthe invention is that one end ofthe drum is arranged and configured to have a twist entrance for mounting the drum onto the drum motor shaft. The twist entrance provides a self-alignment for the drum to slide onto the drum motor shaft. The advantage ofthe self-alignment is that a user does not have to reach inside the hopper to adjust the drum position while placing the hopper onto the dispenser apparatus, especially when the hopper contains a full load of articles. According to yet another aspect ofthe invention, there is provided a method of dispensing articles. The method includes: loading the articles into a primary article storage location; initiating a dispense signal; controUably transferring the articles to an accumulator article storage location in response to a control signal, the control signal being adjusted in real time in accordance with a rotation speed and/or a sensed current of a transfer assembly, the accumulator article storage location including an accumulator door arranged and configured to selectively open upon receipt of an accumulator door open signal, wherein the articles fall by gravity to a shelf, generally located beneath the accumulator door; weighing the articles in the accumulator article storage location in real time and generating a weigh signal; receiving the weigh signal, comparing the received weigh signal to a predetermined weigh value, and adjusting the control signal; and generating the accumulator door open signal.

While the invention will be described with respect to a preferred embodiment configuration and with respect to particular components, it will be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited by such configurations or components. Further, while the preferred embodiment ofthe invention will be described in relation to dispensing frozen french fries and to the method applicable to using a controller to dispense at greater accuracy, it will be understood that the scope ofthe invention is not to be limited by this environment in which the preferred embodiment is described herein.

These and various other advantages and features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding ofthe invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings which form a further part hereof and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment to the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser, with a back side cover removed for illustration, ofthe present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view ofthe dispenser of FIGURE 1, with a hopper removed for illustration;

FIGURE 3 is another perspective view ofthe dispenser of FIGURE

2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment ofthe hopper, with a hopper lid being detached, which encloses a dispensing drum and a diverter; FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of a hopper body, the dispensing drum, and the diverter of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 A is a schematic view ofthe hopper lid being in a closed position; FIGURE 6B is a schematic view ofthe hopper lid being in a removal position;

FIGURE 6C is a schematic view ofthe hopper lid being in an open position;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment ofthe diverter; FIGURE 8 A is a perspective view of one embodiment ofthe dispensing drum; FIGURE 8B is a perspective view ofthe dispensing drum viewing from the opposite end of FIGURE 8 A;

FIGURE 8C is a schematic end view ofthe dispensing drum of FIGURE 8B; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an accumulator door;

FIGURE 10 is a schematic view of one embodiment of air seals between the hopper lid and the hopper body, and between the hopper body and an accumulator; FIGURE 11 is a schematic view ofthe reversible dispensing drum;

FIGURE 12 is a functional block diagram ofthe reversible dispensing drum and its control means;

FIGURE 13 A is a partial exploded view of one embodiment of a load/weight sensing/measuring assembly; FIGURE 13B is an exploded view ofthe embodiment ofthe load/weight sensing/measuring/dispensing assembly shown in FIGURE 13 A;

FIGURE 14 is a schematic view ofthe load/weight sensing/measuring assembly;

FIGURE 15 is a functional block diagram ofthe load/weight sensing/measuring assembly;

FIGURE 16 is a schematic diagram of a load sensor output based on a distance between a magnet to a sensor; and

FIGURE 17 is a functional flow chart of an adaptive weighing operation ofthe present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In the following description ofthe exemplary embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized when structural and other changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Turning now to Figures 1-3, there is illustrated a preferred movable dispenser unit designated by the reference numeral 20. The dispenser 20 includes a plastic molded hopper 22 which is mounted onto a housing or a frame 24 via extension members 26,28. The extension members 26,28 slidably fit through integrally formed grooves (not shown) at the bottom or side ofthe hopper 22. The extension member 26 has a shoulder section 30 at one end to retain the hopper 22 in place. It will be appreciated that other arrangements to support the hopper 22 can be used within the scope ofthe invention. For example, the extension member 28 can be replaced by another extension member 26 which is disposed at the opposite side of the extension member 26 as now shown in Figure 2. The hopper 22 also includes a removable lid 32. Preferably, the hopper 22, when loaded with articles, is covered with the lid 32 to slow the defrosting/thawing ofthe frozen articles. The lid 32 is mounted onto a hopper body 34 at one edge as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The hopper lid 32 has a pair of curve-shaped notches 36,38 to receive a D-shaped rod member 40 which is extended from the hopper body 34. Figures 6A-C illustrate three positions that the hopper lid 32 may be placed.

Figure 6A shows that the hopper lid 32 is in a closed position, whereby the D-shaped rod member 40 is disposed approximately vertical to the lid 32, and the curve- shaped notch 36 is not aligned with the D-shaped rod member 40 so that the lid 32 may not be removed. Figure 6B shows that the hopper lid 32 is in a removal position, for example, 30° degrees from the closed position, whereby the D-shaped rod member 40 is aligned with the curved-shaped notch 36 so that the lid 32 can be removed. Figure 6C shows that the hopper lid 32 is in an open position, for example, 90° degrees from the closed position, whereby the D-shaped rod member 40 is approximately parallel to the lid 32. It will be appreciated that the angles can be varied according to the user's desire. In the open position, the lid 32 may still not be aligned with the curved-shaped notch 36 so that the lid 32 cannot be removed. It will be appreciated that the removal position can be changed within the scope ofthe present invention. For example, the lid 32 may be removed at the open position. The orientation ofthe curve ofthe notches 36,38 and/or the orientation ofthe D of the rod member 40 can be varied within the scope ofthe invention. In a preferred embodiment, the lid 32 is moved at a degree smaller than 90° degree, such as 30°, because in some instances, there may be an obstacle above the lid 32. Accordingly, the lid does not have to be opened all the way to be removed. The lid can be removed at an angle, such as 30°, without hitting the obstacle.

Back in Figures 1-3, the walls ofthe hopper 22 may also include a plurality of ribs 42 integrally formed therein to provide additional strength and/or for aesthetic purposes.

A control switch 44 may be mounted on the extension member 28 to turn on the dispenser unit 20. Also, a display 46 may be mounted on the frame 24 via through holes 48a-c to monitor the dispensing process. Electrical wires can be hidden at the back ofthe frame 24 via through hole 50 and/or a larger area 52. A basket (not shown) can be placed on a plurality of bars 54 of a tray holder

56. The tray holder 56 may be mounted on the frame 24. A tray 58 can slide in and out ofthe tray holder 56 like a drawer construction. The tray 58 is arranged and configured to receive the spilled or fallen articles outside ofthe basket. When the articles are dispensed from an accumulator 60, the basket should be placed underneath an accumulator door 62. A sensor 63 can be mounted onto the frame 24 via a through hole 64 to detect the presence ofthe basket. Once the sensor senses that a basket is present, the sensor sends a signal to a controller 142 (best seen in Figure 12), e.g. a microprocessor known in the art. The articles can then be dispensed upon request. It will be appreciated that other sensor mechanisms can be implemented to sense whether the basket is empty without departure from the principles ofthe present invention. In addition, a basket location indicator can be arranged and configured on the tray holder 56. For example, an edge(s) ofthe tray holder 56 extends toward the side(s) ofthe basket to ensure that when the basket contacts the edge(s), the basket is directly underneath the accumulator door 62. As shown in Figure 3, the accumulator 60 is mounted onto the frame 24 and is separate from the hopper 22 to ensure accurate measurement of weight ofthe articles stored in the accumulator 60. The area between the bottom end ofthe hopper 22 and the accumulator 60 is the accumulator article storage area 61. The stored articles are held by the accumulator door 62 until a target weight ofthe articles is reached. The weight ofthe articles is monitored by a load/weight sensing/measuring assembly 66 as illustrated on the back side ofthe frame 24. Figures 13A-B illustrate the parts and components of a preferred embodiment ofthe load/weight sensing/measuring assembly 66. A compression spring 68 is mounted on the frame 24. The spring 68 has its predetermined length and is compressed to different lengths when different weights ofthe articles are measured. The load/weight sensing/measuring assembly 66 is pivotable around a pivotal bearing assembly, such as a pair of pivotal bearings 70,72 as shown in Figure 13B. The bearings 70,72 are connected to a pivotal rod 74, and the assembly 66 is pivoted about the axis ofthe rod 74. The rod 74 is connected to an assembly plate 76 at the bottom end ofthe assembly 66. A magnet (not shown) is retained in a magnet enclosure 80 which is connected to the assembly plate 76 on one side. On the other side ofthe enclosure 80, a sensor 82 (preferably a magnetic sensor), a distance apart from the magnet, is mounted on the frame 24. When there is no article in the accumulator storage area 61, the distance between the sensor 82 and the magnet is predetermined (a home position). When the articles are accumulated in the area 61 , the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly 60 pivots thus compresses the spring 68 while shortening the distance between the sensor 82 and the magnet in the enclosure 80. The sensor 82 in turn sends a weighed signal to the controller 142 (best seen in Figures 12, 14, and 15) which determines whether a target weight for dispensing is reached. Based on the weighed signal and the predetermined parameters, the controller 142 sends a control signal to a drum motor 138. The activation/deactivation and the rotation speed ofthe drum motor 138 are controlled by the controller. Once the desired weight is reached, the controller 142 then determines whether a user dispensing request or an automatic dispensing request is made. If the request is made, the controller sends a control signal to an accumulator motor 84 to open the accumulator door 62. For better illustration and understanding, a schematic view ofthe load/weight sensing/measuring assembly 66 is shown in Figure 14, a functional block diagram of the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly 66, the control means, and the accumulator door 62 is shown in Figure 15.

Further, the sensor 82 may also sense the distance after dispensing. In some cases, particles ofthe articles may stick on the accumulator 60 after dispensing which may cause inaccuracy ofthe weight measurement for the next dispensing cycle. The sensor 82 sends a correction signal to the controller so as to adjust a "zero" weight.

Figure 16 illustrates a schematic diagram ofthe input/output ofthe sensing/weighing mechanism between the sensor 82 and the magnet. The horizontal axis represents the distance, e.g. dl,d2 (in Figure 14), between the magnet and the sensor 82. The vertical axis represents the output ofthe sensor 82. The envelop 158 is a sensor operation envelop ofthe sensor 82. The darkened window 160 is an actual weighing window ofthe assembly 66. It can be seen from Figure 17 that the actual weighing window 160 can be adjusted within the sensor operation envelop 158 according to the different "zero" weight (or called "tare weight") adjustment. Figure 17 illustrates a functional flow chart of an adaptive weighing operation ofthe present invention. This adaptive weighing method can be implemented in the controller 142 during the weighing/measuring process ofthe articles in the accumulator 60 so as to dispense the articles in an efficient and intelligent manner. Preferably, an adaptive weighing operation reacts to the approaching target weight and determines an appropriate dispensing rate, e.g. reduces the dispensing rate, etc. The adaptive weighing method optimizes the dispensing rate by adjusting its dispensing rate to match a predetermined rate. The controller monitors in real time the sensed weight signal from the sensor 82 and operates the drum motor 138 to control the articles dispensed into the accumulator area 61 to a predetermined level. Furthermore, by monitoring the movement ofthe drum 114 and the weight ofthe transferred articles in the accumulator 60, the controller 142 learns the characteristics and parameters ofthe dispensing cycle and in turn determines the manner in which the drum 114 should be operated in a future dispensing cycle. Accordingly, the adaptive weighing method not only improves the accuracy and efficiency ofthe dispensing rate, but also provides an intelligent dispensing process. In Figure 17, the adaptive weighing operation starts in box 162. A parameter, Ideal_Weight, is increased by a parameter, Ideal_Rate, times a parameter, Interval in box 164. The parameters, Ideal_Weight, Ideal_Rate, and Interval, have predetermined values. Next, the controller 142 compares the measured current weight ofthe articles held by the accumulator door 62 to the Ideal_Weight in box 166. If the current weight is greater than the Ideal_Weight (i.e. the "yes" path), the controller sets a target rate (a parameter for determining the dispensing rate which transforms to a control signal to the motor 138) to be the current dispensing rate minus Ar in box 168. In this situation, the current weight may approach to the target weight. If the current weight is not greater than the Ideal_Weight (i.e. the "no" path), the controller sets the target rate to be the current dispensing rate plus Ar, in box 170. In this situation, the current weight may not have approached to the target weight. The value Ar can be a predetermined constant or a value proportional to or approximately proportional to the difference between the ideal weight and the actual weight. It will be appreciated that the value Ar can be adjusted within the scope and spirit ofthe invention. For example, it can be adjusted depending on the type of product, etc.

The controller 142 then sets a parameter, Rate_Limit, to be a product of a constant, k, and the difference between the target weight and the current weight in box 172. Next, in box 174, the controller compares the Rate_Limit calculated in box 174 to the target rate set in either box 168 or 170. If the Rate_Lim.it is greater than the target rate (i.e. the "yes" path), the target rate is then used as a dispensing rate for further dispensing, i.e. the dispenser motor 138 is driven by the target rate in box 176, and the dispensing rate continues to be updated to the new target rate in box 178. If the Rate_Limit is not greater than the target rate (i.e. the "no" path), the

Rate_Limit is then used as a dispensing rate for further dispensing, i.e. the dispenser motor 138 is driven by the Rate Limit in box 180. Thereafter, one cycle ofthe adaptive weighing operation finishes in box 182.

Accordingly, the dispensing rate is only updated if it is less than the Rate_Limit. When the target rate is greater than the Rate_Limit, it indicates that the dispenser is close enough to the target weight that it should begin slowing down to stop the motor. Also, when weighing is complete, the dispenser may compare the initial and final values for the dispensing rate. In this manner, when the dispenser is confronted with a new product, it can adjust itself such that it begins with an optimum weighing speed, and over a period of time, e.g. after several dispensing cycles ofthe new product, the controller learns the characteristics and parameters of the new product and is able to adjust itself to fit for the new product. Further, in a similar manner, the controller can adjust itself in real time to gradual changes in the product, such as thawing.

As shown in Figure 13B, the accumulator motor 84 is mounted on a housing 78 which is in turn mounted onto the plate 76. The motor 84 can be a conventional DC motor known in the motor art. A motor shaft 85 is retained in a drive member 86. The drive member 86 is connected to a center link 88. The center link 88 has two U-shapes, each one of which is connected to a side link 90,92, respectively. Each ofthe side links 90,92 is pi votally jointed with a connecting member 94,96, respectively. A spring 98 is disposed between one end ofthe connecting member 94 and one end ofthe connecting member 96. In addition, each ofthe connecting members 94,96 is mounted onto an accumulator door arm 100, 102 (see Figure 9) via a connecting tube 100', 102', respectively. The connecting tubes 100', 102' extend at a first end through the plate 76 and at a second end through the housing 78. The door arms 100,102 are retained in the connecting tubes 100', 102' by mounting pins 103,105 and retaining springs 107,109. As shown in Figure 9, at the first end of each ofthe door arms 100,102, a piece of door flap 104,106 is connected to each door arm 100,102, respectively. The door arms 100,102 and the door flaps 104,106 form the accumulator door 62 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Back in Figure 13B, the spring 98 is normally biased such that the accumulator door 62 is normally closed. When the controller 142 signals to open the accumulator door 62, the motor shaft 85 ofthe accumulator motor 84 drives the member 86 which in turn cranks the center link 88 in one direction which alternately brings the side link 90 close to the side link 92 and brings the side link 92 close to the side link 90. Accordingly, the side links 90,92 bring the top end ofthe connecting member 94/100',96/102' close to each other, whereby the arms 100,102 rotate toward each other which opens the door flaps 104,106. Meanwhile, the spring 98 is expanded. The articles in the area 61 are dispensed into the basket. The motor 84 runs for a predetermined period of time set in the controller. After the dispensing, the controller sends a control signal to the motor 84 to close the accumulator door 62. The motor 84 runs for a predetermined period of time set in the controller or until sensing a home position by a sensor 110. In the closing operation, the biased spring 98 assists the motor 84 to move the top ofthe connecting members 94,96 away from each other. The arms 100,102 are in turn rotated in their opposite directions, which close the accumulator door 62. The spring 98 also provides a safety feature when the door is closed to prevent pinch hazard which would be caused by a rigid member if it replaces the spring 98. The parts and components ofthe accumulator 60, except the accumulator door 62 and the ends of the arms 100,102, are disposed inside between the housing 78 and the plate 76.

Further as shown in Figure 13B, the home position ofthe accumulator door is determined by the home position ofthe motor shaft 85 which is registered in a home registration vane 106. The home registration vane 106 is retained by a self locking ring 108. The sensor 110 is mounted on the accumulator motor 84 proximate the home registration vane 106. The sensor 110 is used to detect the home position ofthe motor shaft 85 via the vane 106. The sensed signal is sent to the controller 142 to signify the home position ofthe motor shaft so that the controller is informed the status ofthe motor 84 to determine whether the motor 84 should be stopped.

The accumulator door 62 is best seen in Figure 9. The two door flaps 104,106 ofthe accumulator door 62 are arranged and configured to have one ofthe door flaps 106 extends over the other door flap 104 (or vice versa) at their connecting end to restrict air flow entering into or exiting out ofthe accumulator door 62. This accumulator door construction helps slow the defrosting/thawing of the frozen articles caused by air flow.

Mounting means of various parts and components which are shown in the drawings are preferably used in the present invention. It will be appreciated that other mounting or attaching means can be used without departure from the principles ofthe present invention.

Back in Figures 4 and 5, the hopper body 34 contains a diverter 112 and a drum 114. The diverter 112 is detachably mounted on an inside wall ofthe hopper body 34. On the inside wall, there are two shoulder bolts 116,118. The heads of each shoulder bolts 116,118 extends through holes 120,122 ofthe diverter 112 (best seen in Figure 7). The through holes 120,122 are adjacent to slots 124,126, respectively. A locking plate 128 has two holes closer to one edge than the opposite edge ofthe plate 128. When the holes ofthe locking plate 128 are aligned with the shoulder bolts 116,118 and the through holes 120,122 ofthe diverter 112, the diverter 112 is locked in place on the inside wall the diverter 112. When the locking plate 128 with the two holes is placed closer to the upper end ofthe hopper 22, the diverter 112 is locked in place whereby the shoulder bolts 116,118 are disposed in the slots 124,126, . When the locking plate 128 with the two holes is placed farther from the upper end ofthe hopper 22, the diverter 112 is locked in place whereby the shoulder bolts 116,118 are disposed in the holes 120,122. Accordingly, the distance between the diverter 112 and the drum 114 can be adjusted by orienting the plate 128. This allows different sizes of articles to be dispensed, e.g. the larger sized articles such as onion rings or the smaller sized articles such as french fries.

An enlarged view ofthe diverter 112 is shown in Figure 7. The diverter 112 has a mounting section 130 and a flexible C-shaped section 132 with a plurality of prongs 134. Each ofthe prongs 134 is preferably resilient and made of plastic materials such as ABS plastic materials, etc. As a result, when a larger piece of article passes through the space between the prongs 134 and the drum 114, the corresponding prong(s) 134 is temporarily deformed to allow the larger piece of article to fall into the accumulator without breaking the piece. Since only the corresponding prong(s) 134 is deformed, the other prongs can still function as a diverter to control the amount ofthe articles to fall into the accumulator 60. Further in Figures 4 and 5, the drum 114 is detachably mounted on a motor shaft 136 (best seen in Figure 3) ofthe drum motor 138 (best seen in Figures 1 and 2). The drum motor 138 drives the drum 114 to move the articles toward the diverter (best seen in Figure 11). The motor 138 can be any type of suitable motor known in the motor art which provides the control ofthe drum position and force imposed on the drum.

In addition, a sensor is arranged to sense the velocity (i.e. the rotation speed) ofthe drum and/or the current generated from the rotation ofthe motor. The sensed signal is then sent to the controller 142 which sends a control signal to control the rotation ofthe drum motor 138. When the rotation speed ofthe drum decreases and/or the current increases, there is an indication that a clog may occur between the drum 114 and the diverter 112. Upon receipt ofthe sensed signal by the controller 142, the controller sends a control signal to the motor 138 to reverse the motor for a predetermined time or turn. Then, the controller sends a control signal to further rotate the motor in a normal direction. For better illustration and understanding, a functional block diagram ofthe reversible drum and the control means is shown in Figure 12. Further, as shown in Figures 1-2, the drum motor 138 is mounted onto the frame 24. The motor shaft 136 passes through the frame 24 to connect to the drum 114. The reversing drum assembly significantly reduces the article (e.g. french fries) breakage during their transfer from the hopper 22 to the accumulator 60.

Figures 8A,B illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthe drum 114. Figure 8A shows a first end 144 ofthe drum 114, and Figure 8B shows a second end 146 ofthe drum 114. The second end 146 ofthe drum 114 slides onto the motor shaft 136 of the accumulator motor 138. The second end 146 has a bore 148 which is arranged and configured to have a twist entrance for easily mounting the drum 114 onto the drum motor shaft 136. The twist entrance provides a self-alignment for the drum 114 to slide onto the drum motor shaft 136. A schematic view ofthe twist entrance is shown in Figure 8C. This self-alignment allows a user to easily place the drum onto the motor shaft without having to reach inside the hopper to adjust the drum position while placing the hopper onto the dispenser apparatus, especially when the hopper contains a full load of articles. Further in Figures 8A,B, the drum 114 is a cylindrical body 149 having raised areas, e.g. ribs 150a-i, and land areas, e.g. grooves 152. Preferably, the ribs 150a-i have different predetermined heights above the grooves 152 so as to allow different spaces between the diverter 112 and the drum 114. This drum configuration provides a better handling of a variety of articles as well as reduces breakage ofthe articles during the transfer.

Figure 10 illustrates air restricting members 154,156 which are provided between the hopper lid 32 and the hopper body 34 and between the hopper body 34 and the accumulator 60, respectively. When the lid 32 is closed onto the body 34, the air restricting member 154 restricts air flow between the lid 32 and the body 34. Also, after the hopper 22 slides onto the accumulator 60, the air restricting member 156 restricts air flow between the hopper 22 and the accumulator 60. The air restricting members help slow the defrosting/thawing ofthe frozen articles so as to provide a better handling of articles.

While a particular embodiment ofthe invention has been described with respect to its application for dispensing articles, such as frozen french fries, onion rings, etc., it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the invention is not limited by such application or embodiment for the particular components disclosed and described herein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other circuit configurations that embody the principles of this invention and other applications therefor can be configured within the spirit and intent of this invention. The circuit configuration described herein is provided as only one example of an embodiment that incorporates and practices the principles of this invention. Other modifications and alterations are well within the knowledge of those skilled in the art and are to be included within the broad scope ofthe appended claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An apparatus for dispensing food articles from a primary storage holding area to a basket, comprising: a) a primary food article storage location; b) an accumulator food article storage location arranged and configured proximate the primary food article storage location, wherein the food articles fall by gravity to the basket, the basket generally located beneath the accumulator food article storage location; c) a rotatable, reversible drum for controUably transferring the food articles from the primary to the accumulator food article storage location in response to a first control signal; d) an accumulator door for controUably dispensing the food articles from the accumulator food article storage location to the basket in response to a second control signal; and e) a controller for receiving a dispense signal and generating the first control signal for the reversible drum and the second control signal for the accumulator door.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reversible drum is rotatable in both a forward direction in a normal operation and a reversed direction in a reverse operation, wherein upon sensing that a rotation speed ofthe drum is slower than a normal rotation speed ofthe drum, the drum is rotated in the reversed direction for a predetermined turn ofthe drum, and the drum returns to rotate in the forward direction after the predetermined turn.

3. An apparatus for dispensing food articles from a primary storage holding area to a basket, comprising: a) a primary food article storage location; b) an accumulator food article location arranged and configured proximate the primary food article storage location, wherein the food articles fall by gravity to a basket, the basket generally located beneath the accumulator location; c) a rotatable drum for transferring the food articles from the primary to the accumulator location in response to a first control signal; d) an accumulator door for controUably dispensing the food articles from the accumulator location to the basket in response to a second control signal; e) a load/weight sensing/measuring assembly for weighing the food articles in the accumulator food article location and generating a weighed signal; f) a controller for receiving a dispense signal and the weighed signal and generating the first control signal for the drum, the controller comparing the weighed signal to a predetermined value and generating the second control signal for the accumulator door.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly includes a spring being configured and arranged to interconnect between a magnet and a sensor disposed proximate to the magnet, wherein the sensor senses a distance between the magnet and the sensor and generates the weighed signal for the controller.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the accumulator door is configured and arranged to have first and second flaps being opened by an accumulator motor and closed by a biased spring interconnected between the first and second flaps, wherein the second flap extends over the first flap at a connection end between the first and second flaps to restrict air flow between inside and outside ofthe accumulator food article location.

6. A drum apparatus for transferring food articles in a dispenser apparatus, comprising: a) a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and alternating raised and land areas running parallel at a peripheral of the cylinder along with the longitudinal axis; and b) wherein the raised areas have different predetermined heights above the land areas.

7. The drum apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cylinder has a bore disposed proximate a center ofthe cylinder and proximate a first end ofthe cylinder, the bore has a twist entrance to allow a self-alignment between the drum apparatus and a member receivable in the bore without manually turning the cylinder.

8. A diverter apparatus for transferring food articles in a dispenser apparatus, comprising: a) a plate having mounting slots for mounting the diverter to the dispenser apparatus; and b) a plurality of resilient prongs being located side by side with a predetermined distance from each other and connected to the plate.

9. A hopper apparatus for retaining food articles in a dispenser apparatus, comprising: a) a container having side walls and two open ends, wherein the food articles are loaded into the container at the first open end and dispensed out ofthe container at the second open end; and b) a cover covering the first open end ofthe container, the cover and the container being configured and arranged to allow the cover to be in a removal position, an open position, and a closed position.

10. The hopper apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container includes an elongated rod member having a D shape, the cover includes a notch for retaining the elongated rod member, the notch has an angled passage and a round section at an end ofthe passage, when the D-shaped rod member aligns with the angled passage, the cover is in the removal position.

11. The hopper apparatus of claim 10, wherein the removal position of the cover is approximately 30° degrees from the closed position.

12. The hopper apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container includes an air restricting member at a peripheral ofthe container facing toward a peripheral ofthe cover, the air restricting member restricts air flow between the cover and the container.

13. An apparatus for dispensing articles from a primary storage holding area, comprising: a) a primary article storage location; b) an accumulator article storage location, the accumulator article storage location including an accumulator door arranged and configured to selectively open upon receipt of an accumulator door open signal, wherein the articles fall by gravity to a container generally located beneath the accumulator door; c) a transfer assembly for controUably transferring the articles from the primary article storage location to the accumulator article storage location in response to a control signal; d) a load/weight sensing/measuring assembly for weighing the articles in the accumulator storage location in real time and generating a weighed signal; and e) a controller for receiving the weighed signal, comparing the weighed signal to a predetermined value, and generating a control signal for the transfer assembly, the controller further receiving a dispense signal and generating the accumulator door open signal, wherein the controller adjusts a dispensing rate ofthe transfer assembly in real time.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transfer assembly comprises: a) a rotatable, reversible drum; and b) a resilient diverter located an adjustable distance from the drum, wherein articles to be dispensed are transferred between the drum and the diverter.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the drum includes a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and alternating raised and land areas running parallel at peripheral ofthe cylinder along with the longitudinal axis ofthe drum, wherein the raised areas have different predetermined heights above the land areas.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cylinder has a bore disposed proximate a center ofthe cylinder and proximate a first end ofthe cylinder, the bore has a twist entrance to allow a self-alignment between the drum apparatus and a member receivable in the bore without manually turning the cylinder.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the drum is rotatable in both a forward direction in a normal operation and a reversed direction in a reverse operation, wherein upon sensing that a rotation speed ofthe drum is slower than a normal rotation speed ofthe drum, the drum is rotated in the reversed direction for a predetermined turn ofthe drum, and the drum returns to rotate in the forward direction after the predetermined turn.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the diverter includes a plate and a plurality of resilient prongs being located side by side with a predetermined distance from each other and connected to the plate.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a hopper for retaining the articles, wherein the drum and the diverter are mounted on the hopper, the hopper includes a container having side walls and two open ends, wherein the articles are loaded into the container at the first open end and dispensed out ofthe container at the second open end; and a cover covering the first open end ofthe container, the cover and the container being configured and arranged to allow the cover to be in a removal position, an open position, and a closed position.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the container includes an elongated rod member having a D shape, the cover includes a notch for retaining the elongated rod member, the notch has an angled passage and a round section at an end ofthe passage, when the D-shaped rod member aligns with the angled passage, the cover is in the removal position.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the removal position ofthe cover is approximately 30° degrees from the closed position.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the cover includes an air restricting member at a peripheral ofthe container facing toward a peripheral ofthe cover, the air restricting member restricts air flow between the cover and the container.

23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the accumulator door comprises: a) a pair of longitudinally opposing rods, each ofthe rods being rotatable about its longitudinal axis; b) a pair of door flaps, each ofthe door flaps being operatively mounted onto the respective rod, wherein rotation ofthe rods translates to rotation ofthe door flaps, one ofthe door flaps extending over the other door flap at a connection end ofthe two door flaps to restrict air flow when the door flaps are closed; c) first and second opposing members, wherein each ofthe opposing members is connected to one ofthe rods, and the opposing members are rotatable about the longitudinal axis ofthe rods; d) a spring connected between the opposing members for positioning the members into a first position which translates the door flaps into a closed position; and e) a crank link driven by an accumulator motor for placing the opposing members into a second position which translates the door flaps into an open position, the spring is biased when the members are in the second position.

24. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the load/weight sensing/measuring assembly includes a spring being configured and arranged to interconnect between a magnet and a sensor disposed proximate to the magnet, wherein the sensor senses a distance between the magnet and the sensor and generates the weighed signal for the controller.

25. A method of dispensing articles comprising: a) loading the articles into a primary article storage location; b) initiating a dispense signal; c) controUably transferring the articles to an accumulator article storage location in response to a control signal, the control signal being adjusted in real time according to a change condition of a transfer assembly, the accumulator article storage location including an accumulator door arranged and configured to selectively open upon receipt of an accumulator door open signal, wherein the articles fall by gravity to a container, generally located beneath the accumulator door; d) weighing the articles in the accumulator article storage location in real time and generating a weighed signal; e) receiving the weighed signal, comparing the weighed signal to a predetermined value, and adjusting the control signal; and f) generating the accumulator door open signal.

26. An article of manufacture for a computer-based data processing system, the article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium having instructions for causing a computer to perform a method of dispensing articles comprising: a) loading the articles into a primary article storage location; b) initiating a dispense signal; c) controUably transferring the articles to an accumulator article storage location in response to a control signal, the control signal being adjusted in real time according to a change condition of a transfer assembly, the accumulator article storage location including an accumulator door arranged and configured to selectively open upon receipt of an accumulator door open signal, wherein the articles fall by gravity to a container, generally located beneath the accumulator door; d) weighing the articles in the accumulator article storage location in real time and generating a weighed signal; e) receiving the weighed signal, comparing the weighed signal to a predetermined value, and adjusting the control signal; and f) generating the accumulator door open signal.