Food dispenser with timer control
First Claim
1. A food dispenser comprising:
- (a) a frame;
(b) a vessel supported relative to the frame for containing food;
(c) a delivery conduit supported relative to the frame communicating with the vessel for delivering a flow of food from the vessel;
(d) valve means supported relative to the frame cooperating with the delivery conduit for regulating the flow of food through the delivery conduit;
(e) a primary actuator displaceable from a first position to a second position for actuating the valve means to enable a flow of food through the delivery conduit;
(f) power input means for providing a supply of electrical power; and
(g) valve control circuitry connected with the power input means and the valve means responsive to displacement of the primary actuator to its second position for opening the valve means to enable a flow of food through the delivery conduit during the period of time that the primary actuator is in said second position up to a selected time limit, the valve control circuitry having primary actuator timer circuitry for determining the selected time limit, said time circuitry being resettable by a reset signal,(h) displacement of the primary actuator to its first position providing a reset signal in said circuitry.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A food dispenser having a vessel for containing food, such as a beverage, is provided. A delivery conduit communicates with the vessel to deliver a flow of food from the vessel. A valve cooperates with the deliver conduit to open and close the delivery conduit to regulate the flow of food through the delivery conduit. A primary actuator is displaced from a first position to a second position to actuate the valve to ebable food to flow through the delivery conduit. Valve control circuitry connected with a source of power is responsive to actuation of the primary actuator for opening the valve to permit a flow of food through the delivery conduit during the period of time that the primary actuator is in the second position up to a selected time limit provided by primary actuator timer circuitry.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A food dispenser comprising:
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(a) a frame; (b) a vessel supported relative to the frame for containing food; (c) a delivery conduit supported relative to the frame communicating with the vessel for delivering a flow of food from the vessel; (d) valve means supported relative to the frame cooperating with the delivery conduit for regulating the flow of food through the delivery conduit; (e) a primary actuator displaceable from a first position to a second position for actuating the valve means to enable a flow of food through the delivery conduit; (f) power input means for providing a supply of electrical power; and (g) valve control circuitry connected with the power input means and the valve means responsive to displacement of the primary actuator to its second position for opening the valve means to enable a flow of food through the delivery conduit during the period of time that the primary actuator is in said second position up to a selected time limit, the valve control circuitry having primary actuator timer circuitry for determining the selected time limit, said time circuitry being resettable by a reset signal, (h) displacement of the primary actuator to its first position providing a reset signal in said circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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7. A food dispenser comprising:
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a vessel for containing food capable of flow; a delivery conduit for delivering a flow of food from the vessel and having valve means for regulating the flow of food through the delivery conduit; a primary actuator displaceable for actuating the valve means to enable a flow of food through the delivery conduit; valve control circuitry responsive to displacement of the primary actuator for opening the valve means during the period of time that the primary actuator is displaced up to a selected time limit, the valve control circuitry having primary actuator timer circuitry for determining the selected time limit; a secondary actuator displaceable for actuating the valve means, wherein the valve control circuitry is responsive to the displacement of the secondary actuator to open the valve means for a predetermined time limit following displacement of the secondary actuator, the valve control circuitry having secondary actuator timer circuitry for determining the predetermined time limit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A food dispenser comprising:
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(a) a frame; (b) a vessel supported relative to the frame for containing food; (c) a delivery conduit supported relative to the frame communicating with the vessel for delivering a flow of food from the vessel; (d) valve means supported relative to the frame cooperating with the delivery conduit for regulating the flow of food through the delivery conduit; (e) a primary actuator displaceable from a first position to a second position for actuating the valve means to enable a flow of food through the delivery conduit; (f) power input means for providing a supply of electrical power; (g) valve control circuitry connected with the power input means and the valve means responsive to displacement of the primary actuator to the second position for supplying electrical power to the valve means to open the valve means to permit a flow of food through the delivery conduit, the valve control circuitry having primary force timer circuitry for enabling increased force to be supplied to the valve means for an initial predetermined time period following displacement of the primary actuator to the second position to facilitate the initial opening of the valve means and for enabling reduced force to be supplied to the valve means after the initial predetermined time period expires to enable the valve means to be held open for a selected period of time, said timer circuitry including reset means responsive to a reset signal, displacement of the primary actuator to its first position providing said reset signal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification