Condiment dispensing apparatus

• US 6,189,736 B1
• Filed: 09/07/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Niagara Pump Corporation
• Original Assignee: Niagara Pump Corporation
• Inventors: Vogt, Douglas N., Phallen, Iver J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEAL, DAVID R
• Application Number:
  US09/380,652
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/63, 222/95, 222/105, 222/144.5, 222/207, 222/214, 222/571, 222/639
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14228 with linear peristaltic action, i.e. comprising at least three pressurising members or a helical member
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 13/02 of two or more fluids at the same time
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2201/0201 Position of the piston
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2201/0206 Length of piston stroke
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2201/0601 Opening times
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/1001 Opening time of the valves
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/09 Flow through the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0072 of tubular flexible members
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/1133 with fluid-actuated pump inlet or outlet valves; with two or more pumping chambers in series
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/1136 with two or more pumping chambers in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers

Abstract

A condiment dispensing apparatus for dispensing condiments from a bag-in-box type container (108). There is a high durometer compressible elastomeric liquid flow tube (14), an infeed and outfeed thereto and therefrom, and a movable anvil (26) with a round surface to compress the tube. There is an opposed stationary anvil (28) which holds the tube for compression by the movable anvil. The tube is held between the anvils (26, 28) in a slightly compressed state even when the anvil is retracted. There is a control assembly (FIG. 15) that causes extension and retraction of the movable anvil to cause flow through the tube, and subsequent delivery of condiment to a dispensing fixture (110).

Claims

1. A condiment dispensing apparatus for dispensing condiments from a condiment container, the condiments dispensing apparatus comprising:

support means (106 or 170) for supporting a condiment container (108 or 172);

a remote point of dispensing fixture (110, 158, 160, or 190);

pumping means (10 or 83) for pumping the condiment from the condiment container to the dispensing fixture, the pumping means including

a high durometer compressible elastomeric liquid flow tube (14),

an infeed valve assembly (12 or 84),

an outfeed valve assembly (16 or 88),

a discrete extensible and retractable displacement actuating assembly (18 or 84) including a movable actuator anvil (26) having a round surface which engages the flow tube (14) at all times,

a spaced apart top anvil (28 or 90) mounted in a location directly opposite from the actuator anvil (26), the top anvil (28) having a round surface in engagement with the flow tube at all times, the flow tube being held between the movable actuating anvil and the top anvil in a slightly compressed state when the actuating assembly is retracted; and

control means for controlling the operation of the pumping means, the control means including a start switch (64, 150, 152, or 192) located adjacent the dispensing fixture, the control means when started sequentially extending and retracting the displacement actuating assembly to cause flow within the flow tube (14) from a location adjacent the infeed valve assembly (12) to a location adjacent the outfeed valve assembly (16) to cause flow of condiment from the condiment container (108 or 172) to the dispensing fixture.

2. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means further includes means (36 or 186) to vary the stroke of the displacement actuating assembly (18 or 84) so that either partial compression of the flow tube is achieved during normal operation, or so that full compression of the flow tube is achieved during priming.

3. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means to vary the stroke further includes means to create a priming mode wherein the stroke of the displacement actuating assembly is altered after a certain number of uninterrupted pump cycles to achieve full compression of the flow tube in order to maximize pump suction priming performances.

4. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means is electronic, and wherein the control means includes means to adjust time of movement of the displacement actuator assembly so that compressive displacement of the movable actuator assembly is achieved to allow direct electronic control over the displaced volume per pump cycle.

5. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the condiment is a condiment supply bag in a box (108), which bag has a spout (120) to which the pumping means is interconnected via a tube (112), and wherein the support means is a support frame (106) having a slanted upper surface (106.11-.15) to assist in the complete emptying of the supply bag.

6. The condiments dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the slanted upper surface of the support frame is elevated for the purpose of accessibility to the spout.

7. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5 for use with a cabinet (102, 104) having a compartment therein, further characterized by the support frame being mounted within the compartment with the slanted surface facing the front of the compartment so that installation and removed of the bag in a box is eased.

8. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the support frame is equipped with rear inboard mounted wheels (107) and front bottom mounted slide strips (107A) in order to allow easy partial withdrawal or insertion of the support frame out of or into the compartment of the cabinet.

9. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the support means is a support frame, the pump means being mounted flexible on the support frame by rubber or rubber-like straps.

10. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a positive shut-off valve (79 or 198) is disposed between the pumping means and the remote point of dispense for effecting cut-off of condiment flow to the point of dispense.

11. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the control means includes an electronic controller, and wherein the positive shut-off valve is controlled by the electronic controller.

12. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pumping means is interconnected with the dispensing fixture by a flexible tube (114, 188), and wherein a positive shut-off valve (79, 198) is disposed between the pumping means and the remote point of dispense, which valve bears upon the flexible tube for effecting cut-off of condiment flow to the point of dispense.

13. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apparatus may be connected to a source of warm or hot water for the purpose of cleaning, and which apparatus may be cleaned of condiments with no or little lipids by pumping less than three quarts (or three liters) of warm or hot water.

14. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein two or more remote point of dispensing fixtures (158, 160) are provided, wherein there is a separate shut-off valve (154, 156) associated with each dispensing fixture, wherein the control means including an start switch (150, 152) located adjacent each dispensing fixture, wherein the control means including an start switch (150, 152) located adjacent each dispensing fixture, and wherein each start switch locks out the other start switches when operation of the pumping means is initiated to allow a single pumping means to service more than one dispensing fixture with the selected dispensing fixture receiving the complete flow or does from the pumping means.

15. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein when a second start switch is closed during operation of the pumping means initiated by the closing of a first start switch, the second start switch must be opened after the first start switch initiated pumping has been completed in order for the second start switch to enter a start signal into the control means.

16. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which only one of the separate shut-off valves can be opened at any given time to assure that a correct dose is always delivered.

17. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein two or more remote point of dispensing fixtures (158, 160) are provided, each fixture having an LED (16, 164) associated with it to indicate when the pumping means is in operation.

18. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means includes an electronic controller.

19. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein a remote information port 166 is provided which may be interconnected to a remote information module so that information from the electronic controller may be assessed at a remote location.

20. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the electronic controller is provided with a remote information port (166),such port providing a steady state DC signal to the remote information module whenever the condiment dispenser is in an operable condition, and wherein loss of the DC signal to the remote information module for a period of more than two seconds signifies loss of operable condition of the dispenser.

21. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the electronic controller senses a lack of condiment at the dispenser, the electronic controller being provided with a remote information port (166), such port providing a DC pulsating signal at a frequency of approximately one Hertz when there is a lack of condiment at the dispenser, and wherein the condition may be annunciated by a rapidly pulsating status LED at the dispensing fixture, or elsewhere.

22. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the electronic controller is provided with a remote information port (166), the remote information port providing a 10 mS pulse with each pump cycle, thus allowing the remote information module to measure condiment consumption at the dispense and to allow prediction of an empty condiment supply condition.

23. The method for dislodging the vehicle as set forth in claim 22 wherein the longitudinal movement is in a forward direction.

24. The method for dislodging the vehicle as set forth in claim 22 wherein the longitudinal movement is in a rearward direction.

25. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the infeed valve assembly and the outfeed valve assembly are discrete check valve assemblies (12 and 16, respectively), wherein a positive shut-off valve (79, 154, 156) is located near the dispensing fixture, the positive shut-off valve being controlled by the electronic controller, and wherein operation of the electronic controller is initiated by a flow switch (64, 150, 152), so that the condiment dispensing apparatus is capable of pumping viscous condiments 40 feet from the pump without significant latency of flow from moment of flow switch actuation.

26. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the infeed valve assembly and the outfeed valve assembly are discrete infeed and outfeed extensible and retractable actuating assemblies, wherein a positive shut-off valve is located near the dispensing fixture, which valve is controlled by the electronic controller, and wherein operation of the electronic controller is initiated by a flow switch, so that the condiment dispensing apparatus is capable of pumping smooth condiments 100 feet from the pump without significant delay of flow from moment of flow switch actuation, the positive shut-off valve shutting off flow at the end of pumping thus assuring that with the next dispensing cycle the pump is not required to pump the outfeed structure up to some pressure where flow ensues, flow thus occurring on a nearly instantaneous basis upon opening of the shut-off valve by the pump electronic controller.

27. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the infeed valve assembly (26) and the outfeed valve assembly (38) are discrete infeed and outfeed extensible and retractable actuating assemblies, the electronic controller sequentially extending and retracting the actuating assemblies (26, 36, 38) to cause flow of a one third ounce dose of ketchup to be delivered at a distance of 25 feet from the pumping means in less than 500 milliseconds.

28. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the condiment dispensing apparatus has more than one pumping means (83), and wherein a condiment container (172)is provided for each pumping means.

29. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein each condiment container is a condiment supply bag in a box (172), which bag has a spout (176), each spout being connected to an associated pumping means (83).

30. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 29 wherein the support means (170) is capable of supporting all the condiment supply bags in boxes, each condiment bag in box being mounted on its narrow edge with its spout projecting through a hole (178) in the support means thus allowing a minimal and compact dimension for the condiment stand and allowing manipulation of the condiment as a boxed unit.

31. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein each condiment supply bag in a box is mounted directly above an associated pumping means (83) with the pumping means being mounted vertically with the infeed side at the top and the outfeed side at the bottom such that direct flood feed of the pump is established thus speeding pump priming and enhancing pump flow rates.

32. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein the remote point of dispensing fixture is a dispensing wand which is capable of simultaneously dispensing with the actuation of a single switch of two or more condiments, thus reducing the time required to deposit desired condiments.

33. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the support means is a frame (170) capable of supporting two or more condiment containers, and wherein the frame is also capable of supporting two or more pumping means, one for each condiment container, the frame being so designed that varying numbers of condiment containers and pumping means can be mounted thereon in a modular manner.

34. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pump means is mounted on a pump frame consisting of two parts, a check valve mounting plate (20) and an upper anvil mounting plate (22), the check valve mounting plate having platforms (20.3) disposed above the plane of a flat section (20.1), and the upper anvil mounting plate being secured to the flat section of the check valve mounting plate.

35. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 34 wherein the infeed and outfeed valve assemblies are check valve assemblies, which valve assemblies are mounted on the check valve mount plate.

36. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 35 wherein each of the check valve assemblies includes a valve body, infeed and outfeed barbs, and a check valve cartridge and ball mounted within the valve body, the valve body being secured to the platforms (20.3) by cable tie fasteners.

37. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 34 wherein the extensible and retractable displacement actuating assembly includes a cylinder (30) having a threaded nosepiece, and wherein the check valve mounting plate (20) and an upper anvil mounting plate (22) are each provided with a central aperture through which the threaded nose piece projects, the cylinder (30), and mounting plate (20 and 22) being secured together by a nut (34).

38. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pumping means includes a pump housing, wherein the infeed and outfeed valve assemblies are check valve assemblies which are mounted on the pump housing, the infeed and outlet valve assemblies having barbs in axial alignment with each other, and wherein the high durometer compressible elastomeric liquid flow tube (12) is mounted on adjacent barbs of the inlet and outlet valve assemblies in such a manner that the tube is concentric with the burbs.

39. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lumen of the flow tube is not completely reduced to zero volume during displacement compressing when normally dispensing condiment whereby gas embolisms do not erupt or explode when condiment is discharged at the point of dispense.

40. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower compression anvil (26) is a cylinder, wherein the top anvil (28) is a separate and removable cylinder, the diameter of the separate and removable cylinder being substantially the same as the diameter of the cylinder utilized as the lower compression anvil.

41. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 40 wherein an upper anvil mounting plate (22) is provided for mounting the top anvil (28), the upper anvil mounting plate having spaced apart sidewalls which are suitably apertured for the reception of the top anvil, and wherein the top anvil is provided with a groove at either end, which grooves are captured by the sidewalls to retain the top anvil in place.

42. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the discrete extensible and retractable displacement actuator assembly includes a pneumatic cylinder assembly having a cylinder rod upon which the displacement anvil is mounted by a spring pin which is pressed into the anvil and into a matching hole in the end of the cylinder rod.

43. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the extensible and retractable displacement actuating assembly is a pneumatic cylinder assembly, and wherein the air into and out of the cylinder assembly is controlled by a pneumatic solenoid valve (68).

44. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the extensible and retractable displacement actuating assembly is a pneumatic cylinder assembly, and wherein means are provided to independently adjust the retraction time of the pneumatic cylinder assembly beyond a necessary minimum time to allow for increased liquid priming time thus increasing the range of liquid viscosities over which the pump can function.

45. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means includes an electronic controller (186), the electronic controller including a selector switch (62) to allow selection between an on demand mode of operation and a timed dose mode of operation.

46. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 45 wherein a momentary start switch (64) is mounted adjacent the dispensing fixture to initiate operation of the pumping means, the momentary start switch being interconnected with the electronic controller, and when the selector switch is set to the demand mode, closing of the momentary start switch will initiate pumping, which pumping will continue until the momentary start switch is released.

47. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 45 wherein a momentary start switch (64) is mounted adjacent the dispensing fixture to initiate operation of the pumping means, the momentary start switch being interconnected with the electronic controller, and when the selector switch is set to the timed dose mode, closing of the momentary start switch will initiate pumping, which pumping will continue until the desired dose is delivered, regardless of whether the start switch is maintained actuated or is released.

48. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 47 wherein the momentary start switch must be released after the end of the dose before another start input can be accepted by the electronic controller.

49. The condiment dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the remote point of dispensing fixture includes a rigid support (190) through which a flexible tube (188) extends.