Dispenser for frangible frozen food articles

• US 6,481,602 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automated Equipment LLC
• Original Assignee: RAM Center Incorporated
• Inventors: Fritze, Karl Jon, Hammer, Donald James, Harrison, Scott Mitchell, Kuhlemeier, Kirby Juhl, Koerner, Bruce Hamilton
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US09/621,213
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 222/367, 222/368, 222/414, 222/564, 994/04, 994/07
• US Class Current: 222/564
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 37/02 by gravity flow
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 37/08 by rotary feeders
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 37/18 by weighing devices or methods for controlling the quantity of material or liquid fed or filled into a container by weighing B65B1/32, B65B3/28
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 39/02 Expansible or contractible nozzles, funnels, or guides

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 a flexible, resilient diverter are configured and arranged to reduce article breakage and/or to transfer different types of articles. The diverter apparatus is detachably mounted on an inside wall of the hopper body. 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.

Claims

1. 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;

b) a plurality of resilient prongs being located side by side with a predetermined distance from each other and connected to the plate; and

c) wherein the position of the diverter apparatus, when mounted to the dispenser apparatus, is adjustable so as to allow larger-sized food articles to be dispensed.

2. The diverter apparatus of claim 1, further including a C-shaped section comprising the plurality of resilient prongs.

3. The diverter apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the prongs are made of plastic materials.

4. The diverter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the prongs are made of ABS plastic materials.

5. A diverter apparatus for transferring food articles in a dispenser apparatus, comprising:

a) a first section for mounting the diverter apparatus to another surface;

b) a second section depending downwardly from the first section at an angle relative to the first section; and

c) a third section, depending from the second section, being arc-shaped, and having a plurality of channels formed therein, wherein the food articles are guided along the third section, and wherein the third section ends in a position substantially parallel to the plane of the first section.

6. The diverter apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first section comprises a plate having mounting slots for mounting the diverter apparatus to the dispenser apparatus.

7. The diverter apparatus of claim 6, wherein the position of the diverter apparatus, when mounted to the dispenser apparatus, is adjustable by using the mounting slots of the first section.

8. The diverter apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of channels are located side by side with a predetermined distance from each.

9. The diverter apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of prongs, a single prong being located between adjacent channels, and wherein each of the prongs are made of plastic material.

10. The diverter apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the channels are made of ABS plastic materials.

11. A diverter apparatus for transferring food articles in a dispenser apparatus, comprising:

a) a mounting flange for mounting the diverter apparatus to a support frame, and the mounting flange defining a first mean plane;

b) a plurality of spaced apart fingers, the fingers shaped so as to extend from a second plane and end in a position substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein the food articles are guided along the surface of the plurality of spaced apart fingers; and

c) an offset member connecting the mounting flange to the plurality of spaced apart fingers.

12. The diverter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the position of the mounting flange is adjustable so as to allow larger sized food articles to be transferred.

13. The diverter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fingers are shaped in substantially a C-shaped position.

14. The diverter apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fingers are made of plastic materials.

15. The diverter apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fingers are made of ABS plastic materials.

16. A diverter apparatus for transferring food articles in a dispenser apparatus, comprising:

a) a mounting flange for mounting the diverter apparatus to a support frame, and the mounting flange defining a first mean plane;

b) a plurality of spaced apart fingers, the fingers shaped so as to extend from a second plane and end in a position substantially parallel to the first plane;

c) an offset member connecting the mounting flange to the plurality of spaced apart fingers;

d) wherein the position of the mounting flange is adjustable so as to allow larger sized food articles to be transferred; and

e) wherein the fingers are resilient so as to allow a food article to pass through without being broken apart.

17. A diverter apparatus for transferring food articles in a dispenser apparatus, comprising:

a) a first member for mounting the diverter apparatus to another surface;

b) a second member, depending from the first member, being arc-shaped, and having a plurality of channels formed therein, wherein the second member ends in a position substantially parallel to the plane of the first member; and

c) a drum positioned in opposing relation to the plurality of channels.