System and method for dispensing bulk products
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for dispensing bulk products comprising:
- one or more inventory containers for storing one or more bulk products;
a user interface for displaying information on the stored bulk products and for receiving a customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products;
one or more selective dispensing means, such that each one is coupled to one inventory container, for selectively dispensing a specified quantity of the bulk product stored in the inventory container;
a computer that is coupled to the user interface and that controls the dispensing means to dispense the customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products;
a transporting means coupled to the dispensing means for transporting the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products;
a filling means coupled to the transporting means for filling a container with the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; and
a weighing device coupled to the computer for measuring the container and the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products while in the container to determine the price thereof; and
a printer connected to the computer for printing information regarding the dispensed product, wherein the information printed by the printer includes nutritional information.
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Abstract
A dispensing system and method is used to dispense a bulk product or to mix and to dispense bulk products on site and to price the products according to the quantity and distribution thereof. The dispensing system preferably provides automated merchandising by providing up-to-date product information and by allowing customers to select and purchase one or more bulk products. The dispensing system can be located indoors or outdoors and is preferably designed for self-service and cash less transactions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for dispensing bulk products comprising:
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one or more inventory containers for storing one or more bulk products; a user interface for displaying information on the stored bulk products and for receiving a customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; one or more selective dispensing means, such that each one is coupled to one inventory container, for selectively dispensing a specified quantity of the bulk product stored in the inventory container; a computer that is coupled to the user interface and that controls the dispensing means to dispense the customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; a transporting means coupled to the dispensing means for transporting the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; a filling means coupled to the transporting means for filling a container with the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; and a weighing device coupled to the computer for measuring the container and the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products while in the container to determine the price thereof; and a printer connected to the computer for printing information regarding the dispensed product, wherein the information printed by the printer includes nutritional information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for dispensing bulk products comprising:
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at least two inventory containers for storing at least two bulk products; a user interface for displaying information on the stored bulk products and for receiving a customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; at least two selective dispensing means, such that each one is coupled to one inventory container, for selectively dispensing a specified quantity of the bulk product stored in the inventory container; a controller that is coupled to the user interface and that controls the dispensing means to dispense the customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; a vacuum transporting mechanism coupled to the dispensing means for transporting by the flow of air the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; a blending/filling mechanism coupled to the vacuum transporting mechanism for blending the customer'"'"'s selection of more than one of the stored bulk products and filling a container with the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; a measuring means coupled to the controller for measuring the specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products in the container to determine the price thereof; and a printer connected to the computer for printing information regarding the dispensed product, wherein the information printed by the printer includes nutritional information. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of dispensing bulk products comprising:
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storing one or more bulk products in individual inventory containers; displaying information on the stored bulk products on a user interface; receiving on the user interface a customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; conveying the customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products to a computer controlling the dispensing of the stored bulk products; dispensing the customer'"'"'s selection of specified quantities of one or more of the stored bulk products; filling a container with the specified quantities of one or more of the desired bulk products and measuring by weight the container and the specified quantities of one or more of the bulk products while in the container to determine the price thereof; and printing information regarding the dispensed product including nutritional information. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification