TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention concerns a dispenser for food products, in particular fluid food products such as a jam, a sauce, maple syrup or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide devices for dispensing fluid food products, such as a jam, a sauce, a maple syrup or the like, for use in canteens, buffets, all-you-can-eat restaurants, hotel breakfast or the like; these kinds of device can be operated by the final user to obtain a certain amount of food product from the dispenser.

There are currently two operating principles available in the market for jam/sauce dispensers. According to a first known operating principle, a plastic bottle containing the jam or sauce is squeezed with the help of a lever, thus extracting the contents of the bottle. According to a second known operating principle, a bottle containing sauce or jam is connected to a cylinder containing a piston; by moving the piston, which is reached with the help of a lever, the jam or sauce is dispensed. Generally, the devices of the prior art are manually operated dispensers with products packaged in plastic bottles.

These solutions are affected by several drawbacks. In particular, the known dispensers are not satisfactory in terms of hygiene, as a plurality of users have to touch an operating lever of the dispenser during a day, whereas it is difficult to ensure a continuous disinfection of the operating lever. Furthermore, it is difficult to ensure that a desired predetermined amount of fluid product is always dispensed by the device, since the operating lever is manually operated by different users who may not be experienced or capable of operating the device correctly. Furthermore, the device is prone to breakage, damage or deformations, as users may use too much strength and thereby modify the geometry of parts and the respective operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present disclosure aims at providing a dispenser for fluid food products capable of overcoming the above drawbacks. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for fluid food products that can achieve an improved hygiene and an efficient operability by the final users; a further object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser that can be reliably operated by a plurality of final users; a further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser that is less prone to breakage, damage or deformations; a further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser that can operate reliably with different types of fluid food product and also under different environmental conditions.

In view of the above objects, the present disclosure provides a dispenser for dispensing a fluid food product included in a container having a flexible wall and adapted to dispense the fluid food product upon deformation of the flexible wall, wherein the dispenser includes a seat configured for receiving the container and a movable pushing element configured to press against the flexible wall of container when the container is received in the seat so that the flexible wall is deformed and the fluid food product dispensed; the pushing element being movable between a rest position in which it does not deform the flexible wall of the container and an operating position in which it presses against the flexible wall of the container to deform the flexible wall; characterized in that the dispenser includes an electrical actuator mechanically coupled to the pushing element, the electrical actuator being configured for moving the pushing element between the rest position and the operating position; the dispenser further comprising a sensor configured to sense an object positioned in the vicinity of the sensor; the dispenser further comprising a control unit coupled with the sensor and the electrical actuator; wherein the control unit is configured to control the electrical actuator so as to bring the pushing element from the rest position to the operative position when the sensor senses an object in the proximity of the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to an example embodiment of the invention, described with reference to the appended drawings listed as follows.

Figure 1 shows a view of a dispenser according to the invention, in which the outer case receiving the food product container is sectioned to show the internal components of the device in a rest status;

Figure 2 shows an analogous view as figure 1, but in operating status;

Figures 3 and 4 show the electrical actuator of the dispenser;

Figure 5 shows a detail of the dispenser as indicated by B in figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the components of the device; Figure 7 shows an example of an implementation of a control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a dispenser 10 for dispensing a fluid food product included in a container 11 having a flexible wall and adapted to dispense the fluid food product upon deformation of the flexible wall. For example, the fluid food product may be jam, sauce, maple syrup or the like; the fluid food product may for example have a viscosity that is higher than water or a liquid. The container 11 may be for example a bottle including at least a deformable plastic wall. Figure 2 shows a deformable wall I la. However, also the opposite wall of the container 11 may be formed so as to be flexible. The container 11 includes advantageously an outlet opening positioned at the bottom of the container 11 when the container is mounted for use on the dispenser 10. When the container 11 is squeezed or its wall I la is deformed, the fluid food product is dispensed through the opening at the bottom of the container. For example, the container 11 may include a valve positioned at the lower opening of the container and configured to open when the wall of the container 11 is deformed to a certain extent, so as to dispense the fluid food product.

The dispenser 10 includes a seat configured for receiving the container 11; in figures 1 and 2, the container 11 is shown in a mounted position received in the seat of the dispenser 10. The seat can be formed by an opening in a base element 54 of the dispenser and by an outer case 19. The base element 54 may preferably define the lower part of the seat of the container 11; the outer case 19 may define the lateral and upper part of the seat of the container 11. The case 19 can be removed from the dispenser and decoupled from the base element 54 to allow the removal or the insertion of the container 11 from/into the seat. The case 19 and the base element 54 may be coupled with each other by means of coupling means that may include, e.g., a male/female engaging means, such as groove engaged by a rib or pin/hole engaging means. Preferably, the base element 54 includes a through hole configured to receive a lower portion 50 of the container; preferably the lower portion 50 of the container may advantageously include the opening valve that, upon exerting a pressure on the container that causes the deformation of its wall I la, causes the food product to be dispensed.

As shown in figure 1, the dispenser may also include a further lower base element 52 configured e.g. to support a plate 51 (such as dish of a final user) under the container 11 to which the food product is to be dispensed, and a vertical element 53 that connects the lower base element 52 and the base element 54.

The dispenser further includes a movable pushing element 16 configured to press against the flexible wall 1 la of container 11 when the container is received in the seat so that the flexible wall 1 la is deformed and the fluid food product dispensed; the pushing element 16 is movable between a rest position (shown in figure 1) in which it does not deform the flexible wall of the container 11 and an operating position (shown in figure 2) in which it presses against the flexible wall I la of the container 11 to deform the flexible wall. The “operating position” may be understood as a position or a range of positions at which the pushing element 16 causes the food product to be dispensed from the container 11, In the operating position, the food product is dispensed as indicated by the arrow 70 in figure 2. Preferably, in the operating position, the container 11 is squeezed between the pushing element 16 and an internal vertical wall of the case 19. In the rest position, the pushing element 16 does not cause a deformation of the flexible wall I la such to cause the container to dispense the fluid food product; in other words, a minimal negligible deformation of the container 11 may be admitted also in the rest position, provided that no product is dispensed from the container.

The dispenser includes an electrical actuator 12 that is mechanically coupled to the pushing element 16 and is configured for moving the pushing element 16 between the rest position and the operating position. The electrical actuator 12 preferably includes an electrical motor and mechanical means for transmitting motion from the electrical motor to the pushing element. The electrical motor may include a rotative motor 13. The mechanical means may include for example a group of shafts and levers that transmits the motion from the electrical motor 13 to the pushing element 16. The dispenser 10 comprises a sensor 18 configured to sense an object positioned in the vicinity of the sensor 18. The dispenser further comprises a control unit 22 schematically represented in figure 2 in dashed line. The control 22 unit is coupled with the sensor 18 and the electrical actuator 12. In figure 6 the control unit 22 is schematically shown as well as its connections with the sensor 18 and the electrical actuator 12; the connection can be realized with wired cables or any other known manner. The control unit 22 is configured to control the electrical actuator 12 so as to bring the pushing element from the rest position (shown in figure 1) to the operative position (shown in figure 2) when the sensor 18 senses an object in the proximity of the sensor 18. The sensor 18 is configured to detect a hand of a user positioned in the vicinity of an external case 19 of the dispenser; preferably, the sensor 18 is configured to detect a hand of a user positioned in the vicinity of the dispenser and above the dispenser or laterally close to the dispenser. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor 18 is an optical sensor, preferably an infrared sensor. The sensor 18 is positioned on an upper portion of the device 10, as well shown in figures 1 and 2. The sensor 18 can be mounted on the frame part 56; the frame part 56 may be positioned above electrical actuator 12. The sensor 18 may be positioned inside an opening 80 in the upper wall 19a of the outer case 19 (see figure 2). Alternatively, the sensor 18 may be positioned so as to face the opening 80 in the outer case 19 and detect the hand of the user in the proximity of the case 19. The opening 80 may be also positioned on a lateral wall of the outer case 19 alternatively. Accordingly, the sensor 18 may also be located at a different position of the device, e.g. at a lateral wall of the case 19. Preferably, the sensor 18 may detect a hand of a user positioned in the range 0 cm - 50 cm from the outer case 19, preferably in the range 1 cm - 30 cm.

According to a preferred embodiment as shown with reference to figures 1-5, the electrical motor 13 is configured to rotate a motor shaft 20. The motor shaft 20 is connected to a pin 14 that is substantially parallel to the motor shaft 20 and positioned at a distance from the motor shaft 20. The motor shaft 20 and the pin 14 may be advantageously substantially horizontal. The pin 14 may be connected to the motor shaft 20 by means of a lever 63 (well-shown in figure 4); the lever 63 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the motor shaft 20. A pin 14 may have the shape of a cylindrical portion that is connected or integral to the lever 63. The pin 14 is configured to slide along and push an actuating lever 15 when the motor is driven for transmitting the motion to pushing element 16, i.e. when the pushing element 16 is brought from the rest position to the operating position. Preferably, the pin 14 is configured to slide along and push an end, e.g. a lower end, of an actuating lever 15 when the motor is driven for transmitting the motion to pushing element 16, i.e. when the pushing element 16 is brought from the rest position to the operating position.

Preferably the pin 14 may protrude in a longitudinal direction from the lever 63; accordingly, in the rest position as shown in figures 1 and 4, the lever 15 can be positioned so as to intersect the axis of the motor shaft 20, thereby saving space while ensuring a sufficient range of movement of the lever 15. Alternatively, the pin 14 may be formed integral with a lever 63 so as to form a substantially cylindrical portion of the distal end of the lever 63.

Preferably, the motor 13 is positioned inside a housing 62, that is mounted on a boxlike frame 57. The boxlike frame 57 is in turn mounted on a frame 55 of the device. On the upper portion of the frame 55, the frame part 56 that supports the sensor 18 is fixed. The frame 55 and the frame part 56 may be also formed as a single piece in an alternative embodiment.

Preferably, the pin 14 is positioned below the motor shaft 20 when the pushing element 16 is in the rest position and is substantially at the same height of the motor shaft 20 when the pushing element 16 is in the operating position. The motor shaft 20 is positioned below the shaft 21 around which the lever 15 can rotated. This allows to maximize the length of the lever 15 given a certain overall length of the dispenser 10 in the vertical direction, since the pin 14 operates at the lower distal end of the lever 15 when exerting a pushing force to operate the pushing element sliding toward the center of the lever 15. Furthermore, since the pin 14 is substantially at the same height of the motor shaft 20 in the operating position, the lever 63 is substantially horizontal and this ensure a precise positioning of the means for transmitting motion to the pushing element 16; this ensures a proper operation of the dispensing and the proper behavior of the container 11 under different circumstances. More specifically, in the operating position, the lever 63 is substantially perpendicular to the portion of the lever 15 along which the pin 14 slides. In an embodiment, as shown in figure 2, when the pushing element 16 is in the operating position, the pin 14 reaches an angled portion of the lever 15 at which portion 15c is connected with portion 15a. In particular, the pin 14 slides along portion 15a of the lever during the movement of the pushing element from the rest position to the operating position. The portion 15a is angled with respect to portion 15c. preferably, the angle between portion 15a and 15c of the lever 15 is between 175 degrees and 150 degrees. This contributes to achieve a proper positioning of the pushing element 16 in the operating position, because the force for pushing the pin 14 beyond the angled portion is larger than the force needed for pushing the pin 14 along the portion 15a and the pin 14 is therefore induced to stop at the predetermined operating position by the geometry of the lever 15. Hence, a reliable positioning of the pin 14 in the operating position of the pushing element 16 can be achieved. According to an embodiment, a precise position of the pin 14 in the operating position of the pushing element may be achieved by means of a proper control of the electrical motor 13.

The actuating lever 15 is pivotally mounted around a horizontal crankshaft 21 positioned above the electrical motor shaft 20. The crankshaft 21 is mounted on and supported by a frame 55 on opposite ends thereof. The frame 55 accommodates the actuating lever 15 and the pushing lever 17 between two lateral opposite walls of the frame 55. The pushing lever 17 is pivotally mounted on the crankshaft 21 and supports the pushing element 16. When pushed by the pin 14, the actuating lever 15 causes a rotation of the pushing lever 17 so that the pushing element 16 deforms the flexible wall of the container 11 received in the seat of the dispenser (see fig. 2). Preferably, the actuating lever 15 contacts the pushing lever 17 at an upper end of the two levers 15 and 17, opposite to the lower end of lever 15 that is engaged by the pin 14. Preferably, the two levers 15 and 17 are substantially vertical when the pushing element 16 is in the rest position. Preferably, the pushing lever 17 is shorter than the actuating lever 15, e.g. in the range 30% - 70% of the length of the actuating lever 15. In an embodiment, the pushing element 16 is mounted on a lower end of the pushing lever 17. As shown in figure 5, the lever 15 may act against a pin 58 protruding from the lever 17, in particular from the lateral wall 60 of lever 17. Preferably, the lever 17 is formed with a C-shaped profile, including two lateral walls 59 and 60 protruding from a central plate of the lever 17. Preferably, the crankshaft 21 is positioned approximately halfway along the longitudinal extension of the lever 17.

Advantageously, the lower part of frame 55 is fixed with known connecting means 64, 65 to the base element 54 of the dispenser 10, as shown in fig. 4. The figure 4 shows also an electrical power connection for supplying power to the control unit 22 and to the electrical motor 13 housed in the housing 62.

The control unit 22 is configured to control the pushing element 16 to move from the rest position to the operating position in a first phase, to remain in the operating position (or in a range of operating positions) for a predetermined amount of time in a second phase and to return from the operating position to the rest position in a third phase after the predetermined amount of time. Preferably, the dispenser includes input means 99 (schematically represented in fig. 2) coupled to the control unit 22 and configured to receive an input relating to the predetermined amount of time. The input means 99 can be for example a user interface, configured to receive an input from an operator of the device, e.g. during regulation, installation or maintenance of the device. The control unit 22 is configured to adjust the predetermined amount of time based on the received input. The predetermined amount of time can be adjusted in a range comprised between approximately 1 second and 3 seconds, preferably in a continuous manner to allow fine tuning of the device. The range could also be different. The predetermined amount of time corresponds to the time at which the pushing element 16 is in the operating position and the container 11 dispenses the food product. In view of the viscosity of the fluid food product in the container, the predetermined amount of time may be adjusted to ensure the dispensing of a desired predetermined amount of food product. In fact, food products with lower viscosity need longer time with the opened valve to be dispensed. Furthermore, the viscosity can be influence not only by the type of food product, but also by the temperature. By means of the inputting means it is therefore possible to adapt the operation of the dispenser under different operational circumstances.

Figure 7 shows an illustrative implementation of a processing device 300 that may be used to implement, for example, the control unit 22 as above described. The processing device 300 may include one or more processors 310 and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory 320 and/or one or more non-volatile storage media 330). The processor 310 may control writing data to and reading data from the memory 320 and/or the nonvolatile storage device 330 in any suitable known manner. To perform the functionality above described of the control unit 22, the processor 310 may execute instructions stored in one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., the memory 320, storage media, etc.), which may serve as non- transitory computer-readable storage media storing instructions for execution by processor 310. The processing device 300 includes an input/output functionality or interface 340 to receive data and to transmit data, e.g. under the control of the processor 310. The I/O interface 340 may be used to exchange data/signal with the input means 99, the sensor 18 and the actuator 13, as above described. Also other hardware and/or software implementations of the control unit 22 are possible.

According to a further embodiment, the invention provides a system including the dispenser as described above and a container 11 configured to be received in the seat of the dispenser, the container having a flexible wall I la and adapted to dispense the fluid food product upon deformation of the flexible wall under the action of the pushing element.

In view of the above disclosure, the dispenser 10 is made contactless instead of the previous manual solutions. This solution not only makes the dispensing of jam and sauce hygienic but also results in more economical and sustainable portioning. Compared to previous devices, the invention is significantly more hygienic, as a 100% contactless technology is employed. Furthermore, it is possible to set two or more types of operating modes for dispensing thinner and thicker jams/sauces. The device can be operated economically, as the device dispenses preset portions.

Large environmentally friendly bottles (1030g-1200g) may be used as container, that are 100% reusable. It is hygienic, as the contents of the bottle are hermetically sealed. Since the device operates contactless, the user does not come into physical contact with anything during operation, so there is no need for continuous disinfection.

The above description of embodiments applying the innovative principles of the invention is provided solely for the purpose of illustrating said principles and must thus not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention claimed herein.