US3602154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food dispensing apparatus
Assignee: Autoprod Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-15
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A food dispensing device for depositing food products upon a base is provided with a conveyor for automatically moving the base to a sauce dispenser, in timed sequence, for receiving an even deposit of a measured amount of sauce thereupon and then to a cheese dispenser where a measured amount of cheese is evenly deposited upon the base. Provision is made for shredding or grating a supply of a solid food ingredient to be applied to the base, and for applying varying amounts of a food product upon the base of varying sizes.
Inventors
- 👤 Erwin H Schimkat
- 👤 John Nardozza
- 👤 Joel Tropp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:00
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21C; A21C9/00; A21C9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A food dispensing apparatus for depositing sauce and cheese Ingredients on a base comprising in combination, a frame member; a plurality of trays for carrying said base thereon, each of said trays having a central aperture therein; conveyor means supported on said frame member for moving said trays along a predetermined course; timed drive means for selectively actuating said conveyor means; means supported on said frame member for dispensing the sauce ingredient; means supported on said frame member for dispensing the cheese ingredient; means supported on said frame member for distributing the dispensed sauce ingredient on said base; means supported on said frame member for distributing the dispensed cheese ingredient on said base; each of said distributing means including a turntable disposed beneath each of said dispensing means; a vertically disposed shaft; said turntable secured to the top of said shaft; timed drive means associated with said shaft and the lower end thereof for first lifting, then rotating and finally retracting said shaft and the turntable carried therewith through the aperture of said trays when said trays are centered above said turntable; and means for securing said base against slippage on said turntable while said turntable is being rotated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A food dispensing apparatus for depositing sauce and cheese Ingredients on a base comprising in combination, a frame member; a plurality of trays for carrying said base thereon, each of said trays having a central aperture therein; conveyor means supported on said frame member for moving said trays along a predetermined course; timed drive means for selectively actuating said conveyor means; means supported on said frame member for dispensing the sauce ingredient; means supported on said frame member for dispensing the cheese ingredient; means supported on said frame member for distributing the dispensed sauce ingredient on said base; means supported on said frame member for distributing the dispensed cheese ingredient on said base; each of said distributing means including a turntable disposed beneath each of said dispensing means; a vertically disposed shaft; said turntable secured to the top of said shaft; timed drive means associated with said shaft and the lower end thereof for first lifting, then rotating and finally retracting said shaft and the turntable carried therewith through the aperture of said trays when said trays are centered above said turntable; and means for securing said base against slippage on said turntable while said turntable is being rotated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 including positioning means on said trays for placement of said base over the central aperture of each of said trays.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said base is edible and said positioning means is a plurality of studs disposed upon the upper surface of said trays around the perimeter of the central aperture thereof adapted to retain said edible base in position over said central aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for securing said base on said turntable is a plurality of pins disposed upon the upper surface of said turntable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said base is metallic and said positioning means is at least one magnetic stud disposed upon the upper surface of said trays around the outer perimeter of the central aperture thereof adapted to retain said metallic base in position over said central aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for securing said metallic base upon said turntable is a plurality of metallic members disposed upon the upper surface of said turntable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means for moving said trays along a predetermined course comprises a pair of sprockets; and endless link chain engaging said sprockets, and means for removably engaging said trays to said link chain.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for removably engaging said trays to said link chain comprises a plurality of vertically projecting pins intermittently disposed along the links of said link chain; and said trays having t least one elongated slot along one edge thereof adapted to be engaged by one of said vertically projecting pins.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sauce dispensing means comprise a substantially rectangular block having an axial bore therethrough; a cylindrical member disposed within said bore, said member being axially rotatable therein; a plurality of slotted chambers in said cylindrical member; at least one inlet port at the top of said block extending into said bore adapted to permit sauce to enter into the slotted chambers when the cylindrical member is rotated to permit said chambers to open into said inlet port; a hopper mounted upon said inlet port for directing a supply of sauce therein; at least one outlet port at the bottom of said block for discharging the sauce deposited in said chambers when the cylindrical member is rotated to align itself with said outlet port; said bore having at least one side port in alignMent with said slotted chambers, and pump means in said side port for rotating said cylindrical member from and to said inlet port and said outlet port.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 9 including a substantially truncated rectangular nozzle having a slot along the top thereof; said nozzle secured to said block, the slot thereof being contiguous with the outlet port of said block; at least one inner wall in said nozzle defining a channel therein for directing a flow of sauce from said chambers to said base; a spring-loaded vertical pin secured to one end of said nozzle and projecting downwardly therefrom adapted to be embedded in the center of a base, said nozzle positioned above said base from the center thereof to its outer perimeter, and means for selectively sealing said channels in said nozzle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
154 words
A food dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cheese dispensing means comprise a magazine for storing a supply of cheese blocks therein; a substantially rectangular horizontal chamber below and contiguous with said magazine, said horizontal chamber having an outlet at one end thereof; a vertical chamber connected to said horizontal chamber, the opening of said horizontal chamber at the side thereof forming a passageway therebetween; a horizontal shaft projecting into said vertical chamber; a circular blade mounted on the end of said shaft within said vertical chamber; motive means for driving said horizontal shaft; a vertical plate disposed within said horizontal chamber for urging a block of cheese forward; means for moving said vertical plate forward toward the circular blade and retracting said plate when said block of cheese is consumed by said blade; a hopper secured to the lower part of said vertical chamber for directing the cheese upon said base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
204 words
A sauce dispenser for depositing a sauce upon a base comprising: a substantially rectangular block having an axial bore therethrough; a cylindrical member disposed within said bore, said member being axially rotatable therein; a plurality of slotted chambers in said cylindrical member; at least one inlet port at the top of said block extending into said bore adapted to permit sauce to enter into the slotted chambers when the cylindrical member is rotated to permit said chambers to open into said inlet ports; a hopper mounted upon said inlet port for directing a supply of sauce therein; at least one outlet port at the bottom of said block for discharging the sauce deposited in said chambers when the cylindrical member is rotated to align itself with said outlet port; said bore having at least one side port in alignment with said slotted chambers; pump means in said side port for rotating said cylindrical member from and to said said inlet port and said outlet port; a turntable disposed beneath said outlet port; a vertically disposed shaft, said turntable being secured at the top of said shaft; timed drive means actuating said shaft adapted to lift, rotate and retract said turntable carrying said base thereupon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
204 words
A sauce dispenser for depositing a sauce upon a base comprising: a substantially rectangular block having an axial bore therethrough; a cylindrical member disposed within said bore, said member being axially rotatable therein; a plurality of slotted chambers in said cylindrical member; at least one inlet port at the top of said block extending into said bore adapted to permit sauce to enter into the slotted chambers when the cylindrical member is rotated to permit said chambers to open into said inlet ports; a hopper mounted upon said inlet port for directing a supply of sauce therein; at least one outlet port at the bottom of said block for discharging the sauce deposited in said chambers when the cylindrical member is rotated to align itself with said outlet port; said bore having at least one side port in alignment with said slotted chambers; pump means in said side port for rotating said cylindrical member from and to said said inlet port and said outlet port; a turntable disposed beneath said outlet port; a vertically disposed shaft, said turntable being secured at the top of said shaft; timed drive means actuating said shaft adapted to lift, rotate and retract said turntable carrying said base thereupon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
112 words
A sauce dispenser according to claim 12 including a substantially truncated rectangular nozzle having a slot along the top thereof; said nozzle secured to said block, the slot thereof being contiguous with the outlet port of said block; at least one inner wall in said nozzle defining a channel therein for directing a flow of sauce from said chambers to said base; a spring loaded vertical pin secured to one end of said nozzle and projecting downwardly therefrom adapted to be embedded in the center of said base, said nozzle positioned above said base from the center thereof to its outer perimeter, and means for selectively sealing said channels in said nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |