The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 27, 2010
Bruce H. Koerner, Red Wing, MN (US);
Richard J. Curtin, Prairie Farm, WI (US);
Gordon G. Erickson, River Falls, WI (US);
Adino S. Quiboloy, Red Wing, MN (US);
Kevin M. Riester, Red Wing, MN (US);
Bruce H. Koerner, Red Wing, MN (US);
Richard J. Curtin, Prairie Farm, WI (US);
Gordon G. Erickson, River Falls, WI (US);
Adino S. Quiboloy, Red Wing, MN (US);
Kevin M. Riester, Red Wing, MN (US);
Automated Equipment LLC, Red Wing, MN (US);
Abstract
A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.