Depositor system

Abstract

A dispensing device for supplying measured quantities of batter to baking containers, and a method of operating such device use a peristaltic pump driven by a servo-motor drive. The peristaltic pump has a flexible conduit with a first end connected to a supply container for receiving batter and a second end from which the batter is dispensed. A movable pump element precisely moves batter through the flexible conduit from the first end toward the second end. A shut-off valve adjacent the second end of the flexible conduit closes the conduit when the measured quantity of batter has been dispensed. A conveyor is positioned beneath the second end of the flexible conduit for moving baking containers into position therebeneath for deposit of batter. The movable pump element has a peristaltic driver including a plurality of rollers, a drive shaft to rotate the peristaltic driver such that the rollers apply pressure to the flexible conduit, pressing the flexible conduit against a curved pressure surface of a shoe.

1 . A dispensing device for supplying measured quantities of batter to baking containers, comprising:
 a supply container for holding a quantity of batter,   a peristaltic pump, including a flexible conduit having a first end connected to said supply container for receiving batter, a movable pump element for precisely moving batter through the flexible conduit from said first end toward a second end, including a servo-motor drive, and a shut-off valve adjacent the second end of the flexible conduit, and   a conveyor, beneath said second end of said flexible conduit, for moving baking containers into position therebeneath for deposit of batter.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , in which said peristaltic pump further comprises:
 a shoe defining a curved pressure surface, and   said movable pump element comprising
 a peristaltic driver including a plurality of rollers, 
 a drive shaft to rotate said peristaltic driver such that said rollers apply pressure to said flexible conduit, pressing said flexible conduit against said curved pressure surface of said shoe, and 
 a servo pump motor for rotating said peristaltic driver. 
   
     
     
         3 . The dispensing device of  claim 2 , in which said servo pump motor rotates said peristaltic drive by a precise distance so as to dispense a precise amount of batter. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing device of  claim 3 , in which said shut-off valve comprises a clamp mechanism, including a stationary clamp element and a pivotal clamp element, and a clamp actuator for moving said pivotal clamp element toward said stationary clamp element. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing device of  claim 4 , in which said clamp actuator for moving said pivotal clamp element toward said stationary clamp element comprises a pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing device of  claim 2 , in which said peristaltic driver comprises four rollers. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing device of  claim 2 , in which said peristaltic driver comprises three rollers. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing device of  claim 1 , in which said peristaltic pump comprises:
 a plurality of flexible conduits, each conduct having a first end connected to said supply container for receiving batter,   a plurality of movable pump elements, each of said movable pump elements arranged to move batter through an associated one of said plurality of flexible conduits from said first end toward a second end, and   a plurality of shut-off valves, each of said shut-off valves positioned adjacent the second end an associated one of said plurality of flexible conduits.   
     
     
         9 . A dispensing device for supplying measured quantities of batter, comprising:
 a supply container for holding a quantity of batter,   a peristaltic pump, including a plurality of flexible conduits each having a first end connected to said supply container for receiving batter, a servo pump motor, a movable pump element driven by said servo pump motor for precisely moving batter through the flexible conduits from said first end of each of said conduits toward a second end, and a plurality of shut-off valves, each adjacent the second end of a respective one of said plurality of flexible conduits.   
     
     
         10 . The dispensing device of  claim 9 , in which said peristaltic pump further comprises:
 a shoe defining a curved pressure surface, and   said movable pump element comprising
 a peristaltic driver including a plurality of rollers, and 
 a drive shaft to rotate said peristaltic driver such that said rollers apply pressure to said flexible conduits, pressing said flexible conduits against said curved pressure surface of said shoe, said drive shaft being connected to, and driven by, said servo pump motor. 
   
     
     
         11 . A method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to baking containers, comprising:
 providing a quantity of batter in a container,   pumping said batter through a flexible conduit with a peristaltic pump, said batter being pumped from a first end of said flexible conduit connected to said container toward a second end of said conduit by applying pressure to said conduit with a plurality of rollers that press said conduit against a curved pressure surface and roll along said surface,   actuating a valve at the second end of said flexible conduit to permit a measured quantity of batter to be dispensed, and   conveying baking containers into position beneath said flexible conduit for receipt of a measured quantity of batter.   
     
     
         12 . A method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to baking containers according to  claim 11 , in which the step of pumping said batter through a flexible conduit includes the step of pumping batter through a plurality of flexible conduits have respective first ends connected to said supply container. 
     
     
         13 . A method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to baking containers according to  claim 12 , further comprising the step of pinching off said flexible conduits adjacent the second ends thereof to insure that the measured amount of batter is deposited by each conduit on said baking containers. 
     
     
         14 . A method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to baking containers, comprising the steps of:
 providing a quantity of batter,   pumping said batter through a flexible conduit with a peristaltic pump, said batter being pumped from a first end of said flexible conduit toward a second end of said conduit by pressing said conduit at a plurality of spaced points along the length of the conduit and moving the spaced points in a direction from said first end toward said second end, and   pinching closed said second end of said conduit after a measured quantity of batter has been dispensed from said second end of said conduit.   
     
     
         15 . The method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to baking containers according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of
 conveying baking containers into position beneath said flexible conduit for receipt of measured quantities of batter.