Condiment dispensing apparatus, systems, and related methods

Abstract

A multi-condiment dispenser is provided that is able to automatically meter and dispense various types of condiments to a user. The condiment dispenser includes a compartment into which condiment receptacles are removably inserted. The baskets include a compartment into which a condiment pouch containing condiment and a pump may be loaded. Baskets loaded with the condiment pouch and pump may be inserted into the condiment dispenser to connect a motor system of the condiment dispenser to the pump within the basket. The condiment dispenser operates the motor system connected to the basket to drive the pump of that basket to cause condiment to be dispensed from the condiment pouch of that basket to the user. The condiment dispenser operates the motor system corresponding to the basket containing the condiment selected by a user to dispense the selected condiment to the user.

1 . A condiment dispenser comprising:
 a plurality of condiment receptacles, each condiment receptacle for receiving a condiment pouch, each condiment receptacle being individually removable from the condiment dispenser;   a plurality of dispensing openings;   a plurality of pumping systems, each pumping system including a pump positioned in and corresponding to one of the plurality of condiment receptacles, each pumping system configured to pump condiment from the condiment pouch of the corresponding condiment receptacle through a corresponding dispensing opening of the plurality of dispensing openings; and   a user interface configured to receive user input including a condiment selection causing a pumping system of the plurality of pumping systems corresponding to the condiment selection to pump condiment through the corresponding dispensing opening.   
     
     
         2 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of condiment receptacles are positioned at a plurality of vertically separated levels. 
     
     
         3 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the plurality of vertically separated levels is displaced horizontally relative to another vertically separated level. 
     
     
         4 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of condiment receptacles each include a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism configured to latch to a portion of a frame. 
     
     
         8 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 1  wherein each pumping system includes a motor, the motor configured to drive a respective pump to move condiment from the condiment pouch of the corresponding condiment receptacle toward the corresponding dispensing opening. 
     
     
         9 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of condiment receptacles are removably attachable to a frame of the condiment dispenser, wherein attaching the condiment receptacle to the frame operably couples the pump to the motor. 
     
     
         10 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 9  wherein the motor is operable to rotate a drive shaft removably connectable to a drive portion of the respective pump, the drive shaft biased toward the drive portion of the respective pump to aid in connecting the drive shaft to the drive portion as the condiment receptacle including the respective pump is attached to the frame. 
     
     
         11 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A condiment dispenser comprising:
 a frame;   a motor system mounted to the frame;   a condiment receptacle sized to receive a condiment pouch and removably attachable to the frame; and   a pump connected to the condiment receptacle for pumping fluid out a dispensing opening of the condiment receptacle, wherein attaching the condiment receptacle to the frame operably couples the motor system to the pump.   
     
     
         20 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 19  wherein one of the condiment receptacle and a base portion of the condiment dispenser includes one or more guide pins and the other of the condiment receptacle and the base portion of the condiment dispenser includes one or more guide holes that receive the one or more guide pins. 
     
     
         25 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 24  further comprising a lock mechanism to secure the condiment receptacle to the base portion of the condiment dispenser upon the one or more guide pins being received in the one or more guide holes. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 19  wherein attaching the condiment receptacle to the frame includes extending a shaft of the motor system through an opening of the condiment receptacle to engage a portion of the pump. 
     
     
         29 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 19  wherein the motor system includes a motor having a motor shaft, a coupling mechanism, and a drive shaft, the coupling mechanism coupling the motor shaft to the drive shaft such that the drive shaft is able to move axially relative to the motor shaft and rotation of the motor shaft rotates the drive shaft. 
     
     
         30 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a second motor system mounted to the frame; 
 a second condiment receptacle sized to receive a second condiment pouch and being removably attachable to the frame; and 
 a second pump connected to the second condiment receptacle for pumping fluid out a dispensing opening of the second condiment receptacle, wherein attaching the second condiment receptacle to the frame operably couples the second motor system to the second pump. 
 
     
     
         35 . The condiment dispenser of  claim 19  wherein the condiment receptacle further includes at least one window positioned towards a bottom portion of the condiment receptacle to permit a portion of the condiment pouch to extend therethrough during installation and at least one door movably covering the at least one window. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A condiment receptacle comprising:
 a base portion and sidewalls extending from the base portion defining a cavity to receive a condiment pouch;   a pump receiving portion for receiving a pump;   the base portion configured to interface with a motor system of a condiment dispenser such that a portion of the motor system is permitted to extend into the pump receiving portion to engage the pump.   
     
     
         38 . The condiment receptacle of  claim 37  wherein a sidewall of the sidewalls includes an opening, and further comprising a plate clamp system attached at the opening for clamping a portion of a condiment pouch received within the cavity. 
     
     
         39 . The condiment receptacle of  claim 38  wherein the plate clamp system includes a first plate hingedly connected to the sidewall and a second plate, the first plate hingedly connected to the second plate such that the second plate is able to be moved toward the first plate to force condiment out of the portion of the condiment pouch received therebetween. 
     
     
         40 . The condiment receptacle of  claim 38  wherein the plate clamp system is pivotably attached to the sidewall, the plate clamp system pivotable between a first position at least partially covering the opening in the sidewall and a second position where the plate clamp system is pivoted out of the opening to permit the portion of the condiment pouch to be drawn through the opening. 
     
     
         41 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . The condiment receptacle of  claim 37  further comprising a locking mechanism having at least one opening sized to receive a guide pin of a condiment dispenser, the locking mechanism configured to retain the guide pin when the guide pin is received into the at least one opening of the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The condiment receptacle of  claim 47  wherein the locking mechanism includes an engagement portion that is movable to cause the locking mechanism to release the guide pin to permit the guide pin to be withdrawn from the at least one opening. 
     
     
         50 - 65 . (canceled)