Abstract: A dispenser for stored product such as food products includes a generally hollow housing having a cavity configured to retain product; an outlet provided at a lower portion of the housing with a proximal portion adjacent the cavity and a distal portion spaced from the proximal portion; a gate disposed between the cavity and the distal portion or disposed at the distal portion; an actuator coupled to the gate to selectively position the gate between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position product disposed within the cavity cannot move to the outlet and in the open position product falls by gravity from the cavity to the outlet; and optionally an environmental control unit to control an environmental control apparatus to modulate at least one of temperature, moisture content, or oxygen content within the dispenser or an agitator assisting movement of the product to the outlet.

Abstract: A frame (10) has an arch that is composed of a top portion (12) and side portions (16) extending downwardly from the opposite ends of the top portion (12). The bottoms of the side portions (16, 18) are connected to outer end portions of a transverse frame member that is a part of a base for the frame. The base also includes a pair of longitudinal frame members which are spaced apart from each other and are spaced inwardly from the side portions (16, 18) of the arch (12). These longitudinal frame members also form tracks for a carriage that supports a lower platen. The platen and carriage are slideable between “in” and “out” positions much like a drawer is slid in and out.