Abstract: A flowable food product dispenser is disclosed, The food product dispenser includes a main housing that is designed to be supported on a support surface. The main housing includes an open receiving area that includes a back support wall. An electric drive motor is included within the main housing of the food product dispenser. The main housing receives a storage container assembly that is movable into and out of the open receiving area. The storage container assembly includes a container and a pump. When the storage container assembly is moved into the open receiving area, the drive motor is able to drive the pump to withdraw the flowable food product from the container. A control unit and control panel are operable to allow a user to control the pump to selectively dispense the food product from the dispenser.

Abstract: A flexible impeller pump designed for use in dispensing a flowable food products. The flexible impeller pump includes a cover, impeller assembly and a pump body that are assembled to create the pump without other separate components. The components can be permanently connected to each other to create a disposable pump or can be disassembled for cleaning and reuse. The impeller assembly includes an impeller shaft and a flexible impeller molded over the impeller shaft to prevent separation. The impeller assembly is received within the pump body and the cover is secured to the pump body. The cover includes a seal that is molded over the pump body to prevent separation of the seal from the cover. The impeller shaft extends through the pump body and is coupled to a drive shaft of an electric motor that is operable to drive the impeller pump.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing a consumable liquid from a container. The dispenser includes a cabinet configured to receive one or more containers in an inverted position such that liquid is induced by gravity to flow out of an open interior of the container though a dispensing opening. A positive pressure valve assembly is mounted to the dispensing opening of the container prior to insertion of the container into the cabinet. The valve assembly includes a cap connected to the dispensing opening and a discharge tube extending from the cap. A flow restrictor of the valve assembly is positioned to selectively open and close the discharge tube to control the flow of liquid from the container. A one-way valve is positioned between the open interior of the container and a supply of air. The one-way valve allows air flow into the container as the fluid is discharged to maintain a positive pressure within the container.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding the assembly of a food or beverage item including a number of components is disclosed. The system includes a starting point device having a controller. The starting point device is operable to receive the details of the food item, which includes the components required to create the food or beverage item. The controller is in communication with multiple dispensers and bins that each include one or more of the components and an indicator. The controller activates the indicators associated with each of the components of the food or beverage item either sequentially or simultaneously to indicate to the staff member all of the components that need to be added to the food or beverage item. As each component is added, the indicator is deactivated until all of the components have been added. Once the food or beverage item is created, the controller indicates that the next food or beverage item can be created.

Abstract: A flowable food product dispenser is disclosed, The food product dispenser includes a main housing that is designed to be supported on a support surface. The main housing includes an open receiving area that includes a back support wall. An electric drive motor is included within the main housing of the food product dispenser. The main housing receives a storage container assembly that is movable into and out of the open receiving area. The storage container assembly includes a container and a pump. When the storage container assembly is moved into the open receiving area, the drive motor is able to drive the pump to withdraw the flowable food product from the container. A control unit and control panel are operable to allow a user to control the pump to selectively dispense the food product from the dispenser.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing a consumable liquid from a container. The dispenser includes a cabinet configured to receive one or more containers in an inverted position such that liquid is induced by gravity to flow out of an open interior of the container though a dispensing opening. A positive pressure valve assembly is mounted to the dispensing opening of the container prior to insertion of the container into the cabinet. The valve assembly includes a cap connected to the dispensing opening and a discharge tube extending from the cap. A flow restrictor of the valve assembly is positioned to selectively open and close the discharge tube to control the flow of liquid from the container. A one-way valve is positioned between the open interior of the container and a supply of air. The one-way valve allows air flow into the container as the fluid is discharged to maintain a positive pressure within the container.

Abstract: A touch-free flowable food product dispenser is disclosed. The food product dispenser includes a main body, a pump assembly mounted in the main body and a cover member mounted to the main body. The cover member is part of an automated pump actuation unit that can be removably mounted to the main body such that the automated pump actuation unit engages a pump assembly supported by the main body. The automated pump actuation unit includes a sensor positioned to detect the presence of an actuation member, such as a hand, in proximity to the sensor. When the actuation member is detected, the automated pump actuation unit actuate the pump assembly to dispense the food product. The cover member and automated pump actuation assembly are formed as a single unit that can be installed on the main body to convert manual pump dispensers to touch-free dispensers.

Abstract: A flexible impeller pump designed for use in dispensing a flowable food product is disclosed. The flexible impeller pump includes a cover, impeller assembly and a pump body that are assembled to create the pump without other separate components. The components can be permanently connected to each other to create a disposable pump or can be disassembled for cleaning and reuse. The impeller assembly includes an impeller shaft and a flexible impeller molded over the impeller shaft to prevent separation. The impeller assembly is received within the pump body and the cover is secured to the pump body. The cover includes a seal that is molded over the pump body to prevent separation of the seal from the cover. The impeller shaft extends through the pump body and is coupled to a drive shaft of an electric motor that is operable to drive the impeller pump.

Abstract: A flexible impeller pump designed for use in dispensing a flowable food product. The flexible impeller pump includes a cover, impeller assembly and a pump body that are assembled to create the pump without other separate components. The components can be permanently connected to each other to create a disposable pump or can be disassembled for cleaning and reuse. The impeller assembly includes an impeller shaft and a flexible impeller molded over the impeller shaft to prevent separation. The impeller assembly is received within the pump body and the cover is secured to the pump body. The cover includes a seal that is molded over the pump body to prevent separation of the seal from the cover. The impeller shaft extends through the pump body and is coupled to a drive shaft of an electric motor that is operable to drive the impeller pump.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding the assembly of a food or beverage item including a number of components is disclosed. The system includes a starting point device having a controller. The starting point device is operable to receive the details of the food item, which includes the components required to create the food or beverage item. The controller is in communication with multiple dispensers and bins that each include one or more of the components and an indicator. The controller activates the indicators associated with each of the components of the food or beverage item either sequentially or simultaneously to indicate to the staff member all of the components that need to be added to the food or beverage item. As each component is added, the indicator is deactivated until all of the components have been added. Once the food or beverage item is created, the controller indicates that the next food or beverage item can be created.

Abstract: A touch-free flowable food product dispenser is disclosed. The food product dispenser includes a main body, a pump assembly mounted in the main body and a cover member mounted to the main body. The cover member is part of an automated pump actuation unit that can be removably mounted to the main body such that the automated pump actuation unit engages a pump assembly supported by the main body. The automated pump actuation unit includes a sensor positioned to detect the presence of an actuation member, such as a hand, in proximity to the sensor. When the actuation member is detected, the automated pump actuation unit actuate the pump assembly to dispense the food product. The cover member and automated pump actuation assembly are formed as a single unit that can be installed on the main body to convert manual pump dispensers to touch-free dispensers.

Abstract: A touch-free flowable food product dispenser is disclosed. The food product dispenser includes a main body, a pump assembly mounted in the main body and a cover member mounted to the main body. The cover member is part of an automated pump actuation unit that can be removably mounted to the main body such that the automated pump actuation unit engages a pump assembly supported by the main body. The automated pump actuation unit includes a sensor positioned to detect the presence of an actuation member, such as a hand, in proximity to the sensor. When the actuation member is detected, the automated pump actuation unit actuate the pump assembly to dispense the food product. The cover member and automated pump actuation assembly are formed as a single unit that can be installed on the main body to convert manual pump dispensers to touch-free dispensers.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a viscous material contained in a flexible package has a hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis, a first end with a handle assembly, an opposite second end with a dispensing valve, and a cavity configured to receive the flexible package. A piston is movably disposed in the cavity for engagement with the flexible package to force viscous material from the flexible package. A diverter insert is also disposed in the cavity and is configured to receive the viscous material from the flexible package as the piston moves and divert the viscous material to the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a viscous material contained in a flexible package includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis that has a first end, an opposite second end, a cavity configured to receive the flexible package, and a handle assembly coupled to the first end. The handle assembly has a fixed handle, a trigger pivotally coupled to the fixed handle, and a rod extending between the fixed handle and the trigger into the cavity. A plurality of dispensing valves are positioned at the second end of the body and configured to dispense the viscous material, and a piston is movably disposed in the cavity for engagement with the flexible package. As the trigger is pivoted toward the fixed handle, the rod moves along the longitudinal axis toward the piston such that the piston engages the flexible package and the viscous material dispenses through the plurality of dispensing valves.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a viscous material contained in a flexible package has a hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis, a first end with a handle assembly, an opposite second end with a dispensing valve, and a cavity configured to receive the flexible package. A piston is movably disposed in the cavity for engagement with the flexible package to force viscous material from the flexible package. A diverter insert is also disposed in the cavity and is configured to receive the viscous material from the flexible package as the piston moves and divert the viscous material to the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a viscous material contained in a flexible package has a hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis, a first end with a handle assembly, an opposite second end with a dispensing valve, and a cavity configured to receive the flexible package. A piston is movably disposed in the cavity for engagement with the flexible package to force viscous material from the flexible package. A diverter insert is also disposed in the cavity and is configured to receive the viscous material from the flexible package as the piston moves and divert the viscous material to the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a viscous material contained in a flexible package has a hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis, a first end with a handle assembly, an opposite second end with a dispensing valve, and a cavity configured to receive the flexible package. A piston is movably disposed in the cavity for engagement with the flexible package to force viscous material from the flexible package. A diverter insert is also disposed in the cavity and is configured to receive the viscous material from the flexible package as the piston moves and divert the viscous material to the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a viscous material contained in a flexible package includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis that has a first end, an opposite second end, a cavity configured to receive the flexible package, and a handle assembly coupled to the first end. The handle assembly has a fixed handle, a trigger pivotally coupled to the fixed handle, and a rod extending between the fixed handle and the trigger into the cavity. A plurality of dispensing valves are positioned at the second end of the body and configured to dispense the viscous material, and a piston is movably disposed in the cavity for engagement with the flexible package. As the trigger is pivoted toward the fixed handle, the rod moves along the longitudinal axis toward the piston such that the piston engages the flexible package and the viscous material dispenses through the plurality of dispensing valves.

Abstract: A food product dispenser for dispensing a food product from a container includes a lid configured to couple to the container and a pump coupled to the lid and having a cylinder and a piston assembly with a piston rod and a piston that is reciprocated in the cylinder. A lever having a piston end B pivotably coupled to the piston rod. An opposite, pivot end of the lever slidably coupled to the lid such that the lever pivots about a pivot axis. The pivot end slides along the lid and the piston end acts on the piston assembly with a primarily vertical force that reciprocates the piston assembly and dispenses the food product.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a main body having a discharge opening, an open interior configured to receive a supply of granulated product and a discharge spout for dispensing the granulated product therefrom. A loading and dispensing member is constructed with a plurality of spaced apart receiving cavities formed therein, and is movably mounted within the main body. A portion control container receiving the granulated product and defining a first portion control volume is received and removably retained in each of the plurality of retaining cavities. Each entire portion control container is removable from one of the receiving cavities and is replaceable with a different portion control container defining a second portion volume which is different that the first portion volume.