| 摘要 |
An automated dispenser for dispensing spices, condiments, herbs, teas, ground coffees, or powdered beverages, comprising a plurality of cartridges mounted on a carrier respectively containing said items, having a dispensing means with relative movement capable between said dispensing means and said cartridges. A look-up table, containing a plurality of separate, discrete dispensing programs is provided for operation of the dispensing means to dispense a particular variety of mixtures and quantities from said cartridges. When a spice blend and associated dispensing program is selected by a user, the dispensing program aligns the dispensing means relative to the cartridge carrier and cartridge, to dispense a particular quantity and, in the case of a mix, to subsequently align with other selected cartridges to provide, from said cartridges, the mix of spices, herbs, condiments, powdered beverages or ground coffees. A specialized cartridge adapted for use in said automated dispenser is also disclosed. |
| 主权项 |
1. An automated spice, herb, condiment, tea, powdered beverage, and/or ground coffee dispenser, comprising:
(a) a plurality of cartridges, adapted to be individually filled, respectively, with one of the items selected from the group of items comprising said spices, herbs, teas, condiments, powdered beverages, and ground coffee beans; (b) a cartridge carrier adapted to mount and hold said plurality of cartridges; (c) dispensing means, comprised of a least one spindle or rotary arm, which when activated, engages and extends a sliding member from within a respective cartridge, to trigger dispensation by gravity of a calibrated amount of one of said items, from a selected cartridge; (d) said dispensing means and cartridges adapted for relative movement there between to allow said dispensing means to be aligned, when desired, with a selected cartridge of said plurality of cartridges; and (e) a memory look-up table, containing a plurality of separate, discrete dispensing programs for operation of the dispensing means and said spindle or rotary arm to dispense quantities of said items from various of said cartridges, wherein when a dispensing program is selected by a user, the dispensing program aligns the dispensing means relative to the cartridge carrier and, in particular, a selected cartridge, to:
(i) dispense a particular quantity of an item from said selected cartridge; and(ii) in the case of a selected mix, to subsequently align with other selected cartridges to dispense, from said cartridges, a desired mix of said items. |
