Food dispenser with pump for easy loading of containers therein

摘要

The present invention relates generally to dispensing system configured for dispensing a food product. The invention also relates to a peristaltic pump that has a pumping member configured to move along a path through a pumping position and a loading position. The pump also includes a motor in drivable association with the pumping member to move the pumping member along the path and a backing member having a surface configured to cooperate with the pumping member to pinch a conduit therebetween when the pumping member engages the conduit to establish peristaltic association in the pumping position to peristaltically pump a fluid therethrough. When the pumping member is in the loading position, the pumping member is disposed to allow the conduit to be received in and removed from a pumping space. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a food product using a peristaltic pump.