System and method for moving a dispenser from a closed mode into a dispensing mode for use with a mobile confectionary edifice or vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10433569-B2
Application number	US-201715613509-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 5, 2017
Priority date	Aug 30, 2013
Publication date	Oct 8, 2019
Grant date	Oct 8, 2019

Abstract

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and devices for producing a shaved ice or snow cone products and providing toppings thereto. The system may comprise an ice shaving or snow cone machine, a mobile edifice, and a topping dispenser attached to the mobile edifice.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid confection topping dispenser for mounting to an edifice comprising:
a dispenser framework having a plurality of spouts mounted thereto, wherein the plurality of spouts are configured to dispense a topping;
wherein the dispenser framework is mounted to the edifice via a linkage allowing the dispenser to be deployed from a closed position to an open position and from an open position to a closed position;
wherein the dispenser framework is substantially aligned with a substantially vertical surface of the edifice while in the closed position;
wherein the dispenser framework extends out from the surface of the edifice while in the open position; and
a drip catch which detaches from the dispenser for deployment for use when the dispenser is in the open position.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the drip catch comprises a cover for entirely covering the dispenser framework and spouts while in the closed position.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 , wherein the cover is detachably connected to the edifice while the dispenser is in the closed position.

4. The dispenser of claim 2 , wherein the cover is detachably connected to the framework while the dispenser is in the closed position.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising a deployment mechanism for opening and closing the dispenser from within the edifice.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 , wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a lever for opening and closing the dispenser from within the edifice.

7. The dispenser of claim 5 , wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a cable for opening and closing the dispenser from within the edifice.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is a pivot having a single degree of freedom of movement.

9. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is configured to have two degrees of freedom of movement, such that the open position can be adjusted during deployment.

10. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is configured to have three degrees of freedom of movement, such that the open position can be adjusted during deployment.

11. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the dispenser further comprises a plurality of topping reservoirs corresponding to the plurality of spouts and wherein the topping reservoirs are in fluid communication with the plurality of spouts.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of spouts are connected fluidicly to a single reservoir such that the same topping is dispensed from a plurality of spouts.

13. The dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising at least a first drip catch arm that is configured to attach the drip catch to the framework.

14. The dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the at least first drip catch arm comprises a hinge disposed between the drip catch arm and the framework.

15. The topping dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the drip catch comprises an attachment structure that is configured to receive a hooked portion of the at least first drip catch arm.

16. The dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the at least first drip catch arm comprises a plurality of drip catching arms configured to attach the drip catcher to the framework, wherein the drip catching arms removably attach to opposing ends of the drip catch.

17. A mobile system for providing frozen confections comprising:
a mobile edifice comprising:
a frozen confection machine disposed on the mobile edifice for providing conditioned ice;
a topping dispenser for dispensing liquid topping to the frozen confection comprising:
a dispenser framework having a plurality of spouts mounted thereto for dispensing a topping;
a linkage wherein the dispenser is mounted to the edifice though the linkage allowing the dispenser to be deployed from a closed position to an open position and from an open position to a closed position;
wherein the dispenser is substantially aligned with a substantially vertical surface of the edifice while in the closed position;
wherein the dispenser is substantially normal with a substantially vertical surface of the edifice while in the open position; and
a drip catch deployed while the dispenser is in the open position, wherein the drip catch is separable from the system.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the drip catch comprises a cover for entirely covering the dispenser framework and spouts while in the closed position.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the cover is detachably connected to the edifice while the dispenser is in the closed position.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the cover is detachably connected to the framework while the dispenser is in the closed position.

21. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a deployment mechanism for opening and closing the dispenser from within the edifice.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a lever for deploying the dispenser wherein the lever provides leverage to a user to assist in actuating the linkage.

23. The system of claim 21 , wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a cable for deploying the dispenser wherein the cable attaches to the dispenser at a first end and the mobile edifice at a second end.

24. The system of claim 17 , wherein the linkage is a pivot having a single degree of freedom of movement.

25. The system of claim 17 , wherein the linkage is configured to have two degrees of freedom of movement such that the open position can be adjusted during deployment.

26. The system of claim 17 , wherein the linkage is configured to have three degrees of freedom of movement such that the open position can be adjusted during deployment.

27. The system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile edifice is a vehicle.

28. The system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile edifice is a shack that can be relocated as desired.

29. The system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile edifice is a kiosk that can be relocated as desired.

30. The system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile edifice comprises a plurality of dispensers.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein at least two of the plurality of dispensers are configured differently to attach to different portions of the mobile edifice.

Assignees

• Snowie LLC

Inventors

• Rupp Carl A

Classifications

• A23G9/245 Primary

  for coating the products · CPC title

• A23G9/28

  for portioning or dispensing · CPC title