Topping Dispenser

Abstract

A topping dispenser includes a refrigerated cabinet for storing one or more toppings therein. An automated dispense mechanism operates to dispense predetermined amounts of the topping from the cabinet, using a weighing system to measure the appropriate amount.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser comprising:
 a refrigerated cabinet arranged and configured to store at least one topping therein;   at least one input device; and   an automated dispensing mechanism operable to dispense the topping from the refrigerated cabinet upon receipt of an input with the input device.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the automated dispensing mechanism includes a prime mover. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the prime mover is a motor. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a weighing system operable to weigh toppings dispensed by the automated dispensing mechanism to cause the automated dispensing mechanism to stop dispensing the topping once a predetermined weight has been dispensed. 
     
     
         5 . A dispenser comprising:
 a refrigerated cabinet including a dispense opening;   at least one hopper defining an internal volume for storing a food product therein, the hopper being entirely contained within the cabinet; and   a dispense mechanism operable to dispense a portion of the food product through the dispense opening.   
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of dispense units, each dispense unit including one of a plurality of hoppers configured to store a bulk volume of a topping therein. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein each dispense unit has a separate dispense opening through the refrigerated cabinet, and a separate dispense mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . A method of dispensing a food product, the method comprising:
 receiving an input from an operator; and   automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of a substantially solid food product from a bulk volume of the food product in the refrigerated cabinet through a dispense opening of the refrigerated cabinet after receipt of the input.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined amount is selected from one of multiple different predetermined amounts. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the input is only one input.