Gravity-fed dispenser

Abstract

Systems and methods related to dispensing food (e.g., fruit) or other items in a “first-in, first-out” manner are discussed. The system can include a base having one or more cavities therein and a plurality of chutes configured to align within a subset of the cavities. Each of the chutes can include an inlet that can provide access to an open interior for storage of items, and the plurality of chutes can dispense the plurality of items in a “first-in first out” manner. An ice chest capable of cooling the plurality of chutes can be included, as can a drip tray or other mechanism for separating the fruit from its juices to prolong its useful lifespan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing system, comprising:
 a base having one or more cavities therein;   a plurality of chutes configured to align within a subset of the cavities, wherein each of the chutes comprises an inlet that provides access to an open interior that facilitates storage of a plurality of food items having a plurality of substantially solid portions and a substantially liquid portion, wherein each of the chutes are capable of separating the plurality of substantially solid portions from the substantially liquid portion, and wherein the plurality of chutes are capable of dispensing a subset of the plurality of substantially solid portions in a “first-in first out” manner; and   an ice chest capable of cooling a subset of the plurality of chutes.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of chutes comprises a curved inner surface that facilitates dispensing the plurality of items in the “first-in first out” manner. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of chutes comprises a door capable of providing access to the plurality of items in the “first-in first out” manner. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of one or more of the chutes comprises a cap capable of covering the inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of one or more of the chutes comprises a false bottom that enables the substantially liquid portion to escape the chute. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve mountable on the base and at least one side storage container, wherein the at least one side storage is attachable to the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one of raised portions or dividers, wherein the raised portions or dividers facilitate alignment of the plurality of chutes within the base. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a tray capable of storing the substantially liquid portion. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ice chest comprises an electrically powered cooling device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ice chest comprises a drain that facilitates drainage of the ice chest. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of candy trays capable of being aligned within the inlets of the plurality of chutes, wherein the plurality of candy trays are capable of storing a second plurality of food items. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of chutes is constructed at least in part from metal to facilitate cooling of the plurality of items. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermometer that indicates a temperature associated with one or more of the ice chest or at least one of the plurality of chutes. 
     
     
         14 . A method of dispensing items, comprising:
 placing a plurality of food items into one or more chutes via an inlet of each chute, wherein the plurality of food items comprises a plurality of substantially solid portions and a substantially liquid portion;   storing the plurality of food items in the plurality of chutes;   separating the plurality of substantially solid portions from the substantially liquid portion; and   dispensing the plurality of substantially solid portions in a “first-in, first-out” manner.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising determining a temperature of at least one of an ice chest or the plurality of chutes and automatically adjusting temperature to a desired temperature based at least in part upon a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising storing a second plurality of food items in one or more candy trays, wherein the one or more candy trays are aligned with inlets of the plurality of chutes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein cooling the plurality of food items comprises cooling the plurality of food items via an electrically powered cooling mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising selectively separating the substantially liquid portion from the plurality of substantially solid portions via a false bottom. 
     
     
         19 . A system for dispensing items, comprising:
 a plurality of chutes aligned in a subset of a plurality of cavities within a base, wherein each of the plurality of chutes comprises an inlet that provides access to an open interior capable of storage of a plurality of food items, a door that provides access to the plurality of items, at least one of a drip tray or false bottom for separation of juice from the plurality of items, and a curved inner surface that facilitates access to the plurality of items in a “first-in, first-out” manner, wherein the plurality of food items comprises an edible substantially solid portion and an edible substantially liquid portion; and   an ice chest arranged in an ice chest slot defined in the plurality of cavities, wherein the ice chest is arranged adjacent to the plurality of chutes and facilitates cooling of the plurality of food items.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a selectively operable drip tray to separate the plurality of edible substantially solid portions from the edible substantially liquid portion.