Systems, methods and apparatus for touchless dispensing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods and apparatus for the dispensing of material. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic touchless dispensers for dispensing material (e.g. edible material) to a user. The present disclosure is also directed to retrofitting existing hand operated dispensers that employ a rotational dispensing mechanism so as to convert to these dispensers to automatic, touchless dispensing of material without significantly changing the components, operation, etc. of the dispenser.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for dispensing material, the system comprising:
 a dispenser having a container for holding the material, the container having an opening, wherein the material dispensed through the opening;   an automated dispensing apparatus, the automated dispensing apparatus comprising:   a handle and shaft assembly attached to the container, the handle and shaft assembly having a open position that permits material to be dispensed through the opening and a closed position where material cannot be dispensed through the opening;   a motor attached to the handle and shaft assembly; and   a first and second coupler functionally engage with one another to transmit a rotational force of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation, the first coupler functionally engaged with the motor and the second coupler functionally engaged with the handle and shaft assembly;   wherein when the motor is activated the first coupler rotates and engages with the second couple to rotate the handle and shaft assembly from the closed position to the open position when the motor is rotating.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first coupler has a recessed channel and the second coupler has a rib designed to functionally engage with the recessed channel of the first coupler to transmit the torque of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the dispensing apparatus further provides a ring housing assembly, the ring housing assembly comprising:
 a generally circular ring to engage with and support the container when the handle and shaft assembly is engaged with the motor; 
 a sensor connected to the motor that activates the motor when a signal is detected allowing material to be dispensed. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the sensor is a motion sensor, heat sensor or distance sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the sensor is operatively connect to the motor so that when the appropriate signal level is detected by the sensor, the motor is activated. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the timing, speed and power of the motor is set by a user and is under the control of a network ready device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the first coupler has a centrally disposed channel that interfaces with a first end of a shaft of the handle and shaft assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the first end of the shaft has a generally D shaped end portion to engage with the centrally disposed channel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the centrally disposed channel has an engagement slot at an apex of the centrally disposed channel and the centrally disposed channel is angled to align the generally D shaped end portion for releasable engagement in the engagement slot. 
     
     
         10 . An automated dispenser for dispensing material comprising:
 a frame   a container removably engageable with the frame, the container having an opening, wherein the material dispensed through the opening;   a motor attached to the frame and a first coupler, the first coupler functionally engaged with the motor; and   an automated dispensing apparatus disposed in the container, the automated dispensing apparatus comprising:   a handle and shaft assembly attached to the container, the handle and shaft assembly having a open position that permits material to be dispensed through the opening and a closed position where material cannot be dispensed through the opening and a first coupler functionally engaged with the handle and shaft assembly and engaged with the first coupler to transmit a rotational force of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation;   wherein when the motor is activated the first coupler rotates and engages with the second couple to rotate the handle and shaft assembly from the closed position to the open position when the motor is rotating.   
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10  wherein the first coupler has a recessed channel and the second coupler has a rib designed to functionally engage with the recessed channel of the first coupler to transmit the torque of the motor to the handle and shaft assembly in operation. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the dispensing apparatus further provides a ring housing assembly, the ring housing assembly comprising:
 a generally circular ring to engage with the frame and support the container when the handle and shaft assembly is engaged with the motor; 
 a sensor connected to the motor that activates the motor when a signal is detected allowing material to be dispensed. 
 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 12  wherein the sensor is a motion sensor, heat sensor or distance sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the sensor is operatively connect to the motor so that when the appropriate signal level is detected by the sensor, the motor is activated. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 14  wherein the timing, speed and power of the motor is set by a user and is under the control of a network ready device. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15  wherein the rib of the second coupler are movable within the first coupler between a first position and a second position along an axis parallel to the axis of the rib and parallel to the axis of the recessed channel. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16  wherein the first coupler has a centrally disposed channel that interfaces with a first end of a shaft of the handle and shaft assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 17  wherein the first end of the shaft has a generally D shaped end portion to engage with the centrally disposed channel. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 18  wherein the centrally disposed channel has an engagement slot at an apex of the centrally disposed channel and the centrally disposed channel is angled to align the generally D shaped end portion for releasable engagement in the engagement slot. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 19  wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of crushed and chopped nuts, candy, crushed seeds, bulk spices, sugar, breakfast cereal, whole nuts, and dried fruit.