WO2018095898A1

WO2018095898A1 - Dispenser for feeding frying machines

Info

Publication number: WO2018095898A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/079889
Authority: WO
Inventors: Javier FERNÁNDEZ PÁEZ
Original assignee: QUALITYFRY SL
Current assignee: QUALITYFRY SL
Priority date: 2016-11-22
Filing date: 2017-11-21
Publication date: 2018-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-22
Also published as: EP3324372A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispenser for feeding frying machines comprising a hopper with an opening forming a product discharge area of the hopper, wherein said hopper comprises a cover. The dispenser comprises control means, first driving means and a worm screw. Additionally, the present invention also relates to a frying machines comprising said dispenser for feeding frying machines.

Description

DISPENSER FOR FEEDING FRYING MACHINES

Object of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dispenser for bulk feeding frying machines through the product stored therein, as well as for feeding smaller amounts for the preparation of individual portions.

Background of the Invention

Current fryers for frying food products present a few problems when it comes to obtaining a quality product. For this purpose, the temperature, time and the amount of product introduced in the frying chamber must be controlled.

Several types of fryers configured for controlling the time and temperature at which the product is fried, for example, Frymaster Auto Top-Off OCF30-ATOG, are known. However, there is no known fryer on the market which automatically dispenses the portions to be fried with the same weight into the frying chamber. Similarly, there is also no known fryer on the market which does not require an operator for filling the basket which will then be introduced in the frying chamber with the product.

To solve this problem, an operator must dedicate themselves exclusively to introducing the portion into the frying chamber, which does not assure that the portions are of the same weight and increases the cost for preparing the product to be served.

Patent application WO 2014/167158 Al describes an automatic fried-product vending machine which solves the preceding problem. Unfortunately, this machine can only fry the product or products contained in the hopper, kept frozen therein, but if a product that is not in the hopper is to be fried, said product must be added to the mentioned hopper and the entire bulk product contained beforehand in the hopper must be fried until the added new product is cooked. This entails loss of the already fried bulk product which is not expected to be consumed, wastage of all fryer components and additional electricity and time consumption.

In view of the state of the art, there is a need for a dispenser for feeding frying machines that solves the aforementioned problems.

Description of the Invention

The present invention proposes a solution to the preceding problems by means of a dispenser for feeding frying machines according to claim 1 and a frying machine according to claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims .

In a first inventive aspect, the invention provides a dispenser for feeding frying machines comprising,

- a hopper configured for storing at least one product therein, with an opening forming a product discharge area of the hopper, wherein said hopper comprises a cover, said cover comprising cover sensing means configured for establishing an open or closed state of the cover,

- control means,

- first driving means connected to the control means,

- a worm screw,

o located inside the hopper and connected to the first driving means at one of its ends, and

o comprising a plurality of protuberances for moving the at least one product along the hopper to the discharge area when the first driving means are activated, and

- a gate for the product to enter and fall directly to the discharge area by gravity,

o coupled to the hopper and connected to the control means, and

o located in the area corresponding to the discharge area of the hopper

wherein

the cover is connected to the control means and the control means are configured for deactivating the first driving means and blocking the rotation of the worm screw when the control means detect the open state of the cover through the cover sensing means.

Throughout this document, it will be understood that driving means are an element which allows transmitting a movement or energy to another element, for example, a motor, a pulley, bearings, gears, or a combination thereof.

The worm screw is configured for metering the product stored in the hopper. For this purpose, the worm screw comprises a series of protuberances along its axial axis, so when the screw rotates about said axial axis the protuberances drag the product stored inside the hopper. The protuberances can have different configurations depending on the size and shape of the products to be fried. In a particular embodiment, the protuberances are located at a ratio of 8 to 12 protuberances per turn with a turn pitch between 100 and 110 mm.

Advantageously, the position of the protuberances increases the precision when dispensing the product due to the fact that the position of the protuberances prevents the product stored in the hopper from sticking to another product also stored in said hopper .

In a particular embodiment, the cover and the gate are located on the opposing side of the hopper with respect to the opening of the hopper and/or to the discharge area of the hopper. In a particular embodiment, the gate is part of the cover of the hopper. In another particular embodiment, the gate and the cover are individual elements located contiguously on the opposing side of the hopper with respect to the discharge area of the hopper.

The cover is configured for keeping the inside of the hopper closed. Advantageously, the cover allows protecting the product against external agents which can degrade the quality of the product to be dispensed. On the other hand, the cover blocks any employee from accessing the inside thereof, preventing possible occupational accidents in the event that the first driving means were activated, which would mean that the worm screw were rotating inside the hopper.

Throughout this document, it will be understood that control means refer to a device which is configured for receiving inputs from the different elements making up the dispenser for feeding frying machines.

The inputs can be mechanical inputs, such as a limit switch, and/or electrical inputs, such as an analog or digital signal from sensing means or an information input device. In one embodiment, the information input device can be a keyboard and/or a touch screen, etc. Said information input device allows the user to configure the various parameters of each element making up the dispenser for feeding frying machines, for example, the rotating speed of the worm screw.

The control means will comprise all the wiring required for being connected to the different elements making up the dispenser for feeding frying machines. An example of control means can be a microcontroller or a microprocessor with the associated electronic circuit.

On the other hand, the control means are configured for generating a response and/or an operating command depending on the inputs received, as indicated in the first inventive aspect.

The gate allows removing surplus product from the discharge area of the hopper and introducing a portion of a product to be dispensed. Advantageously, the dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention allows dispensing individual portions other than those stored in the hopper and increasing safety during use as it blocks the first driving means if the cover is open.

In one embodiment, the gate comprises gate sensing means configured for establishing an open or closed state of the gate. In this embodiment, the control means are configured for activating the first driving means for a specific time instant. In this case, the worm screw rotates in a direction allowing the protuberances to drag the content from the discharge area of the hopper into the hopper.

For example, if the product moves to the discharge area as a result of the rotation of the worm screw in the clockwise direction, the direction of rotation of the worm screw moving the product into the hopper will be the counterclockwise direction, or vice versa. Therefore, when the control means detect that the gate is in the open state, they activate the first driving means for a specific time instant, for example 5 seconds, such that the worm screw rotates in the counterclockwise direction for 5 seconds, which allows reintroducing the product existing in the discharge area of the hopper into the hopper.

Advantageously, this embodiment eliminates the need of using an operator to empty the discharge area of the hopper, reducing the risk of accidents.

In one embodiment in which the gate comprises gate sensing means configured for establishing an open or closed state of the gate, the control means are configured for deactivating the first driving means and blocking the rotation of the worm screw when the control means detect the open state of the gate through the gate sensing means. Since the screw is blocked, this embodiment advantageously makes it safer for the operator to remove the product in the discharge area. This embodiment is compatible with the preceding embodiment as it advantageously allows removing possible remainder products which have not been removed by the rotation of the worm screw.

In one embodiment, the gate sensing means are configured for establishing a "state" with respect to the position of the gate in the hopper and are furthermore connected to the control means. In particular, the sensing means establish:

- an "open state" indicating that the gate is open, allowing a product to directly enter the discharge area. In one embodiment, the gate sensing means are a contact sensor and they therefore establish, as soon as they detect the separation of the gate from the hopper, the "open state".

- a "closed state" if the gate is closed, blocking the access to the discharge area of the hopper. In one embodiment, the gate sensing means are a contact sensor and they therefore establish, as soon as they detect the contact of the gate with the hopper, the "closed state". The control means are therefore configured for:

- allowing activation of the first driving means when the control means detect the "closed state" of the gate, and

- deactivating the first driving means when the control means detect the "open state" of the gate. Furthermore, in the "open state" the first driving means are deactivated such that they block the rotation of the worm screw. Advantageously, they make it safer for the operator to remove the product from the discharge area of the hopper. Advantageously, the dispenser for feeding frying machines prevents the stocked bulk product from mixing with the product that is directly introduced through the gate. Furthermore, these embodiments increase the efficiency in distributing the product to be dispensed, particularly, in providing the desired product to the frying machine according to user's needs, minimizing losses of the product stored in the hopper.

In a particular embodiment, the dispenser comprises a double trapdoor system connected to the control means, configured for being coupled in the discharge area of the dispenser for feeding frying machines, wherein the double trapdoor system comprises,

- a case with a first trapdoor and a second trapdoor,

- a cam system connected to second driving means,

wherein

the control means are configured for opening and closing the first trapdoor and the second trapdoor by means of the cam system, such that the control means close the second trapdoor when they open the first trapdoor, and open the second trapdoor when they close the first trapdoor.

The double trapdoor system has coupling means which allow coupling to the opening of the hopper and/or to the discharge area of the dispenser. In one embodiment, the coupling means are at least one protuberance configured for being secured to the discharge area of the hopper. In another embodiment, the coupling means are magnetic coupling means, preferably magnets which allow fixing the system to the hopper.

Advantageously, the double trapdoor system allows isolating the discharge area of the dispenser for feeding frying machines from the outside, isolating the product located inside the hopper from possible odors or vapours that may affect the quality of the product to be dispensed.

In a particular embodiment, one of the ends of the worm screw has a free area of protuberances, said free area being located in the part of the discharge area. As indicated above, the gate is located in the area opposite the opening of the hopper and/or the discharge area, therefore, this embodiment advantageously makes it safer for the operator to introduce the product through the gate .

In a particular embodiment, the worm screw is an extendable worm screw. This means that the screw is configured at one of its ends or at both ends for modifying its final length.

In one embodiment, the extendable worm screw comprises two rods of different diameters. The first rod comprises a diameter greater than the second rod. The first rod is partially hollow at one of its ends and is configured for receiving the second rod. In this embodiment, the second rod is configured for being connected to the first driving means and for transmitting the torque generated by said first driving means on the first rod and thereby rotating the extendable worm screw. In this embodiment, the second rod has a pin and the first rod has a T- shaped cavity configured for receiving said pin. The pin and cavity allow establishing two positions for fixing both rods, giving rise to an extended position and to another retracted position .

In the extended position, the pin is housed in the longer lower end of the T-shaped cavity of the first rod, such that the length of the worm screw is the larger one of the two possible lengths .

In the retracted position, the pin is housed in one of the two branches of the T-shaped cavity of the first rod, such that the length of the worm screw is the smaller one of the two possible lengths.

Throughout this invention, it is understood that a T-shaped cavity at the longer lower end is the base of the T and the two branches are the upper ends of the letter T.

In another embodiment, the extendable worm screw additionally comprises a spring. In this embodiment, the first rod is configured for receiving the second rod and the spring in the hollow end of said first rod. Therefore, if an operator applies pressure on the second rod, said second rod compresses the spring, thereby changing the length of the worm screw, i.e., when the spring is completely compressed, the worm screw is in the retracted position and the second rod is inside the first rod. In this position, the pin of the second rod would be configured for being housed in one of the two branches of the T- shaped cavity of the first rod.

On the other hand, when the force applied on the spring is smaller, the worm screw is in the extended position, the second rod projecting from the first rod. In this position, the pin of the second rod would be configured for being housed in the longer lower end of the T-shaped cavity of the first rod.

The spring maintains, by default, the more extended position of the shaft having a smaller diameter. Advantageously, the pin allows maintaining the position with a smaller length to allow taking out the worm screw to make it easier to clean the worm screw and the hopper. To reassemble the worm screw, the worm screw must be coupled to the hopper and then the blocking device must be uncoupled from the spring. This causes the spring to push the shaft to maximum length, automatically fixing the pin in the first cavity of the first rod, being arranged perfectly in the hopper for use thereof.

Advantageously, the extendable worm screw reduces the time required for disassembling said screw in the dispenser for feeding frying machines. On the other hand, this embodiment makes it easier to assemble and disassemble the worm screw for cleaning, reducing the time required to perform dispenser maintenance .

In a particular embodiment, the extendable area of the extendable worm screw is the free area of protuberances.

In a particular embodiment, the dispenser for feeding frying machines comprises at least one load cell connected to the control means, the control means are configured for detecting, while the first driving means are activated, if the weight of the content of the hopper drops by an amount equal to or greater than a first determined weight, in which case the control means deactivate the first driving means.

Advantageously, this embodiment allows the product dispensed by the dispenser for feeding frying machines to have the same weight individually and prevents an operator from having to dedicate themselves exclusively to controlling the product to be dispensed, increasing dispenser efficiency and productivity. Additionally, this particular embodiment improves the precision of dispensing the product to be dispensed.

In a particular embodiment, the hopper is a refrigerated hopper. The hopper can be refrigerated at different temperature ranges which allow suitably preserving the product. For example, if the product stored in the hopper is frozen, the hopper keeps the product frozen therein as a result of said refrigeration. Advantageously, this embodiment allows keeping the properties of the product intact while the product is stored in the hopper.

In a particular embodiment, the protuberances located in the worm screw form a helix. This means that the protuberances of the worm screw are located around the axis of the screw, forming a spiral.

In a particular embodiment, the cover comprises cover sensing means configured for establishing the open or closed state of the cover, and is connected to the control means, wherein the control means are configured for allowing the activation of the first driving means when the control means detect the closed state of the cover. Therefore, when the hopper is coupled and connected to the frying machine for which said hopper is provided and configured, the control means will put the first driving means in a situation ready to be activated as mentioned, and activate said first driving means when the operator indicates to the control means that there is a need to prepare a portion.

Advantageously, this embodiment makes the dispenser safer as it prevents the operation of the worm screw when the cover is in the open state. This reduces the risk of accident happening on an operator who is refilling the hopper with a product to be dispensed.

In a particular embodiment, the first driving means (5) is an electric motor with a gearbox, the gearbox is preferably manufactured from stainless steel and Delrin. Advantageously, these materials allow contact with degreasing agents and detergents, and water at temperatures of 70-80°C.

In a particular embodiment, the gearbox is arranged with a 90° angle with respect to the electric motor. Advantageously, this embodiment makes it easier to disassemble said gearbox, making the cleaning thereof easier, as it allows introducing the gearbox in automatic washers, for example, a dishwasher.

In a particular embodiment, the gate is coupled to the hopper by means of at least one hinge.

In a particular embodiment, the worm screw and its components are manufactured in one piece. In another embodiment, the worm screw and/or its components are manufactured from stainless steel and Delrin.

In a particular embodiment, the second driving means are an electric motor.

In a second inventive aspect, the invention provides a frying machine comprising a dispenser for feeding frying machines according to any of the embodiments described in the first inventive aspect.

Advantageously, the frying machine allows cooking the product stored in the hopper in individual portions of the same weight, without operator intervention, increasing the efficiency in producing portions of said product. It furthermore allows the operator to safely cook a bulk product.

Furthermore, due to the refrigerated hopper, it advantageously allows keeping the product stocked, refrigerated or frozen, for optimal preservation.

All the features and/or steps of methods described in this specification (including the claims, description and drawings) can be combined in any combination, excluding the combinations of such mutually excluding features.

Description of the Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood based on the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment provided only by way of an illustrative and non-limiting example in reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a view of the transverse plane of an embodiment of a dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention.

Figure 2a shows an embodiment of the extendable worm screw in the extended position or the position with a greater length, used in the dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention .

Figure 2b shows an embodiment of the extendable worm screw in the retracted position or the position with a smaller length, used in the dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention .

Figure 2c shows an embodiment of the first and second rods of the extendable worm screw used in the dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention.

Figure 2d shows an exploded view of an extendable worm screw used in the dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of a dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the inside of the hopper used in the dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the dispenser for feeding frying machines of the present invention with the worm screw uninstalled.

Figure 7 shows a view of the cross section of an embodiment of a dispenser for feeding frying machines with the double trapdoor system.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the frying machine of the present invention.

Figure 9 shows a view of the cross section of an embodiment of the frying machine of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a cross-section view of an embodiment of the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines of the present invention. The following paragraphs describe the elements comprised in the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines of Figure 1.

The dispenser (1) comprises a refrigerated hopper (2) configured for storing at least one product therein. The refrigerated hopper (2) comprises an opening (3) with dimensions of 8.4 x 11 cm forming a product discharge area (4) of the hopper (2) and a cover (16) . In this embodiment, the hopper (2) is manufactured from stainless steel/Delrin and has dimensions of 17.6 x 65 x 28.5 cm.

On the other hand, the dispenser (1) comprises a worm screw (6) with a plurality of protuberances (7) located on the surface of the worm screw (6) forming a spiral. Figure 2a separately shows the worm screw (6) used in the dispenser (1) of Figure 1. In this embodiment, the worm screw (6) and the protuberances (7) are manufactured from stainless steel, the protuberances (7) are spaced from one another by a distance between 10-11 cm and the free area (14) of protuberances (7) has a length of 4.2 cm.

The dispenser (1) comprises a gearbox (20) connected to a first electric motor (5) (shown in Figure 7) with a 90° angle with respect to the first electric motor (5) . Said first electric motor (5) works as first driving means (5) . The gearbox (20) is manufactured from stainless steel/Delrin and comprises a spindle and gear rim assembly manufactured from stainless steel and Delrin, respectively. This assembly is supported on stainless steel bearings which are in turn located inside a container box manufactured from Delrin. The gearbox (20) is configured for transmitting the torque generated by the electric motor to the worm screw (6), rotating it, besides transmitting force, it also generates a 90° forwarding of the force transmission.

In this embodiment, when the worm screw (6) rotates in the clockwise direction, the product stored in the hopper is moved close to the product discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2), such that when the product reaches the discharge area (4) , it is dispensed through the opening (3) . On the other hand, when the worm screw (6) rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the product stored in the hopper is moved away from the product discharge area (4) and therefore, from the opening (3) of the refrigerated hopper (2) .

Furthermore, the dispenser (1) comprises control means not shown in the drawings. The control means comprise a PCB control board which controls the motors and sensors and manages the weight system by means of software specifically generated for this purpose. The control means are connected to all the elements making up the dispenser (1); they are furthermore configured for managing all the information inputs and outputs generated by said elements .

The dispenser (1) comprises a gate (8) coupled by means of an articulated attachment and located in the area corresponding to the discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2) . The gate (8) comprises gate sensing means configured for establishing the open or closed state of the gate (8) .

The gate sensing means (8) is a magnetic microswitch with a magnet located in the hopper. By means of the magnet, the control means detect if the gate (8) of the hopper is in the closed or open state. Therefore, the magnetic microswitch is configured for detecting the separation of the gate from the refrigerated hopper (2) . When the sensor detects said separation, it communicates the open state to the control means, and when sensor detects the contact between the gate (8) and the refrigerated hopper (2), it communicates the closed state to the control means. Therefore when the control means detect the open state of the gate (8), the control means deactivate the driving means (5 ) .

Figure 1 shows that the gearbox (20) is housed in a closed compartment (23) protecting its components from external agents and preventing the product to be dispensed from obstructing the components of said gearbox (20) . Said closed compartment (23) has a hole configured for receiving the worm screw (6), such that it allows connecting the worm screw (6) to the gearbox (20) while the gearbox is housed in the closed compartment (23) . Advantageously, the closed compartment (23) reduces the probability of the gearbox (20) breaking down and increases the service life of said gearbox (20) . On the other hand, the closed compartment (23) increases safety as it prevents an operator from having their hands caught between the elements making up the gearbox (20) .

Figures 2a to 2d show another embodiment of an extendable worm screw (6) . The worm screw (6) of Figures 2a to 2d is completely compatible with the dispenser (1) shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 9.

The extendable worm screw (6) of Figures 2a to 2d comprises a first rod (29) and a second rod (28) and a spring (30) . The first rod (29) is coupled to one of the ends of the extendable worm screw (6), has a diameter greater than the second rod (28) and is partially hollow. As can be seen in said drawings, the second rod (28) comprises a cogged wheel (34) which is configured for being coupled to the gearbox (20) . The gearbox (20) transmits the torque generated by the first electric motor (5) to the second rod (28) through the cogged wheel (34), and this rod (28) transmits said torque to the first rod (29), thereby rotating the rotation of the extendable worm screw (6) . Figures 2a to 2d show the components of the extendable worm screw (6) . In particular, Figure 2c shows a detailed view of the coupling between the first rod (29) and the second rod (28) . The first rod (29) comprises a T-shaped cavity (32), wherein the T comprises a base (33) and two branches (35), configured for receiving the pin (31) comprised in the second rod (28) . The pin (31) and the cavity (32) allow establishing two positions for fixing both rods, the retracted position and the extended position .

Therefore, when the pin (31) is housed in the base (33) of the T-shaped cavity (32), the extendable worm screw (6) has a greater length, adopting the extended position, and when the pin (31) is housed in one of the branches (35) of the T-shaped cavity (32), the worm screw is in the retracted position, having a smaller length, as can be seen in Figures 2a and 2b. Therefore, the free area (14) of protuberances (7) has a greater length in Figure 2a than in Figure 2b.

The first rod (29) is configured for housing the second rod

(28) therein. On the other hand, the pin (31) is configured for fixing the position of the second rod (28) inside the first rod

(29) when the pin is housed in the T-shaped cavity (32) as seen in the top drawing of Figure 2c. In this drawing, it can be seen how by rotating the second rod (28) a quarter turn, the automatic movement (36) from one of the branches (35) to the base (33) of the cavity due to the action of the spring (30) .

Figure 2d shows how the second rod (28) is inserted into the first rod (29) . When the second rod (28) is inserted, movement (36) is performed such that the pin (31) moves from the base (33) of the T-shaped cavity (32) to one of the branches (35) of the T-shaped cavity.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines with the gate (8) open, without the cover (16) . In this situation, given that the gate (8) is open and there is no cover (16), the electric motor is deactivated.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the dispenser (1) with the two possible closed and open states of the gate (8) . In the closed state, the gate (8) cover the access to the discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2) and, in the open state, the gate is in a position of a degrees with respect to the position of the gate (8) in the closed state, preferably 60 degrees. The movement of the gate (8) is coupled to the refrigerated hopper (2) by means of two hinges (17), allowing a fast and smooth movement.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines comprises a pull (18) on the cover (16) which makes it easier to remove the cover to refill the refrigerated hopper (2) with the product to be distributed. The gate (8) can additionally comprise an additional pull such as the one shown on the cover (16) and they make the movement of the gate (8) easier. Additionally, the refrigerated hopper (2) comprises one or more lugs (19) making it easier to transport the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines.

Figures 5 and 6 show an embodiment of how the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines is configured for being able to be disassembled and thereby allowing cleaning its components. Figure 5 shows the inside of the refrigerated hopper (2) and how the cover (16) can be easily disassembled as a result of the pull (18) . Additionally, Figure 5 shows the gate (8) in the open state, which allows an operator to access the free area (14) of protuberances (7) to disassemble the worm screw (6) from the gearbox (20) . Once the worm screw (6) has been disassembled from the gearbox (20), the worm screw (6) is taken out through the space where the cover (16) was previously located. In this manner, the refrigerated hopper (2) shown in Figure 6 and the worm screw (6) such as the one shown in Figures 2a to 2d are ready for washing in a dishwasher.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines comprising a double trapdoor system (9) . The double trapdoor system (9) is connected to the control means and is coupled to the opening (3) of the hopper and/or to the discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2) . On the other hand, it can be seen in this drawing how the first electric motor (5) is connected to the gearbox (20) with a 90° angle (27) with respect to the first electric motor (5) .

Figure 7 shows the position of the load cells or strain gauges (15) of the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines. The load cells (15) are connected to the control means such that the control means are configured for detecting, while the first electric motor (5) is activated, if the weight of the content of the refrigerated hopper (2) drops by an amount equal to or greater than a first determined weight, for example 200 grams, in which case the control means deactivate the first driving means. The load cells (15) allow distributing with great precision the product stored in the refrigerated hopper (2) .

In this embodiment, the double trapdoor system (9) is coupled to the opening (3) of the refrigerated hopper (2) . The double trapdoor system (9) comprises a first trapdoor and a second trapdoor (10, 11), a cam system (12) connected to second driving means, in this case a linear actuator electric motor with geared motor and spindle for performing linear movement.

As shown in Figure 7, the product (24) is directly introduced in discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2) since the gate (8) is in the open state and it falls (25) by gravity to said discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2) . In this embodiment, if the control means detect the open state of the gate (8), they automatically close the first trapdoor (10), and therefore, the cam system (12) connected to the second electric motor (13) closes the second trapdoor (11) .

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a frying machine (21) according to the present invention. The frying machine (21) comprises a dispenser (1) for feeding said frying machines (21) such as the one described in any of the embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, the frying machine (21) comprises a touch input (22) or touch display (22) connected to the control means of the fryer (21) and the dispenser (1) . Advantageously, an operator can control the parameters of the fryer and the dispenser (1) through the touch input (22) . In this embodiment, the touch input is a touch screen (22) which is configured for displaying the operating parameters of the frying machine (21) and the dispenser (1) and programming the number of portions to be fried by the frying machine (21) .

Figure 9 shows a transverse view of the embodiment of the frying machine (21) of Figure 8. The operation of the frying machine (21) with the dispenser (1) can be seen in Figure 9.

In a particular example, an operator programs through the touch screen (22) for the machine (21) to serve ten portions of 200 grams of french fries. Therefore, while the gate (8) is in the closed state and once the refrigerated hopper (2) is loaded with the bulk product to be fried, in this case, peeled and cut potatoes, the first electric motor (5) activates the gearbox (20) causing the worm screw (6) to drag the potatoes to the discharge area (4) through the protuberances. Once the potatoes reach said area (4), they will leave the refrigerated hopper (2) through the opening (3) . When the load cells (15) detect that the weight of the bulk product has decreased by 200 grams, it means that a portion has been served and the control means therefore deactivate the first electric motor (5) .

Then, the control means activate the second electric motor

(13) which opens the first trapdoor (10) and due to the cam system (12), the second trapdoor (11) is closed, the portion to be fried is therefore located inside the case (26) of the double trapdoor system (9) . Once the frying machine (21) is ready to fry the portion, the control means of the dispenser (1) activate the second electric motor (13) which opens the second trapdoor (11) and due to the cam system (12), the first trapdoor (10) is closed. The portion falls into the frying machine (21) and the frying machine proceeds to fry the portion to serve the product and so on and so forth with the three portions to be served. Therefore, the double trapdoor system (9) advantageously isolates the inside of the refrigerated hopper (2) from vapour generated by the frying machine (21) .

In another particular example, while the three portions of potatoes from the preceding example are being served, the operator opens the gate (8) to introduce a portion of calamari (24) . When the gate (8) is in the open state, the control means activate the first driving means (5) for 5 seconds allowing the worm screw (6) to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, removing the potatoes from the discharge area (4) and introducing said potatoes inside the refrigerated hopper (2) . Once the discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2) is empty and the first driving means (5) are deactivated, the operator introduces the portion of calamari (24) and it falls

(25) by gravity to said discharge area (4) of the refrigerated hopper (2) . This embodiment prevents the potatoes from mixing with the calamari to be dispensed.

When the gate (8) is in the closed state and if there is no portion inside the case (26) of the double trapdoor system (9), the control means activate the second electric motor (13) and open the first trapdoor (10), and due to the cam system (12), the second trapdoor (11) is closed and, the portion of calamari (24) to be fried is therefore inside the case (26) of the double trapdoor system (9) . Once the frying machine (21) is ready to fry the portion of calamari (24), the control means of the dispenser (1) activate the second electric motor (13) which opens the second trapdoor (11) and due to the cam system (12), the first trapdoor (10) is closed.

Then, the portion of calamari (24) falls (25) into the frying machine (21) and the frying machine proceeds to fry the portion of calamari (24) to serve the product and the frying machine then continues to serve the remaining portions of potatoes that have been programmed. Therefore, the dispenser (1) advantageously allows automatically dispensing portions and sporadically adding a portion (24) .

Claims

1. A dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines comprising,

- a hopper (2) configured for storing at least one product therein, with an opening (3) forming a product discharge area (4) of the hopper (2), wherein said hopper (2) comprises a cover (16), said cover (16) comprising cover sensing means configured for establishing an open or closed state of the cover (16),

- control means,

- first driving means (5) connected to the control means,

- a worm screw (6) ,

o located inside the hopper (2) and connected to the first driving means (5) at one of its ends, and o comprising a plurality of protuberances (7) for moving the at least one product along the hopper (2) to the discharge area (4) when the first driving means (5) are activated, and

- a gate (8) for the product to enter and fall directly to the discharge area (4) by gravity,

o coupled to the hopper (2) and connected to the control means, and

o located in the area corresponding to the discharge area (4) of the hopper (2)

wherein

the cover (16) is connected to the control means and the control means are configured for deactivating the first driving means (5) and blocking the rotation of the worm screw (6) when the control means detect the open state of the cover (16) through the cover sensing means.

2. The dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gate (8) comprises gate sensing means configured for establishing an open or closed state of the gate (8) and,

wherein

the control means are configured for deactivating the first driving means (5) and blocking the rotation of the worm screw (6) when the control means detect the open state of the gate through the gate sensing means .

3. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a double trapdoor system (9) connected to the control means, configured for being coupled in the discharge area (4) of the dispenser (1) for feeding frying machines, wherein the double trapdoor system (9) comprises,

- a case (26) with a first trapdoor (10) and a second trapdoor ( 11 ) ,

- a cam system (12) connected to second driving means (13), wherein

the control means are configured for opening and closing the first trapdoor (10) and the second trapdoor (11) by means of the cam system (12), such that the control means close the second trapdoor (11) when they open the first trapdoor (10), and open the second trapdoor (11) when they close the first trapdoor (10) .

4. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one of the ends of the worm screw (6) has a free area (14) of protuberances (7), said free area (14) is located in the part of the discharge area (4) .

5. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the worm screw (6) is an extendable worm screw.

6. The dispenser (1) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the extendable area of the extendable worm screw (6) is the free area (14) of protuberances (7) .

7. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one load cell (15) connected to the control means, the control means are configured for detecting, while the first driving means (5) are activated, if the weight of the content of the hopper (2) drops by an amount equal to or greater than a first determined weight, in which case the control means deactivate the first driving means (5) .

8. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper (2) is a refrigerated hopper.

9. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the protuberances (7) are located in the worm screw (6) forming a helix.

10. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means are configured for allowing the activation of the first driving means (5) when the control means detect the closed state of the cover (16) .

11. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first driving means (5) and the second driving means (3) comprise a first electric motor and a second electric motor, respectively, wherein the first electric motor is connected to a gearbox (20) , the gearbox is preferably manufactured from stainless steel and Delrin.

12. The dispenser (1) according to claim 11, wherein the gearbox (20) is arranged with a 90° angle (27) with respect to the electric motor.

13. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the worm screw is manufactured from stainless steel and Delrin.

14. The dispenser (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gate (8) is coupled to the hopper (2) by means of at least one hinge (17) .

15. A frying machine (21) comprising a dispenser for feeding frying machines according to any of claims 1 to 14.