System for dispensing toppings

A system for selectively dispensing toppings onto topping vehicles, comprising:

• a first topping module receptacle;
• a second topping module receptacle adjacent the first topping module receptacle;
• a conveyor configured to sequentially advance topping vehicles from an initial position to a first dispense position adjacent the first topping module receptacle and from the first dispense position to a second dispense position adjacent the second topping module receptacle;
• a first set of topping modules comprising:
• a first topping module configured to transiently engage the first topping module receptacle, to store a quantity of a first topping type, and to dispense servings of the first topping type toward the first dispense position during a first time period;
• and
• a second topping module configured to transiently engage the second topping module receptacle, to store a quantity of a second topping type, and to dispense servings of the second topping type toward the second dispense position during the first time period, the first topping type and the second topping type comprising ingredients of a first menu item;
• a second set of topping modules comprising:
• a third topping module configured to transiently engage the first topping module receptacle in replacement of the first topping module, to store a quantity of a third topping type, and to dispense servings of the third topping type toward the first dispense position during a second time period succeeding the first time period;
• and
• a fourth topping module configured to transiently engage the second topping module receptacle in replacement of the second topping module, to store a quantity of a fourth topping type, and to dispense servings of the fourth topping type toward the second dispense position during the second time period, the third topping type and the fourth topping type comprising ingredients of a second menu item distinct from the first menu item;
• and
• an actuator system configured to:
• based on a set of toppings specified in a first food order received during the first time period:
• selectively actuate the first topping module to dispense a serving of the first topping type toward the first dispense position and
• selectively actuate the second topping module to dispense a serving of the second topping type toward the second dispense position;
• at a transition between the first time period and the second time period, move the first topping module and the third topping module forward to align the third topping module with the first dispense position;
• at the transition between the first time period and the second time period, move the second topping module and the fourth topping module forward to align the fourth topping module with the second dispense position;
• and
• based on a set of toppings specified in a second food order received during the second time period:
• selectively actuate the third topping module to dispense a serving of the third topping type toward the first dispense position and
• selectively actuate the fourth topping module to dispense a serving of the fourth topping type toward the second dispense position,
• wherein:
• during the first time period, the first and second topping modules are able to dispense servings of the first and second topping types and the third and fourth topping modules are unable to dispense servings of the third and fourth topping types, and
• during the second time period, the third and fourth topping modules are able to dispense servings of the third and fourth topping types and the first and second topping modules are unable to dispense servings of the first and second topping types.