Automated Systems for Dispensing Food Products

A system comprising:

• a hopper comprising an elongated housing configured to contain a row of food products, wherein the elongated housing defines a discharge end through which the food products are dispensed out of the elongated housing, and wherein the elongated housing defines a pressurized end opposite the discharge end;
• a piston arranged within the hopper between the pressurized end of the hopper and the row of food products;
• a permeable seal interposed between an interior wall of the hopper and a surface of the piston, wherein the permeable seal cooperates with the hopper and the piston to define a closed volume between the piston and the pressurized end of the hopper, and wherein the permeable seal is configured to bleed gas from the closed volume toward the discharge end of the hopper;
• a gas supply selectively supplying gas into the closed volume to displace the piston toward the discharge end of the hopper;
• and
• a receiver positioned to receive the food products dispensed from the discharge end of the elongated housing, wherein the receiver is positioned to allow the food products to move along at least a portion of a length of the receiver under a gravitational force.

A system comprising:

• a dispenser assembly comprising a hopper and an advancing system, wherein the hopper defines a first end and a second end and is configured to hold a row of food products, wherein the advancing system is configured to dispense the food products out of the hopper through the second end;
• a receiver positioned to receive the food products dispensed from the second end of the hopper, wherein the receiver is positioned to allow the food products to move along at least a portion of a length of the receiver under a gravitational force;
• a blade;
• an actuator coupled to the blade;
• and
• a cutting block arranged in the receiver and configured to advance one of the food products discharged from the hopper along at least a portion of a length of the receiver,
• wherein the cutting block applies a force on the one of the food products to urge the one of the food products against the blade while the actuator moves the blade relative to the receiver.