NL2005100C2 - Dispenser system for liquid food product. - Google Patents

Description

DISPENSER SYSTEM FOR LIQUID FOOD PRODUCT

FIELD OF INVENTION

5 The present invention relates to a dispenser system for dispensing a liquid food product. BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION

Toppings such as chocolate toppings are difficult to handle in that they are sticky and 10 thus dispensing devices used therefore require extensive cleaning. Moreover most high-quality chocolate toppings require heating. Dispensers of liquid food products such as molten cheese or chocolate moreover often drip after dispensing is interrupted, requiring additional cleaning.

15 A dispensing system for food product is needed having one or more of the following characteristics: it is adapted for use with prepackaged bags of topping or other product; it heats the product to be dispensed; it is adapted for easy and clean loading of full product bags and unloading of emptied product bags; it is easily operated and may be self-serve for consumers; it dispenses consistently-sized serving portions; it dispenses 20 without dripping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

25 The present invention relates to dispenser systems for dispensing a liquid food product. More particularly, the invention provides dispenser systems which dispense a liquid food product comprising: - a housing configured and adapted for receiving at least two flexible pouches adapted for containing a liquid food product; 30 - two or more independent pumping systems, each having an inlet and an outlet, whereby each outlet is connected to a separate dispensing unit, - a heating element to ensure permanent heating of the two or more flexible pouches; and 2 - a controller located in the housing which controls the pumping systems to pump separately or simultaneously discrete quantities of a food product from said one or more of the at least two flexible pouches to the corresponding dispensing units.

In particular embodiments, the dispenser systems according to the invention further 5 comprise at least two flexible pouches adapted for containing a liquid food product, which pouches are provided with a dispensing valve or spigot which is connected to the inlet of a pumping system by tubing.

In particular embodiments, the dispenser systems according to the invention comprise a housing which is configured and adapted for receiving at least two flexible 10 pouches, whereby said flexible pouches are placed adjacent to each other with the outlet means of each of said flexible pouches located in the vicinity of the inlet of the corresponding pumping system. More particularly, the distance between the outlet means of said flexible pouch and the inlet of its corresponding pumping system is less than 10 cm.

15 In particular embodiments of the dispenser system according to the invention, the liquid food product present in the flexible pouches is heated to 40°C.

In further particular embodiments of the liquid dispenser system according to the invention, the greater part of the dispensing units of the one or more pumping systems is located within the housing, such that the dispensing units are also heated.

20 In particular embodiments, the dispenser system according to the invention comprises flexible pouches comprising a topping or sauce, such as a chocolate sauce.

In particular embodiments of the dispenser system according to the invention, the flexible pouch is a bag in a box.

In particular embodiments of the dispenser system according to the invention the 25 housing is insulated to ensure minimal heat loss.

In particular embodiments of the dispenser system according to the invention the housing comprises a display on the exterior of the housing which is linked to a temperature sensor which measures the temperature inside the housing.

In particular embodiments of the dispenser system according to the invention each of 30 the dispensing units correspond to a duct extending from the outlet of a pumping system approximately horizontally which then continues with a 90° angle to a vertical portion. More particularly the duct of the dispensing units is positioned such that, of said vertical portion, a section of less than 5cm extends vertically outside the housing, allowing the liquid food product to drop vertically from the dispensing unit.

3

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, inter alia with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, in which: 5

Figure 1a is a schematic and perspective drawing of the exterior of a dispenser system in accordance with the invention, and

Figure 1b is a schematic and perspective drawing of a dispenser according to the 10 invention, showing an inside view of the housing and its elements.

Figure 1c is a schematic representation of the dispensing units according to a particular embodiment of the invention. The angle a is the angle made by the plane which runs through the horizontal portion of the dispensing unit and the horizontal plane.

15 FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary outlet means of a flexible pouch as envisaged in the present invention.

20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

25 Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. "a" or "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in 30 the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order, unless specified. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

4

The terms or definitions used herein are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention.

The present invention relates to dispenser systems for dispensing a liquid food 5 product, more particularly a food product which is liquid upon heating to more than 35° Celsius, such as, but not limited to, chocolate.

According to the present invention, dispenser systems for a liquid food product are provided which comprise a housing configured and adapted for receiving at least two flexible pouches, the pouches being adapted for containing a liquid food product. The 10 dispenser systems further comprise two or more independent pumping systems, each having an inlet and an outlet, whereby each outlet is connected to a separate dispensing unit. Indeed, the dispenser systems according to the present invention are particularly suited where the dispensing of more than one type or flavor of food product is required. Thus, typically, the dispensers according to the present invention are provided with 15 pouches comprising food products of different flavors, such as different kinds of chocolate toppings (white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, almond taste etc...). However, the use of the dispenser systems of the invention for other types of food products, such as cheese, is also envisaged.

The devices according to the present invention allow simultaneous or sequential 20 dispensing of different types of food products (e.g. different flavors). Indeed, for this purpose the devices according to the invention comprise at least two independent pumping systems which can each be connected to a different food product-containing pouch. Each pump system also has a separate outlet connected to a corresponding dispensing unit, such that the different food products are not mixed prior to dispensing, 25 avoiding contamination of the different toppings.

The pumping systems used in the context of the present invention comprise an inlet means, for connecting to the food container, which is typically a flexible pouch, and an outlet directly connected to a dispensing unit. The nature of the pumping system in the devices according to the present invention is not critical. In a particular embodiment, 30 the pumping system is a peristaltic pump. More particularly, the pump is a non-product-contact peristaltic pump, whereby the liquid food product is guided through the pump through tubing. In particular embodiments, the pumping systems can ensure the movement of a chocolate-based food product at about 20 grams per 6 sec., i.e. about 200 grams per min.

5

In particular embodiments, the pump is programmed by a controller (described below) to ensure dispensing of limited portions of the food product, i.e. to pump for a limited time period (e.g. 2-15 seconds). More particularly, it is envisaged that the pump is provided with a locking system, which, when the pump is not active, interrupts the flow of 5 the food-product. More particularly this is ensured by blocking the flow through the tubing which leads the food product through the pump. This creates a negative pressure within the tubing and stops the flow of the food product in the dispensing unit. This reduces dripping at the end of a serving.

The devices according to the invention are designed for use with two or more 10 flexible pouches. Flexible pouches for storage and dispensing of food products are known in the art. Typically such pouches are made of a plastic laminate material with an approved food contact material layer. Advantageously, the material is a beat-sealable film with an oxygen/water barrier layer and preferably with an outer layer having good wear and flexibility properties. Examples of suitable outer layers are nylon, either linear 15 or biaxially orientated, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. In particular embodiments the pouches are provided with a film such as a Clearshield® film from Scholle. More particularly, the pouch is arranged in a box capable of being received in the housing. The box may e.g. be a cardboard box. Such “bag-in-a-box” (BIB) systems are well known to the skilled person; In particular embodiments, the devices of the 20 present invention are configured for use with BIB systems which contain about 2,5 kg food product, more particularly, boxes having dimensions of about 160 x 85 x 205 mm.

The flexible pouches suitable for use in the context of the present invention typically contain an outlet, which is located on a lateral side of the pouch. Typically, the outlet of the pouch is positioned such that, when the pouch is placed in the dispensing 25 device, the outlet can be positioned such that a) the outlet is in the lower half of the pouch, such that the food product moves towards the outlet, and any air trapped inside the pouch moves away from the outlet and b) the outlet is positioned close to the pumping system. Examples of suitable flexible pouches include, but are not limited to, the Bag-in-box™ pouches commercialized by Scholle (Scholle Packaging, Inc. 200 West 30 North Avenue, Northlake, IL 60164; Scholle bags commercialized e.g. for dairy products).

In particular embodiments, the use of pouches is envisaged which are provided with a liquid dispensing tap (optionally combined with an adapter, such as, but not limited to Clean-clic®, commercialized by Scholle). Examples of pouches provided with 6 suitable taps are known to the skilled person. In particular embodiments, the tap is a Quick-clic™ tap commercialized by Scholle.

The housing of the devices of the present invention is configured for comprising at least two flexible pouches. More particularly, the housing of the present invention is 5 configured to contain at least two pouches, more particularly three pouches or more which can be placed upright next to each other in the device, such that each of the three pouches can be connected to a pumping system. The comparable positioning of the different pouches in the device ensures homogenous and comparable rate of dispensing of each of the food products. Indeed, in particular embodiments of the present invention, 10 the two or more pumping systems are positioned within the housing system adjacent to each other, such that the inlets and the outlets of the pumping systems are adjacent to each other, and the trajectory of each of the food products from the flexible pouch to the exit of the dispenser unit is almost identical for each of the pouches. In particular embodiments, the distal parts of the different dispensing units exit the housing close to 15 each other. This makes it possible, upon simultaneous dispensing of different food products, to collect the different food products together. For instance, where the food-product is a chocolate topping for e.g. ice-cream or a bakery product, this allows simultaneous dispensing of different types of chocolate topping on one and the same product.

20 The housing of the devices of the present invention may, in addition to the pouches which are connected to the pumping systems for dispensing, be configured to allow storage of additional pouches. This makes it possible to ensure that reserve pouches are brought to the appropriate temperature prior to their use, and allows for continued use of the device. In particular embodiments the housing of the devices 25 according to the present invention is configured to comprise a similar number of reserve pouches as the number of pumps in the device.

In particular embodiments, the pouches containing the food product which are connected to a pumping system are connected to the inlet of the pumping systems by tubing. The tube material should be made of a material that is sufficiently soft that it can 30 be guided from the outlet of the pouch to the inlet of the pump and optionally, through the peristaltic pump and/or the dispensing unit. Examples of suitable materials are known in the art and include but are not limited to co-extruded Metallocene catalyzed polyethylene. The dimensions of the tube can be adapted to the type of food product and pump system chosen. However, generally it is preferred that the internal diameter of the 7 tube be from 2 to 15 mm. The nature of the tube is also determined by the nature of the pouch outlet, and the means for connecting the tube to the pouch outlet.

In particular embodiments, the dispenser systems of the present invention are designed such that the distance between the outlet of the food pouch and the inlet of a 5 pumping system is minimized. More particularly, it is envisaged that a food pouch of BIB can be placed within the device such that the outlet is within a distance of about 10 cm, more particularly less than 5 cm of an inlet of a pumping system. Typically, the pumping systems are placed in parallel and the pouches are positioned just above the pumping systems adjacent to each other.

10

The dispensing systems of the present invention further comprise one or more heating elements which ensures permanent heating of the two or more flexible pouches positioned in the device. The nature of the heating element(s) is not critical to the present invention. In particular embodiments, the heating element ensures heating of the 15 liquid food product to 40° Celsius. This is appropriate for ensuring smooth dispensing of products which require dispensing in a molten state such as cheese-based or chocolate-based food products, more particularly chocolate based sauces. In particular embodiments the heating ensures dispensing of the food product at about 38° Celsius.

In particular embodiments, the heating element ensures heating of the entire 20 inside of the housing. This avoids clogging of tubing and/or dispensing units due to local cooling. More particularly it is envisaged that at least part of the dispensing unit is positioned within the housing of the device (see below).

In particular embodiments the housing is provided with an insulating layer to reduce heat loss.

25 The dispensing systems of the present invention further comprise a controller located in the housing which controls the pumping systems. The pumping systems may be driven separately or simultaneously. For instance, it is envisaged that in order to obtain a combination of two different food products, such as toppings, two pumps are activated simultaneously. In particular embodiments the controller comprises one 30 actuator which simultaneously activates two different pumps, such that the combined topping is obtained by pressing on one actuator. Thus the controller transfers the user’s instructions to pump separately or simultaneously discrete quantities of a food product from the one or more of the at least two flexible pouches to the corresponding dispensing units.

8

As described above, the dispensing systems of the present invention comprise at least two pumps, each of which are connected to a dispensing unit. Typically, the dispensing unit is a pipe or duct which guides the food product outside the housing for collection by the user. In particular embodiments, the dispensing unit is a duct, more 5 particularly a metal duct. In particular embodiments, the food product is guided through tubing (such as silicone tubing) from the outlet of the food pouch, through the pump and towards the dispensing unit, where the silicone tubing is connected to a metal duct. More particularly, the tubing can be fitted around the edge of the duct of the dispensing unit such that the food product is guided directly from the tubing in the pumping system into 10 the dispensing unit.

In particular embodiments of the liquid dispenser system according to the invention, the greater part of the dispensing units of the one or more pumping systems is located within the housing, such that these dispensing units are also heated. This is important to avoid clogging.

15 In particular embodiments of the dispenser system according to the invention, each of the dispensing units correspond to a duct extending from the outlet of a pumping system generally horizontally. In more particular embodiments, the ducts extend from the pump with an angle from the horizontal plane, which angle (a) is about 5°, such that the duct extends to a position which is elevated compared to the end proximal to the 20 pumping system. Thus in particular embodiments the plane formed by the horizontal portion of the ducts is not positioned exactly orthogonally from the device, but is at a slight angle.

Each duct of the dispensing unit contains a 90° angle, such that the end of the duct which is distal from the pumping system extends vertically, allowing the food product to 25 drop down out of the distal end. In particular embodiments, the horizontal section of the duct is between 5 and 25cm, and the vertical section of the duct is between 3 and 8 cm. In particular embodiments only the vertical section of the duct, or a part thereof extends outside the housing. Most particularly, the tubes of the dispensing unit are made of metal.

30 The dispensing units according to the present invention allow the liquid food product to drop vertically from the dispensing unit, without dripping.

In particular embodiments of the dispenser system according to the invention the housing comprises a display on the exterior of the housing which is linked to a temperature sensor which measures the temperature inside the housing. In further 9 particular embodiments the display can provide further information based on sensing systems within the device, such as an indication of the fact that the pouch is nearly empty, signals relating to cleaning or maintenance requirements etc..

5 It will be understood to the skilled person that further features of the dispenser system according to the invention may be specified but are not critical to the invention. For instance, in particular embodiments it is envisaged that the housing of the dispensing system according to the invention contains a door, which allows easy access to the interior of the housing, for the replacement of pouches and for maintenance and 10 cleaning. In further particular embodiments the frontal part of the housing of the devices according to the invention functions as a door and can be temporarily moved or removed. Typically the frontal part of the housing of the devices according to the invention contains an opening for exiting of the dispensing units.

The size of the dispensing devices according to the invention is not critical. In 15 particular embodiments, the devices are table-top models which can contain at least 3, more particularly at least 6 pouches of food product, which when provided as a bag-in-a-box system each represent a volume of about 160 x 85 x 205 mm. In more particular embodiments the size of the device is about 550 x 340 x 525 mm.

It will be further understood that the devices of the present invention can be fully 20 automated, and thus comprise a motor which can be linked to a power supply. In particular embodiments, the devices of the present invention are powered by a supply of 230V, at a frequency of 50 Hz, have a maximal power of 350W and a minimal consumption of 39W.

The dispensers according to the invention are provided for use with flexible 25 pouches, more particularly of the BIB type. In particular embodiments, the invention comprises combinations of the dispenser system according to the invention and two or more, more particularly 3 or more, most particularly 6 or more pouches of food product.

The invention further provides methods for dispensing liquid food products comprising the use of the devices described therein.

30

EXAMPLES

The invention is further illustrated herein below by means of the following non-limiting embodiments.

10 FIG. 1 shows a dispenser system 1 for dispensing a liquid food product from two or more flexible pouches 2, which in the present embodiment are provided as bag-in the box systems. The dispenser system has housing 3, which can be opened with door 4. The housing comprises two or more pumping systems 5, each for connection to a 5 different pouch 2 at the inlet and a separate dispensing unit 6 at the outlet.

The two or more pumping systems 5 are positioned in parallel and the food pouches 2 for connecting to the pumping systems are provided such that the pouch outlet 7 is located close to the pumping system inlet. The connection between the pouch and the 10 pumping system is made by tubing (not illustrated on this figure).

The housing is provided with insulation 8 to avoid heat loss.

The dispensing units 6 comprise a horizontal portion 6’ which is positioned within the housing and a shorter vertical portion 6” which exits the housing 3.

15 FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary outlet means of a flexible pouch in a box as envisaged in the present invention. According to this embodiment, the box is opened around the outlet of the pouch (1). This outlet comprises an outer and an inner ridge around a circular opening; a precut coverslip is then removed from the box 20 forming a permanent opening in the box at the level of the pouch outlet. The outlet system of the pouch is then pulled out of the box such that the outer ridge of the outlet system fits onto the ridge of the opening of the box (2); a tap connected to a tubing can then be placed onto the inner ridge and be clicked onto the outer ridge with a lever (3).

25

Claims (13)

A dispenser system for dispensing a liquid food product from a flexible bag, comprising: 5. a housing which is provided and adapted for housing at least two flexible bags into which a liquid food product can be introduced; - two or more pumping systems, with an input and an output, each output being coupled to a separate dispensing unit, - a heating element that can ensure permanent heating of at least the two or more flexible bags, - a control element present within the housing that controls the pumping systems so that they can each separately or simultaneously pump discrete quantities of a food product from one of the at least two bags to the corresponding dispensing unit. 15 The dispenser system according to claim 1, further comprising at least two flexible bags suitable for containing a liquid food product, the bags being provided with a valve which is coupled to the entrance of a pump system via a tube. 20 The dispenser system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible bags are placed side by side so that the exit of each of the flexible bags is in the vicinity of the entrance of the corresponding pump system. The dispenser system according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the outlet of the flexible bags and the entrance of the corresponding pump system is less than 10 cm. The dispenser system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid food product is heated to 40 ° C. The dispenser system according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the majority of the dispensing units are located within the housing so that the dispensing units are also heated. The dispenser system according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the food product is a sauce, in particular a chocolate sauce. The dispenser system according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the 5 flexible bags is in a bag-in-a-box system. The dispenser system according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing is insulated to prevent heat loss. The dispenser system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing also includes a display on the outside of the housing that is connected to a temperature sensor that measures the temperature within the housing. 11. The dispenser system according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each of the dispensing units corresponds to a tube containing a horizontal part, which extends substantially horizontally from the outlet of a pump system and a vertical contains a part that is at an angle of 90 ° from the horizontal part. The dispenser system according to claim 11, characterized in that the horizontal part of the tube of the dispensing units extends slightly upwards from the device, namely at an angle of about 5 ° with respect to the horizontal plane . The dispenser system of claim 11, wherein a piece of less than 5 cm from the vertical portion of the tube of the dispensing unit projects outside the housing.