WO2023047112A1

WO2023047112A1 - Dairy product dispenser with flow dampener

Info

Publication number: WO2023047112A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052399
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francis William CLARKE
Original assignee: Trewithen Dairy
Priority date: 2021-09-22
Filing date: 2022-09-22
Publication date: 2023-03-30
Also published as: GB2611042A; GB2611042B

Abstract

System (100) for filling a user bottle (10) with a dairy product, the system comprising a replaceable container (110) which includes a dairy product reservoir (115) and a port (120) in fluidic communication with the reservoir. The system also comprises a dispenser unit (150) configured to removably fluidically cooperate with the replaceable container and with the user bottle to be filled, the dispenser unit comprising a peristaltic pump (170) configured to pump the dairy product from the reservoir into the bottle. The replaceable container further comprises a nozzle (130) comprising a fluid flow dampener (140) configured to regulate a flow of dairy product, and a tube (125) configured to removably establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump.

Description

DAIRY PRODUCT DISPENSER WITH FLOW DAMPENER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to dispensers for products. In particular, the application relates to systems for dispensing liquid foodstuffs from replaceable containers. Particular embodiments relate to systems with replaceable containers and dispensing units for dispensing dairy products into user bottles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid foodstuffs, including dairy products such as milk, are often sold pre-packaged in single-use containers, typically having relatively small volumes. Although partly for consumer convenience, the small package size means the contents are consumed relatively quickly, before the foodstuffs expire or begin to develop microbial growth or other contamination. However, producing a large number of small packages (typically made from plastics, glass or composite cardboard) is energy intensive and leads to large amounts of waste packaging. The emissions from the associated energy consumption and the pollution from waste packaging therefore damage the environment.

Although some attempts have been made to reduce the environmental impact of foodstuff packaging by dispensing products from larger containers, these have largely been limited to foodstuffs which can be stored easily and for long periods of time, such as grains and other dry ingredients. As such, existing approaches offer simple mechanisms with little consideration of maintenance and hygiene. However, since liquid foodstuffs such as dairy products and juices can readily harbour bacteria and other contaminants, existing approaches are impractical and unhygienic for use with these products.

In addition, and as a result of the properties of such dairy products, existing approaches require the use of pre-installed infrastructure such a running water, drains and cleaning equipment, as well as manpower and time, which come at relatively high expense and are not commercially efficient to maintain. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims and preferable features are set out in the dependent claims.

There is described herein a system for filling a user bottle with a dairy product, the system comprising: a replaceable container comprising: a dairy product reservoir configured to contain the dairy product, a port in fluidic communication with the reservoir; and a dispenser unit configured to removably fluidically cooperate with the replaceable container and with the user bottle to be filled, the dispenser unit comprising a peristaltic pump configured to pump the dairy product from the reservoir into the bottle, wherein the replaceable container further comprises: a nozzle configured to direct the dairy product into the user bottle, the nozzle comprising a fluid flow dampener configured to regulate a flow of dairy product from the peristaltic pump to the bottle, and a tube configured to removably establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump, and wherein the dispenser unit further comprises a dock configured to removably dock the nozzle of the replaceable container.

The system can allow for dairy product to be pumped from the replaceable container without any part of the dispenser unit directly contacting the dairy product. Specifically, the tube of the replaceable container can be connected to the peristaltic pump of the dispenser unit, which can allow dairy product from within the reservoir to be pumped through the tube and out of the nozzle into a bottle without contacting the pump or any other part of the dispenser unit. Advantageously, this can improve hygiene by reducing the chance of contamination of the dairy product. Equally, this can reduce the amount of cleaning of the dispenser unit required in order to maintain a hygienic environment, thus removing the need for complex cleaning facilities and waste drainage at the site of the dispenser unit, such as a shop.

The system can also allow users to refill a user bottle that has been used previously, thus reducing consumption of single-use materials such as plastics. This can reduce the negative impact on the environment associated with the production and disposal of single-use bottles. Advantageously, the fluid flow dampener can allow pressure variations in the flow of dairy product to be reduced, in turn reducing the amount of foaming in the dairy product as it exits the nozzle.

In the present disclosure, “replaceable” means that: the container can be supplied at least partially full with fresh and/or unused dairy product; and/or the container can be inserted and/or seated and/or docked in the dispenser unit in a non-destructive manner; and/or the container can be coupled to the dispenser unit in a non-destructive manner; and/or the container can be removed from the dock in a non-destructive manner, or in a manner which enables its reinsertion should that be desired; and/or the same (for example after having been refilled) or another (for example full and/or new) container can be reinserted and/or re-seated and/or re-docked in the dispenser unit in a non-destructive manner.

It is understood that the term “replaceable” means that the container may be removed and/or replaced by another new container and/or the same container after having been refilled (in other words the replaceable container may be refillable) which may be reinserted in the dock or recoupled to the dispenser unit.

In the present disclosure, “in a non-destructive manner” means that integrity of the container is not altered, except maybe for breakage and/or destruction or seals (such as seals on fluid ports and/or the tube and/or the nozzle) or of other disposable elements of the container.

In the present disclosure, all pumpable dairy and non-dairy substances are classed as liquids. For example, a liquid or semi-liquid product or foodstuff includes any product or foodstuff that is pumpable.

The system may be configured to be operated between a first condition and a second condition, wherein, in the first condition, the nozzle is in an undocked condition from the dock of the dispenser unit and the tube is in a decoupled condition from the peristaltic pump of the dispenser unit, and wherein, in the second condition, the nozzle is docked in the dock of the dispenser unit and the tube is coupled with the peristaltic pump of the dispenser unit to establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump. This can allow the replaceable container to be reversibly coupled to the dispenser unit, meaning it can be easily replaced with a full container when it is empty of dairy product.

In the first condition of the system, the dairy product reservoir may be configured to be at least partially emptied from unused dairy product, cleaned and/or refilled with fresh dairy product. In the first condition of the system, the nozzle may be configured to be cleaned and/or replaced by another nozzle. This can allow the nozzle to be replaced and/or cleaned to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination of the dairy product. In the first condition of the system, the tube may be configured to be cleaned and/or replaced by another tube. This can allow the tube to be replaced and/or cleaned to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination of the dairy product.

The dispenser unit may further comprise a bay configured to removably receive the replaceable container. In the first condition of the system, the replaceable container may be configured to be removed from the bay of the dispenser unit. In the first condition of the system, the replaceable container may be configured to be inserted into the bay of the dispenser unit. The bay may be configured to refrigerate the container. This can extend the shelf-life of the dairy product and/or prevent it from souring.

The replaceable container may further comprise a protection receptable configured to be operated between a transport condition and a bottle-filling condition. In the transport condition, the protection receptacle may be configured to cooperate with the reservoir of the replaceable container to receive the nozzle and/or the tube and/or a vent fluidically connected to the reservoir, and, in the bottle-filling condition, the protection receptacle may be configured to enable access to the nozzle and/or the tube and/or the vent. This can allow delicate parts of the replaceable container, such as the nozzle, tube or a vent, to be protected, for example during transport or installation.

The vent may comprise a filter. This can prevent particles or microorganisms that could contaminate the dairy product from entering the reservoir.

The protection receptacle may comprise a base portion connected to a lid portion via a hinge, and when the system is in the second condition and the protection receptacle is in the bottle-filling condition, the lid portion may be configured to be opened about the hinge to expose the nozzle and/or the tube and/or the vent. This can provide an easy means for selectively exposing and protecting the delicate parts of the replaceable container. When the system is in the second condition and the protection receptacle is in the bottle-filling condition, the protection receptacle may be configured to be disconnected from the reservoir and stored under the reservoir. This can allow for the delicate parts of the container to be fully exposed by removing the receptacle completely, and the receptacle can then be stored without causing obstruction. Equally, the receptacle being stored underneath the reservoir may act as a securing means such as a wedge in order to prevent movement of the replaceable container.

When the system is in the first condition and the protection receptacle is in the transport condition, the protection receptacle may be configured to enhance protection of the nozzle and/or the tube and/or a vent and to facilitate movement of the replaceable container. This can avoid damaging the delicate parts of the replaceable container during transportation.

The fluid flow dampener may comprise a vessel configured to hold the flow of dairy product, one or more baffles located in the vessel configured to divert the flow of dairy product within the vessel, and an elastically deformable membrane located on the vessel, configured to deform in response to pumping of the peristaltic pump. The baffles can direct the flow of dairy product through the vessel, for example along a tortuous path, such that the flow of dairy product is slowed down, reducing nozzle velocity variations in the flow of dairy product as it leaves the nozzle, which can reduce the amount of foaming. The membrane can also allow an internal volume of the vessel to vary with pressure variations caused by the pumping of dairy product by the peristaltic pump, meaning pressure variations in the flow of dairy product are reduced, which can further reduce the amount of foaming.

The dispenser unit may further comprise a user interface configured to be operated between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the user interface may be configured to enable the replaceable container to be inserted and/or removed from the bay of the dispenser, and in the closed configuration, the user interface may be configured to secure the replaceable container in the bay of the dispenser and to enable the user bottle to be filled through the nozzle.

The user interface may comprise at least one of: a user bottle receiver configured to removably receive the user bottle to enable the user bottle to be filled through the nozzle; at least one bottle sensor configured to detect whether or not a user bottle is received in the receiver; at least one status sensor configured to sense one or more statuses of the system; and/or a graphical user interface, GUI, configured to display information to a user and/or to enable input of information from the user, the information relating to at least one of the bottle and/or the reservoir. The user bottle receiver can allow the user bottle to be aligned correctly for filling, and can also provide a drip tray for collecting excess dairy product. The at least one bottle sensor can allow the system to ensure a bottle is present before pumping the dairy product.

The bottle receiver may be configured to tilt the user bottle at an angle a with respect to a vertical direction, such that 5°<a<25°, optionally 10°<a<20°, optionally a is substantially equal to 15°. This can allow the dairy product to enter the user bottle by running down an inner surface of the bottle, reducing the amount of foaming of dairy product in the user bottle.

The at least one bottle sensor may comprise at least one of: a radio frequency identification, RFID, reader configured to read a RFID tag of the user bottle; an optical reader configured to read a tag of the user bottle; a pressure plate coupled to the user bottle receiver and configured to measure a weight of the user bottle; and/or an optical sensor configured to detect obstructions in the user bottle receiver. The pressure plate can allow a weight of the user bottle to be determined, allowing the system to determine how much dairy product has been directed into the user bottle. The optical sensor can allow the system to detect obstructions and not dispense dairy product until the obstruction is removed.

The at least one status sensor may comprise at least one of: a dairy product temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the dairy product; an ambient temperature sensor configured to sense an ambient temperature; a nozzle temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the nozzle; a level sensor configured to sense a level of dairy product in the user bottle and/or the reservoir; and/or a nozzle tampering sensor configured to sense tampering of the nozzle, preferably wherein the nozzle tampering sensor comprises an optical sensor.

The user interface may further comprise at least one of: a dairy product temperature sensor; an ambient temperature sensor; a sensor configured to sense a level of dairy product in the user bottle, and/or a nozzle tampering sensor, configured to sense a user tampering with the nozzle, optionally wherein the nozzle tampering sensor comprises an optical sensor.

The temperature sensors can allow the system to monitor the temperature of the dairy product in the reservoir, for example to determine for maintaining the dairy product at a suitable refrigeration temperature. The nozzle tampering sensor can allow the system to sense whether the nozzle has been tampered with and not allow dairy product to be dispensed until the nozzle has been cleaned in order to avoid contamination of the dairy product. The information relating to the bottle may comprise at least one of: a number of times the bottle has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned; a time stamp of when the bottle has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned; a fluid capacity of the bottle; and/or information about the user of the bottle, such as an identification or information about membership to a loyalty program.

The information relating to the reservoir may comprise at least one of: a number of times the reservoir has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned; a time stamp of when the reservoir has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned; a fluid capacity of the reservoir; a type and/or a provenance of the dairy product contained in the reservoir; and/or a “use by” date for the dairy product filled in the bottle and/or a shelf life for the dairy product contained in the reservoir. This information can allow for cleaning and/or refilling of the replaceable container to be scheduled in order to avoid dispensing dairy product that has expired or soured.

The bay may be a bay configured to be located in a shop aisle. The replaceable container may be compliant with a shop dairy product stand. The replaceable container may comprise wheels configured to allow movement of the replaceable container. This can facilitate easier transportation of the replaceable container. The dairy product may be milk, yoghurt, cream or ice cream.

There is also described herein a replaceable container for a dairy product, configured to removably fluidically cooperate with a dispenser unit of the system described herein, the replaceable container comprising: a dairy product reservoir configured to contain the dairy product; a port in fluidic communication with the reservoir; a nozzle configured to direct the dairy product into a user bottle, the nozzle comprising a fluid flow dampener configured to regulate a flow of dairy product from the peristaltic pump of the dispenser to the bottle; and a tube configured to removably establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump of the dispenser.

There is also described herein a dispenser unit configured to removably fluidically cooperate with the replaceable container of the system described herein, the dispenser unit comprising: a peristaltic pump configured to pump a dairy product from the reservoir of the replaceable container into a bottle to be filled with the dairy product; and a dock configured to removably dock the nozzle of the replaceable container. There is also described herein a system for filling a user container with a pumpable liquid foodstuff, comprising: a replaceable container comprising a product reservoir configured to contain the foodstuff, and a port in fluidic communication with the reservoir; and a dispenser unit configured to removably fluidically cooperate with the replaceable container and with the user container to be filled, the dispenser unit comprising a peristaltic pump configured to pump the foodstuff from the reservoir into the user container; wherein the replaceable container further comprises: a nozzle configured to direct the foodstuff into the user container, the nozzle comprising a fluid flow dampener configured to regulate a flow of foodstuff from the peristaltic pump to the user container, and a tube configured to removably establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump; and wherein the dispenser unit further comprises a dock configured to removably dock the nozzle of the replaceable container.

The pumpable liquid foodstuff may be a beverage, such as water, fruit juice and/or a fermented beverage. The pumpable liquid foodstuff may be an edible foodstuff, such as oil, sauce, a dressing, soup and/or a fermented foodstuff.

Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Methods and systems for filling a user bottle with a dairy product are described by way of example only, in relation to the Figures, wherein:

Figures 1a and 1b show perspective views of an upper portion of a replaceable container in a first condition with a protection receptacle (a) in a transport condition and (b) in a bottle-filling condition;

Figures 1c and 1d show perspective views of a dispenser unit with a user interface (c) in an open configuration and (d) in a closed configuration;

Figure 1e shows a perspective view of a system for filling a user bottle with a dairy product including the replaceable container of Figures 1a and 1 b and the dispenser unit of Figures 1c and 1d, with the replaceable container in a first condition, with the protection receptacle in a bottle-filling condition, and with the user interface in an open configuration;

Figure 1f shows a perspective view of the system of Figure 1e with the replaceable container in a second condition, with the protection receptacle in a bottle-filling condition, and with the user interface in a closed configuration;

Figure 2a shows a schematic side view of the system of Figure 1f;

Figure 2b shows a schematic side view of the system of Figure 1 e with the replaceable container removed from the dispenser unit and with the protection receptacle in a transport condition; and

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the user interface of Figures 1c and 1d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first example of a system 100 for filling a user bottle 10 with a dairy product 20 will now be described with reference to Figures 1a-3. The system 100 comprises a replaceable container 110 and a dispenser unit 150. The dairy product 20 may be a liquid dairy product such as milk, yoghurt, cream or ice cream, or other dairy liquid or semi-liquid foodstuffs.

The replaceable container 110 has a dairy product reservoir 115 for holding a dairy product 20. In some examples, the reservoir 115 may be a specific chamber or the dairy product 20 may simply be held in the container 110. The reservoir 115 of the container 110 may be pre-filled with the dairy product 20 before the container 110 is inserted in the dispenser unit 150.

In some examples, the reservoir 115 may have a volume of between around 10 litres and around 1000 litres, or between around 20 litres and around 250 litres, or between around 50 litres and around 150 litres. In some examples, the reservoir 115 may have a volume of between around 15 pints (9 litres) to around 2000 pints (1137 litres), or between around 30 pints (17 litres) and around 500 pints (284 litres), or between around 75 pints (43 litres) and around 300 pints (170 litres). In some examples, the user bottle 10 may have a volume of between around 0.2 litres and around 3.5 litres, or between around 0.5 litres and around 2 litres. In some examples, the user bottle 10 may have a volume of between around 1 pint (0.6 litres) and around 20 pints (11.4 litres), or between around 2 pints (1.1 litres) and around 6 pints (3.4 litres).

The replaceable container 110 includes an outlet port 120 in fluidic communication with the reservoir 115. The outlet port 120 may be configured to allow dairy product 20 to be extracted from the reservoir 115 therethrough, as described in more detail below. The container 110 may comprise, for example, two, three or four (or more) fluid ports, such as inlet, outlet or vent ports. A separate refill port 122 may be fluidically connected to the reservoir 115 and may be used for refilling the reservoir 115 with dairy product 20. A separate drainage port may be fluidically connected to the reservoir 115, such as near a lower wall of the reservoir 115, and may be used for draining excess or unused dairy product 20 from the reservoir 115. Where the container 110 comprises more than one fluid port, one or more of the ports may include a non-return valve and/or an isolating valve.

A vent port 124 may be fluidically connected to the reservoir 115 and may allow fluids such as gas or vapour to flow bidirectionally therethrough. The vent port 124 can also allow air and/or other gases to enter the reservoir 115 when the dairy product 20 is being pumped out of the reservoir 115 or when unused dairy product 20 (or a cleaning solution) is drained from the reservoir 115, which can maintain atmospheric pressure within the reservoir 115 as the dairy product 20 (or cleaning solution) leaves the reservoir 115, for example to prevent formation of a vacuum within the reservoir 115. The vent port 124 can also allow air and/or other gases to exit the reservoir 115 when the reservoir 115 is being filled (or refilled) with dairy product 20 (or with a cleaning solution), which can maintain atmospheric pressure within the reservoir 115 as the dairy product 20 (or cleaning solution) enters the reservoir 115, for example to prevent pressurisation of the reservoir 115.

The vent port 124 can include a filter for filtering fluid that passes through the vent port 124. Suitable filters may comprise paper, plastic and/or metal (such as sintered metal) filter elements. The filter may be a sub-micron filter and/or may be suitable for filtering, with an efficiency of at least around 90%, preferably at least around 99%, at least around 99.9%, or at least around 99.99%, particles (such as solid particles and/or microorganisms) which, for example when measured using microscopy, laser diffraction and/or dynamic light scattering methods, have an arithmetic mean diameter greater than around 0.1 microns or greater than around 0.3 microns, or greater than around 0.5 microns, or greater than around 1 micron. The filter may have a pore diameter, for example when measured using scanning electron microscopy, porosimetry and/or evapoporometry, of between around 1 micron and around 100 microns, or between around 2 microns and around 50 microns, for example between around 3 microns and around 20 microns. The filter may be hydrophobic, which can allow any liquid or semi-liquid contents held within the reservoir 115 that splash or otherwise contact the filter to be prevented from passing through the vent port 124 and leaking to the exterior of the reservoir 115. The filter may be used to filter fluids such as air entering the reservoir 115 through the vent port 124 when the dairy product 20 is being pumped out of the reservoir 115 or when unused dairy product 20 or a cleaning solution is being drained from the reservoir 115. The filter can be used to prevent particles or microorganisms greater than a pore size of the filter from entering the reservoir 115, thus reducing the chance of microorganisms such as food spoilage organisms from entering the reservoir 115. The filter may also be used to filter fluids exiting the reservoir 115 through the vent port 124 when the reservoir 115 is being filled (or refilled) with dairy product 20. The filter can thus be used to prevent particles or microorganisms greater than a pore size of the filter from leaving the reservoir 115, for example to prevent contaminated dairy product 20 particles from exiting the reservoir 115 through the vent port 124 into the surrounding atmosphere. The filter may have a pore size configured to inhibit or reduce fluid flow through the vent port 124 when the container 110 is being cleaned. For example, if higher-pressure cleaning fluid enters the container 110, the filter can inhibit that cleaning fluid from exiting the container 110 through the vent port 124. The filter can be washable, for example suitable in-place cleaning (CIP), in-place sterilising (SIP) and/or retort sterilising.

The replaceable container 110 also includes a nozzle 130 (shown in Figures 1b, 2a and 2b) which is configured to direct the dairy product 20 into the user bottle 10. For example, the nozzle 130 may be used to guide a flow of dairy product 20 into an opening of the user bottle 10.

A tube 125 in fluidic communication with the outlet port 120 is configured to removably couple to the nozzle 130 such that the outlet port 120 and the nozzle 130 are in fluidic communication. In some examples, at least a portion of the tube 125 is formed of a flexible material. The flexible material may be an elastic material, such as a natural rubber, an elastomer and/or a composite material, for example silicone rubber or a layered composite material comprising reinforcement elements.

The dispenser unit 150 is configured to removably fluidically cooperate with the replaceable container 110 and with the user bottle 10 to be filled. The dispenser unit 150 includes a fluid pump, such as peristaltic pump 170 shown in Figures 1d and 1f-2b, configured to pump the dairy product 20 from the reservoir 115 into the user bottle 10. The peristaltic pump 170 engages with a portion of the replaceable container 110 to draw dairy product 20 from the reservoir 115 and pump it into the user bottle 10 via the nozzle 130. Where at least a portion of the tube 125 is flexible, the peristaltic pump 170 is configured to receive a flexible portion of the tube 125. In some examples, the peristaltic pump 170 comprises one or more rollers configured to cyclically compress and decompress the flexible portion of the tube 125, for example by orbiting around a circumference at least partially coincident with the flexible portion of the tube 125, thus varying the pressure within the tube 125, causing portions of dairy product 20 to be drawn into the pump 170 from the reservoir 115 then expelled from the pump 170 into the user bottle 10 via the nozzle 130.

Thus, dairy product 20 may be pumped from the container 110 using a pump 170 without the dairy product 20 contacting the pump 170 directly, since the dairy product 20 can travel from the reservoir 115 to the bottle 10 via only the tube 125 and nozzle 130. This can reduce the required amount of cleaning of the pump 170 and other parts of the dispenser unit 150 in order to maintain a hygienic environment. In turn, this reduces the need for complex cleaning facilities and waste drainage at the site of the dispenser unit 150 (such as a shop), meaning the system 100 can be used at a wide variety of sites, particularly those where such facilities are unavailable or would not be cost effective. This can also reduce the chance of contaminating the dairy product 20, since the dairy product 20 never comes into direct contact with the dispenser unit 150.

The nozzle 130 has an outlet 132 configured to direct a flow of dairy product 20 for filling the user bottle 10 with dairy product 20. The nozzle outlet 132 is typically tubular but can be any structure suitable for guiding fluid into the bottle 10. In some examples, the nozzle 130 can include a cleaning guide 134, such as an annular guide 134 disposed concentrically on the nozzle outlet 132. The cleaning guide 134 can allow both an interior and an exterior of at least part of the nozzle 130 (such as the outlet 132) to be cleaned. For example, cleaning apparatus, such as an outlet providing a flow of cleaning fluid, can couple to the nozzle 130 using the cleaning guide 134 to position the apparatus around the nozzle outlet 132 while also maintaining fluidic communication with the interior and exterior of the outlet 132 in order to clean both the interior and exterior of the outlet 132. The cleaning guide 134 can also act as a seal between the nozzle 130 and cleaning apparatus such that a flow of cleaning fluid can be directed from the cleaning apparatus, through the nozzle 130 and the tube 125, and into the reservoir 115 in order to clean other parts of the replaceable container 110.

In some examples, the cleaning guide 134 can also prevent dairy product 20 being directed by the nozzle outlet 132 from splashing or spraying back towards the rest of the nozzle 130 and the container 110. This can maintain high levels of hygiene and can reduce the need for thorough cleaning of the dispenser unit 150, which cleaning may result in one or more of the disadvantages discussed above. In some examples, the guard 134 can also be used to align the nozzle outlet 132 relative to the bottle 10.

In some examples, the nozzle 130 includes a fluid flow dampener 140 for regulating a flow of dairy product 20 therethrough. The tube 125 may connect to an opening of the dampener 140. The dampener 140 serves to regulate a flow of dairy product therethrough, for example by reducing temporal pressure variations, surges or pulses in the dampener 140 such as those caused by the peristaltic pump 170. Pulses in a flow of dairy product 20 can cause a variable nozzle velocity of dairy product 20 as it exits the nozzle 130, which can result in foaming in the dairy product 20 being pumped, which is undesirable for filling a bottle 10 with said dairy product 20. For example, filling a user bottle 10 with dairy product 20 with foaming can make the filling slow and inconvenient for a user. Equally, foaming can cause the user bottle 10 to overflow before a desired fill level is reached. Therefore, the dampener 140 can reduce the amount of foaming in the dairy product 20 provided for filling the user bottle 10, which can improve the time taken to fill the user bottle and/or can avoid overflowing of the bottle 10 before a desired fill level is reached.

In some examples, the dampener 140 includes a vessel 142 and one or more vanes or baffles 144 disposed within the vessel 142 for directing a flow of dairy product 20 through the dampener 140. The vessel 142 is configured to hold the flow of dairy product 20. An outlet of the dampener 140 is configured to fluidically communicate with the nozzle outlet 132, for example the nozzle outlet 132 can be directly coupled to a fluid outlet of the vessel 142. The baffles 144 define one or more fluid flow paths from a fluid inlet of the dampener 140 to a fluid outlet of the dampener 140 through the vessel 142, preferably which are generally tortuous or at least longer than a distance between the inlet and the outlet. As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the baffles 144 have surfaces that are generally aligned in directions that are non-parallel to a flow of dairy product 20 at the inlet of the dampener 140 and/or that block a direct fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet of the dampener 140 through the vessel 142. For example, the baffles 144 may be aligned substantially perpendicular to a flow of dairy product 20, or substantially oblique to a flow of dairy product 20. The baffles 144 are configured to slow down the flow of dairy product 20 from the peristaltic pump 170 via the tube 125 to an opening of the nozzle 130. For example, the container 110 (including the tube 125, nozzle 130 and/or dampener 140) and/or the pump 170 can be configured to direct dairy product 20 out of the nozzle 130 at a flow rate between around 0.5 litres per minute and around 30 litres per minute, or between around 1 litre per minute and around 10 litres per minute, for example around 4 litres per minute. In some examples, the dampener 140 has a head loss coefficient of between around 0.2 and around 10, or between around 2 and around 5.

In some examples, the dampener 140 also includes a membrane 146 located on the vessel 142. Preferably, the membrane 146 is elastically deformable and is configured to deform in response to pressure variations within the vessel 142 caused by the pump 170. The membrane 146 may be formed of a natural rubber, an elastomer and/or a composite material, for example silicone rubber or a layered composite material comprising reinforcement elements or support elements. In some examples, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the membrane 146 is aligned substantially parallel to a flow of dairy product 20 through the vessel 142, and/or may form a section of a wall of the vessel 142. The elastically deformable membrane 146 can allow an internal volume of the vessel 142 to change. The membrane 146 can have a thickness of between around 0.1 mm and around 3 mm, or between around 0.5 mm and around 1 mm. The membrane 146 may be configured to withstand a maximum pressure between around 10 kPa and around 150 kPa, preferably no less than around 50 kPa.

Therefore, when a pressure within the vessel 142 is increased or decreased (for example, from an average pressure or an atmospheric pressure), the membrane 146 can elastically deform to increase or decrease the internal volume of the vessel 142 respectively, thus lessening a corresponding increase or decrease in pressure within the vessel 142 and subsequent portions of the nozzle 130. The dispenser unit 150 has a dock 160 for receiving at least a portion of the replaceable container 110. The dock 160 is configured to removably dock at least a portion of the replaceable container 110 such that, when docked, the system 100 is configured to fill the user bottle 10 with dairy product 20. As illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the dock 160 can be configured to removably dock a portion of the nozzle 130 of the replaceable container 110, such as the vessel 142 of a dampener 140 of the nozzle 130.

The dispenser unit 150 also includes a bay 165 to removably receive the replaceable container 110. The bay 165 may be configured to be located in an aisle of a shop, supermarket or other outlet selling the dairy product 20, and as such the replaceable container 110 can be sized to fit within a dairy product stand or other beverage stand typically found in shops, supermarkets or other outlets.

In some examples, the bay 165 may be configured to refrigerate the container 110, which can prevent microbial growth within the dairy product 20 thus keeping it fresher for longer. Additionally or alternatively, the bay 165 may provide a power source to which the container 110 is connectable, and the container 110 may comprise a cooling element configured to refrigerate the dairy product 20 in the reservoir 115 upon receiving power from the power source when the container 110 is received in the bay 165. Alternatively, the bay 165 may be located in a refrigerated environment such that it does not need to provide separate refrigeration for the container 110.

The system 100 is configured to be operated between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, as shown in Figures 1b and 2b, the nozzle 130 is in an undocked condition from the dock 160 of the dispenser unit 150 and the tube 125 is in a decoupled condition from the pump 170 of the dispenser unit 150. In the first condition, the reservoir 115 is configured to be emptied from unused dairy product 20, to be cleaned and/or refilled with fresh dairy product 20 (for example via a refill port 122). Alternatively or additionally, in the first condition, the nozzle 130 may be configured to be cleaned and/or replaced with another nozzle 130. Equally, the tube 125 may be cleaned and/or replaced with another tube 125. Emptying, cleaning and/or refilling of the container 110 may be performed at a distant site from the dispenser unit 150. For example, the dispenser unit 150 may be located in a shop such as a supermarket, and once the dairy product 20 in the reservoir 115 has been dispensed and/or is no longer required, the container 110 can be transported to one or more separate facilities for emptying, cleaning and/or refilling. This can allow containers 110 to be collected at a central site having appropriate facilities such as drainage and supplies of water and/or fresh dairy product, thus removing the need for local sites where the dispenser unit 150 may be located (such as a shop) to provide these facilities. Once emptied, cleaned and refilled, the container 110 can be returned to the same or a different dispenser unit 150 in order to dispense new dairy product 20 from the reservoir 115.

In the first condition of the system 100, the container 110 can be configured to be removed from and inserted into the bay 165 of the dispenser unit 150. The container 110 may be inserted into and/or removed from the bay 165 by a user and/or operator. In the first condition, the tube 125 may be connected to the outlet port 120 and to the nozzle 130, which can reduce the chance of contamination. As such, the tube 125, the outlet port 120 and/or the nozzle 130 are preferably only disconnected for maintenance, and remain connected for emptying, cleaning and refilling.

In the second condition, as shown in Figures 1f and 2a, the nozzle 130 is docked in the dock 160 and the tube 125 engages with the peristaltic pump 170. In some examples, once the container 110 is inserted into the bay 165, the system 100 may be transitioned from the first condition to the second condition by opening the peristaltic pump 170 and inserting the tube 125 into the peristaltic pump 170, and by securing the nozzle 130 to the dock 160. Preferably, in the second condition, the nozzle 130 is coupled to the dispenser unit 150 at the dock 160 such that relative movement between the nozzle 130 and the dispenser unit 150 is constrained.

In some examples, the tube 125, the nozzle 130 and/or the outlet port 120 may be disconnected in the first condition, so transitioning from the first condition to the second condition can include connecting an end of the tube 125 to an inlet of the nozzle 130 and/or connecting an opposite end of the tube 125 to the outlet port 120.

In some examples, the replaceable container 110 includes a protection receptacle 105 configured to be operated between a transport condition and a bottle-filling condition. In the transport condition, as shown in Figure 1a, the protection receptacle 105 is configured to cooperate with the reservoir 115 to receive the nozzle 130 and/or at least a portion of the tube 125. Where there is a vent port 124, the protection receptacle 105 may also receive the vent port 124. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 1a and 1 b, a separate protector may be configured to engage with the vent port 124. For example, in the transport condition, the protection receptacle 105 may be disposed adjacent a top surface of the container 110 (such as a top surface of the reservoir 115) and may contain and/or cover the tube 125 and the nozzle 130.

In the bottle-filling condition, the protection receptacle 105 is configured to enable access to the nozzle 130 and/or the tube 125. If a vent port 124 is present, the protection receptacle 105 or separate protector may be configured to enable access to the vent port 124.

As shown in Figures 1a, 1 b, 1e and 1f, the protection receptacle 105 may be hinged and may comprise a base portion 105a fixedly coupled to the reservoir 115 and coupled via a hinge to a lid portion 105b. In the transport condition, the lid portion 105b is closed such that the base portion 105a and the lid portion 105b enclose the tube 125 and the nozzle 130 and are secured together with tamper-proof securing means. In the bottle-filling condition, the lid portion 105b is opened to expose the tube 125 and the nozzle 130.

Additionally or alternatively, in the bottle-filling condition, the protection receptacle 105 may be configured to be disconnected from the reservoir 115. When the system 100 is in the second condition and the protection receptacle 105 is in the bottle-filling condition, the protection receptacle 105 may be configured to be stored under the reservoir 115. In some examples, when stored under the reservoir 115, the protection receptacle 105 may engage with a bottom of the replaceable container 110 and a portion of the bay 165 near the bottom of the container 110 such that the protection receptacle 105 prevents movement of the container 110 out of the bay 165.

When the system 100 is in the first condition and the protection receptacle 105 is in the transport condition, the protection receptacle 105 is configured to enhance protection of the nozzle 130, the tube 125 and/or a vent port 124 and is configured to facilitate manipulation and/or movement of the replaceable container 110. The replaceable container 110 may also have wheels 112 at least temporarily attached thereto in order to enable the container 110 to be moved easily, for example by a user and/or operator. The wheels 112 may be configured to be reversibly locked such that they do not rotate.

In some examples, the vent port 124 is open to allow fluids to pass therethrough when the system is in the first condition and in the second condition.

In some examples, the dispenser unit 150 further includes a user interface 180 configured to be operated between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the user interface 180 is configured to enable the replaceable container 110 to be inserted into and/or removed from the bay 165 of the dispenser unit 150. In the closed configuration, the user interface 180 is configured to secure the replaceable container 110 in the bay 165 of the dispenser unit 150 and to enable the user bottle 10 to be filled through the nozzle 130.

In some examples, the dock 160 includes a sprung mechanism configured to maintain contact between the user interface 180 and the dock 160. This can ensure a secure coupling of the nozzle 130 and the dock 160 to the dispenser unit 150, such that while dairy product 20 is being pumped, the nozzle 130 and the dock 160 remain fixed relative to the dispenser unit 150 and do not move or rattle.

In some examples, as shown in Figures 1c-2b, the user interface 180 can be hinged such that it can be rotated about an axis in order to transition between the open configuration and the closed configuration. The user interface 180 may also have a damping mechanism such as a gas strut or shock absorber connected to the user interface 180 and to a stationary portion of the dispenser unit 150, where the damping mechanism is configured to allow the user interface 180 to open and close between its open and closed configurations in a controlled manner. When in the closed configuration, the user interface 180 may engage with the dock 160 such that the nozzle 130 is correctly positioned for filling the bottle 10 with dairy product 20. In some examples, when in the closed configuration, the user interface 180 engages with the dock 160 such that the sprung mechanism of the dock 160 is in a loaded state. In some examples, when in the open configuration, the user interface 180 does not engage with dock 160 and the sprung mechanism may be in an unloaded state. In some examples, when transitioning from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the user interface 180 engages with the dock 160 to begin loading the sprung mechanism before the user interface 180 is fully closed.

The user interface 180 can include a user bottle receiver 182 configured to removably receive the user bottle 10 to be filled through the nozzle 130. In some examples, the receiver 182 is configured to tilt the user bottle 10 at an angle to a vertical direction. For example, the angle can be an angle a which is between around 5° and around 25°, or between around 10° and around 20°, or equal to around 15°. By angling the bottle 10 at such an angle to the vertical, the dairy product 20 can enter the bottle 10 by running down an inner surface thereof, thus reducing the amount of foaming of the dairy product in the bottle 10. The receiver 182 may also be configured to collect spillage from the nozzle 130 and/or the user bottle 10, for example by including a drip tray.

As shown in Figure 3, the user interface 180 may also include an opening 184 for receiving a portion of the nozzle 130. Preferably, the opening 184 is configured such that when in the open configuration and the closed configuration and when transitioning between the configurations, the nozzle 130 can pass through the opening 184 without contacting the user interface 180. This can reduce the chance of the nozzle 130 becoming contaminated.

When in the closed configuration and when the nozzle 130 is docked at the dock 160, the nozzle outlet 132 is at least partially recessed within the user interface 180, for example above the user bottle 10. This can prevent the nozzle outlet 132 from projecting into a space where a user bottle 10 may be placed for filling or refilling, thus reducing the chance of contaminating the nozzle 130, for example through contact with a contaminated user bottle 10.

The user interface 180 can include one or more bottle sensors 186 configured to detect whether or not a user bottle 10 is received in the receiver 182. For example, the sensors 186 can include a radiofrequency identification (RFID) reader configured to read an RFID tag of the user bottle 10 and/or an optical reader configured to read a tag of the user bottle 10. Alternatively or additionally, the sensors 186 can include a pressure plate coupled to the receiver 182 and configured to measure a force such as a weight of the bottle 10 and/or an optical sensor configured to detect obstructions in the receiver 182, such as a user bottle 10 placed on the receiver 182.

The user interface 180 can include a graphical user interface (GUI) 188 configured to display information to a user and/or to enable input of information from the user. The information displayed to the user and/or received from the user via the GUI 188 can relate to the bottle 10 and/or the reservoir 115 of the replaceable container 110. In some examples, at least some of the information relating to the bottle 10 is received based on identifying the bottle 10 using a sensor, for example by using one of the sensors 186 such as an RFID reader to read an RFID tag of the bottle 10 or an optical reader to read a tag of the bottle 10. In some examples, at least some of the information relating to the reservoir 115 is received based on identifying the container 110 using a sensor, for example by using an RFID reader to read an RFID tag of the container 110 or an optical reader to read a tag of the container 110. Alternatively or additionally, at least some of the information relating to the bottle 10 and/or the reservoir 115 may be input via the GUI 188 by a user and/or operator. The information relating to the bottle 10 can include a number of times the bottle 10 has been filled with dairy product 20 and/or a number of times the bottle 10 has been cleaned. The information relating to the bottle 10 can include a timestamp of when the bottle 10 has been filled with dairy product 20 and/or when the bottle 10 has been cleaned. The information relating to the bottle 10 can include a fluid capacity of the bottle 10 and/or information about the user of the bottle 10, such as an identification or information about membership to a loyalty program. Information about membership to a loyalty program can relate to a reward, credit, an incentive scheme (for example, to encourage reward recycling of user bottles) or a points scheme (for example, a number of accrued reward points).

The information relating to the reservoir 115 can include a number of times the reservoir 115 has been filled with dairy product 20 and/or a number of times the reservoir 115 has been cleaned. The information relating to the reservoir 115 can include a timestamp of when the reservoir 115 has been filled with dairy product 20 and/or when the reservoir 115 has been cleaned. The information relating to the reservoir 115 can include a fluid capacity of the reservoir 115 and/or a type and/or provenance of the dairy product 20 contained in the reservoir 115. The type of the dairy product 20 can include one or more of a vitamin content, a macronutrient content (such as a fat, protein, sugar or carbohydrate content), an energy content and an ingredient of the dairy product 20. The provenance of the dairy product 20 can include one or more of a farm from which the dairy product 20 originates, a type and/or name of a cow that produced the dairy product 20, and a country, region and/or county from which the dairy product 20 originates. The information relating to the reservoir 115 can include a “use by” date or an expiry date of the dairy product 20 filled in the bottle 10 and/or a shelf life for the dairy product 20 contained in the reservoir 115.

The user interface 180 can include one or more status sensors 190, for example a dairy product temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the dairy product 20. Other sensors can include an ambient temperature sensor for sensing an ambient temperature, a sensor for sensing a level of dairy product 20 in the user bottle 10 and/or in the reservoir 115, and/or a nozzle tampering sensor for sensing tampering of the nozzle 130 by a user and/or operator. The nozzle tampering sensor can be an optical sensor and may be configured to detect unexpected obstructions near or contact with the nozzle 130. The status sensors 190 can also include a nozzle temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the nozzle 130, for example using an infrared detector. The container 110 may be manufactured from metal, plastic and/or composite material, such as lined metal, lacquered metal, single plastic, composite plastic and/or reinforced resin. The container 110 may be formed of a material which is suitable for storing dairy product 20 between around 2 °C and around 15 °C and also for being cleaned at temperatures of up to around 100 °C for extended periods of time.

The container 110 may comprise at least one trade mark, logo, product information, advertising information, other distinguishing feature or combination thereof. The container 110 may be printed and/or labelled with at least one trade mark, logo, product information, advertising information, other distinguishing feature or combination thereof. This can deter counterfeiting and provide information relating to the container 110 and/or the dairy product 20 when the container 110 is not connected to the dispenser unit 150.

The user bottle 10 may be manufactured from metal, plastic and/or glass. For example, the user bottle 10 may be manufactured from coated glass which can prevent light from reaching photo-sensitive products held within the bottle 10. Suitable materials include glass and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which, for example, may be suitable for storing dairy product 20 between around 2 °C and around 15 °C and also for being repeatedly used and cleaned without degrading or becoming contaminated.

Although the first example embodiment has been described with reference to a user bottle and a dairy product, the disclosure also concerns another example embodiment of a system for filling a user container with a pumpable liquid or semi-liquid foodstuff which will now be described. The system comprises a replaceable container according to any embodiment of the disclosure already described above, and a dispenser unit according to any embodiment of the disclosure already described above. Instead of a dairy product, the foodstuff may be any type of liquid or semi-liquid foodstuff that is capable of being pumped, including beverages, plant milk (for example, oat milk, almond milk, soya milk or coconut milk), fruit juice, sorbet in a fluid or semi-melted state that can be pumped, water, oil such as a cooking oil, or sauce such as tomato sauce, salad cream, dressings, soup, or fermented products. The user container may be a bottle, a carton, a tub, a cup or any other receptacle for storing the foodstuff. In some examples, the user container can be a user bottle 10 according to any embodiment of the disclosure already described above. In some examples, the replaceable container is a replaceable container 110 according to any embodiment of the disclosure already described above. In some examples, the dispenser unit is a dispenser unit 150 according to any embodiment of the disclosure already described above. The replaceable container may be manufactured from metal, plastic and/or composite material, such as lined metal, lacquered metal, single plastic, composite plastic and/or reinforced resin. The replaceable container may be formed of a material which is suitable for storing the foodstuff between around -20 °C and around 15 °C and also for being cleaned at temperatures of up to around 100 °C for extended periods of time. In some examples, the replaceable container may be suitable for repeated cleaning using an industrial dishwasher.

The replaceable container may comprise at least one trade mark, logo, product information, advertising information, other distinguishing feature or combination thereof. The replaceable container may be printed and/or labelled with at least one trade mark, logo, product information, advertising information, other distinguishing feature or combination thereof. This can deter counterfeiting and provide information relating to the replaceable container and/or the foodstuff when the replaceable container is not connected to the dispenser unit.

The user container may be manufactured from metal, plastic and/or glass. For example, the user bottle 10 may be manufactured from coated glass which can prevent light from reaching photo-sensitive products held within the bottle 10. Suitable materials include glass and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which, for example, may be suitable for storing the foodstuff between around -20 °C and around 15 °C and also for being repeatedly used and cleaned without degrading or becoming contaminated. In some examples, the user container may be suitable for repeated cleaning using a domestic or industrial dishwasher. In some examples, the user container may be manufactured from one or more non-metal materials and/or may be suitable for use in a microwave oven.

Examples of the operation of the systems described above (such as system 100) will now be described. As shown in Figures 1a, 1 b, 1e and 2b, a replaceable container 110 is received in the first condition, typically having been washed, sanitised, and refilled with the dairy product 20. Where the container 110 includes a protection receptacle 105, the protection receptacle 105 may be in its transport condition in order to provide protection to the tube 125, nozzle 130 and/or vent port 124 during transportation and/or movement. In some examples, in the first condition, the nozzle 130 can include a seal, for example at the nozzle outlet 132, which can fluidically seal the nozzle 130 such that internal passages for receiving dairy product 20 of the nozzle 130, the tube 125 and the reservoir 115 are not open to the surroundings of the container 110. In some examples, the seal is a sheath or a cap covering the nozzle outlet 132 and engaging and/or abutting the guide 134. The seal may be tamper-evident, such that if tampered with or removed, it cannot be re-sealed. The seal may be formed of a plastic.

Where, in the first condition, the tube 125, the outlet port 120 and/or the nozzle 130 are disconnected, at least a portion of the tube 125, the outlet port 120 and/or the nozzle 130 may be sealed or covered, for example with a cap or single-use seal. For example, the tube 125 and/or the nozzle 130 can have a seal at one or more exposed end regions thereof to fluidically seal the end regions of the tube 125 and/or the nozzle 130 such that an internal passage of the tube 125 and/or the nozzle 130 for receiving dairy product 20 is sealed from the surroundings of the container 110. When transitioning the container 110 to the second condition from the first condition, the cap or seal of the tube 125, outlet port 120 and/or nozzle 130 may be removed and the tube 125, outlet port 120 and/or the nozzle 130 may be connected such that fluidic communication between the reservoir 115 and the nozzle 130 is established.

Before inserting the replaceable container 110 into a bay 165 of the dispenser unit 150, the user interface 180 is moved into its open configuration as shown in Figures 1c and 2b, for example by rotating about a hinge, in order to allow the container 110 to be inserted into the bay 165. The protection receptacle 105 is also transitioned from its transport condition (shown in Figures 1a and 2b) to its bottle-filling condition (shown in Figures 1b and 1e-2a) in order to allow the container 110 to be inserted into the bay 165. For example, a lid portion 105b of the protection receptacle 105 is released from a base portion 105a and rotated about a hinge of the protection receptacle 105 such that the tube 125 and the nozzle 130 are exposed.

As shown in Figure 1e, the replaceable container 110 is then inserted into the bay 165, for example by wheeling the container 110 on wheels 112.

As shown in Figures 1f and 2a, the replaceable container 110 is then transitioned to its second condition, where the nozzle 130 is coupled to the dock 160 and the tube 125 engages with the peristaltic pump 170 of the dispenser unit 150. In some examples, when transitioning the container 110 to its second condition, the peristaltic pump 170 is opened and a flexible portion of the tube 125 is inserted into the peristaltic pump 170.

Where the tube 125, the outlet port 120 and/or the nozzle 130 has a seal in the first condition, when transitioning the container 110 to the second condition, the seal may be broken or removed in order to allow dairy product 20 from the reservoir 115 to flow through the nozzle 130 via the tube 125 and the outlet port 120. In this way, a user and/or operator transitioning the replaceable container 110 to its second condition (such as store staff) do not need to touch any part of the container 110 that comes into contact with the dairy product 20, thus improving hygiene and reducing the risk of contamination.

The user interface 180 is then moved from its open configuration to its closed configuration as shown in Figures 1d, 1f and 2a, thus securing the container 110 in the bay 165 and allowing a user bottle 10 to be filled with dairy product 20.

A user and/or operator of the system 100 can place a user bottle 10 in the bottle receiver 182 of the user interface 180 such that the nozzle outlet 132 is aligned with an opening of the bottle 10. For example, the nozzle outlet 132 may be aligned such that it directs dairy product 20 into the user bottle 10 through the opening of the user bottle 10 while maintaining an air gap between the outlet 132 and the user bottle 10. This allows the user bottle 10 to be filled with dairy product 20 without the nozzle outlet 132 contacting the user bottle 10, thus reducing the risk of contaminating the nozzle outlet 132 and/or the user bottle 10.

The user bottle 10 may be one selected from a store of unused and empty user bottles near the system 100. Alternatively, the user bottle 10 is a recycled user bottle 10 that has been previously been used in a usage cycle by the user or another user and is ready to be filled again. The usage cycle can comprise: bringing an empty user bottle 10 to be filled with dairy product 20 to the system 100; filling the empty user bottle 10 with dairy product 20 dispensed by the system 100; using the dairy product 20 in the filled user bottle 10; emptying the user bottle of any unused dairy product 20; washing the user bottle 10; and returning the cleaned user bottle 10 to the system 100 to be refilled. This can help reduce the amount of packaging and wastage produced for the sale and consumption of products such as dairy product 20, and thus can reduce negative impact on the environment.

In examples where the tube 125, the outlet port 120 and the nozzle 130 remain connected in the first condition, they may be disconnected for maintenance, for example after a predetermined number of usage cycles, such as between around 10 and 100 usage cycles, or around 50 usage cycles.

The one or more bottle sensors 186 can then detect whether a user bottle 10 has been received in the bottle receiver 182. In some examples, an indication is provided to the user and/or operator as to whether a bottle 10 is in the receiver 182, for example by displaying the indication via the GUI 188 or by emitting a sound or turning on a light. If the bottle 10 has an RFID tag and if the sensors 186 include an RFID scanner, the detection as to whether a user bottle 10 has been received in the bottle receiver 182 may be performed by identifying the RFID tag using the RFID scanner.

Using the same or a different RFID scanner 186 to scan an RFID tag of the user bottle 10, the information relating to the user bottle 10 can be displayed on the GUI 188. The information relating to the reservoir 115 can be displayed at the same time as the information relating to the bottle 10. Alternatively or additionally, the information relating to the reservoir 115 may be displayed on the GUI 188 before and/or after the information relating to the bottle 10 is displayed, or can be displayed when there is no user bottle 10 received in the bottle receiver 182.

Various options for filling the user bottle 10 can be presented to the user via the GUI 188. For example, the options presented may be dependent on the information relating to the bottle 10 and/or the information relating to the reservoir 115. In some examples, the user may be able to select a volume of dairy product 20 less than or equal to a volume capacity of the bottle 10 to be filled into the bottle 10.

In some examples, when the user interface 180 is in the closed configuration and when the replaceable container 110 is in the second condition, a status sensor 190 can be configured to continuously detect whether the nozzle 130 is tampered with or touched by a user and/or operator. If a nozzle tampering sensor 190 detects that the nozzle 130 has been tampered with or touched, the sensor 190 may trigger an alert for example via the GUI 188 and/or cause pumping of the dairy product 20 from the reservoir 115 by the pump 170 to be disabled. In case of tampering or touching of the nozzle 130, this can allow a user and/or operator to clean or replace the nozzle 130 before resuming pumping of dairy product 20.

When the replaceable container 110 is empty or no more dairy product 20 can be pumped therefrom, or when the replaceable container 110 has been in the second condition for a predetermined amount of time, the replaceable container 110 can be removed from the bay 165 and replaced with a new replaceable container 110. To remove the replaceable container 110 from the bay 165, the user interface 180 is moved to its open configuration. If the protection receptacle 105 had been placed below the container 110, for example to secure it within the bay 165, the protection receptacle 105 is removed from below the container 110.

The replaceable container 110 is transitioned from the second condition to the first condition by disconnecting the nozzle 130 from the dock 160 and by decoupling the tube 125 from the peristaltic pump 170 of the dispenser unit 150. The nozzle 130 may be re-sealed. If the container 110 includes a vent port 124, the vent port 124 may be closed such that fluid is prevented from flowing therethrough. Alternatively, the vent port 124 can remain open in both the first and second conditions. This can remove the need for users and/or store operators to open and re-close the vent port 124, reducing the chance of inadvertently leaving it closed which could lead to pressurisation and/or depressurisation of the reservoir 115.

Additionally or alternatively, when the replaceable container 110 is transitioned from the second condition to the first condition, the tube 125, the outlet port 120 and/or the nozzle 130 may be disconnected and/or re-sealed.

The replaceable container 110 is removed from the bay 165, for example by wheeling it out of the bay 165 using wheels 112. The protection receptacle 105 is then transitioned to its transport condition to cover the tube 125 and the nozzle 130. The container 110 may then be sent to one or more facilities to be emptied of unused dairy product 20, cleaned and/or refilled with dairy product 20.

In some examples, the replaceable container 110 is cleaned by connecting a supply of cleaning fluid to the nozzle 130 via the cleaning guide 134 and passing a flow of the cleaning fluid back through the nozzle, the tube 125 and the outlet port 120, and into the reservoir 115. If, when transitioning the container 110 from the second condition to the first condition, the tube 125, outlet port 120 and/or nozzle 130 are disconnected, the tube 125 and/or nozzle 130 may be cleaned separately from the reservoir 115.

Additionally or alternatively, cleaning fluid is sprayed directly into the reservoir 115 through an opening of the container 110 such as refill port 122. In some examples, cleaning fluid is sprayed into the reservoir 115 by positioning a pipe connected to a supply of cleaning fluid within the reservoir 115 (via the opening), which pipe terminates with a plurality of small openings facing a plurality of directions, such that cleaning fluid is sprayed in the plurality of directions when passed through the pipe. This can allow the inside of the reservoir 115 to be cleaned without disassembling the container 110 or placing it inside a larger cleaning apparatus. Cleaning fluid is then drained from the container 110, such as through a drainage port, and is then passed back through the nozzle 130 and/or refill port 122 along with rinsing fluid.

In this way, dairy product 20 with which user bottles 10 are filled does not come into direct contact with the dispenser unit 150, meaning only the replaceable container 110 (including the tube 125, nozzle 130 and dampener 140) needs to be cleaned from waste or unused dairy product 20 or other undesirable residual substances. This can allow cleaning of equipment that comes into contact with dairy product 20 to be performed at a central facility, and can remove the need for local facilities (where dispenser units 150 are located) to have infrastructure suitable for cleaning, such as mains water supply and drainage. While specific systems are shown, any appropriate hardware may be employed. For example, containers may include a flexible bag that is compressed in order to expel a product contained therein.

The above embodiments and examples are to be understood as illustrative examples. Further embodiments, aspects or examples are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment, aspect or example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, aspects or examples, or any combination of any other of the embodiments, aspects or examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

- 28 - Claims

1. A system for filling a user bottle with a dairy product, the system comprising: a replaceable container which is refillable, the replaceable container comprising: a dairy product reservoir configured to contain the dairy product, a port in fluidic communication with the reservoir; and a dispenser unit configured to removably fl uidical ly cooperate with the replaceable container and with the user bottle to be filled, the dispenser unit comprising a peristaltic pump configured to pump the dairy product from the reservoir into the bottle, wherein the replaceable container further comprises: a nozzle configured to direct the dairy product into the user bottle, the nozzle comprising a fluid flow dampener configured to regulate a flow of dairy product from the peristaltic pump to the bottle, and a tube configured to removably establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump, and wherein the dispenser unit further comprises a dock configured to removably dock the nozzle of the replaceable container.

2. The system of claim 1 , configured to be operated between a first condition and a second condition, wherein, in the first condition, the nozzle is in an undocked condition from the dock of the dispenser unit and the tube is in a decoupled condition from the peristaltic pump of the dispenser unit, and wherein, in the second condition, the nozzle is docked in the dock of the dispenser unit and the tube is coupled with the peristaltic pump of the dispenser unit to establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein, in the first condition of the system: the dairy product reservoir is configured to be at least partially emptied from unused dairy product, cleaned and/or refilled with fresh dairy product, and/or the nozzle is configured to be cleaned and/or replaced by another nozzle, and/or the tube is configured to be cleaned and/or replaced by another tube.

4. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the dispenser unit further comprises a bay configured to removably receive the replaceable container, and wherein, in the first condition of the system: the replaceable container is configured to be removed from the bay of the dispenser unit, and/or the replaceable container is configured to be inserted into the bay of the dispenser unit.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the replaceable container further comprises a protection receptable configured to be operated between a transport condition and a bottle-filling condition, and wherein, in the transport condition, the protection receptacle is configured to cooperate with the reservoir of the replaceable container to receive the nozzle and/or the tube and/or a vent fluidical ly connected to the reservoir, and wherein, in the bottle-filling condition, the protection receptacle is configured to enable access to the nozzle and/or the tube and/or the vent.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the vent comprises a filter.

7. The system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the protection receptacle comprises a base portion connected to a lid portion via a hinge, and when the system is in the second condition and the protection receptacle is in the bottle-filling condition, the lid portion is configured to be opened about the hinge to expose the nozzle and/or the tube and/or the vent.

8. The system of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein, when the system is in the first condition and the protection receptacle is in the transport condition, the protection receptacle is configured to enhance protection of the nozzle and/or the tube and/or a vent and to facilitate movement of the replaceable container.

9. The system of any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the bay is configured to refrigerate the container.

10. The system of any of preceding claims, wherein the fluid flow dampener comprises: a vessel configured to hold the flow of dairy product; one or more baffles located in the vessel configured to divert the flow of dairy product within the vessel; and an elastically deformable membrane located on the vessel, configured to deform in response to pumping of the peristaltic pump. - so

11. The system of any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the dispenser unit further comprises a user interface configured to be operated between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein, in the open configuration, the user interface is configured to enable the replaceable container to be inserted and/or removed from the bay of the dispenser, and wherein, in the closed configuration, the user interface is configured to secure the replaceable container in the bay of the dispenser and to enable the user bottle to be filled through the nozzle.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the user interface comprises at least one of: a user bottle receiver configured to removably receive the user bottle to enable the user bottle to be filled through the nozzle; and/or at least one bottle sensor configured to detect whether or not a user bottle is received in the receiver; and/or at least one status sensor configured to sense one or more statuses of the system; and/or a graphical user interface, GUI, configured to display information to a user and/or to enable input of information from the user, the information relating to at least one of the bottle and/or the reservoir.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the bottle receiver is configured to tilt the user bottle at an angle a with respect to a vertical direction, such that:

5°<a<25°, optionally 10°<a<20°, optionally a is substantially equal to 15°.

14. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the at least one bottle sensor comprises at least one of: a radio frequency identification, RFID, reader configured to read a RFID tag of the user bottle; an optical reader configured to read a tag of the user bottle; a pressure plate coupled to the user bottle receiver and configured to measure a weight of the user bottle; and/or an optical sensor configured to detect obstructions in the user bottle receiver.

15. The system of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the at least one status sensor comprises at least one of: a dairy product temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the dairy product; an ambient temperature sensor configured to sense an ambient temperature; a nozzle temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the nozzle; a level sensor configured to sense a level of dairy product in the user bottle and/or the reservoir; and/or a nozzle tampering sensor configured to sense tampering of the nozzle, preferably wherein the nozzle tampering sensor comprises an optical sensor.

16. The system of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the information relating to the bottle comprises at least one of: a number of times the bottle has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned, and/or a time stamp of when the bottle has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned, a fluid capacity of the bottle, information about the user of the bottle, such as an identification or information about membership to a loyalty program, and/or wherein the information relating to the reservoir comprises at least one of: a number of times the reservoir has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned, and/or a time stamp of when the reservoir has been filled with dairy product and/or cleaned, and/or a fluid capacity of the reservoir, and/or a type and/or a provenance of the dairy product contained in the reservoir, and/or a “use by” date for the dairy product filled in the bottle and/or a shelf life for the dairy product contained in the reservoir.

17. The system of any of claims 4 to 16, wherein the bay is a bay configured to be located in a shop aisle, and wherein the replaceable container is compliant with a shop dairy product stand.

18. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the replaceable container comprises wheels configured to allow movement of the replaceable container. - 32 -

19. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the dairy product is milk, yoghurt, cream or ice cream.

20. A replaceable container for a dairy product, configured to removably fluidically cooperate with a dispenser unit of the system of any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the replaceable container is refillable and comprises: a dairy product reservoir configured to contain the dairy product, a port in fluidic communication with the reservoir, a nozzle configured to direct the dairy product into a user bottle, the nozzle comprising a fluid flow dampener configured to regulate a flow of dairy product from the peristaltic pump of the dispenser to the bottle, and a tube configured to removably establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump of the dispenser.

21. A dispenser unit configured to removably fluidically cooperate with the replaceable container of the system of any of claims 1 to 19, the dispenser unit comprising: a peristaltic pump configured to pump a dairy product from the reservoir of the replaceable container into a bottle to be filled with the dairy product; and a dock configured to removably dock the nozzle of the replaceable container.

22. A system for filling a user container with a pumpable liquid foodstuff, comprising: a replaceable container which is refillable, the replaceable container comprising: a product reservoir configured to contain the foodstuff, and a port in fluidic communication with the reservoir; and a dispenser unit configured to removably fluidically cooperate with the replaceable container and with the user container to be filled, the dispenser unit comprising a peristaltic pump configured to pump the foodstuff from the reservoir into the user container, wherein the replaceable container further comprises: a nozzle configured to direct the foodstuff into the user container, the nozzle comprising a fluid flow dampener configured to regulate a flow of foodstuff from the peristaltic pump to the user container, and a tube configured to removably establish fluidic communication between the port and the nozzle via the peristaltic pump, and - 33 - wherein the dispenser unit further comprises a dock configured to removably dock the nozzle of the replaceable container.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the pumpable liquid foodstuff is a beverage, such as water, fruit juice and/or a fermented beverage.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the pumpable liquid foodstuff is an edible foodstuff, such as oil, sauce, a dressing, soup and/or a fermented foodstuff.