Abstract:
Systems and methods for preparing and dispensing food contents, typically molten chocolate. In one aspect, a system includes a deformable fluid-tight container shell defining an internal volume and separating the internal volume from an external environment; a semi-solid content contained within the internal volume; a valve stem operationally connected to and disposed at least partially through the deformable container shell; and a valve disposed in the external environment and operationally connected to the valve stem. The semi-solid content may be a hydrophobic matrix with at least partially emulsified hydrophilic components suspended therein; the container shell may be substantially fluid-tight; the valve may be self-cleaning; the internal volume may be in fluidic communication with the external environment where the valve is open but not when the valve is closed.
Abstract:
An apparatus for delivering refill liquid to a destination container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a deformable transport container having an opening for receiving the refill liquid and an adaptor including an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is removably receivable at the opening of the transport container such that when the inlet is received at the opening, the inlet is operable to receive a flow of the refill liquid through the opening from the transport container and to channel the flow through the passage to the outlet, the outlet being operable to dispense the refill liquid into the destination container, and when the inlet is not received at the opening, the transport container is operable to receive the refill liquid through the opening. Systems and methods for delivering refill liquid to a destination container are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an emptying apparatus (20) and a method for emptying a flexible container (22) of viscous material (30) kept therein. The emptying is carried out with a roller arrangement (23) influencing the container arranged in an extending arrangement (21). This roller arrangement comprises rollers (25) provided with recesses (26), whereby the rollers oriented towards each other are arranged in a position where the protrusion (27) of one roller, formed by the adjacent recesses (26), is arranged to be able to be inserted into the recess of the opposite roller. In this way, the roller arrangement closes the nip (28) between the parallel rollers and generates an internal pressure in the material (30) in the container, which pressure accelerates the emptying of the flexible container (22).
Abstract:
The invention is particularly concerned with providing a drive mechanism to extrude product from containers. In order to reduce the amount of effort which manual operation would entail there is provided a gear wheel 23 meshing with the driven gear through high ratio gearing, the driven gear 25 being associated with a cam 27 about which is located a cam follower 32. The cam follower carries a plunger arranged to move to engage the container 10 and discharge product therefrom.
Abstract:
A dispenser (10) for dispensing viscous liquid from a flexible viscous liquid containing bag having a dispensing opening is provided. The dispenser (10) includes a support plate (30) that is adapted to support the flexible viscous liquid containing bag. A squeegee carriage (32) having a squeegee (34) attached thereto is also provided. The squeegee carriage (32) is mounted for movement from an initial, upper position downwardly along the support plate (30) to a lower position. The squeegee (34) is adapted to press the flexible viscous liquid containing bag against the support plate (30) to squeeze the viscous liquid from the dispensing opening. A flexible bag for use with the dispenser is also provided.
Abstract:
A dispenser for liquid is provided having a relatively stiff or rigid container above a resiliently deformable reservoir structure. The container is coupled to the reservoir structure and the container has a bottom outlet inside the reservoir structure which also includes a discharge structure leading from the inside to the outside of the reservoir structure. Liquid is dispensed when the user causes relative movement between the container and the reservoir structure to increase the pressure in the reservoir structure and to thereby force liquid from the reservoir structure through the outlet passageway.
Abstract:
A dispenser for liquids is provided having a container including a bottom opening and an envelope structure surrounding the container. A bottom wall on the envelope structure is adjacent the bottom opening so that liquid from the container will collect in the envelope structure about the bottom opening. A dispensing passage is coupled to the envelope structure and leads from inside the envelope structure below the bottom opening upwardly and terminates outside the envelope structure. At least a portion of the envelope structure is resiliently deformable for deflection to create pressure in liquid in the envelope structure to thereby cause liquid to exit through the dispensing passage.
Abstract:
A tapping device, constituted by a container made of rigid material, preferably cigar-shaped or cylinder- shaped with hemispherical head, envisages within it two distinct chambers, both equipped with opening/closing means to enable communication with the outside, which are completely separated, and have volumes that are variable in an inversely proportional way with respect to one another, by a diaphragm of variable geometry that is able to undergo deformation and adapt progressively to the internal shape of the container. One of the chambers is designed to contain the beverage to be tapped, whereas the other is a thrust chamber where there is always present a pressure in any case higher than or equal to the pressure that enables exit of the beverage from the first chamber, thus supplying not only the thrust necessary to overcome the head losses downstream of the outlet for the beverage from the first chamber, but also a rate of exit of the liquid that will enable the required flow rate and the desired exit times.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for preparing and dispensing food contents, typically molten chocolate. In one aspect, a system includes a deformable fluid-tight container shell defining an internal volume and separating the internal volume from an external environment; a semi-solid content contained within the internal volume; a valve stem operationally connected to and disposed at least partially through the deformable container shell; and a valve disposed in the external environment and operationally connected to the valve stem. The semi-solid content may be a hydrophobic matrix with at least partially emulsified hydrophilic components suspended therein; the container shell may be substantially fluid-tight; the valve may be self-cleaning; the internal volume may be in fluidic communication with the external environment where the valve is open but not when the valve is closed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for removing liquids from a deformable container (10), with a connection (4) which can be connected to an opening (12) of the container (10) in order to conduct the liquid out of the container (10), with a conveying pipe (5), which is arranged downstream of the connection, in order to convey the liquid conducted out of the container (10), and with a deformation device (20), for deforming the container (10), which deformation device is designed in such a manner that the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced by action of the deformation device (20) on the container (10). According to the invention, the deformation device (20) has a deformation element (22) which is movable in relation to the container and can be brought into contact with the container (10), wherein the internal volume of the container (10) is reduced by the movement of said deformation element (22).