Patent Publication Number: US-2011062183-A1

Title: Foodstuff dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to a foodstuff dispenser and has particular, but not exclusive application to a dispenser for a flowable foodstuff such as yoghurt, soft ice cream and similar products. The dispenser may be suitable for dispensing individual portions, possibly in metered amounts, on demand, for example by a user via a suitable interface. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is capable of conditioning the foodstuff so that it is ready to dispense when required, while preferably maintaining quality and storage life of the foodstuff. 
     It is another preferred object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is capable of replenishing the foodstuff in a simple manner, while preferably minimising cleaning and sanitisation without compromising hygiene. 
     It is yet another preferred object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is capable of dispensing the foodstuff from a pre-packed container, while preferably minimising yield loss. 
     These and other preferred objects, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following description and, where necessary, with reference to the drawings. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing a flowable foodstuff comprising means for receiving packaging containing the foodstuff, means for cooling the foodstuff, means for displacing the foodstuff from the packaging, an outlet nozzle for dispensing foodstuff displaced from the packaging, and a valve for controlling flow of foodstuff through the outlet nozzle. 
     The packaging may be reduced in size in response to displacement of the foodstuff. For example, the packaging may comprise a flexible container such as a pouch made, for example, of polymeric material, preferably a food grade polymer compatible with the foodstuff. The packaging container is preferably collapsible or at least partially collapsible under an externally applied pressure to force the foodstuff from the packaging. 
     The displacing means may increase in size to displace foodstuff from the packaging. For example, the displacing means may comprise a flexible reservoir such as a bag or bladder made, for example, of fluid impermeable material, preferably a gas impermeable polymeric material. 
     The displacing reservoir is preferably connectable to a fluid supply, preferably a gas supply such as an air compressor to inflate the displacing reservoir and thereby apply pressure to collapse the packaging container and force foodstuff from the container. 
     The displacing means may be controlled to dispense a metered or measured volume of foodstuff. For example, the increase in volume of the displacing reservoir preferably matches the reduction in volume of the packaging container and the change in volume of the displacing reservoir may be used to control the volume of foodstuff that is displaced from the packaging container. The change in volume of the displacing reservoir may be controlled to provide a uniform rate of change per unit time so that, for a given dispense time, the overall change in volume and thus the volume of foodstuff dispensed can be determined with reasonable accuracy. 
     The receiving means may receive both the packaging container and the displacing reservoir and may be substantially rigid so that change in volume of the displacing reservoir causes a similar change in volume of the packaging container. For example, the receiving means may comprise a shell that substantially surrounds the packaging container and the displacing reservoir. 
     The shell preferably includes a part that is movable to open the shell to allow the packaging container to be inserted and, when empty, removed and replaced. The shell may comprise a base part and a lid or cover connected to the base part by a hinge that allows the shell to be opened and closed. 
     The lid or cover may be secured in the closed position to prevent the shell opening accidentally or inadvertently during dispense and may additionally be locked to prevent unauthorised release of the lid or cover to open the shell. Any suitable means may be employed to secure and, optionally, lock the lid or cover in the closed position. 
     The displacing reservoir may be placed against and directly contact the packaging container within the shell. Alternatively, the displacing reservoir and packaging container may be separated by a force transmitting member that applies the force generated by increase in volume of the displacing reservoir to the packaging container. The force transmitting member may spread the force so that it is distributed over a wider area of the packaging container. Spreading the force may result in the packaging container collapsing in a more controlled manner that may assist dispense and may reduce yield loss if the packaging container can be made to collapse without forming pockets or areas in which foodstuff is trapped so that it cannot be dispensed. 
     The cooling means may cool the packaging container and thus the foodstuff within the packaging container directly. Alternatively, the cooling means may cool the shell and thus cool the packaging container within the shell and foodstuff within the packaging container. For example, the shell or at least that part of the shell in contact with the packaging container may be made of a material having a high thermal conductivity such as metal or alloy although other thermally conducting materials including some plastics may be employed. The cooling means may also cool the outlet nozzle directly or through the shell. 
     The cooling means may comprise a coolant circuit for circulating a fluid medium such as a refrigerant for cooling the packaging container directly or indirectly via the shell. Alternatively, the cooling means may comprise a thermoelectric circuit for electrically cooling the packaging container directly or indirectly via the shell. 
     Preferably, the cooling means is controlled to maintain the foodstuff at a desired temperature or within a desired temperature range. For example, the cooling means may be responsive to one or more temperature sensors for controlling operation of the cooling means to maintain the desired temperature or temperature range. At least one temperature sensor may be arranged to monitor the temperature of the foodstuff within the packaging container, for example, by contact with the packaging container. Alternatively, or additionally at least one temperature sensor may be arranged to monitor the temperature of the shell, for example by contact with the shell. The or each temperature sensor may provide a signal to a controller operable to prevent dispense if the temperature varies from the desired temperature or temperature range by more than a pre-determined value. 
     The cooling means may be adjustable to set the desired temperature or temperature range whereby the setting can be varied according to the contents of the packaging container. The apparatus may be operable to prevent dispense or provide a warning or both prevent dispense and provide a warning if the temperature varies from the desired temperature or the desired temperature range such that the quality and/or condition of the foodstuff may have been affected. Where provided, the warning may be visual or audible or both visual and audible. 
     The outlet nozzle may be configured to dispense foodstuff displaced from the packaging container into a vessel so that the foodstuff does not contact other parts of the apparatus. The outlet nozzle may be disposable so that it can be removed and replaced when replacing the packaging container. In this way, cleaning may be avoided or reduced when replacing a used packaging container with a new packaging container. 
     The packaging container may be sealed during manufacture to preserve the foodstuff and may be provided with a connector for attaching the outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle may include a device such as a cutter to pierce the packaging container so that the foodstuff can be dispensed through the outlet nozzle. The packaging container may be pierced when the outlet nozzle is attached to the connector on the packaging container. A screw thread or bayonet coupling may be provided to attach the outlet nozzle to the connector. 
     The valve may be opened and closed manually to control dispense of the foodstuff. In this way, portion size (volume of foodstuff dispensed) may be controlled manually by the period of time the valve is open. Alternatively, the dispense valve may be opened and closed automatically to control dispense of the foodstuff. In this way, portion size may be controlled by the period of time the valve is open and/or by the rate of inflation of the displacing reservoir. 
     Opening and closing the valve may be linked to the fluid supply for inflating the displacing reservoir to control dispense of the foodstuff. In one arrangement, the valve may be opened automatically in response to the pressure of the foodstuff in the packaging container. In another arrangement, the valve may be opened and closed by any suitable means such as a solenoid in response to the supply of fluid to the displacing reservoir. In yet another arrangement, the supply of fluid to the displacing reservoir may be provided in response to opening and closing the valve. 
     The outlet nozzle may comprise a flexible tube and the valve may be operable to flatten or pinch the tube closed to prevent dispense of the foodstuff. In one arrangement, a valve member is operable to pinch the tube at upper and lower positions during a first stage of closing and to release the tube at the lower position during a second stage of closing to draw air into the tube and suck foodstuff back into the tube. The valve may be operated by a solenoid so as to be open when the solenoid is energised and closed when the solenoid is de-energised or vice versa. 
     The valve may be responsive to pressure applied to the foodstuff in the packaging container by the displacing reservoir. For example, a valve member may be biased to flatten or pinch the tube closed until the pressure applied to the foodstuff overcomes the biasing to open the outlet nozzle. In this way, the application and removal of pressure applied to the foodstuff may be used so that the valve opens automatically during dispense and closes and remains closed between dispenses. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the valve may be linked to the supply of fluid to the displacing reservoir. For example, the supply of fluid to the displacing reservoir may be responsive to operation of the valve or operation of the valve may be responsive to the supply of fluid to the displacing reservoir. 
     The outlet nozzle may be provided with a self-closing aperture such as one or more slits at the outlet end that open and close automatically in response to dispense of foodstuff and, when closed, prevent foodstuff dripping from the outlet nozzle. 
     The apparatus may include a user interface for activating dispense of foodstuff. The user interface may comprise any suitable user operable control such as a push button, lever or touch pad to start a dispense and control means responsive to the user operable control for controlling the displacing means to displace foodstuff from the packaging container. The apparatus may be configured to monitor dispense and provide a visual or audible or both visual and audible warning when the packaging container is empty or contains insufficient foodstuff to dispense a pre-determined minimum volume of foodstuff. 
     The control means may be operable to control the supply of fluid to inflate the displacing reservoir to force foodstuff from the packaging container. For example, the control means may start and stop an air compressor supplying compressed air to the displacing reservoir. Alternatively, the control means may open and close a valve in a line supplying compressed air to the displacing reservoir. The apparatus may be configured so that activation via the user operable control dispenses a single portion of known volume, for example by opening the valve for a pre-determined period of time. The apparatus may be configured so that the user can select the volume to be dispensed from a plurality of portions having pre-set volumes or even to allow free dispense of a portion having a volume set by the user, for example by continuous activation of the user operable control. 
     The control means may be operable to monitor the open shelf-life of the packaging container and to prevent dispense of food on expiry of the shelf-life. For example, the control means may detect insertion of a new packaging container and count down the time until expiry of the open-shelf life. 
     The control means may be operable to determine the remaining product life when a new packaging container is inserted and to prevent dispense on expiry of the product life. For example, the packaging container may be provided with best before and end dates in a machine readable form such as a barcode and the control means may read the information when a new packaging container is inserted. 
     The apparatus may include a sensor to detect the presence of a vessel below the outlet nozzle to prevent dispense of foodstuff if a vessel is not present. The apparatus may store and deliver a vessel to a position below the outlet nozzle when the user activates dispense of foodstuff. The apparatus may select and deliver a size of vessel appropriate to the volume of the portion selected by the user. Alternatively, the user may place a vessel below the outlet nozzle. The apparatus may control the volume of foodstuff dispensed by means of the gas supply to the displacing reservoir as described previously. Alternatively, the apparatus may control the volume of foodstuff dispensed by weight. For example, in one arrangement the apparatus may know or detect the weight of the vessel placed below the outlet nozzle prior to dispense and monitor the increase in weight as foodstuff is dispensed and control dispense according to the weight of foodstuff in the vessel. In another arrangement, the apparatus may know or detect the weight of a packaging container when it is installed in the apparatus and monitor the reduction in weight as foodstuff is dispensed and control dispense according to the weight of the foodstuff remaining in the packaging container. 
     The apparatus may include means for adding one or more edible components to the foodstuff. Such edible components may include flavourings such as flavoured syrups or toppings such as nuts. These components may be added separately and the user operable control may include means for selection of any edible components to be added. The edible component(s) may be dispensed at any point in the dispense cycle, including but not limited to before, during, or after the foodstuff. The addition of such edible components may allow the user to customise a base foodstuff such as plain yogurt or ice cream to modify the appearance and/or taste according to user preference. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing a flowable foodstuff from a packaging container, the method comprising the steps of providing a packaging container containing a flowable foodstuff with an outlet nozzle controlled by a valve, controlling the temperature of the foodstuff in the packaging container, and applying pressure to the packaging container to force foodstuff from the packaging container through the outlet nozzle for dispense of the foodstuff. 
     The flowable foodstuff may be viscous, for example a yoghurt or soft ice cream that is preferably stored and dispensed at a low temperature to maintain the condition and consistency of the foodstuff. 
     The valve may be pressure responsive to open and close automatically in response to dispense of the foodstuff. For example, the outlet nozzle may comprise a flexible tube and the valve may comprise a pinch valve that is biased to flatten the tube wall to prevent flow of foodstuff when closed and is opened to allow flow of foodstuff when the pressure of the foodstuff overcomes the biasing. 
     Alternatively, the valve may be operable manually or automatically, for example the valve may be opened and closed by a solenoid or other suitable means. 
     The valve may be linked to means for applying pressure to the packaging container. For example, pressure may be applied to the packaging container by confining the packaging container and a fluid reservoir in a shell and supplying fluid to inflate the reservoir and thereby compress the packaging container. Operation of the valve may control the supply of fluid to the reservoir. Alternatively, the supply of fluid to the reservoir may control operation of the valve. 
     The temperature of the foodstuff may be controlled by a fluid cooling circuit such as a refrigeration circuit. Alternatively, the temperature of the foodstuff may be controlled by a thermoelectric device. 
     The volume of foodstuff dispensed may be controlled to dispense individual portions of known volume. This may involve monitoring the rate and duration of dispense or by monitoring the weight of foodstuff dispensed from or remaining in the packaging container. 
     The pressure applied to the packaging container may be controlled to provide a substantially constant flow rate of dispensed foodstuff. The pressure applied to the packaging container may be increased as foodstuff is dispensed. 
     These and other features of the invention are described hereinafter in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts: 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an apparatus embodying the invention, the apparatus being shown in an open position for loading a foodstuff pouch; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus being shown in a closed position prior to dispense; 
         FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  are schematic views similar to  FIG. 2 , the apparatus being shown in various stages of dispense; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the outlet nozzle for dispensing the foodstuff; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of apparatus according to a practical embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 7 to 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view, to an enlarged scale, showing the pouch connector and outlet nozzle of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 7 to 10  connected to the pouch; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the pouch connector and outlet nozzle shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view, to an enlarged scale, showing an alternative pouch connector and outlet nozzle connected to the pouch; 
         FIG. 14  is diagrammatic view of the outlet nozzle in a closed condition; and 
         FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic view of the outlet nozzle in an open condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, the general principle of the apparatus according to the invention will first be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6  of the drawings followed by a description of practical embodiments of the invention with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 13  of the drawings. Where appropriate, like reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts in the drawings. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 to 6  of the drawings, there is depicted a foodstuff dispenser  2  for dispensing a flowable, viscous foodstuff such as yoghurt or soft ice cream contained in a flexible pouch  4 . The pouch  4  is made of a food grade plastics film material. 
     The pouch  4  is received in the lower part  6   a  of a two part shell  6 . The upper part  6   b  of the shell  6  is connected to the lower part  6   a  by a hinge  8  that allows the upper part  6   b  to be raised to open the shell  6  ( FIG. 1 ) and lowered to close the shell ( FIGS. 2 to 5 ). 
     When open, an empty pouch  4  can be removed from the shell  6  and a full pouch  4  can be loaded into the shell  6 . When closed, a releasable catch  10  secures the upper part  6   b  to the lower part  6   a  and prevents accidental opening of the shell  6 . The catch  10  may be locked to prevent unauthorised opening of the shell  6 . 
     A flexible bag  12  is received in the upper part  6   b  of the shell and is connected to a fluid source (not shown) such as compressed air by a line  14  for admitting air to inflate the bag  12 . An air compressor (not shown) working at low pressure may be employed to achieve a low noise level. The pouch  4  is filled with the flowable foodstuff and sealed during manufacture for storage prior to loading in the apparatus. The pouch  4  is preferably capable of withstanding the inflation pressure. An outlet for the foodstuff is provided by a connector  16  attached to the pouch  4  during manufacture. A rupturable membrane  18  (FIG.  6 ) covers the outlet and is configured for attaching a nozzle  20  for dispensing the foodstuff. The membrane  18  may be provided by the wall of the pouch  4  or by a separate membrane. 
     The nozzle  20  has a cutter  22  ( FIG. 6 ) that pierces the membrane  18  when the nozzle  20  is attached to the connector  16 . The nozzle  20  also has a flexible tube  24  through which the foodstuff can pass from the pouch  4  for dispense into a container  25  placed under the end of the tube  24 . The tube  24  is arranged so that foodstuff can pass directly from the tube  24  into the vessel  25  without contacting other parts of the apparatus. 
     The supply of fluid to inflate the bag  12  and compress the pouch  4  to force foodstuff from the pouch  4  for dispense through the nozzle  20  may be controlled by switching the air compressor on and off. Alternatively or additionally, a valve (not shown) may be provided in the line  14  to connect and disconnect the fluid source. Between dispenses, the air compressor is stopped or the valve is closed and the bag  12  remains inflated so that, when the air compressor is restarted or valve is opened again to re-connect the fluid source, the bag  12  is further inflated to force foodstuff from the pouch  4 . This arrangement results in the pouch  4  collapsing progressively ( FIGS. 3 to 5 ) in a controlled manner until substantially all the foodstuff has been dispensed. 
     The nozzle  20  may be provided with a valve  26  to control dispense of the foodstuff. The dispense valve  26  may be of any suitable type, for example a pinch valve operable to flatten the tube  24  intermediate the ends and prevent passage of the foodstuff through the tube  24  under the biasing of a spring  28  acting on a valve member  30 . 
     The dispense valve  26  may be opened and closed manually to control dispense of the foodstuff. In this way, when the bag  12  is connected to the fluid source  14 , portion size may be controlled manually by the user opening and closing the dispense valve  26 . The period of time the dispense valve  26  is open may be changed by the user to vary the portion size. 
     Alternatively, the dispense valve  26  may be opened and closed automatically to control dispense of the foodstuff. In this way, when the bag  12  is connected to the fluid source  14 , portion size may be controlled by period of time the dispense valve  26  is open and/or by the rate of inflation of the bag  12 . The period of time the dispense valve  26  is open may be selected by the user to vary the portion size. 
     Opening and closing the dispense valve may be linked to the fluid supply for inflating the bag  12  to control dispense of the foodstuff. For example, the dispense valve  26  may be opened before or after or at the same time the air compressor is started or the valve in the line  14  opened to supply compressed air to the bag  12  and closed before or after or at the same time the air compressor is stopped or the valve in the line  14  closed to cut-off the supply of compressed air to the bag  12 . 
     In one arrangement, the dispense valve  26  may be opened automatically in response to the pressure of the foodstuff in the pouch  4 . Thus, the dispense valve  26  opens automatically when the pressure of the foodstuff overcomes the biasing of the spring  28  causing the valve member  30  to move to open the tube and allow passage of foodstuff through the tube  24  when compressed air is supplied to inflate the bag  12  and compress the pouch  4 . The dispense valve  26  closes automatically when the biasing of the spring  28  overcomes the pressure of the foodstuff causing the valve member  30  to move to close the tube  24  and prevent passage of foodstuff through the tube  24  when the supply of compressed air to the bag  12  is cut-off. 
     In another arrangement, the dispense valve  26  may be opened and closed by any suitable means such as a solenoid in response to the supply of compressed air to the bag  12 . The dispense valve  26  may be opened and closed before, after or at the same time the air compressor is started and stopped or the valve in the line  14  is opened and closed. The user may be able to select the period of time the compressed air is supplied to the bag  12  and/or the period of time the dispense valve  26  is open to control the portion size. 
     In another arrangement, the supply of compressed air to the bag  12  may be provided in response to opening and closing the dispense valve  26  either manually or automatically. The air compressor may start and stop or the valve in the line  14  may be opened and closed at the same time the dispense valve  26  is opened and closed or at some other time. The user may be able to select the period of time the dispense valve  26  is open and/or the period of time the compressed air is supplied to the bag  12  to control the portion size. 
     In use, when a full pouch  4  is inserted and the shell  6  is closed, there may already be some mechanical pressure on the pouch  4  that may allow product to flow even though the bag  12  is not inflated. We may achieve a uniform or regular flow of product by balancing the flow of the air supply to the bag  12  and the flow/pressure need for the pouch  4 . This may be achieved by profiling the pressure of the air supply. For example, we may start with a very low pressure, say 0.05 bar when the pouch  4  is full and gradually increase the pressure over time as the pouch  4  empties. At the end of dispense, when the pouch  4  is empty, the pressure may have increased up to say 0.3 bar. The maximum inflation pressure is preferably less than the burst strength of the pouch  4  so as to prevent the pouch rupturing within the shell  6 . Means such as a micro switch (not shown) may be provided to detect lift up of the upper part  6   b  of the shell  6  under pressure and cut off the air compressor or close the valve in the line  14  to restrict the pressure and prevent over inflation of the bag  12  that may cause the bag  12  and/or the pouch  4  to rupture. Operation of the micro-switch may indicate the pouch  4  is empty and needs to be replaced. Any other means for detecting the pouch  4  is empty may be employed. 
     The shell  6  is made of a high thermal conductivity material such as metal and is connected directly to a heat transfer device  32  for cooling the shell. The device  32  includes a thermoelectric element  34  sandwiched between the lower part  6   a  of the shell  6  and a heat exchanger  36 . The thermoelectric element  34  is arranged to cool the shell  6 , and the heat exchanger  36  is air cooled to dissipate heat extracted by the thermoelectric element  34  to atmosphere by means of a fan  38  driven by a motor (not shown). 
     The pouch  4  has a large surface area in thermal contact with the shell  6  for heat transfer between the foodstuff in the pouch  4  and the shell  6  to cool the foodstuff. The nozzle  20  is also in thermal contact with the shell  6  to cool any foodstuff in the nozzle  20 . The temperature at which the foodstuff is stored in and dispensed from the apparatus is responsive to the temperature of the shell  6 . 
     The heat transfer device  32  is operable under the control of one or more temperature sensors (not shown) for monitoring the temperature of the foodstuff in the pouch  4  or the temperature of the shell  6  or a combination of both to cool the shell  6  so as to maintain the foodstuff at a required temperature or within a required temperature range for dispense. 
     A user operable interface (not shown) may be provided for activation of dispense. The interface may include one or more push buttons, levers or touch pads for user activation of dispense and/or selection of the volume to be dispensed. The pouch  4  may contain a sufficient volume of foodstuff for dispense of several portions of foodstuff of the same or different volume according to the set-up of the apparatus. 
     For example, the shell  6  may be designed to receive yoghurt pouches containing 3 kg, 5 kg or 10 kg of yoghurt and the apparatus may be set-up to store and dispense the yogurt at a temperature of 4 degrees C. in individual portions of 130 g each at a flow rate of 20 g per second and a dispense time of about 6.5 seconds for each portion. The volumes, flow rates and times are given by way of example only and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. 
     Means may be provided to monitor one or more parameters impacting on the quality or condition of the yoghurt and to prevent dispense if the monitored parameter reaches or exceeds a pre-determined value or falls outside a pre-determined range so as to prevent yoghurt being dispensed that may not be of an acceptable quality. 
     In some embodiments, means such as a temperature sensor may be employed to monitor the storage temperature of the yoghurt and provide a signal to a controller operable to prevent dispense if the storage temperature of yoghurt varies from the desired storage temperature by more than a pre-determined amount, say 2 degrees C., especially an increase in temperature of more than 2 degrees C. such that the quality or condition of the yoghurt may have been altered. 
     In some embodiments means such as a micro-switch may be employed to detect when a new pouch  4  is installed and provide a signal to a controller operable to count down the time equal to the open shelf life of the pouch  4 , for example a pouch containing yoghurt may have an open shelf-life of a few days, and to prevent dispense when the shelf-life is reached. 
     In some embodiments, the pouch may be provided with best before and end dates in a machine readable format such as a bar code or RFID tag and, means such as a bar code reader may be employed to detect when a new pouch is installed and provide a signal of the remaining product life to a controller operable to prevent dispense if the best before date has already passed or when the end date is reached. 
     A visual or audible warning or both may be provided that a pouch  4  needs to be replaced for any reason, for example the pouch may be empty or a condition affecting the condition or quality of the product has been detected causing the apparatus to lock and prevent dispense until the pouch is replaced. The warnings may be provided by operating a light on the interface or by operating a buzzer or both when the pouch needs to be replaced. The light or buzzer may operate continuously or intermittently until the pouch  4  is replaced. Separate warnings may be provided to identify the reason for replacing the pouch  4 . For example, a temperature variation outside acceptable limits may indicate a fault in the cooling system requiring a visit from a service engineer. 
     When replacing the pouch, the pouch  4  may be removed together with the attached nozzle  20  for disposal and a new pouch  4  with a new nozzle  20  fitted may be inserted in the apparatus. By controlling dispense so that foodstuff displaced from the pouch  4  only contacts the nozzle  20  as it flows from the pouch  4  to the vessel  25 , and replacing both the pouch  4  and the nozzle  20  when the pouch is empty, cleaning and sanitisation of the apparatus may be kept to minimum without compromising hygiene. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 to 12 , a practical embodiment of the apparatus is shown in which the shell  6 , heat transfer device  32  and other components of the apparatus are housed in an outer casing  40 . The casing  40  has a base part  40   a  and a cover part  40   b . The cover part  40   b  is detachable for access to the shell  6  to remove an empty pouch  4  and load a full pouch  4  as described previously. 
     The base part  40   a  provides a flat support surface  42  for standing the apparatus on a countertop and has a recessed area  44  at the front for positioning a container such as a bowl (not shown) underneath the outlet tube  24  of the nozzle  20 . A further recessed area  46  is provided at the back of the base part  40   a  for concealed circulation of air by the fan  38  to dissipate heat extracted by the thermoelectric element  34 . A power supply connector  48  for the thermoelectric element  34  and fan motor is located in a neck region  50  of the base part  40   a  between the recessed areas  44 , 46 . 
     In this embodiment, the lower part  6   a  of the shell  6  has an outer wall  52  and an inner wall  54 . The pouch  4  contacts the inner wall  54  and the thermoelectric element  34  directly cools the inner wall  54 . The nozzle  20  also contacts the inner wall  54 . In this way, the pouch  4  and nozzle  20  are cooled to maintain foodstuff contained therein at the required temperature for dispense. 
     Thermal insulation  56  is provided in the space between the outer and inner walls  52 , 54  of the lower part  6   a  and also between the bag  12  and the upper part  6   b  to assist in maintaining the foodstuff contained in the pouch  4  within the shell  6  at the required temperature by reducing or eliminating heat exchange between the foodstuff and the ambient environment. 
     Also, in this embodiment, a pressure plate  58  is provided between the bag  12  and the pouch  4 . The plate  58  acts to distribute the pressure applied to the pouch  4  as the bag  12  is inflated causing the pouch  4  to collapse (reduce in volume) in a controlled manner so that substantially all the contents of the pouch  4  can be dispensed by reducing or preventing formation of pockets in the pouch  4  where the foodstuff can be trapped. In this embodiment, the plate  58  is made of plastics material and is flexible to allow the plate  58  to adapt to changes in shape of the pouch  4  as the bag  12  inflates to ensure substantially all of the product can be dispensed from the pouch  4 . 
     The bag  12  has a connector  60  such as a push-fit connector for attaching the fluid line (not shown) to inflate the bag. The fluid supply to inflate the bag  12  may be controlled by a valve (not shown) that is opened at the start of dispense and closed at the end of dispense. The valve may control the rate of inflation of the bag  12  and thus the rate of dispense of the foodstuff. A uniform rate of dispense may allow the volume dispensed to be controlled by the duration (time) of dispense. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the pouch connector  16  has a tubular body  16   a  with a flange  16   b  at one end. The other end of the body  16   a  is secured inside the pouch  4  to the pouch wall  4   a  during manufacture and, in use, provides an outlet  16   c  for dispense of product from the pouch  4 . The body  16   a  is provided with a series of openings  62  whereby the contents of the pouch  4  can flow into the body  16   a  via the openings  62  and an opening  64  bounded by the flange  16   b  at the end of the body  16   a . This arrangement of the openings  62 , 64  enables a high flow rate to be achieved during dispense and ensures that openings  62  at least remain open as the pouch  4  is compressed and the wall approaches the flange  16   b  so that substantially all the contents of the pouch  4  can be dispensed. 
     The nozzle  20  has a cap  66  with a central hole through which the outlet tube  24  extends. The cutter  22  is secured to the cap  66  by engagement of hook members  22   a  in apertures  66   a  in the cap  66  and the outlet tube  24  has a flange  24   a  at one end secured between the cutter  22  and the cap  66 . 
     The cutter  22  has an external screw  22   b  thread by means of which the nozzle  20  is releasably attached to an adaptor  68  for securing the nozzle to the connector  16 . The adaptor  68  is a snap-fit to the body  16   a  of the connector  16  by engagement of an internal rib  68   a  in an external groove  16   d  adjacent to the end of the body  16   a . The adaptor  68  and nozzle  20  may be pre-assembled and the adaptor  68  secured to the connector  16  to cause the end  22   c  of the cutter  22  to pierce the wall  4   a  of the pouch  4  covering the outlet  16   c  at the end of the body  16   a . Alternatively, the adaptor  68  may be secured to the connector  16  and the nozzle  20  then attached to the adaptor to cause the end  22   c  of the cutter  22  to pierce the wall  4   a  of the pouch  4  covering the outlet  16   c  at the end of the body  16   a.    
     The other end of the outlet tube  24  is closed and formed with a self-closing slit  24   b  that is opened by pressure of the foodstuff during dispense and closes automatically on completion of dispenses so as to prevent any foodstuff remaining in the nozzle  20  downstream of the pinch valve  26  dripping from the nozzle  20 . 
     The operation of the apparatus to dispense foodstuff contained in the pouch  4  is similar to and will be understood from the general description of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an alternative pouch connector  16  and nozzle  20 . In this modification, the pouch connector  16  is attached to the pouch  4  and provides a boss  70  with an external screw thread projecting from the pouch  4 . The connector  16  is secured to the wall  4   a  of the pouch  4  during manufacture and a rupturable membrane (not shown) is provided across the inner end of the boss  70  where it meets shoulder  72 . The cutter  22  is integral with the cap  66  and the cap  66  has an internal screw thread for attaching the nozzle  20  to the pouch connector  16  so that the cutter  22  passes through the boss  70  and pierces the membrane. The cutter  22  has an internal shoulder  22   d  that leads to a short cylindrical portion  22   e  within the cutter  22 . Flange  24   a  at the inner end of the outlet tube  24  seats on the shoulder  22   d  and the cylindrical portion  22   e  guides and supports the wall of the outlet tube  24  adjacent to the flange  24   a.    
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show a solenoid valve  26  having a valve member  74  pivotally mounted on a rod  76  connected to an armature  78  of a solenoid  80 . The armature  78  is biased by a spring  82  in a direction to urge the valve member  74  to flatten flexible outlet tube  24  of the nozzle  20  to prevent dispense of foodstuff from the pouch (not shown) in the closed position of the valve shown in  FIG. 14 . The biasing force of the spring  82  is overcome when the solenoid  80  is energised causing the armature to move to the left as viewed in the drawing allowing the outlet tube  24  to open so that foodstuff can be dispensed from the pouch in the open position of the valve shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     The solenoid  80  may be energised by actuation of a user operable control (not shown) such as a push button to operate a microswitch controlling a power supply to energise the solenoid  80  to open the valve  26  as long as the microswitch is operated by the user pushing the button. Releasing the push button causes the microswitch to de-energise the solenoid  80  whereupon the armature  78  moves to the right as viewed in the drawing under the biasing of the spring  82  to close the valve  26  to prevent dispense of the foodstuff. In this way, the user can control the volume of foodstuff that is dispensed according to the length of time the push button is operated. Also, in the event of a power failure, the valve  26  is closed under the biasing of the spring  82 . 
     In a modification, the power supply to energise the solenoid  80  may be controlled through a timer circuit that is activated through the user operable control to open the valve  26  for a pre-set period of time to dispense a pre-determined volume of foodstuff. In another modification, the spring  82  may bias the armature  78  to open the valve and the valve is held closed when the solenoid  80  is energised. This may be less preferred as the valve would open in the event of a power failure. 
     Operation of the solenoid valve  26  may be linked to the air compressor so that air is admitted to the reservoir to compress the pouch and displace foodstuff from the pouch through the nozzle  20  as described previously. 
     As shown, the flexible outlet tube  24  is received in a funnel-shaped outlet  84  of the dispenser and the valve member  74  is received in an opening  86  on one side of the outlet  84 . When the solenoid  80  is de-energised, the valve member  74  is urged by the spring  82  to initially pinch and flatten the outlet tube  24  at upper and lower positions between the wall of the outlet  84  opposite the opening  86  and a pair of formations  88   a ,  88   b  on the valve member  74 . 
     The valve member  74  then pivots in a clockwise direction so that the tube  24  remains pinched flat at the upper position between the wall of the outlet  84  and the upper formation  88   a  and is released between the wall of the outlet  84  and the lower formation  88   b  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Releasing the tube  24  at the lower position allows air to be drawn into the end of the tube and suck back any product remaining in the tube below the upper closed position so as to prevent product dripping out of the tube  24 . 
     The valve member  74  is configured so that an inclined face  90  is engaged by a portion of the tube  24  above the position where the tube  24  is closed by the upper formation  88   a  and pressure of foodstuff in the pouch acting on the face  90  assists the pinching force on the tube  24  to prevent leakage of foodstuff from the pouch. 
     The two step closing operation of the valve provides an anti-dripping feature which, in this embodiment, may be assisted by the curved profile of the lower formations  88   b  providing a larger contact area to pinch or flatten the tube during the first stage of closing than the flat profile of the upper formation  88   a.    
     When the valve is opened, the valve member  74  pivots back to the position shown in  FIG. 15  under the biasing of a spring (not shown) or other suitable means. Outlet  84  may by part of or attached to the shell and be made of material having a high thermal conductivity thermally for cooling the tube  24 . 
     As will be apparent from the description of preferred embodiments, the present invention provides apparatus for dispensing a flowable foodstuff. The foodstuff is preferably pre-packed in a sealed pouch that is broached when the nozzle is attached. The pouch is preferably collapsed to force the foodstuff from the pouch through the nozzle into a vessel without coming into contact with other parts of the apparatus. The pouch is preferably cooled to keep the foodstuff at the required dispense temperature to maintain the condition and quality of the foodstuff until the pouch is empty. The nozzle is preferably cooled to prevent foodstuff in the nozzle warming up to any appreciable extent between dispenses. The pouch is preferably disposable when empty. The nozzle is preferably arranged to dispense the foodstuff into a collecting vessel without the foodstuff contacting other parts of the apparatus and is preferably disposable with the pouch after use so as to reduce cleaning and sanitisation of the apparatus without compromising hygiene. 
     It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and changes to the embodiments can be made without departing from the principles or concepts outlined herein. Any of the features described herein may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the invention extends to and includes all such arrangements and combinations without limitation.