Patent Publication Number: US-10765242-B2

Title: Dispensing system and method of making and using the same

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to a system for dispensing a packaged product. As set forth in more detail herein below, the disclosed packaging system includes an outer container and an inner flexible package comprising a frangible seal. Methods of making and using the disclosed system are also included within the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In food service, and in particular in the field of high volume fast food service, it is frequently desired that food be supplemented by condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and the like. It has recently become customary in retail fast service chain food outlets to use a wide variety of devices to dispense a measured quantity of flowable product. For example, a conventional, trigger-activated dispensing gun assembly has commonly been used in “back of the restaurant” operations for discharging one or more condiments or sauces. The gun assembly dispenses a quantity of a condiment with each pull of a gun trigger. The conventional gun assembly includes a cylindrical container that houses the condiment and cooperates with a trigger in a gun to dispense the condiment out of a nozzle. However, the gun, cylindrical container, and nozzle are typically disassembled and cleaned each time the container is emptied and refilled. In addition, the conventional gun assembly typically can be messy, as condiment can drip from the nozzle between uses. Furthermore, the rod portion of the dispensing gun is cumbersome and problematic for users. 
     Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a dispensing system that addresses the shortcomings in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are directed to a dispenser including a body comprising a proximal end and a dispensing end and opposed sides and an opposed top and bottom defining an interior space. The body may include an asymmetric shape corresponding to a shape of a pouch. That is, a distance between the sides may be smaller than a distance between the top and bottom of the body. The body further includes a row of teeth extending longitudinally along the bottom of the body extending from the proximal end to the dispensing end. The dispenser also includes a grip slidingly engaged with a bottom of the body and a squeeze pusher disposed within the interior space of the body. The squeeze pusher may be coupled to the grip and slidable within the interior space. An actuator arm can be movably attached to the grip and biased to a home position away from the grip. To dispense the product, the actuator arm is movable from the home position towards the grip. The dispenser may also include a driver pawl that is movably attached to the actuator and engageable with the row of teeth. The dispenser may also include a retainer pawl that is movably attached to the grip and also engageable with the row of teeth. When the actuator is moved from the home position towards the grip, the retainer pawl disengages from the row of teeth while the driver pawl remains engaged with the row of teeth. The movement of the actuator may cause a corresponding movement of the driver pawl which causes the grip and squeeze pusher to move relative to the body in a direction from the proximal end to the dispensing end. 
     After actuation to dispense product, the actuator is allowed to move back to the home position away from the grip. As the actuator moves back to the home position, the retainer pawl engages with the row of teeth to prevent the grip and squeeze pusher to move relative to the body in a direction from the dispensing end to the proximal end. Moreover, the driver pawl disengages from the row of teeth and moves to a new location where the driver pawl reengages the row of teeth. 
     The dispenser may be used to dispense product from a pouch filled with the product to be dispensed. The pouch is disposed within the interior space of the body and may include a flattened shape corresponding to the asymmetric shape of the dispenser body. The pouch may further comprise a spout for dispensing product at a first end and a seal at an opposite second end. Once installed in the dispenser, the second end of the pouch may be secured to the proximal end of the body and the spout may be disposed towards the dispensing end of the body. With each actuation, when the squeeze pusher moves relative to the body in the direction from the proximal end to the dispensing end, the squeeze pusher slides along the exterior of the pouch to apply pressure to the pouch and cause the product to exit the spout. 
     In another embodiment, a dispenser may be used to dispense product from a pouch filled with the product to be dispensed, the pouch disposed within the interior space of the body and including a flattened shape corresponding to the asymmetric shape of the dispenser body. The pouch may further comprise a spout for dispensing product at a first end and a seal at an opposite second end. The second end of the pouch may be positioned towards the proximal end of the body and the spout may be positioned to pass through the aperture. When the squeeze pusher moves relative to the body in the direction from the proximal end to the dispensing end, the squeeze pusher applies pressure to the pouch and causes the product to exit the spout. 
     In another embodiment, a dispenser is adapted to dispense condiment from a condiment-filled pouch, the pouch having an elongated shape and a spout at a dispensing end of the pouch. The dispenser may comprise a body comprising a proximal end, a dispensing end, opposed sides, and an opposed top and bottom defining an interior space, the interior space including an asymmetric shape wherein a height between the top and bottom is at least two times a width between the sides. The body may also comprise a spout aperture at the dispensing end, the spout aperture including a restrictor. The dispenser may comprise a squeeze pusher slidably disposed within the interior space of the body and an actuator operably coupled to the squeeze pusher and configured so that individual actuations of the actuator cause a corresponding sliding movement of the squeeze pusher relative to the body in a direction from the proximal end to the dispensing end. 
     In another embodiment, a dispenser is adapted to dispense condiment from a condiment-filled pouch, the pouch having an elongated shape and a spout at a dispensing end of the pouch. The dispenser may comprise a body comprising a proximal end, a dispensing end, opposed sides, and an opposed top and bottom defining an interior space, the interior space including an asymmetric shape wherein a height between the top and bottom is at least two times a width between the sides. The body may also comprise a spout aperture at the dispensing end, the spout aperture including a restrictor. The dispenser may further comprise a row of teeth extending longitudinally along the body from the proximal end to the dispensing end, a grip slidingly engaged with the body, a squeeze pusher disposed within the interior space of the body, the squeeze pusher coupled to the grip and slidable within the interior space, an actuator movably attached to the grip and biased to a home position away from the grip and movable from the home position towards the grip, a drive mechanism coupled to the actuator and engageable with the row of teeth, and a retainer pawl movably attached to the grip and also engageable with the row of teeth. When the actuator is moved from the home position towards the grip, the retainer pawl disengages from the row of teeth while the drive mechanism remains engaged with the row of teeth, the movement of the actuator causes a corresponding movement of the drive mechanism which causes the grip and squeeze pusher to move relative to the body in a direction from the proximal end to the dispensing end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of a dispenser without an optional discharge unit in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 1B  is an isometric view of a dispenser with an optional discharge unit in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 2  is side section view of a dispenser system including a product pouch in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 3  is bottom view of a dispenser in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric exploded assembly view of a dispenser in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, 
         FIG. 5 a    is a side view of a dispenser with a grip and actuator disposed toward a proximal end of the actuator body in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a side view of a dispenser with a grip and actuator disposed toward a dispensing end of the actuator body in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a product pouch for use with a dispensing system in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are end views of a product pouch disposed within an actuator body in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a dispenser with an optional discharge unit in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 9  is side view of a dispenser system in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 10  is side section detail view of a dispenser system including a gear drive mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric exploded assembly view of a dispenser in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; and 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are end views of a product pouch spout extending through an exit aperture of an actuator body in accordance with some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     I. General Considerations 
     The presently disclosed subject matter provides a dispensing system and method for dispensing a product onto one or more areas (one or more spots of mustard dispensed on a hamburger bun, for example). As set forth in more detail herein, the disclosed packaging system includes a dispenser comprising an asymmetric body with an interior that is shaped in roughly the same or similar aspect ratio as a pouch housing a product to be dispensed. 
     II. Definitions 
     Following long standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a film” includes a plurality of such films, and so forth. 
     The term “condiment” as used herein refers to (but is not limited to) sauces, salad dressing, emulsions, frosting, icing, ketchup, mustard, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, nacho cheese, taco sauce, barbecue sauce, tartar sauce, mayonnaise, jams, jellies, spices, and the like. In some embodiments, the term “condiment” can include any and all additives that a user can choose to add to any food item for any purpose, e.g. for organoleptic, processing, or preservative purposes. 
     As used herein, the term “exterior” refers to the outside portion of a container, body, or other article. 
     As used herein, the term “film” can be used in a generic sense to include plastic web, regardless of whether it is film or sheet. 
     The term “filled” as used herein refers to an item (such as a pouch) that has been occupied with a product in a manner consistent with a commercial filling operation. Thus, a pouch may or may not be 100% filled. 
     The term “flexible” is used herein to refer to materials that are pliable and easily deform in the presence of external forces. In some embodiments, suitable flexible materials can be characterized by a modulus of less than about 50,000 PSI and in some embodiments less than 40,000 PSI (ASTM D-872-81). 
     The term “frangible seal” as used herein refers to a seal that is sufficiently durable to allow normal handling and storage, but ruptures or substantially ruptures under applied pressure. In some embodiments, suitable frangible seals can have a peel strength of from about 0.5 to less than about 5 pounds/inch, as measured by ASTM F88 (incorporated by reference in its entirety herein). 
     The term “interior” as used herein refers to the inside portion of an article, such as a pouch or a container or body. 
     The term “polymeric film” as used herein refers to a thermoplastic material, generally in sheet or web form, having one or more layers formed from polymeric or other materials that are bonded together by any conventional or suitable method, including one or more of the following: coextrusion, extrusion coating, lamination, vapor deposition coating, and the like. 
     As used herein, the term “pouch” refers to any of the wide variety of containers known in the art, including (but not limited to) bags, packets, packages, and the like. 
     As used herein, the term “seal” refers to any seal of a first region of an outer film surface to a second region of an outer film surface, including heat or any type of adhesive material, thermal or otherwise. In some embodiments, the seal can be formed by heating the regions to at least their respective seal initiation temperatures. The sealing can be performed by any one or more of a wide variety of methods, including (but not limited to) using a heat seal technique (e.g., melt-bead sealing, thermal sealing, impulse sealing, dielectric sealing, radio frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing, hot air, hot wire, infrared radiation). 
     The term “valve” as used herein refers to any device by which the flow of material can be started, stopped, rerouted or regulated by a movable part that opens, closes, or partially obstructs a passageway through which the material flows. In some embodiments, a suitable valve can comprise (but is not limited to) an umbrella valve, duckbill valve, reed valve, ball valve, flapper valve, poppet valve, Gott valve, check valve, or any suitable combination thereof. 
     Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations are described for clarity in reference to the figures and are not to be limiting. It is to be understood that the films or systems described herein can be used in a wide variety of directions and orientations. 
     All compositional percentages used herein are presented on a “by weight” basis, unless designated otherwise. 
     Although the majority of the above definitions are substantially as understood by those of skill in the art, one or more of the above definitions can be defined hereinabove in a manner differing from the meaning as ordinarily understood by those of skill in the art, due to the particular description herein of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     III. The Disclosed Dispensing System 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , one embodiment of the disclosed dispenser  5  comprises a body  10  with an aperture  12  through which a spout  178  of pouch  175  may protrude (see e.g.,  FIGS. 2 &amp; 6 ) to dispense a product  180 . Product  180  dispensed from dispenser  5  exits aperture  12  and spreads to fill a diffuser  14  that is adapted to receive a discharge unit  35  as shown in  FIG. 1B . In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser  14  is formed as an extension of end plate  16  located at a dispensing end  15  of the body  10  and that may be molded as part of the body  10 . Alternatively, the end plate  16  may be a separate component that is attached to body  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the body  10  includes a rectilinear cross section and includes a top  18 , opposed sides  20 ,  22 , bottom  24 , and a proximal end  17  opposite the dispensing end  15 . The interior  26  of body  10  is sized to accommodate a pouch  175  containing product  180 . As described below, pouch  175  has a generally flat shape defined by panels  174 ,  176 . Consequently, the interior  26  of body  10  may have an elongated shape roughly corresponding to the shape of the pouch  175 . In one embodiment, the rectangular shape of body  10  permits a pouch  175  to be inserted vertically into the interior  26  of body  10 . That is, the distance between sides  20 ,  22  is smaller than a distance between top  18  and bottom  24  of body. 
     As set forth herein above, pouch  175  comprising product  180  is housed within the interior  26  of dispenser  5 . In some embodiments, pouch  175  is constructed from any of the wide variety of polymeric materials known and used in the art. In some embodiments, pouch  175  comprises at least one frangible seal to enable product  180  to exit the pouch in response to increased pressure. However, pouch  175  is not limited and can be any pouch known and used in the art. In one or more embodiments, the pouch may be as described in co-pending, commonly assigned patent application PCT/US2015/041539, filed on Jul. 22, 2015 and published as WO/2016/018694, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , pouch  175  comprises first and second panels  174 ,  176  that are sealed together at a first transverse seal  180 , a second transverse seal  182 , a first side fold  184 , a second side fold  186 , a longitudinal seal  188 , a first pouch end  190 , and a second pouch end  192 . Seals  180 ,  182 ,  188  can be formed using any suitable method, known and used in the art, including e.g. the use of heat, pressure, adhesive, and/or mechanical closure. As shown, first transverse seal  180  does not span first pouch end  190  and pouch spout  178 . Rather, in some embodiments, pouch spout  178  includes frangible seal  194  positioned between the first and second panels  174 ,  176  using a heat seal, ultrasonic seal, static seal, RF seal, adhesive, or a combination thereof. Frangible seals are known to those of ordinary skill in the packaging art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,839 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0093765, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     In some embodiments, frangible seal  194  may include a peelable sealant comprising any suitable sealant known in the art, e.g. DuPont APPEEL® resins such as those based on EVA, modified EVA, ethylene/acrylate copolymer, or modified ethylene/acrylate copolymer blends of immiscible polymers, such as polyethylene and polybutylene; polyethylene, such as low density polyethylene and/or EVA copolymers blended with polypropylene, polyethylene blended with polybutene-1, random propylene/ethylene copolymer blended with polybutene-1, EVA or LDPE blended with polypropylene, LDPE blended with EVA and polypropylene, to introduce a molecular incompatibility into the sealant layer. It is believed that the molecular incompatibility creates discontinuities that reduce the force necessary to rupture the seal. Alternatively or in addition, the sealant can be printed in a pattern on a surface of the film. Alternatively or in addition, the peelable sealant can implemented as a separate label that is disposed between panels  174 ,  176 . Typical seal strengths of peelable sealant can in some embodiments be less than about 5 pounds/inch in accordance with ASTM F88-05. A peelable sealant will typically allow the user to open the seal with relatively little effort (e.g. by advancing a squeeze roller  32  within the body interior). In some cases, peelable sealant can peel away from the surface to which it is adhered. Alternatively, a rupture of the sealant (cohesive failure) or breakage of the sealant and delamination along an adjacent layer interface can occur. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,875,587; 5,023,121; 5,024,044; 6,395,321; 6,476,137; 7,055,683; and 2003/0152669, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     In one or more embodiments, dispenser  5  comprises discharge unit  35  connected to diffuser  14  through which packaged product is dispensed. As shown in  FIG. 1B , discharge unit  35  comprises at least one valve  150  though which packaged product  180  can be dispensed. The illustrated discharge unit  35  is sized and shaped to mate to diffuser  14 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates bottom face  36  of discharge unit  35  into which the valves  150  are inserted. In some embodiments, the bottom face  36  of the discharge unit comprises lip  38  to facilitate flow of the packaged product out of the dispenser  5  and to minimize messes. In addition, in some embodiments, lip  38  can function to support the package in an upright position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge unit  35  and the diffuser  14  are triangular in shape to accommodate three valves  150 . Other shapes are permissible. For instance, where five valves  150  are used, the diffuser  14  and discharge unit  135  may have a pentagonal shape. Other shapes, such as circular, elliptical, rectilinear, star shaped, and the like accommodating one or more valves  150  are contemplated. In some embodiments, the discharge unit  135  may be secured to the diffuser  14  with a coupling mechanism that includes, for example, screw threads, snap fit, bayonet mount or any connection mechanism known and used in the art. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments discharge unit  35  and diffuser  14  can be combined into a single component. Such a combination may be desirable for reducing part count and material costs. However, separating the diffuser  14  and discharge unit  35  into separate parts may offer advantages such as adaptability for different dispensed products and ease of cleaning. In one embodiment, flow-through aperture  12  in end plate  16  includes a valve  150  and may or may not include diffuser  14 . 
     Valve  150  can be of any suitable variety known in the art, and can have at least one passageway to allow packaged product  180  to exit the pouch  175 . Valve  150  can be constructed in any suitable shape, e.g. circular, square, oval, and the like. Valve  150  can be of any suitable type, such as an umbrella valve, gate valve, duckbill valve, reed valve, ball valve, flapper valve, poppet valve, Gott valve, check valve, or any suitable combination thereof. In some embodiments, valve  150  can be optional when dispensing high viscosity, thixotropic, or non-Newtonian fluids, but are generally required for lower viscosity, Newtonian fluids. In addition, discharge unit  35  can comprise three valves as shown in the Figures or any number of valves, depending on the product to be dispensed, i.e., one, two, four or more. Valves  150  may be formed integrally into the end plate  16  and/or discharge unit  35 , through techniques such as co-molding or adhesives, for example. Alternatively, the valves  150  may be removable and replaceable to facilitate cleaning or use with different types of products  180 . 
     A grip  28  and actuator  30  descend from the bottom  24  of the body  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the grip  28  does not pivot or change orientation with respect to the body  10 . However, in the course of dispensing product  180  from pouch  175 , the grip  28  will generally move from the proximal end  17  of body  10  to dispensing end  15 . The grip  28  is coupled to a squeeze pusher or roller  32  via a connecting rod  34  or other suitable coupling mechanism. The actuator  30  is pivotably attached to the grip  28  at pivot point  48  and is squeezed by an operator to dispense product  180  using the dispenser  5 . With each actuation of the actuator  30 , the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  are displaced towards the dispensing end  15 . A retainer such as cover  40  or other mechanism (e.g., clips, springs, or clamps, etc. . . . ) at a proximal end  17  of the body  10  secures the second pouch end  192  in place. As the squeeze roller  32  is moved along within the interior  26  of the body  10 , the squeeze roller  32  will slide along the exterior of the pouch panel  174  or  176 , applying pressure to the pouch  175  and cause the product to exit the spout  178  at the dispensing end  15  of the dispenser  5 . The illustrated squeeze roller  32  is cylindrical in shape with a round cross section. However, other shapes are permissible, including for example, square, oval, or elliptical solid bodies or planar curved plate bodies such as a plate or disc. Generally, the squeeze roller  32  may have curved surfaces or edges to apply pressure to the pouch while reducing a risk of puncturing the pouch  175 . As used herein, the terms “squeeze roller” and “squeeze pusher” are intended to be synonymous and refer to a pusher or any structure or body having a rigid or semi-rigid construction that is urged in a direction from a proximal end  17  of the dispenser  5  towards a dispensing end  15  of the dispenser  5  while pushing against, sliding along, or otherwise compressing the contents of the pouch  175  for the purpose of increasing pressure of the product  180  in the pouch  175  thereby causing the product  180  to dispense from a dispensing end  15  of the dispenser  5 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  most clearly show a set of teeth  42  that are engaged by a driver pawl  44 . The driver pawl  44  is pivotably coupled to actuator  30  at pivot point  50 . A biasing element  54  urges the driver pawl  44  towards and into engagement with the teeth  42 , as indicated by arrow S 1 . A separate biasing element  52  is coupled to actuator  30  and urges the actuator  30  away from grip  28 , as indicated by arrow S 2  to the home position shown in the Figures. To dispense the product  180 , an operator may squeeze the actuator  30 , such as with the palm of their hand, towards the grip  28  in the direction of arrow A 1 . This squeezing action causes the actuator  30  and the driver pawl  44  to rotate about pivot point  48 . In pivoting about point  48 , the driver pawl  44 , which is engaged with teeth  42  at engagement point  56  will apply a pushing force in the direction of arrow A 2 . This pushing force will cause the body  10  to move in the same direction A 2 . The net effect is that grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  move with respect to the body  10  in an opposite direction indicated by arrows D 1 . This motion of the squeeze roller  32  will apply pressure to the pouch  175  and cause the product to exit the spout  178  at the dispensing end  15 . 
     As the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  move to a new position in direction D 1 , a separate retainer pawl  46  coupled to the grip  28  holds this new position by engaging the teeth  42  at a retention point  60 . A biasing element  58  urges the retainer pawl  46  towards and into engagement with the teeth  42 , as indicated by arrow S 3 . The retainer pawl  46  includes retainer teeth  64  ( FIG. 4 ) that are sloped towards the proximal end  17 . As the grip  28  and retainer pawl  46  move in the direction D 1 , the retainer teeth  64  are able to disengage and slide over teeth  42  until the actuator movement is complete. At which point, the retainer teeth  64  engage the teeth  42  to prevent the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  from moving backwards in a direction opposite to arrow D 1 . In some instances, the pressure applied to the pouch  175  that causes the product  180  to exit the spout  178  may remain and cause excess product  180  to emerge or continue emerging from the spout  178 . Therefore, in one or more embodiments, the pitch on teeth  42  and the location of retention point  60  may be designed to allow the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  to move slightly backwards in a direction opposite to arrow D 1 , thus alleviating some of the built up pressure. 
     After squeezing the actuator  30  to dispense product, biasing member  52  causes the actuator  30  to return to a home position where it is displaced from grip  28 . In returning to this home position, the actuator  28  and driver pawl  44  rotate again about pivot point  48 . The driver pawl  44  and drive pawl teeth  62  ( FIG. 4 ), which are also sloped towards the proximal end  17 , disengage from teeth  42  and slide along teeth  42  to a new engagement point  56  upstream of its previous location. Once the driver pawl  44  reengages with the teeth  42 , the dispenser  5  is reset for further dispensing. 
       FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of dispenser  5  and shows that teeth  42 , in the illustrated embodiment, actually consist of two rows of teeth that are on opposite ends of a longitudinal slot  66 . The slot  66  is sized to accommodate the connecting rod  34  and permits joint movement of the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  in the dispensing direction D 1 . The pitch of teeth  42  may be adjusted to alter the metered volume of product  180  that is dispensed with each actuation. In one embodiment, the teeth  42  are formed as a part of body  10  so that different bodies might be used to dispense different volumes for different products  180 . In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the teeth  42  are formed as part of a removable and replaceable toothed insert  68 . Different toothed inserts  68  may be color coded or otherwise labeled for use with particular products  180 . In other embodiments, a single row or more than two rows of teeth  42  may be used. In other embodiments, the longitudinal slot  66  may be offset towards one side  20  or the other 22 of body  10 . In other embodiments, a row of teeth  42  may be centrally located, approximately equidistant between sides  20 ,  22 . The individual protrusions of the teeth  42  may have a variety of shapes, including protruding triangles, protruding squares, involute tooth profiles or other gear tooth profiles. Similar functionality may be provided where teeth  42  consist of periodic recesses that are engaged by the actuator drive mechanism as described herein. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded assembly view showing in greater detail how some of the actuator components are assembled. In  FIG. 4 , features that are assembled together at a common location are labeled with letters A, B, or C. For instance, driver pawl  44  is coupled to actuator  30  with a retainer  70  at features labeled A. Retainer  70  may be a pin or other component that permits pivotable rotation between driver pawl  44  and actuator  30 . Similarly, retainer pawl  46  is coupled to grip  28  with retainer  70  at features labeled C. Notably, retainer pawl  46  includes a slot  72  that allows the retainer pawl  46  to move up and down while biasing member  58  urges the retainer pawl  46  towards teeth  42 . Biasing member  58  is coupled to grip  28  at a perch  74 .  FIG. 4  also shows that actuator  30  is coupled to grip  28  with a retainer  70  at features labeled B. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the grip  28  includes a pair of ribs  76  that slidingly engage channels  78  formed into the bottom  24  of body  10 . The ribs  76  and channels  78  are shaped to allow constrained forward and backwards movement of the grip  28  within the body  10  along and opposite to direction D 1 . At the same time, the ribs  76  and channels  78  constrain motion along and about other degrees of translation or rotation to provide stable support for the pressure applied by squeeze roller  32  and resisted by a pouch  175  containing product  180 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates that covers  19 ,  40  of body  10  may be formed as separate, removable components that provide access to the interior  26  of body  10 , allowing a used pouch to be removed and a new pouch  175  to be inserted. In one embodiment, the body  10  is a tubular structure with an attachable cover  40  at a proximal end  17  and an end plate  16  at a dispensing end  15 . In embodiments where removable covers  40 ,  16  are attached at the proximal  17  and dispensing  15  ends, the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  can be removed from the body at the dispensing end  16  and reinserted at the proximal end  17 , such as when refilling a dispenser  10  with a new pouch  175  containing product  180 . Actuator  5  and components therein can be constructed from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material known in the art, such as metal, wood, rubber, plastic, and the like. Some examples may include aluminum, steel, brass, bronze, tin, polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyamide, polycarbonates, or combinations thereof. Components of actuator  5  can be constructed using any conventional process known in the art, such as rotational molding, blow molding, reheat stretch blow molding, injection molding, casting, roll forming, stamping, and the like. A tubular body  10  may be manufactured by an extrusion process. 
     In some embodiments, the body  10  may have a cross sectional shape that is not strictly rectilinear. For instance, the body  10  may have a an oval or elliptical shape with a distance between the sides being smaller than a distance between the top and bottom of the body. More particularly, the shape of the body  10  should define an interior volume  26  that has a height between the top and bottom of the volume that is larger than a width between the sides of the volume. For example,  FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B  show two illustrative examples of a body  10 ,  110  characterized by an elongated cross section shape roughly corresponding to the shape of the pouch  175 . In each Figure, a pouch  175  is disposed with the interior  26 ,  126  of the body  10 ,  110 . Seals  182  and  188  on the pouch  175  are visible in each Figure. In both  FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B , the height H 1  and width W 1  dimensions of the product-filled pouch  175  are illustrated. Similarly, the height H 2  and width W 2  dimensions of the interior  26 ,  126  are also illustrated. In one or more embodiments, the aspect ratio of the body, i.e. the H 2 :W 2  ratio, is similar to the aspect ratio H 1 :W 1  of a product-filled pouch  175 . In a natural resting state, a product-filled pouch  175  may have an aspect ratio in the range between about 2:1 to 7:1. In one representative example, a pouch  175  containing about 475 ml of product  180  may have a height H 1  of about 95 mm and a width W 1  of about 25 mm, which yields an aspect ratio H 1 :W 1  of about 3.8:1. Larger aspect ratios may become impractical for handheld product dispensing. Smaller aspect ratios are achievable by increasing the volume of product disposed within the pouch  175 . However, overfilling the pouch  175  with excess product  180  may increase the likelihood of undesirable bursting or puncturing of the pouches  175  during handling and in transit. Nevertheless, embodiments of dispensers  5  described herein may still be designed, modified, and used with product-filled pouches  175  having an aspect ratio H 1 :W 1  smaller than 2:1 (where the pouches  175  are not overly handled or transported) or larger than 7:1 (for dispensers that are not handheld). 
     Naturally, the interior volume  26 ,  126  of body  10  should be large enough to accommodate a product-filled pouch  175 . However, it may be desirable to limit the size or at least the width W 2  of the interior volume  26 ,  126  so that as the squeeze roller  32  moves to compress the pouch  175 , that compressive force is directed to dispense the product  180  instead of merely allowing the pouch  175  to expand laterally. Thus, the aspect ratio of a cross section of the interior  26 ,  126  may be similar to that of the pouch  175 . In one embodiment, a cross section of the interior  26 ,  126  may have an aspect ratio H 2 :W 2  that is also in the range between about 2:1 to about 7:1. In some embodiments, the width W 2  of the interior  26 ,  126  may be similar to the width of pouch W 1  while the height H 2  is increased to accommodate pouches  175  having different volumes of product  180 . Thus, the H 2 :W 2  aspect ratio of a cross section of the interior  26 ,  126  may be at the high end or slightly larger than the representative range 2:1 to 7:1. In other embodiments, the height H 2  and width W 2  of the interior  26 ,  126  may be increased by similar amounts over height H 1  and width W 1  of the pouch. For instance, a dispenser body  10  may include an interior height H 2  and width W 2  that are each 20 mm larger than the exemplary pouch dimensions given above (95 mm, 25 mm). Thus, the aspect ratio of a cross section of this exemplary interior  26 ,  126  may be 115 mm:45 mm or about 2.6:1. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the H 2 :W 2  aspect ratio of a cross section of the interior  26 ,  126  may be at the low end or slightly smaller than the representative range 2:1 to 7:1. 
       FIGS. 8-11  show an alternative embodiment of a dispenser  105  characterized by alternative embodiments of squeeze pusher  132 , actuator  130 , and discharge unit  135 . In this embodiment, the grip  28  is similar to embodiments described above. That is, the grip  28  is slidable with respect to the body  10  and is coupled to the squeeze pusher  132 . In this embodiment, the actuator  130  is disposed on the dispensing side of the grip  28  in contrast to actuator  30  described above, which is disposed on the proximal side of the grip  28 . In embodiments described above, the actuator  30  may be displaced towards the grip  28  by squeezing the actuator  30  with the palm of an operator&#39;s hand. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , the actuator  130  may be displaced towards the grip  28  by squeezing the actuator  130  with the fingers of an operator&#39;s hand. 
     A mechanism for implementing a finger-actuated actuator  130  is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 9 &amp; 10 , which show a set of gears  80 ,  82  that couple the actuator  130  to the teeth  42 . In this embodiment, a first gear  80  is coupled to and rotates with the actuator  130  when the dispenser  105  is actuated by squeezing in the direction indicated by arrow A 3  (clockwise in  FIG. 10 ). A second gear  82  is coupled to the grip  28  and engaged by the first gear  80 . Thus, when the dispenser  105  is actuated, the second gear  82  rotates opposite the first gear  80  in the direction indicated by arrow A 4  (counter-clockwise in  FIG. 10 ). A biasing element  52  is coupled to actuator  130  and urges the actuator  130  away from grip  28 , as indicated by arrow S 4  to the home position shown in the Figures. To dispense the product  180 , an operator may squeeze the actuator  130 , such as with their fingers, towards the grip  28  in the direction of arrow A 3 . This squeezing action causes the actuator  130  and the first gear  80  to rotate about pivot point  148 . As a result, the second gear  82 , which is engaged with teeth  42 , will apply a pushing force in the direction of arrow A 2 . This pushing force A 2  will cause the body  10  to move in the same direction A 2 . The net effect is that grip  28  and squeeze pusher  132  move with respect to the body  10  in an opposite direction indicated by arrows D 1 . This motion of the squeeze pusher  132  will apply pressure to the pouch  175  and cause the product to exit the spout  178  at the dispensing end  15 . 
     Notably, the relative size of the gears  80 ,  82  establishes a gear ratio that can provide a mechanical advantage. For example, first gear  80  may be smaller and have fewer teeth than gear  82 . Thus, the gear train amplifies the input torque provided by an operator squeezing the actuator  130 . In addition, the first gear  80  may be coupled to actuator  130  with a one-way ratcheting mechanism as is known in the art. Consequently, the actuator  130  is able to turn first gear  80  in the direction indicated by arrow A 3  to dispense the product. However, upon releasing the actuator  130  and allowing the biasing element  52  to urge the actuator  130  away from grip  28 , the first gear  80  freewheels with respect to the actuator  130 , allowing both gears  80 ,  82  to remain stationary. As the actuator  130  returns to its home position after being squeezed, the ratcheting interface between the actuator  130  and first gear  80  prevents the second gear  82  from pushing the grip  28  and squeeze pusher  132  back towards the proximal end  17 . 
     As the grip  128  and squeeze pusher  132  move to a new position in direction D 1 , a separate retainer pawl  146  coupled to the grip  28  holds this new position by engaging the teeth  42  at an upstream retention point. A biasing element  58  urges the retainer pawl  146  towards and into engagement with the teeth  42 , as indicated by arrow S 3 . The retainer pawl  46  includes retainer teeth  164  that are sloped towards the proximal end  17 . As the grip  28  and retainer pawl  146  move in the direction D 1 , the retainer teeth  164  are able to disengage and slide over teeth  42  until the actuator movement is complete. At which point, the retainer teeth  164  engage the teeth  42  to prevent the grip  28  and squeeze pusher  132  from moving backwards in a direction opposite to arrow D 1 . In some instances, the pressure applied to the pouch  175  that causes the product  180  to exit the spout  178  may remain and cause excess product  180  to emerge or continue emerging from the spout  178 . Therefore, in one or more embodiments, the pitch on teeth  42  or the design of the engagement between the teeth  42  and  164  and may be designed to allow the grip  28  and squeeze pusher  132  to move slightly backwards in a direction opposite to arrow D 1 , thus alleviating some of the built up pressure. 
     The illustrated embodiment of actuator  130  may include a quick retract mechanism that allows an operator to quickly and easily slide the grip  28  and squeeze pusher  132  from the dispensing end  15  to the proximal end  17  of the body  10  after a pouch  175  is emptied.  FIG. 10  shows that actuator  130  includes a depressor  84  that is normally not engaged with retainer pawl  146  while product  180  is being dispensed. However, once a pouch  175  is empty or a user otherwise needs to retract the grip  28  and squeeze pusher  132  towards the proximal end  17 , the operator can simply move the actuator towards the body  10  in a direction opposite to arrow A 3 . This movement causes the depressor  84  to contact a ledge  86  on the retainer pawl  146  and push the retainer pawl  146  against the biasing force provided by biasing element  58 . This in turn causes the teeth  164  of the retainer pawl  146  to disengage from the teeth  42  on the body  10 . Moreover, since the first gear  80  is coupled to actuator  130  with a one-way ratcheting mechanism, second gear  82  is able to rotate freely in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow A 4 . Thus, an operator is able to quickly slide the grip  28  and squeeze pusher  132  from the dispensing end  15  to the proximal end  17  of the body  10  by merely lifting the actuator  130  and sliding the grip towards the proximal end  17 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an exploded view of the dispenser  105  with the grip  28 , actuator  130 , and squeeze pusher  132  removed from the body  10 . As with embodiments described above, the grip  28  includes a pair of ribs  76  that slidingly engage channels  78  formed into the bottom  24  of body  10 . The ribs  76  and channels  78  are shaped to allow constrained forward and backwards movement of the grip  28  within the body  10  along and opposite to direction D 1 . At the same time, the ribs  76  and channels  78  constrain motion along and about other degrees of translation or rotation to provide stable support for the pressure applied by squeeze roller  32  and resisted by a pouch  175  containing product  180 . 
       FIG. 11  also shows an alternative embodiment of a diffuser  114  and discharge unit  135  that are circular in shape and include three exit apertures to accommodate three valves  150  (not shown, but see e.g.,  FIGS. 1B and 4 ). In this embodiment, the discharge unit  135  includes a central convex protrusion  140  that may provide extra clearance for spout  178 , which extends through aperture  12 . The protrusion  140 , which is concave on the inside of the discharge unit  135  (side facing the aperture  12 ), helps to deflect product  180  radially outward from the aperture  12  and towards the openings (e.g., valves) in the discharge unit  135 . 
     The illustrated embodiment also includes spout restrictor  142 , which reduces the effective width of the aperture  12  through which the spout  178  extends.  FIGS. 12A and 12B  demonstrate a benefit of the spout restrictor  142 . Both  FIGS. 12A &amp; 12B  show a spout  178  of a pouch  175  protruding through the aperture  12  between the spout restrictor  142 . In  FIG. 12A , the pouch  175  is filled with product  180  and the frangible seal  194  is closed and intact. To begin dispensing product  180  from a new, sealed pouch  175 , the frangible seal  194  can be burst open by actuating the dispenser  105  to build up enough internal pressure on the product  180  to open the frangible seal  194 . For example,  FIG. 12B  shows a spout  178  where the frangible seal  194  has been opened. 
     A disadvantage of the flexible pouch  175  and spout  178  is that when the internal pressure on the product  180  begins to build, the pouch  175  and the spout  178  tend to deform or change shape. That is, the initial buildup of dispensing force generated by the squeeze pusher  132  is lost because it merely produces a change in shape of the pouch  175  instead of being applied to burst the frangible seal  194  and/or propel the product  180  out of the pouch  175 . The asymmetric shape of the body helps to constrain this undesirable change in shape and ensure that compressive forces generated by the squeeze pusher  132  are applied to dispense the product  180  instead of merely allowing the pouch  175  to expand laterally. Similarly, the spout restrictor  142  helps to prevent unnecessary expansion or deflection of the spout  178 . 
     During the initial buildup of the compressive forces applied by the squeeze pusher, the spout  178  tends to distort and change shape in a somewhat unpredictable manner as a result of variations in product densities, seal formation, or pouch construction, for example. Quite often, as pressure builds, the spout  178  will deflect to one side or another of a centerline of the pouch  175 . In order to burst the frangible seal  194 , additional force must be applied by the squeeze pusher  132  to straighten the flexible spout  178 , and sufficiently fill the spout  178  so that pressure is applied directly to the frangible seal  194 . As with the body of the pouch  175 , the spout  178  itself may also be prone to expanding laterally. Allowing the spout  178  to expand results in further loss of the applied force because it merely produces a change in shape of the spout  178  instead of being applied to burst the frangible seal  194 . 
     Thus, a benefit of the spout restrictor  142  can be seen in  FIG. 12B . In the illustrated embodiment, the spout restrictor  142  is implemented as a pair of opposed, arched protrusions. Other shapes and configurations are certainly permissible. That is, the spout restrictor  142  may be formed as protrusions extending inward from the sidewalls of the aperture  12 , or the sidewalls of the aperture  12  may have a contoured shape to restrict unwanted movement or expansion of the spout  178  or the aperture  12  may simply include a narrow aspect ratio. Moreover, the spout restrictor  142  may be formed onto a separate insert  144  as shown in  FIG. 11  or alternatively be formed as part of discharge unit  135 , or as part of diffuser  114 , or as part of the end plate  16  of body  10 . 
     The spout restrictor  142  may include a depth in a direction from the dispensing end  15  to the proximal end  17  that is similar to a length of the spout  178  so that all or a substantial portion of the spout  178  is constrained against unwanted deflection or expansion. For example,  FIG. 11  shows the spout restrictor  142  with a depth that is thicker than the exemplary insert  144 . 
     The spout restrictor  142  may be constructed as fixed features or movable features. Because the spout restrictor  142  narrows the aperture  12 , it may be desirable to permit lateral movement to temporarily widen the aperture  12 , making it easier to insert the spout  178 . Similarly, because the spout restrictor  142  may have a depth that extends into the interior  26  of the body, the spout restrictor  142  may be moveable in an axial direction, for example to provide clearance for the pouch  175  and squeeze pusher  132  when the pouch  175  is nearly empty. Alternatively, relief or clearance features may be incorporated into the squeeze pusher  132  to accommodate 
     V. Methods of Using the Disclosed System 
     Dispenser  5  can dispense product  180  through valve  150  of discharge unit  35  onto a surface (such as a hamburger bun). Initially, a pouch  175  filled with product  180  is inserted into the interior  26  of the body through an opening formed by a removable cover  19 ,  40 . A spout  178  of the pouch  175  can be guided through an aperture  12  in the end plate  16 . Next, the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  are inserted into the proximal end  17  of body  10  where the squeeze roller  32  initially contacts the second pouch end  192 . A rear cover  40  or other suitable retainer secures the second pouch end  192  to the proximal end  17  of the dispenser body  10 . To dispense product  180  disposed within pouch  175 , an operator squeezes the actuator  30  as described above and causes the squeeze roller  32  to push against and increase pressure within the pouch  175  to dispense product  180  through valve  150 . With each subsequent actuation, the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  move from a proximal end  17  of the body  10  (such as that shown in  FIG. 5A ) towards a dispensing end  15  of the body  10  (such as that shown in  FIG. 5B ). 
     Once all or a desired amount of the product  180  is dispensed, the used pouch  175  may be removed in a number of different ways. In an embodiment where covers  40 ,  16  are attached at the proximal  17  and dispensing  15  ends of the body  10 , the used pouch  175 , the grip  28 , and squeeze roller  32  may all be removed from the dispensing end  15  of the body. Alternatively, the grip  28  may be retracted by deflecting the driver pawl  44  and retainer pawl  46  against their respective biasing members  54 ,  58  to move the grip  28  and squeeze roller  32  from the dispensing end  15  ( FIG. 5B ) back to, and optionally out of, the proximal end  17  ( FIG. 5A ). Then, the used pouch  175  may be removed and the dispenser reloaded as discussed above. 
     VI. Advantages of the Presently Disclosed Subject Matter 
     In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter lowers costs associated with materials and assembly with sufficient ruggedness to survive filling, closing, packing and shipping. 
     The dispenser further allows the dispensing of multiple doses of product in each dispensing application. 
     In addition, the disclosed system is easy to reload and requires no/minimal cleaning between reloads. 
     The disclosed dispenser has a reduce size that closely matches the size and shape of a product pouch. 
     The disclosed dispenser includes a rectilinear shaped body to permit stacking of the dispenser. 
     The disclosed dispenser includes features that reduce the force required to burst a frangible seal of a pouch containing product. The table below illustrates this benefit. In Table 1, the first column represents force quantities, including max/min, range, mean, and standard deviation. The numerical values in the other columns represent the corresponding forces required to burst a frangible seal for different body and/or spout configurations. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Force Required to Burst Frangible Seal 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Force 
                 1:1 Body 
                 2.3:1 Body 
                 Spout restrictor 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Min. 
                 166 
                 104 
                 38 
               
               
                   
                 Max. 
                 229 
                 167 
                 98 
               
               
                   
                 Range 
                 64 
                 62 
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 Mean 
                 201 
                 135 
                 70 
               
               
                   
                 Std. Dev. 
                 20 
                 18 
                 19 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In the column labeled “1:1 Body,” a conventional cylindrical body dispenser (1:1 height:width aspect ratio, e.g., as disclosed in patent application publication WO/2016/018694) was used and resulted in a mean force of 200 pounds required to burst a frangible seal  194  on a pouch  175  containing water. By comparison, the column labeled “2.3:1 Body” shows the test results where burst force was measured for identical pouches  175  filled with water, but where the pouches were constrained within a body  10  having a height:width aspect ratio of 2.3:1 as disclosed herein. One can see that the mean force required to burst the frangible seal  194  on these pouches  175  is reduced to 135 pounds, a reduction of about 33%. Finally, the column labeled “Spout restrictor” shows the test results where burst force was measured for identical pouches  175  filled with water, but where the pouches were constrained within a body  10  having a height:width aspect ratio of 2.3:1 and the spout  175  is also constrained with a spout restrictor  142  also as disclosed herein. One can see that the mean force required to burst the frangible seal  194  on these pouches  175  is reduced to 70 pounds, a further reduction of about 48% over the asymmetric body itself and a 65% reduction over the conventional cylindrical body with no spout restrictor  142 . 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.