Patent Abstract:
A viscous food product dispensing system having a transport section for receiving a particulate food product from a bin, an auger for processing and conveying the received particulate food product from the transport section into an outlet adapter via one or more flutes, a milling device housed in the outlet adapter, and a discharge nozzle in the outlet adapter that pinches off the viscous food product created by the milling device. The auger has a unique design that allows it to engage and break whole nuts.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to India provisional application 201611009273, filed Mar. 17, 2016, U.S. provisional application 62/431,222, filed Dec. 7, 2016, U.S. provisional application 62/453,759, filed Feb. 2, 2017, and U.S. design patent application 29/577,721, filed Sep. 15, 2016, the entire contents of each application being incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to viscous food product grinding and dispensing systems, and in particular to features for such systems configured to improve performance of the production of viscous food paste. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Grinding dispensers for dispensing bulk food products are used to dispense a wide variety of ground materials, which may include, for example, nuts, coffee, and grain. Generally, such systems include a hollow hopper-type bin having an inlet at an upper end utilized to fill the enclosure with bulk product, a transport section that receives the food product by gravity, a manual or electric motor power source that mechanically drives a transport device and a milling device, and a discharge cover for the milling device. The transport device may be a rotatable auger which is coupled to the power source. The discharge cover includes one or more outlet openings utilized to dispense the material into a container for the user. 
         [0004]    Existing grinding dispenser systems provide nut butter freshly ground from various types of nuts, such as peanuts and almonds. In operation of such nut grinding dispensers, a pre-processed nut product is further ground to produce nut butter, which is forced as a viscous paste to the bottom of the discharge cover and dispensed from the outlet opening as an exposed viscous paste stream. 
         [0005]    Conventional systems require pre-processed nuts. In other words, they cannot process whole nuts. The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by providing a novel over-center cutout (or notch) that can accommodate whole nuts. 
         [0006]    Conventional systems produce an exposed paste stream that is problematic for sanitary reasons. The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by covering dispense residual paste (commonly referred to as “dangle”) with a spout (aka shroud). 
         [0007]    After the grinding dispenser has been deactivated, conventional systems further produce an exposed residue drip attached to the exterior of the product outlet. The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by providing a nozzle at the product outlet having a generally flexible valve configured to automatically pinch off product residue drips. Thus, the nozzle valve prevents dripping of the product after dispensing has ceased. In some embodiments, the nozzle is covered by a spout to shield the food product outlet from environmental contamination and public tampering. 
         [0008]    The present invention achieves another important advantage by utilizing a variable frequency driven (VFD), 3 phase motor, that provides higher torque with a volumetrically smaller motor. The high torque allows a more efficient grinding of product. The smaller motor allows a smaller overall footprint. Utilizing a VFD controller allows for motor operation using various world-wide input voltages and frequencies, maintains improved torque and horsepower, and can provide specific torque/speed profiles via computer program profiles. 
         [0009]    The present invention achieves another important advantage by incorporating a safety system that disables the electronic drive system upon detection of removal of either the hopper and/or front cladding (merchandizer). 
         [0010]    The present invention provides other important novel advantages, such as a pivoting shutter (aka gate) on the hopper dispenser, a manually adjustable texture modification system fed by a unique flute arrangement, and a run time adjustment feature. 
         [0011]    The pivoting gate automatically closes off the product bin discharge chute as the bin is removed from the unit, reducing product loss. Texture adjustment screws provide easy manual adjustment, without the need for special tools, of a rear fixed grinder position, relative to a front rotating grinder, so as to adjust the coarseness, or product texture. Utilizing manual fasteners for the disassembly and reassembly of the grinding system shortens the clean time and product change-over time for the unit. The run time adjustment feature allows the unit owner to quickly select from a plurality of pre-determined run times for the motor. 
         [0012]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport section for a viscous food product grinding and dispensing system comprising: an auger having an over-center cutout within a housing sleeve, the interior surface of the housing sleeve including radial flutes for regulating product flow from the sleeve to the milling device. 
         [0013]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outlet adapter for a viscous food product dispensing system, comprising: a discharge cover, the discharge cover configured to receive a pressurized supply flow of particulate food product and to house a milling device for processing the particulate food product into a pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste for dispensing; and a flexible nozzle coupled at a proximal end to the discharge cover, the flexible nozzle including a valve configured to flex to an open position under force from the pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste and return to a closed position once the supply flow ceases, the valve having an outlet being configured to pinch off and sever the viscous food paste as the valve returns to the closed position; whereby the severing of the viscous food paste by the outlet reduces the amount of viscous food paste remaining attached to an external face of the outlet. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, an outlet adapter includes a discharge cover and a flexible nozzle. The discharge cover is configured to receive a pressurized supply flow of particulate food product and to house a milling device for processing the particulate food product into a supply flow of viscous food paste for dispensing. The nozzle includes a proximal end, a distal end and a valve with a hollow interior passage. The nozzle is coupled at the proximal end to an aperture in the discharge cover. The hollow interior passage includes an opening at the proximal end configured to receive the viscous food paste. The hollow interior passage tapers downwardly towards a port at the distal end. The valve includes a flexible portion; the flexible portion is biased in a normally closed position and flexes to an open position under sufficient force for discharge of the viscous food paste. The flexible portion is configured such that force from the pressurized supply flow of the viscous food paste urges the port open and, once the supply flow stops, the port to returns to the closed position, thus pinching off or severing the viscous food paste. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Further features of the inventive embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from reading the specification and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a viscous food product grinding and dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic flow diagram of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a partial front perspective view of a viscous food product grinding and dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown without the milling device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the bin of  FIG. 3  shown removed from the system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the bin of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a partial top plan view of the system of  FIG. 3  shown with the bin, front rotating grinder and discharge cover removed; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a front end view in section of a cutout in the auger/transport device, and  FIG. 6C , is the section of  FIG. 6B  shown rotated counterclockwise, also showing the interior surface of the adjacent sleeve; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6D  is a front end view in section of a cutout in the auger/transport device (identical to  FIG. 6B ),  FIG. 6E  is the section of  FIG. 6D  shown rotated counterclockwise showing a captured nut, and  FIG. 6F  is the section of  FIG. 6E  shown rotated further counterclockwise showing a partially crushed nut (it should be noted that the same effect can be achieved with a clockwise configuration); 
           [0024]      FIG. 6G  is a front end view in section of a cutout in a prior art device,  FIG. 6H  is the section of  FIG. 6G  shown rotated counterclockwise showing an un-captured nut, and  FIG. 6I  is the section of  FIG. 6H  shown rotated further counterclockwise, and showing an escaped nut; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6J  is a top perspective view of the system of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6K  is an exploded side perspective view showing the transport section with transport device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 6A  shown with the rear fixed grinder removed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of the system of  FIG. 3  shown with the front rotating grinder and discharge cover removed; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with the bin removed; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is the exploded view of  FIG. 10  shown without the power source and enclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the power source and enclosure of  FIG. 10  shown with a rear portion of the enclosure removed; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a partial rear perspective view of the power source enclosure of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram of the power source of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a schematic side view of a viscous food product grinding and dispensing system with alternative outlet adapter according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a schematic flow diagram of the system of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the transport section, outlet adapter, and milling device of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18A  is a partial top plan view of the assembled transport device inside the front housing of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18B  is a top plan view of the auger/transport device of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a rear view in section of the transport device of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is a rear view in section of a transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  is a rear perspective view of the outlet adapter of  FIG. 17  with the nozzle assembled inside the discharge cover; 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of the outlet adapter of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  is a front view of the outlet adapter of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  is a short side view in section of the outlet adapter of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  is a right side perspective view in section of the outlet adapter of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 26  is a left side perspective view in section of the outlet adapter of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 27  is a bottom front perspective view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 28  is a top rear perspective view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 29  is a top plan view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 30  is a rear elevation view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 31  is a horizontal section view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 , 
           [0053]      FIG. 32  is a bottom plan view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 33  is a front elevation view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 34  is a left side elevation view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 35  is a right side elevation view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 36  is a top plan view of a reference planar oval relative to the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 37  is a long side view in section of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 38  is a short side view in section of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 28  prior to the flow of viscous food product; 
           [0060]      FIG. 39  is the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 38  deformed during the flow of viscous food product; 
           [0061]      FIG. 40  a bottom view of the deformed valve of the nozzle of  FIG. 39 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 41  is a rear perspective view of an outlet adapter according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 42  is a bottom perspective view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 43  is a top perspective view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0065]      FIG. 44  is a top plan view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 43 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 45  is a front elevation view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 43 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 46  is a bottom plan view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 43 ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 47  is a long side view in section of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 43 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 48  is a short side view in section of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 43  prior to the flow of viscous food product; 
           [0070]      FIG. 49  is the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 26  deformed during the flow of viscous food product; and 
           [0071]      FIG. 50  is a bottom view of the flexible nozzle of  FIG. 43  deformed during the flow of viscous food product. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0072]    In the discussion that follows, like reference numerals are used to refer to like structures and elements in the various figures. 
         [0073]    The general arrangement of a viscous food product grinding and dispensing system  12  (“system  12 ”) of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 . System  12  includes an outlet adapter  610  having a discharge cover  614  with a spout  617 . Discharge cover  614  is configured to house a milling device  618  and to be operatively connected to a transport section  28  of system  12 . Milling device  618  includes an opposing set of grinding members or plates, such as front rotating grinder  619  and a rear fixed grinder  621 . Front rotating grinder  619  is adapted to rotate with respect to rear fixed grinder  621 . 
         [0074]    In operation, milling device  618  receives a supply flow of particulate food product  20  and processes the particulate food product into a pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste  22  for dispensing through spout  617  as an elongated stream  24 . Food product  20  may include a variety of nuts, including peanuts and almonds. Viscous food paste  22  may include a variety of nut butters, such as peanut butter and almond butter. 
         [0075]    System  12  includes a bin  26  for storage of particulate food product  20 , gravity fed transport section  28  that receives the particulate food product, and a power source  30  that drives a transport device  32  as well as milling device  618 . Transport device  32  is located within transport section  28  and operates to move particulate food product  20  downstream to milling device  618 . 
         [0076]    Transport device  32  is an auger in one embodiment, which is designed to work in conjunction with the internal features of transport section  28  in order to perform an initial processing of the particulate food product  20 . The initial processing involves a rough cutting and crushing of the product. The subsequent processing of the rough product involves relatively finer grinding performed by the milling device  618 . 
         [0077]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , elongated stream  24  is not pinched off or severed. Rather, the stream bifurcates upon cessation of flow leaving a residual, or dangle. In some embodiments, as described more fully herein, the outlet adapter further includes a flexible discharge nozzle adapted to pinch off or sever stream  24  upon cessation of flow. 
         [0078]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , discharge cover  614  (viewed as if transparent) has a generally cylindrical shape and includes an annular sidewall  615 , annular flange  622  at the rear, and a nose  624  at the front. Transport section  28  includes a sleeve  626 , a front housing  628 , a rear plate  630 , and a chute inlet  632  extending from the top of the sleeve. Sleeve  626  further includes a pair of opposing nodes  634  configured to receive and secure opposing ends of a clamp bar  636 . Nose  624  is configured to receive and secure a front portion of clamp bar  636 . Front housing  628  includes an annular perimeter  638  and an arm  640  extending from the top of the annular perimeter and connected to the front of chute inlet  632 . A post  642  is fastened to the front of arm  640 . In assembling discharge cover  614  to front housing  628 , a receptor  644  on top of annular flange  622  is first aligned with and inserted onto post  642 . Next, clamp bar  636  is secured to nose  624  and the ends of the clamp bar secured to nodes  634 . Alternatively, discharge cover  614  is aligned against front housing  628 , secured by clamp bar  636 , and then post  642  is fastened to arm  640  through receptor  644 . 
         [0079]    Bin  26  includes a chute  646  at the bottom for discharge of particulate food product  20 . Bin  26  further includes a rotatable gate  648  configured to pivot from a normally closed position to an open position. In the closed position ( FIGS. 4, 5 ), gate  648  covers the bottom opening of chute  646 , preventing discharge of particulate food product  20 . In the open position ( FIG. 3 ), gate  648  is pivoted away from the bottom opening of chute  646  towards the front of the chute, thus allowing for product discharge. In assembling bin  26  to transport section  28 , chute  646  is inserted into chute inlet  632 . During insertion of chute  646  the top of arm  640  engages a flap  650 , causing the front rotation of gate  648 . 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , bin  26  may be removed from transport section  28  for cleaning and/or change-over of product. Upon removal of chute  646  from chute inlet  632 , flap  650  rotates (either by gravity or spring assisted), thus pivoting gate  648  back to the closed position. Chute  646  further includes an opposing pair of stops  652  positioned on the sides of the chute. Stops  652  define a limit of movement of gate  648  in the closed position. Thus, gate  648  acts to minimize or substantially eliminate leakage of product from the bottom opening of chute  646  during removal of bin  26 . 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6K , cutout portion  656  (aka over-center cutout) is disposed in transport device  32 . As exemplified in  FIG. 6B , cutout portion  656  is disposed in transport device  32  in an over-center position. Cutout portion  656  is formed as a notch having two perpendicular sides of unequal length. Cutout portion  656  is aligned below the opening of chute inlet  632 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the dimensions of cutout portion  656  are sized commensurate with a target product (e.g. almond, or peanut). In one embodiment, dimensions of 7.637 mm and 16.665 mm are used. 
         [0082]    The foregoing configuration provides an important advantage over conventional systems in that whole nuts (e.g. almonds or peanuts) can be captured and broken, whereas conventional systems require a pre-processed, partially broken product. As shown in  FIGS. 6E &amp; 6F , cutout portion  656  engages and breaks a whole nut against chamber wall (sleeve  626 ). As shown in  FIGS. 6G through 6I , the inferior cutout of conventional systems cannot capture and break a whole nut because it pops out and escapes. 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIGS. 6K and 7 , the rear portion of front housing  628  includes a plurality of radially equally spaced-apart flutes  658  disposed around transport device  32 . Flutes  658  are longitudinal recesses along a portion of the interior surface of sleeve  626 , configured in number and size to maximize product flow from sleeve  626  forward toward milling device  618 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6K , the bottom three flutes  658  extend rearwardly along the interior surface of sleeve  626  below chute inlet  632  (see also  FIG. 6A ). 
         [0084]    The number and size of flutes can be varied to adjust flow. In one embodiment ( FIG. 7 ), five flutes, each being approximately 8 mm in diameter, half depth, are utilized. In another embodiment, 4 flutes are used which results in a lower flow rate and lower current draw on the motor. 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a pair of opposing texture adjustment screws  660  accessible through annular perimeter  638  allow adjustment of viscous food paste texture from coarse to fine. For nut products, the adjustments result in crunchy or creamy nut butter. Texture adjustment screws  660  are inserted through openings in annular perimeter  638  and are secured in corresponding helical slots within rear fixed grinder  621 . Adjustment is made by loosening texture adjustment screws  660  and rotating the rear fixed grinder  621 , relative to the longitudinal axis of transport device  32 , into the desired position closer or further away from front rotating grinder  619 , then re-tightening the texture adjustment screws. Preferably, the adjustment does not require the use of special tools, and the screws can be manually rotated. The top end of texture adjustment screws  660  may be any suitable type of thumb screw, such as including a knurled surface to allow ease of manual operation. 
         [0086]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , manual fasteners may be used for assembly and disassembly of transport section  28 , transport device  32 , and outlet adapter  610  from power source  30 . Assembly and disassembly without special tools acts to reduce device-cleaning time and product change-over time, and reduces the potential for loss of special tools. Referring to  FIG. 10 , power source  30  is protected by an enclosure  662 . A backer plate  664  is secured to enclosure  662  via thumb screws  666 . A ring  668  is placed in an opening in backer plate  664 , and a shaft  670  of a motor  672  (see motor in  FIG. 12 ) extends forward through the opening. 
         [0087]    The rear end of transport device  32  is secured to shaft  670  via screw set  674 . Next, transport section  28  is inserted onto transport device  32  and rear plate  630  is secured to backer plate  664  via knobs  676 . Then the transport device is secured to the transport section via fastener set  678 . The rear fixed grinder is secured to front housing  628  via texture adjustment screws  660 , as described above. Front rotating grinder  619  is inserted onto the front of transport device  32 , and outlet adapter  610  is secured to front housing  628  via post  642  and clamp bar  636  as described above. Thus, as the front end of transport device  32  is coupled to front rotating grinder  619 , the front rotating grinder is operably coupled to power source  30 . 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 through 14 , power source  30  further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD) controller  680  operatively connected to motor  672 . VFD controller  680  is in electrical communication with motor  672  and operator interfaces, which include an on/off switch  684  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) and a time adjustment feature  686  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). 
         [0089]    VFD controller  680  enables motor  672  to operate using various world-wide input voltages and frequencies, and maintains improved torque and horsepower. Further, VFD controller  680  includes overload protection with single push button recovery and PLC controllability to provide specific user-selectable and customizable torque/speed profiles via computer program profiles. 
         [0090]    In one embodiment, a 60 Hz, 110 Volt, 3 phase, VFD controlled, 1.5 hp motor is used. This arrangement allows high torque from a relatively smaller motor. Conventional systems utilize single phase motors that are necessarily larger. In another embodiment, a 230V, 50 Hz system is provided. The following input power options are preferred: 110V/60 Hz, 220V/60 Hz, and 230V/50 Hz. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a group of toggle switches in the rear side of enclosure  662  facilitates a time adjustment feature  686 . The switches are operatively connected to VFD controller  680 . Time adjustment feature  686  allows selection from a plurality of pre-determined run times for motor  672 . For example, the pre-determined run times may be selected from a range of 15 seconds to 180 seconds. Time adjustment feature  686  is a “user-friendly” feature that takes the guess work out of adjusting unit run time. For example, it may include a series of four toggle switches, the first switch corresponding to 15 seconds, the second corresponding to 70 seconds, the third corresponding to 125 seconds and the fourth corresponding to 180 seconds run time. User positioning of on/off switch  684  to the “on” position causes activation of system  12  through VFD controller  680 . Activation of system  12  causes motor  672  to operate for the maximum pre-determined run time, unless overridden by the user positioning the on/off switch  684  to the “off” position. 
         [0092]    The general arrangement of alternative outlet adapters  100 / 410  for a viscous food product grinding and dispensing system  412  are shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16  according to various embodiments of the present invention. Outlet adapters  100 / 410  include a discharge cover  114 / 414  and a flexible nozzle  16 / 116 . Discharge covers  114 / 414  are configured to house a milling device  418  (similar to milling device  618 ) and to receive flexible nozzle  16 / 116 . System  412  includes a bin  26  for storage of particulate food product  20 , gravity fed transport section  28  that receives the particulate food product and a power source  30  that drives a transport device  432  as well as milling device  418 . Transport device  432  is located within transport section  28  and operates to move particulate food product  20  downstream to milling device  418 . In operation, milling device  418  receives a supply flow of particulate food product  20  and processes the particulate food product into a pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste  22  for dispensing through nozzle  16 / 116  as an elongated stream  24 . 
         [0093]    Now referring to  FIG. 17 , discharge cover  414 , being similar to discharge cover  614 , has a generally cylindrical shape and includes an annular sidewall  415 . Discharge cover  414  also includes a spout  417  configured to act as an environmental guard and tamper deterrent for surrounded flexible nozzle  16 . 
         [0094]    The interior of discharge cover  414  may be curved to align adjacent the outer curved surface of milling device  418 . Milling device  418  includes a front rotating grinder  419  and a rear fixed grinder  421 . 
         [0095]    Outlet adapter  410  also includes a gasket  422  fastened to the rear of discharge cover  414  via fasteners  426 . Gasket  422  provides improved sealing of discharge cover  414  against rear fixed grinder  421 . In assembly, discharge cover  414  with gasket  422  is aligned against a front housing  428 , (may be secured by clamp bar  636 , similar to discharge cover  614 ), and then post  440  is fastened to front housing  428  through receptor  444 . Post  440  and fasteners  426  are configured to allow for installation both manually and by use of tools. 
         [0096]    Now referring to  FIGS. 18A, 18B and 19 , transport device  432  is similar to transport device  32 , except for including a hollow bore portion  454 , and having two opposing cutouts  456  disposed at approximately 180 degrees out of phase, relative to each other. Cutouts  456  are aligned below the opening of a chute inlet  434 . 
         [0097]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , in some embodiments, transport device  432  is solid, and does not include hollow bore portion  454 . In one embodiment, transport device  432  is formed with an outer diameter of about 35.5 mm, and cutouts  456  are formed with a depth of about 7.637 mm and a width of about 16.665 mm. 
         [0098]    Now referring to  FIGS. 21-26 , spout  417  extends from the bottom of annular sidewall  415 , and encloses all of flexible nozzle  16 , except the bottom outlet. Spout  417  may be integral or ancillary to outlet adapter  410 . Referring to  FIGS. 24-26 , nozzle  16  includes a proximal end  34 , a distal end  36 . A valve  38  with a hollow interior passage  40  is formed in the nozzle. Nozzle  16  is coupled at the proximal end  34  to an aperture  442  in annular sidewall  415  of discharge cover  414 . Nozzle  16  includes a mounting flange  44  at the proximal end  34  configured to fit against the concave curved interior surface of discharge cover  414 . As seen in  FIG. 21 , discharge cover  414  may include a shoulder  446  configured to abut the outer edges  48  of mounting flange  44 . As best seen in  FIGS. 34 and 35 , a perimeter edge  49  of flange  44  may include radius curved portions configured to seal against concave curved interior edge portions of discharge cover  414 . 
         [0099]    Valve  38  is biased in a normally closed position and flexes to an open position due to a pressure exerted by the discharge of viscous food paste  22  as it is forced downstream through interior passage  40 , and returns to the normally closed position upon flow cessation. Valve  38  is configured with interior geometry features that pinch or chop against elongated stream  24  as the valve returns to the closed position, effectively slicing through, pinching, or breaking apart the elongated stream. Pinching elongated stream  24  within valve  38  reduces the amount of paste residue attached to the external face of the bottom of the valve after the valve returns to the closed position. 
         [0100]    In some embodiments, the properties of viscous food paste  22  allow for an alternative flexible nozzle to be utilized. Such flexible nozzle has a discharge opening that also enlarges, or deforms, due to product stream pressurization, and returns to the closed position upon flow cessation. The severing of elongated stream  24  leaves substantially no paste residue attached to the external face of the bottom of the valve after the stream flow is de-pressurized. 
         [0101]    In some embodiments, the properties of viscous food paste  22  allow for an alternative rigid or semi-rigid nozzle to be utilized. Such properties of viscous food paste  22  inherently result in a clean drop or severing of elongated stream  24  due to forces of gravity once the supply flow is depressurized. Such natural severing of elongated stream  24  leaves substantially no paste residue attached to the external face of the bottom of the valve after the stream flow is de-pressurized. In some embodiments, such clean dropping viscous food paste  22  may be dispensed with just the discharge cover in place, without any nozzle inserted. In some embodiments, the discharge cover does not utilize spout  417 , and a separate, plastic sneeze guard (not shown) is supported in front of the discharge of valve  38 . 
         [0102]    In some embodiments, a suitable biasing device, such as a pinch roller set (not shown) is used to assist flexible nozzle  16  in returning to its original, closed position after the stream flow is de-pressurized. In operation, once the stream flow is de-pressurized, the pinch roller set is activated adjacent to proximal end  34  of valve  38 . The rollers of the pinch roller set are urged closer together to slightly compress valve  38  as the rollers are moved downwardly towards the distal end  36 . As valve  38  returns to the closed position, elongated stream  24  is severed, and leaves substantially no paste residue attached to the external face of the bottom of the valve. The pinch roller set is thereafter returned to a starting position. The operation of the pinch rollers can be achieved by various methods, including full or partial automation. 
         [0103]    Referring to  FIGS. 27-40 , mounting flange  44  includes an opening  50  at proximal end  34  of interior passage  40 . Opening  50  has an ovoid shape and is configured to receive viscous food paste  22 . Interior passage  40  tapers asymmetrically in two dimensions (see  FIGS. 30, 33-35 ) slightly from opening  50  downstream toward distal end  36 . 
         [0104]    Valve  38  includes a pair of opposing flap walls  52  joined by a pair of opposing side walls  54 , the flap walls and side walls together forming continuous interior passage  40 . Referring to  FIG. 37 , valve  38  has a side exterior linear dimension length “L” and a bottom exterior linear dimension width “W”. In one embodiment, “L” and “W” are from about 1.65 inches to about 2.2 inches, and preferably “L” is about 2.0 inches and “W” is about 1.65 inches. Referring to  FIG. 38 , valve  38  has an exterior linear dimension depth “D” of about 0.75 inches to about 1.25 inches, and preferably about 0.85 inches. 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIGS. 30, 33 and 36 , a reference planar oval  56  is visualized as located above opening  50 , in the X-Y plane; the reference planar oval having a central X axis, Y axis and perpendicular Z axis. Opening  50  has a generally concave curvature about the Y axis configured to match the curvature of annular sidewall  415  of discharge cover  414 . To reduce pressure drop of the pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste  22  through opening  50 , the interior transition from flange  44  to side walls  54  and flap walls  52  is formed in a radius curvature. Referring to  FIGS. 29-39 , the transition from flange  44  to side walls  54  has a generally convex curvature  58  relative to the Z axis and the transition from the flange to flap walls  52  has a generally convex curvature  60  relative to the Z axis. 
         [0106]    Valve  38  is biased in a normally closed position (see  FIG. 38 ) and flexes to an open position (see  FIG. 39 ) due to a pressure exerted by the discharge of viscous food paste  22 . Valve  38  has a generally duckbill shape, and includes a sheath portion  62  and a flexible portion  64 . Sheath portion  62  is located on side walls  54  and on the upper portion of flap walls  52 . On flap walls  52 , flexible portion  64  forms a curved interface  65  with sheath portion  62 . Sheath portion  62  is configured with a lesser interior taper angle  66  from about 7 degrees to about 8 degrees relative to the Z axis. Flexible portion  64  is located on flap walls  52  and is configured with a greater interior taper angle  68 . In one embodiment, the wall thickness of flexible portion  64  increases as it tapers towards port  70 . At the section center cut of  FIG. 38 , the greater interior taper angle  68  is about 18 degrees and a greater exterior taper angle  69  is from about 11 degrees to about 14 degrees, relative to the Z axis. Flexible portion  64  is configured to be biased in a normally closed position and flexes outward slightly toward the exterior as the pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste  22  is forced downstream through interior passage  40  (see  FIG. 39 ). 
         [0107]    Interior passage  40  is defined by opening  50  and the proximal ends  34  of flap walls  52 , having a generally ovoid cross-section about the Z axis, that gradually decreases in cross sectional area downwardly (along the Z axis) towards a normally closed port  70  of flexible nozzle  16  at distal end  36 . Port  70  is configured for operation from the biased normally closed position to the open position for discharge of viscous food paste  22  in the elongated stream  24 . Elongated stream  24  may be captured by the user within a container below port  70  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
         [0108]    Port  70  is configured such that the force from the pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste  22  urges the port open and once the supply flow is depressurized and the force ceases, the removal of the force causes the port to return to the normally closed position ( FIG. 38 ). Port  70  will move to the open position when the product processing pressure of the supply flow of viscous food paste  22  reaches a predetermined valve threshold pressure, and will return to the closed position when the product processing pressure falls below the valve threshold pressure. 
         [0109]    Each flexible portion  64  includes opposing pairs of tapered stiffening portions  71  adjacent to side walls  54 . At each side wall  54  adjacent stiffening portions  71  taken together are configured to be from about two-thirds to about one-half of the width of port  70  at distal end  36 , and are configured to assist in biasing the port into the closed position. 
         [0110]    Port  70  includes a pair of opposing gates  72  at the distal end  36  of the interior surfaces of flap walls  52 . In the closed position, gates  72  have the appearance of a substantially closed elongated slit. As gates  72  are forced open by the pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste  22  to form an outlet  74 . As the slit opens, the middle portion thereof opens relatively more than the end portions to form a bulbous middle portion  75 . In other words, gates  72  each deform in a generally bell-like, somewhat concave curvature, to form an ovaloid shaped middle portion  75  of outlet  74  (see  FIG. 40 ). 
         [0111]    Valve  38  of nozzle  16  is configured to reduce the amount of paste residue attached to external face  76  by effectively severing the elongated stream  24  without causing excessive pressure drop when the valve is in the open position. 
         [0112]    Referring to  FIG. 38 , gates  72  are configured to be angled slightly relative to each other along the X axis from a pinch point  78  down towards a gap at outlet  74 , and thus are biased to abut close together at the pinch point when port  70  is in the normally closed position. As such, gates  72  of port  70  are configured to pinch or chop against elongated stream  24  as the port returns to the closed position, effectively slicing through or breaking apart the elongated stream. The severed elongated stream  24  falls into the user&#39;s container below, thereby reducing the amount of residue viscous food paste  22  remaining attached to external face  76  of port  70 . 
         [0113]    Now referring to  FIGS. 41-50 , in an alternative embodiment, an outlet adapter  100  includes a discharge cover  114  and a flexible nozzle  116 . Nozzle  116  has many similar features to nozzle  16  described above (see  FIGS. 27-40 ). Nozzle  116  is coupled at the proximal end  34  to an aperture  42  in annular sidewall  115  of discharge cover  114 . Nozzle  116  include a valve  138  and a mounting flange  144  at the proximal end  34  configured to fit against the concave curved interior surface of discharge cover  114 . Discharge cover  114  may include a shoulder  146  configured to abut the outer edges  148  of mounting flange  144 . Referring to  FIG. 43 , mounting flange  144  includes an opening  150  at proximal end  34  of an interior passage  140  configured to receive viscous food paste  22 . 
         [0114]    Valve  138  is biased in a normally closed position (see  FIG. 48 ) and flexes to an open position (see  FIG. 49 ) due to a pressure exerted by the discharge of viscous food paste  22 . Valve  138  has a generally duckbill shape, and includes sheath portion  62  and a flexible portion  164 . On flap walls  52 , flexible portion  164  forms a curved interface  165  with sheath portion  62 . 
         [0115]    Interior passage  140  is defined by opening  150  and the proximal ends  34  of flap walls  52 , having a generally ovoid cross-section about the Z axis, that gradually decreases in cross sectional area downwardly (along the Z axis) towards a normally closed port  170  of flexible nozzle  116  at distal end  36 . Port  170  is configured for operation from the biased normally closed position to the open position for discharge of viscous food paste  22  in the elongated stream  24 . 
         [0116]    Port  170  includes a pair of opposing gates  172  at the distal end  36  of the interior surfaces of flap walls  52 . In the closed position, gates  172  have the appearance of a closed slit. As gates  172  are forced open by the pressurized supply flow of viscous food paste  22  to form an outlet  174 . As the slit opens, the middle portion thereof opens relatively more than the end portions to form a bulbous middle portion  175 . In other words, gates  172  each deform in a generally bell-like, somewhat concave curvature, to form an ovaloid shaped middle portion  175  of outlet  174  (see  FIG. 50 ). 
         [0117]    Gates  172  are configured to be substantially parallel, and are further configured to be biased to abut together when port  170  is in the normally closed position. As such, gates  172  of port  170  are configured to pinch or chop against elongated stream  24  as the port returns to the closed position, effectively slicing through or breaking apart the elongated stream. The severed elongated stream  24  falls into the user&#39;s container below, thereby reducing the amount of residue viscous food paste  22  remaining attached to an external face  176  of port  170 . 
         [0118]    Nozzles  16 ,  116  are made of a suitable flexible, elastomeric material, such as rubber, for example. Preferably, the rubber is a food grade suitable for use with various particulate food products  20 . The nozzle material may be configured of a durometer hardness to match the type of product used for milling, and the type of viscous food paste  22  produced by the viscous food product grinding and dispensing system  12 . The durometer hardness utilized is coordinated to allow the valves  38 ,  138  to deform and open when interior passages  40 ,  140  are pressurized above a predetermined level and to seal closed causing a reduced residue drip when depressurized. In one example, for use with peanuts to make nut butter, the durometer of the rubber used for the nozzle may be from about Shore 60A to about Shore 90A. The durometer may vary depending on the size of the nuts used, and the texture of nut butter desired (chunky, coarse or smooth). The desired dispense rate of elongated stream  24  is also taken into account with the selection of rubber durometer. In one embodiment, larger sized peanuts produced a rate of about 1.3 lbs/minute to about 1.4 lbs/minute. In another embodiment, smaller sized peanuts produced a rate of about 3.1 lbs/minute to about 3.6 lbs/minute. In one embodiment, flexible nozzle  116  is preferably made from Shore 80A rubber for use in peanut butter applications to produce a flow rate of about 1.5 to about 3.4 lbs/minute of peanut food paste. The Shore 80A flexible nozzle  116  produces a dispense rate from about 3.2 to 3.4 lbs/minute with smaller sized peanuts and from about 1.5 to 1.7 lbs/minute with larger sized peanuts. 
         [0119]    Discharge covers  114 ,  414 ,  614  may be made from a suitable food grade metal, such as stainless steel for example. Flexible nozzles  16 ,  116  are easily inserted and removed for cleaning from aperture  42  in discharge covers  114 ,  414 ,  614 . Various parts shown are interchangeable in different system embodiments. For example, transport device  432  may be used within front housing  628 . 
         [0120]    Although shown coupling with the annular sidewall  115 ,  415  of cylindrical discharge covers  114 ,  414 , and having a generally U-shaped flanges  44 ,  144 , valves  38 ,  138  may be used in other applications, such as inline in industrial food processing. Valves  38 ,  138  may be mounted inline in a square, cylindrical or rounded conduit, where the corresponding flange perimeter is square, circular, or rounded and configured to mate with the adjacent conduit structure. The viscous food product dispensed by valves  38 ,  138  may be any suitable food product, such as dough, jam or mayonnaise. The valves may also be utilized with other suitable viscous products such as caulk, adhesives or petroleum jelly. 
         [0121]    While this invention has been shown and described with respect to detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5