Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a machine for storing and dispensing a viscous product, and more particularly, a soft food or beverage product.

Frozen or refrigerated food, dessert and/or beverage dispensers, such as frozen ice cream and yogurt machines for example, are typically equipped with mechanical mixing and dispensing devices that mix ingredients together, or operate to keep the ingredients or product in a mixed and viscous condition for purposes of dispensation on an as needed basis. Such dispensers require a multitude of equipment and processes to formulate, heat or refrigerate, store and ultimately dispense the viscous beverage or product. In most typical dispensers, the actual food or beverage product is in contact with the mixing apparatus and in which the product is stored and dispensed which can lead to health and consumption hazards if such equipment and exposed components are not routinely and completely cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, the wear and tear on the equipment components and surfaces that are in contact with such food and beverage products over a period of repeated use leads to malfunction rendering the unit inoperable until repairs are made.

As a result, there remains a need in the art for an improved soft food and beverage dispenser that overcomes the limitations of existing food and beverage dispensers. <CIT> discloses a dispenser machine for storing and dispensing viscous foods and beverages and provides for the efficient and safe dispensation of a viscous food or beverage product that is contained in a flexible product container and which does not come into direct contact with the dispenser equipment. The dispenser includes an evacuation system which includes a weighted roller or slidable weight in contact with one or more sides of the product container and which operates by force of gravity to pressure and direct the food or beverage product contained in the container toward and out of the bag or container tube spout. A pump unit, which is configurable to provide for the dispensation of both food and beverage products with different viscosities by the addition or removal of one or pump pins, draws product from the container as desired and the pump unit pins operate to pinch and prevent the flow of product from the container tube spout after the pump is shut off.

<CIT> discloses an evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

<CIT> discloses a dispenser for dispensing food products at an elevated temperature includes a housing for supporting and heating a container of food product located within the housing and a pump for moving the food product from the container to a location external to the housing. One or more actuators are operatively connected to the pump and are selectively configurable to operate the pump in a first momentary state for dispensing the food product while the actuator is actuated and a second timed state or dispensing the food product for a predetermined period of time. An interlock device is provided to disable the pump when the housing is opened.

<CIT> discloses assemblies for pumping from a container, dispensing and heating or cooling edible viscous food products having the viscosity of ketchup, mustard, melted cheese, sour cream, salsa or the like. More specifically, the invention relates to peristaltic pumping and dispensing assembly with housing and heating/cooling flow channels for dispensing food products with such viscosity.

<CIT> discloses a system and a method which dispenses an aseptic food product from a container within a housing from a hose of the container. The hose extends through a clamping device located adjacent to the container and the housing. The clamping device has rollers and a block and/or a stopper to clamp the tube closed at one or more positions on the tube. The clamping device moves from an open position to a closed position for inserting the hose into and/or removing the hose from the clamping device. In the closed position, the clamping device maintains the sterility of and/or prevents contamination of the fluid. The tube prevents and/or minimizes growth and/or migration of microorganisms within the tube and/or the container. The fluid and/or the container are sterile and/or uncontaminated for dispensing the fluid at room temperature. The housing has a temperature element adjacent to the clamping device for heating and/or for cooling the hose between the clamping device and a tip of the hose for dispensing the fluid via the tip of the hose.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for dispensing a soft food or beverage product in accordance with claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensing a soft food or beverage product in accordance with claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

The present invention provides a dispenser machine for storing and dispensing food and beverage products that overcome the foregoing disadvantages existing in the art. The invention provides for the efficient and safe dispensation of a viscous or soft food or beverage product that is contained in a flexible container and separated from the dispenser equipment thereby preventing contact between the food or beverage product and the dispenser equipment. A dispenser cabinet is provided for housing the product container, dispensing and pump apparatus, and refrigeration and/or heating equipment. The product container containing the food or beverage product is secured within the dispenser cabinet for storage and dispensation as desired. In an embodiment, the dispenser includes an evacuation system which includes a roller or slidable weight in contact with one or more sides of the product container and which operates by force of gravity to apply pressure to and direct the food or beverage product contained in the product container toward a tube spout attached to the product container. A pump unit, which is configurable by the addition or removal of pump pins to provide for the dispensation of both food and beverage products with different viscosities, draws product from the container when the dispenser is activated. When the dispenser is deactivated, the pump unit stops and the one or more pump pins incorporated into the pump apparatus operate to pinch and prevent the flow of product from the container tube spout. When the product container is substantially empty, the user may simply remove the product container from the dispenser cabinet, throw away or recycle the used product container, and insert a new container with a food or beverage product into the dispenser for storage and dispensation.

A thermal heating and/or refrigeration system is provided to heat and/or cool and maintain the desired temperature of the food or beverage product stored in a product container within the interior of the dispenser cabinet. The thermal circuit system also provides heating or cooling to a thermal deck and thermal deck tube guide is provided, and operates to control and maintain the temperature of the product residing in the tube spout between dispensation operations.

In this respect, before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, dimensions or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. To accomplish the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this application.

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, <FIG> and <FIG> depict a soft food or beverage dispenser machine <NUM>. The machine <NUM> includes a cabinet <NUM> having an exterior and interior portion separated by door <NUM> that is pivotably connected to an exterior surface of cabinet <NUM> with hinges <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, cabinet <NUM> and door <NUM> are comprised of thin gauge metal such as stainless steel sheet metal; however, other suitable materials may be used as known in the art. Cabinet <NUM> is supported by support legs <NUM> attached to the bottom of cabinet <NUM>. A cup tray <NUM> and cup guide <NUM> are attached to the exterior of cabinet <NUM> for supporting a cup or container to be filled with product dispensed from a product container <NUM> enclosed within the interior portion of the machine <NUM> and for positioning the cup in a suitable location for the dispensed product to flow into the cup without overflowing the sides of the cup. Cup tray <NUM> and cup guide <NUM> are comprised of thin gauge metal such as stainless steel; however, other suitable materials utilized in the product of food and beverage dispensing equipment may be used as known in the art. In an embodiment, the external dimensions of cabinet <NUM> may be twelve inches wide by eighteen inches deep and twenty-inches in height, although these dimensions are not to be construed as limitations of the size of cabinet <NUM> which may be increased or decreased as desired by the user or dictated by the operating environment of machine <NUM>. Machine <NUM> is configured to be electrically powered by conventional 110V electrical power and may be alternatively configured to work with different electrical power supply requirements found across various countries worldwide as generally known in the art.

Container tray <NUM> is positioned within the interior of cabinet <NUM> and, in the depicted embodiment, is slidably inserted into cabinet <NUM> allowing for container tray <NUM> to be pulled out for access to, and the attachment or removal of a product container <NUM> such as a flexible bag, from the container tray <NUM> as will be described in further detail hereinafter. A pump unit, in the depicted embodiment utilizing a peristaltic mechanism, comprises a pump disc <NUM> with one or more pump pins <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), a drive rod <NUM> attached to pump disc <NUM> and in mechanical communication with a pump motor <NUM>, provides for the dispensation of product from the product container <NUM> via tube spout <NUM> (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). A pinch deck <NUM> and thermal deck <NUM> are secured to cabinet <NUM> and reside within the interior of cabinet <NUM> when door <NUM> is in the closed position and assist in the dispensation of product <NUM> from the <NUM> as will be discussed in more detail hereafter. Thermal deck <NUM> which is in communication with thermal circuit(s) provides adjustable temperature control (e.g. heating or cooling energy) to food or beverage product <NUM> temporarily residing in tube spout <NUM> between product dispensations which minimizes, if not inhibits, the potential for bacterial growth or other unsanitary conditions to develop between product dispensations as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As such, there is no need to push or reverse pump the product residing within tube spout <NUM> back into product container <NUM> during periods between product dispensations or to otherwise remove product <NUM> in tube spout <NUM> to meet sanitary food requirements and regulations. Thermal deck tube guide <NUM> provides additional thermal insulation about tube spout <NUM> and aids in maintaining the temperature of product <NUM> temporarily retained in tube spout <NUM> between dispensation operations at the desired temperature to meet health and food safety requirements as shown in <FIG>.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, a latch <NUM> mates with latch hook <NUM> to provide a mechanism for retaining door <NUM> in a closed position with cabinet <NUM>. Vent <NUM> is located on an exterior surface of the cabinet to allow for the flow of air through a portion of the interior space of cabinet <NUM> to provide air flow and promote heat exchange for the thermal cooling and/or heating circuit(s) shown in <FIG> and which will be discussed in greater detail hereafter. A control panel <NUM> located on an exterior surface of cabinet <NUM> allows the user to control and adjust the temperature in the interior space of cabinet <NUM>, as well as the temperature of the thermal deck <NUM>, to enable the safe storage of a soft product and/or beverage product residing within cabinet <NUM> and within tube spout <NUM>. Control panel <NUM> may also be configured to control operation of the pump unit and provide selectable dispensation flow rates, cycles or product volumes as desired by the user. Control panel <NUM> may include a programmed processor and/or other data processing device along with suitable software or other operating instructions, one or more memories (including non-transient storage media that may store software and/or other operating instructions), temperature and product level sensors, pressure sensors, input/output interfaces, communication buses or other links, a display, switches, relays, or other components necessary to perform desired input/output or other functions for purposes of operating machine <NUM>. A dispense pushbutton <NUM> is located on an exterior surface of cabinet <NUM> and when depressed activates the dispenser <NUM> allowing for the dispensation of a soft food or beverage product as desired by the user and when release stopping dispensation operations.

<FIG> and <FIG> are depictions of container tray <NUM> to which product container <NUM> is attached. Container tray <NUM> provides support for product container <NUM> containing soft food or beverage product <NUM> that is to be dispensed by dispenser <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, product container <NUM> comprises a flexible plastic container and includes a flexible tube spout <NUM> through which food or beverage product <NUM> contained in product container <NUM> exits during operation of dispenser <NUM>. Tube spout <NUM> may be attached to product container <NUM> prior to use and then detached after product container <NUM> is emptied or tube spout <NUM> may be formed and manufactured as part of product container <NUM>. Product container <NUM> may come in different sizes and volumes, such as a <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> gallon size. It is contemplated that machine <NUM> may be scaled in appropriate dimension to receive product containers of various sizes and volumes and the size of the product container is not to be construed as a limitation to the inventive apparatus and methods disclosed herein. Product container <NUM> provides an additional advantage to the art in that the food/beverage product <NUM> is kept isolated in the product container <NUM> and food/beverage product <NUM> does not come into contact with any components of machine <NUM> during operation. Likewise, product container <NUM> may be constructed from biodegradable materials or designed for easy disposal or to be recyclable. As a result, the maintenance and cleaning associated with machine <NUM> is greatly reduced, while improving and maintaining required sanitary conditions surrounding the operation and usage of machine <NUM> and the product safely contained in the product container <NUM>.

In an embodiment, product container <NUM> includes a rigid or semi-rigid spine <NUM> running a substantial portion of the length of one side of product container <NUM> that provides support for container <NUM> to be secured or suspended in cabinet <NUM>. Product container <NUM> may be manufactured from a variety of plastics, polymers, films metals or other materials which are capable of safely storing a food or beverage product even with the application of moderate pressure or force applied to one or more of the exterior surface(s) of product container <NUM> during operation of dispenser <NUM> as will be discussed hereinafter. Product container <NUM> may be designed to be generally rectangular in shape or may include an angled or sloped portion <NUM> generally opposite spine <NUM> wherein the angled or sloped <NUM> portion provides a sloped incline for assisting in directing the flow of soft food product or beverage <NUM> towards the tube spout <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Product container <NUM> is also partially supported by first sidewall <NUM> attached to and extending perpendicular to base <NUM> of container tray <NUM>. Second sidewall <NUM>, front endwall <NUM>, and rear endwall <NUM> are attached to base <NUM> as depicted. First sidewall <NUM>, front endwall <NUM>, and rear endwall <NUM> extend vertically and are generally perpendicular to base <NUM>.

First sidewall <NUM>, front endwall <NUM>, and rear endwall <NUM> are generally the same height and may be formed as a one piece construction from metals or plastic materials suitable for food and beverage dispensation operations as known in the art as shown or may be separate panels which are connected together by methods and means known in the art such as by weld, rivet or threaded screws and bolts. Second sidewall <NUM> does not extend the same height as the other walls of tray <NUM>. Second sidewall may be level with base <NUM>, or extend in the range of up to an inch above the base <NUM>, and acts as a barrier to direct any product that may leak from product container <NUM> along the surface of base <NUM> to surface for product container <NUM> to rest upon from slipping or sliding off of base <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, guide slots <NUM> are cut or formed in front endwall <NUM> and rear endwall <NUM> and extend for a substantial vertical length of said endwalls <NUM>, <NUM> and through the tops of endwalls <NUM>, <NUM> allowing for the insertion and removal of roller <NUM> from the container tray <NUM>. A tube spout orifice <NUM> (see <FIG>) is formed in base <NUM> of sufficient diameter to allow passage of tube spout <NUM> through tube spout orifice <NUM> opening when product container <NUM> is attached to container tray <NUM>. Hooks <NUM> are attached to and spaced at intervals along first sidewall <NUM> for receiving corresponding holes formed along spine <NUM> of product container <NUM> and which act to support and maintain product container <NUM> in a fixed position to container tray <NUM>. In other contemplated embodiments, additional and/or alternative attachment mechanisms such as tabs, snaps, hook and loop material, threaded fasteners and/or pins/studs for attaching product container <NUM> to container tray <NUM> as are known in the art may be utilized to perform a similar function to secure product container <NUM> to container tray <NUM>.

In the depicted embodiment, incline wall <NUM> is formed or attached to first sidewall <NUM> and the opposing edge of incline wall <NUM> attached to base <NUM>. Incline wall <NUM> provides an inclined surface against which one side of product container <NUM> rests while roller <NUM> travels in substantially a vertical direction and presses against the opposing side of product container <NUM>. In this arrangement, the inclined geometry of incline wall <NUM> and roller <NUM> operate to impart a pressure force and direct the soft food or beverage product <NUM> in container <NUM> downward and towards the tube spout <NUM> during operation of the dispenser <NUM>.

Prior to initiating the dispensation operation, a user sets a filled product container <NUM> (as depicted by product fill level shown at <NUM>) on base <NUM> and suspends product container <NUM> that includes spine <NUM> with hooks <NUM> which are inserted through corresponding holes in spine <NUM>. Roller <NUM> is placed on an opposing side of container <NUM> by inserting roller pins <NUM> on each end of roller <NUM> into the corresponding guide slots <NUM> located on front endwall <NUM> and rear endwall <NUM>. Roller <NUM> descends by rolling under force of gravity along the exterior surface of container and forces the soft food product or beverage <NUM> towards the tube spout <NUM> until product <NUM> is under sufficient pressure to resist any further vertical movement of roller <NUM> until another volume of product is dispensed. It is contemplated that roller <NUM> may be constructed of various materials and weights for specific applications related to the viscosity and density of the food or beverage product being dispensed by machine <NUM>. For example, thicker more viscous soft food products may require the use of a heavier roller <NUM> for urging the food product towards the tube spout <NUM>, whereas soft liquid foods or liquid beverages may only need a lighter weight roller <NUM> to accomplish the purpose as would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

<FIG> illustrate the process and mechanisms by which soft food or beverage product <NUM> is stored and dispensed by machine <NUM> as desired. Turning to <FIG> and now that the product container <NUM> has been placed on and secured to the product tray <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, container tray <NUM> is moved inside the interior of cabinet <NUM> with roller <NUM> imparting sufficient pressure the product container <NUM>. Tube spout <NUM> is threaded generally between one or more pump pins <NUM> and the pinch deck <NUM> and into and through the thermal deck tube guide <NUM> by the user as shown. Thermal deck tube guide <NUM> may comprise a metal, plastic, polymer or other rigid or semi-rigid material which is capable of conducting thermal energy imparted from thermal deck <NUM> through thermal deck tube guide <NUM> to cool or heat product <NUM> moving or suspended in tube spout <NUM> and is easily washed or cleaned to maintain a sanitary environment. Thermal deck tube guide <NUM> is detachably secured to thermal deck <NUM> and different thermal deck tube guides <NUM> of varying diameters may be utilized with thermal deck <NUM> as may be required by different tube spout diameters associated with different product containers <NUM> made by various product container manufacturers. In one embodiment, a peristaltic type pump is utilized for dispensation of product <NUM> from product container <NUM>. In brief background, peristaltic pumps are a well-known form of positive displacement fluid pump capable of transferring a variety of fluids with various viscosities. Generally, the fluid to be transferred is contained within a flexible tube and one or more rollers or pins are attached along the external circumference of a pump rotor or disc and positioned to compress or "pinch" the flexible tube containing the liquid to be pumped. As the pump disc turns in a circular fashion, the portion of the tube under compression is pinched "closed" and then "opens" intermittently as the pump disc rotates which forces the fluid located in the tube to move into, through and out of the tube.

After tube spout <NUM> is threaded into and through the thermal deck tube guide <NUM>, it is positioned between one or more pump pins <NUM> and pinch deck <NUM> which includes arcuate surface <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The user secures a portion of tube spout <NUM> between one or more pump pins <NUM> and pinch deck <NUM> by depressing pinch deck lever <NUM> which functions to move and lock the position of the pinch deck <NUM> in a substantially lateral direction in closer proximity to one or more pump pins <NUM> whereby tube spout <NUM> is secured and pinched between one or more pump pins <NUM> at one or more pinch points between arcuate surface <NUM> of pinch deck <NUM> and one or more pump pins <NUM>. Such arrangement prevents the flow of product <NUM> through the tube spout <NUM> while the dispenser is not in operation. To prepare for dispensation of the product <NUM>, the user cuts the tube spout <NUM> with a suitable cutting tool, such as scissors <NUM>, to unseal the tube spout <NUM> connected with product container <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Door <NUM> is then closed and secured in the closed position with latch <NUM> attached to latch hook <NUM> by the user. The user may then initiate dispensing operation by depressing dispense button <NUM> that actuates rotation of the pump disc <NUM> which results in the evacuation of product <NUM> from product container <NUM> via tube spout <NUM>. The user may selectively alter the flow rate of product <NUM> dispensed by machine <NUM> by adjusting the rotational speed of the pump disc <NUM> by manipulating control panel <NUM> and/or by attaching or detaching the number of pump pins <NUM> which are attached to pump disc <NUM>. As such, the user may easily adjust the pumping flow rate of product <NUM> dispensed from the product container <NUM> depending on various factors, including but not limited to, viscosity, density and/or type (soft food, beverage, etc.) of product <NUM> which is being dispensed.

<FIG> depicts the dispenser in operation with product <NUM> being dispensed into cup <NUM> or other suitable container for holding soft food or beverage product <NUM>. A user places cup <NUM> into position on cup tray <NUM> with assistance from the cup guide <NUM> so that a portion of cup <NUM> may rest against cup guide <NUM> to insure food or beverage product <NUM> being dispensed flows out of tube spout <NUM> into cup <NUM> without spilling over the sides of cup <NUM>. The user then depresses dispense button <NUM> which activates pump motor <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that rotates pump disc <NUM> via drive rod <NUM> with rotational force supplied by pump motor <NUM> to drive rod <NUM>. As pump disc <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction (when viewed from the front perspective of the machine <NUM>), pump pins <NUM> repetitively press or pinch various sections of tube spout <NUM> positioned between pump pins <NUM> and arcuate surface <NUM> of pinch deck <NUM> causing substantially equal volumes of the product <NUM> to be drawn from the product container into the tube spout <NUM> and through and out of the open end of tube spout <NUM> and into cup <NUM> by the peristaltic process described herein. As product <NUM> is drawn from product container <NUM>, roller <NUM> moves downward as product <NUM> exits product container <NUM> via tube spout <NUM> and roller <NUM> urges the remaining product <NUM> in product container <NUM> towards tube spout <NUM> attached to product container <NUM>. After the desired volume of product <NUM> is dispensed, the user releases the dispense button <NUM> and pump disc <NUM> ceases to rotate resulting in one or more pump pins <NUM> substantially pinching a portion of tube spout <NUM> between one or more pump pins <NUM> and pinch deck <NUM> so as to substantially restrict, if not completely restrict, the flow of product <NUM> from tube spout <NUM>. Additionally, any product <NUM> remaining in tube spout <NUM> which is below the lowermost contact point between a pump pin <NUM> and arcuate surface <NUM> of pinch deck <NUM> will exit the tube spout <NUM> under gravity flow conditions thereby substantially preventing the potential for bacteria to foster or grow in the tube spout <NUM> portion open to the atmosphere below the tube lock <NUM>. As the corresponding portion of tube spout <NUM> which is in contact with arcuate surface <NUM> of pinch deck <NUM> and pump pin(s) <NUM> attached to pump disc <NUM> are enclosed in the temperature controlled interior of cabinet <NUM>, the food or beverage product <NUM> residing in a corresponding portion of tube spout <NUM> remains at the desired or required temperature pursuant to food safety laws and requirements. As a result, the hazards and contamination issues associated with reversing the flow of food or beverage product residing between the pump pins in the flexible tube spout by reverse pumping it back into the product container as disclosed in other known dispensation equipment is overcome by this aspect of the invention disclosed herein.

After product container <NUM> is substantially emptied, the user simply opens access door <NUM> by releasing latch <NUM>, flips or otherwise releases pinch deck lock lever <NUM>, and removes tube spout <NUM> from thermal deck tube guide <NUM>. The user then pulls product tray <NUM> substantially out of the cabinet <NUM>, lifts roller <NUM> out of the guide slots <NUM> in product tray <NUM>, unhooks and removes the substantially empty product container <NUM>, then replaces a new product container <NUM> containing product <NUM> into the product tray <NUM> and reinserts roller <NUM> into the guide slots <NUM> to continue dispensation operations as described herein.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of dispensing machine <NUM> with product container <NUM> containing product <NUM> ready for dispensation. In the depicted embodiment, thermal circuit <NUM> is housed within cabinet <NUM> and provided to provide cooling to the product <NUM> contained in product container <NUM>. Thermal circuit <NUM> is housed within cabinet <NUM> and in contact with thermal deck <NUM> to provide cooling to product <NUM> temporarily residing in tube spout <NUM>. Control pad <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) is in communication with thermal circuits <NUM>, <NUM> and allows the user to adjust the amount of cooling and/or heating to be provided by each thermal circuit <NUM>, <NUM>. In certain embodiments, thermal circuits <NUM>, <NUM> are temperature circuits capable of providing different heating and/or cooling temperatures to the product container <NUM> and tube spout <NUM> as desired by the user or they may constitute an integrated heating and/or cooling circuit providing substantially the same heating or cooling energy to the product <NUM> residing in product container <NUM> and tube spout <NUM>. Fins <NUM> are located in the rear of the cabinet and vent heat produced from cooling/heating operation to the atmosphere through vent <NUM>. In this orientation, the heat generated from cooling/heating operations is vented vertically up and through vent <NUM>. This orientation substantially prevents excess heat from being vented on to other equipment, materials and food/beverage products that may be located in proximity to machine <NUM> and detrimentally affect such other equipment, materials and food/beverage products located in the vicinity. An exhaust fan (not shown) may also be incorporated within the cabinet <NUM> to provide additional exhaust/heat dissipation functionality if desired.

<FIG> depicts various embodiments of pump disc <NUM> with pump pins <NUM> secured to pump disc <NUM> with threaded connectors <NUM>. Threaded connectors <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, threaded bolts or screws sized to be inserted within or to pump pins <NUM> and screwed into corresponding threaded receiving holes on pump disc <NUM>. In this way, the user may detachably install the desired number of pump pins <NUM> on pump disc <NUM> to adjust the flow rate of product <NUM> delivered during operation of the machine <NUM>. An orifice <NUM> is provided to allow the pump disc <NUM> to be detachably removed from drive rod <NUM>. Orifice <NUM> may be threaded to provide a threaded connection between pump disc <NUM> and drive rod <NUM> or may be configured by other connection means, such as bolts, nuts, threaded screw cap, as is known in the art to allow the user to detachably secure pump disc <NUM> to drive rod <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, an embodiment that is not according to the invention disclosed herein is shown depicting a squeegee <NUM> evacuation component which surrounds product container <NUM> and acts to impart a compressive downward force on at least two sides of product container <NUM> which provides a pressure force on to product <NUM> residing in product container <NUM> to urge product <NUM> in product container <NUM> towards tube spout <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, guide slots <NUM> are cut or formed in front endwall <NUM> and rear endwall <NUM> and extend for a substantial length of said endwalls <NUM>, <NUM> and up through the top of endwalls <NUM>, <NUM> enabling insertion of roller pins <NUM> that are attached to squeegee <NUM>. Spine <NUM> of product container <NUM> is inserted between opposing sides of squeegee <NUM> and then attached to first sidewall <NUM> via hooks <NUM>. Squeegee <NUM> is preferably formed of materials such as metal, dense polymers and/or plastics or a combination thereof, to provide sufficient weight to overcome any resistive frictional force imparted to squeegee <NUM> by product container <NUM> and squeegee <NUM> will easily slide and descend downward along the exterior surfaces of the product container <NUM> as product exits the product container <NUM> during dispensing operations as generally described above herein.

An embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is shown in <FIG> and depicts a dual roller evacuation configuration wherein rollers <NUM>, <NUM> are placed on opposing sides of product container <NUM> which is suspended by hooks <NUM> attached to first sidewall <NUM> and where hooks <NUM> are inserted through corresponding holes formed in spine <NUM> of product container <NUM>. Rollers <NUM>, <NUM> rest against opposing sides of product container <NUM> and act to impart a pinching force on both sides of product container <NUM> which in turn imparts pressure on product <NUM> residing in product container <NUM> sufficient to urge product <NUM> residing in product container <NUM> towards tube spout <NUM> as rollers <NUM>, <NUM> counter-rotate relative to each other in substantially the vertical direction as product is evacuated from product container <NUM> during operation of the dispenser <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, four guide slots <NUM> are cut or formed in front endwall <NUM> and rear endwall <NUM> and extend for a substantial length of said endwalls <NUM>, <NUM> and through the top of endwalls <NUM>, <NUM> for the receipt of roller pins <NUM> which are attached to rollers <NUM>, <NUM>. Rollers <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably formed of materials such as metal, dense polymers and/or plastics, or a combination thereof, to provide sufficient weight to overcome any resistive frictional force imparted to rollers <NUM>, <NUM> by product container <NUM> and associated resistance from product <NUM> in product container <NUM> and will roll downward along the exterior surface of the product container <NUM> as product <NUM> exits the product container <NUM> during dispensing operations as generally described herein.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in <FIG> and depicts a dual pump evacuation topology wherein pump discs <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned in lateral proximity to each other with tube spout <NUM> inserted between the pins attached to pump discs <NUM>, <NUM>. In this configuration, pump disc <NUM> counter-rotates as pump disc <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction depicted by the arrows in <FIG>. Pump discs <NUM>, <NUM> may be assembled in a fixed position relative to each or may be suspended and moved closer or farther away from each other in the horizontal plane to allow for insertion and removal of tube spout <NUM>. A spring mechanism (not shown) may be utilized to impart a force sufficient to draw or bias pump discs <NUM>, <NUM> towards each other until they sufficiently impart a pinching force on tube spout <NUM> for conducting dispensation operations. A latchbar <NUM> may be detachably attached and positioned by the user to fix the positions of pump discs <NUM>, <NUM> relative to each other to maintain proximal bias during dispensation operations so as to substantially inhibit any horizontal movement of pump discs <NUM>, <NUM> and thereby maintaining sufficient pinching force on tube spout <NUM> during dispensation operations. In a contemplated embodiment, tube spout <NUM> is pinched between discs <NUM>, <NUM> which may include rollers pinch points surrounding the circumference of pump discs <NUM>, <NUM> for aiding in the peristaltic evacuation of a food or beverage product <NUM> from product container <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG> and <FIG>, an embodiment of container tray <NUM> is depicted with curved guide slots <NUM> as shown. Container tray <NUM> provides support for product container <NUM> containing a soft food or beverage product <NUM> that is to be dispensed by dispenser <NUM> as generally described above. In the depicted embodiment, product container <NUM> is supported by container tray <NUM> as shown and previously described herein. Product container <NUM> is also partially supported by first sidewall <NUM> attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to base <NUM> of container tray <NUM>. Front endwall <NUM>, and rear endwall <NUM> are attached to base <NUM> as depicted. First sidewall <NUM>, front endwall <NUM>, and rear endwall <NUM> extend vertically and generally perpendicular to base <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the tube spout <NUM> passes beside the edge of base <NUM> where base <NUM> meets a portion of the length of the bottom edge of front endwall <NUM>. No slot or orifice is required to allow for the tube spout <NUM> to pass from the product container <NUM> through the container tray <NUM> in this configuration. Guide slots <NUM> include a curved portion as shown. The curved portions of guide slots <NUM> provide a mechanism by which as product container <NUM> approaches being substantially emptied, roller <NUM> begins to move in an arcuate lateral downward direction along the curved path delineated by curved lengths of guide slots <NUM>, while maintaining pressure on the remaining product <NUM> contained in product container <NUM>. This configuration aids in the substantially complete evacuation of product <NUM> from product container <NUM> by maintaining a vertical and lateral pressure component against the product container <NUM> and substantially inhibiting the potential for roller <NUM> to come to rest on the surface of base <NUM> and pinching a portion of the product container <NUM> between roller <NUM> and base <NUM> resulting in the formation of a substantially sealed pocket with product <NUM> restricted from passing to tube spout <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG> and <FIG>, an embodiment of the container tray <NUM> is depicted with two rollers <NUM> and two pairs of curved guide slots <NUM> as shown. In this embodiment, product container <NUM> is suspended between opposing rollers <NUM> which provide oppositional pressure forces against opposing surfaces of product container <NUM> to aid in urging the food or beverage product <NUM> contained within product container <NUM> towards tube spout <NUM> for dispensation. In the depicted embodiment, product container <NUM> is suspended above base <NUM> of container tray <NUM> with a hinged support strip <NUM> which is connected along a top length of first sidewall <NUM> and the opposing hingedly connected support strip with attached hooks <NUM> which are inserted through holes in spine <NUM> of product container <NUM> as shown. When product container <NUM> needs to be removed or otherwise replaced, the user may simply remove product container <NUM> and fold the hinge support strip <NUM> towards first sidewall <NUM> and, if desired, remove roller <NUM> for cleaning or maintenance. In the depicted embodiment, the tube spout <NUM> passes beside the edge of base <NUM> where base <NUM> meets a portion of the length of the bottom edge of front endwall <NUM>. No slot or orifice is required to allow for the tube spout <NUM> to pass from the product container <NUM> through the container tray <NUM>. Two pairs of guide slots <NUM> include curved slot portions as shown. The curved lengths of guide slots <NUM> provide a mechanism by which the suspended product container <NUM> is substantially pinched from opposing sides by rollers <NUM>, <NUM> as the product container <NUM> is emptied. As product container <NUM> approaches being substantially emptied, roller pins <NUM> enter the curved portions of guide slots <NUM> in turn bringing rollers <NUM>, <NUM> in closer proximity to each other and continually maintaining pressure on the product <NUM> contained in product container <NUM>. Thus, aiding in the substantially complete evacuation of product <NUM> from product container <NUM> by maintaining opposing vertical and lateral pressure components against the product container <NUM> until the product container <NUM> is substantially empty.

<FIG> discloses an embodiment of the container tray <NUM> with corrugations <NUM> formed on a first sidewall <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, front endwall <NUM>, first sidewall <NUM>, rear endwall <NUM>, second sidewall <NUM> and angled third sidewall <NUM> are attached and may be formed as a single unit with base <NUM> or assembled in parts with connections means such as by welding, adhesives, rivets, screws or other connection means as known in the art. Pins/studs <NUM> are shown fixed to the top surface <NUM> of first sidewall <NUM> for purposes of attaching or suspending a product container as previously shown and described herein. It is contemplated that other fastening means such as rivets, snaps, hook and loop material, hooks or other attachment mechanisms for attaching a product container to container tray <NUM> as are known in the art may be utilized to perform a similar function to secure a product container to container tray <NUM> as described herein.

Corrugations <NUM> formed in first sidewall <NUM> provide enhanced structural strength and rigidity for supporting larger volume and weight product containers that are supported or suspended partially or totally by first sidewall <NUM>. Front endwall <NUM> and rear endwall <NUM> are provided with guide slots <NUM> formed into the interior opposing surfaces of front endwall <NUM> and rear endwall <NUM> and are dimensioned for receipt of corresponding roller pins <NUM> and provide a channel for guiding the roller <NUM> in a descending movement as product is evacuated from a product container. An orifice <NUM> is formed or otherwise cut in base <NUM> through which a tube spout is inserted when a product container is placed in container tray as described herein.

Turning to <FIG>, a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of the dispensation process using the apparatus disclosed herein is presented. The user places a container bag containing the product to be dispensed, a soft food or beverage, inside the cabinet and which is supported and/or suspended by the container tray as described herein (Step <NUM>). The user positions a roller or other weighted device in contact with a surface of the container bag at or near the top of the container bag being supported and/or suspended by the container tray (Step <NUM>). The user closes the door to the dispenser unit that is plugged into a power source and activates the unit to begin dispensing the product out of the container bag via the exit tube (also referred to herein as "tube spout"). As product is dispensed out of the container bag the roller or other weighted component applies pressure to the contents of the container bag which acts to squeeze or urge the product towards the tube spout (Step <NUM>). After the container bag is substantially emptied, the user removes the empty container bag and inserts a new container bag filled with a product to be dispensed and may re-initiate dispensation operations as described herein (Step <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, perspective drawings of an embodiment of a rounded container tray <NUM> are depicted. Rounded container tray <NUM> is defined by a curved base <NUM>, a first angled sidewall <NUM> which slopes slightly out from the curved base <NUM>, and a second angled side wall <NUM> which also angles outward from the curved base <NUM>. Front endwall <NUM> and rear endwall <NUM> are configured to attach to the ends of rounded container tray <NUM>, as depicted. Rounded container tray <NUM> also includes fastening knobs <NUM> which enable product container <NUM> to be attached to the rounded container tray <NUM>.

In operation, first angled sidewall <NUM> and curved base <NUM> provide an angled surface against which one side of product container <NUM> rests while roller <NUM> travels downward in a substantially vertical direction, pressing against the opposing side of the product container <NUM>. The angled and rounded formation of first sidewall <NUM>, relative to base <NUM>, enables roller <NUM> to translate smoothly against product container <NUM>, thereby effectively drawing out substantially the full volume of product <NUM> contained in product container <NUM> downward and towards the tube spout <NUM> during operation of the dispenser <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a roller <NUM> is depicted, wherein a first end of the roller <NUM> includes roller pin having a magnetic tip 68a that assists in signaling that the product container <NUM> is empty. This signaling system is accomplished using a Hall effect sensor. As is known in the art, a Hall effect sensor, e.g., a transducer that varies its output voltage in response to a magnetic field, may be combined with threshold detection so that it acts as a switch.

As previously explained, the roller <NUM> descends under the force of gravity along the first sidewall <NUM> to the base <NUM> of the container tray <NUM>, forcing the soft food or beverage product out of the product container <NUM> and through the tube spout <NUM>. When the roller <NUM> has reached a position proximate to the base <NUM> (or a position wherein the soft food or beverage product has been completely or substantially emptied from the product container), a magnetic field generated by a magnetic tip 68a on the end of roller <NUM> activates at least one Hall effect sensor, i.e., the "out of product" indicator light <NUM> which is also located proximate to the base as depicted in <FIG>. As long as the roller <NUM> (and hence the magnetic tip 68a) remains at a position proximate to the indicator light <NUM>, the indicator light remains "on", thereby alerting the user that the product container <NUM> is empty.

Referring further to <FIG>, an embodiment of dispenser <NUM> is depicted, wherein dispenser <NUM> includes a disengage switch <NUM> which may be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to the pump unit and the door <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>, so that when the door <NUM> is in an open position, the disengage switch <NUM> is triggered, thereby preventing the pump unit from operating. For example, a switch lever or switch-operating latching mechanism may be provided wherein the disengage switch <NUM> may trigger an "open circuit" condition when the door is unlatched and/or open, thereby preventing operation of the pump unit. Once the door is closed, the switch lever may be moved to close the circuit to operate the motor for the pump unit. Operation of the disengage switch may be accomplished by using any one of a variety of electrical and/or mechanical disengage mechanisms known in the art and the present invention is not intended to be limited to any particular method or mechanism described herein.

Claim 1:
A method for dispensing a soft food or beverage product (<NUM>), comprising:
attaching a product container (<NUM>) containing the soft food or beverage product(<NUM>) to a container tray (<NUM>), said product container (<NUM>) having a tube spout (<NUM>) attached thereto;
positioning a roller (<NUM>) against an exterior surface of the product container (<NUM>);
inserting the container tray (<NUM>) into a temperature controlled dispenser unit (<NUM>);
retaining the tube spout (<NUM>) in proximity between a pump unit and a pinch deck (<NUM>):
unsealing the tube spout (<NUM>) attached to the product container (<NUM>); and,
the roller being arranged to descend by rolling under force of gravity along the exterior surface;
dispensing the soft food or beverage product (<NUM>) by actuating the dispenser unit
characterised in that
the roller (<NUM>) has a roller pin coupled to a magnetic tip (68a);
at least one Hall effect sensor being provided proximate to a base (<NUM>) of the container tray (<NUM>) and arranged to activate an indicator light (<NUM>);
the magnetic tip generating a magnetic field and activating the at least one Hall effect sensor such that the indicator light (<NUM>) remains "on" when the product container (<NUM>) is substantially empty.