Patent ID: 7025230

Claim:
An apparatus for dispensing a flowable product from a product package through a dispensing outlet at or above a preset elevated temperature, the apparatus comprising: a container in which to dispose the product package, the container including a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a dispensing outlet to dispense the flowable product from the product package, the dispensing outlet being disposed adjacent the gas outlet; a pump coupled between the product package and the dispensing outlet to pump the flowable product from the product package to the dispensing outlet; and a heated gas flow controller configured to direct a heated gas flow in the container to heat the product package, the pump, and the dispensing outlet, the heated gas flow including gas flowing into the container via the gas inlet and gas flowing out of the chamber via the gas outlet adjacent the dispensing outlet; wherein the heated gas flow controller comprises a fan heater which draws outside air from outside the container via the gas inlet heats the air, and circulates the heated air in the container; and wherein a portion of the heated air exits the container through the gas outlet and a remaining portion of the heated air is recirculated through a return air plenum to the fan heater.