DISPENSING ASSEMBLY FOR DISPENSING A FLOWABLE FOOD PRODUCT

Abstract

Dispensing assembly for dispensing a flowable food product, comprising: a bag-in-box type container for holding a product concentrate, the container having a concentrate outlet for releasing product concentrate from the container; a mixing unit spaced apart from the concentrate outlet, the mixing unit being configured for mixing the product concentrate with a liquid, the mixing unit having a concentrate inlet for receiving product concentrate released from the container, a liquid inlet for receiving the liquid, and a spout for dispensing as a flowable food product the product concentrate mixed with the liquid; and a duct arranged for guiding a flow of product concentrate along a flow path from the concentrate outlet of the container to the concentrate inlet of the mixing unit, wherein at least a section of the duct is flexible for flexibly adjusting the flow path.

Claims

1. A dispensing assembly for dispensing a flowable food product, comprising: (a) a bag-in-box type container for holding a product concentrate, the container having a concentrate outlet for releasing product concentrate from the container; (b) a mixing unit spaced apart from the concentrate outlet, the mixing unit being configured for mixing the product concentrate with a liquid, the mixing unit having a concentrate inlet for receiving product concentrate released from the container, a liquid inlet for receiving the liquid, and a spout for dispensing as a flowable food product the product concentrate mixed with the liquid, wherein the mixing unit is configured for mixing the product concentrate with the liquid first for obtaining a liquid food product, and for mixing the resulting food product with a gas for providing a foamed food product, wherein the mixing unit comprises a respective gas inlet for receiving the gas, wherein the mixing unit comprises one or more microfiltration devices for mixing the gas with the liquid food product; and (c) a duct arranged for guiding a flow of product concentrate along a flow path from the concentrate outlet of the container to the concentrate inlet of the mixing unit, wherein at least a section of the duct is flexible.

2. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein prior to initial use, the dispensing assembly is changeable from a sealed state to a flow enabling state, wherein in the sealed state an interior space of the dispensing assembly is sealed off from an environment thereof, the interior space extending at least in the container and being configured for holding product concentrate, wherein in the flow enabling state the duct provides the flow path for the flow of product concentrate.

3. The dispensing assembly according to claim 2, comprising an activation assembly configured for actuating a sealing element of the dispensing assembly, such that the dispensing assembly is thereby changed from the sealed state to the flow enabling state.

4. The dispensing assembly according to claim 3, wherein the sealing element and/or the activation assembly is arranged at the concentrate outlet of the bag-in-box type container, optionally at a connection between the outlet and the duct.

5. The dispensing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the activation assembly is configured to mechanically connect the duct and the container to each other and/or to provide part of the flow path, at least when the dispensing assembly is in the flow enabling state.

6. The dispensing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the sealing element comprises a foil, which is breakable by the activation assembly, the activation assembly optionally comprising a piercing and/or cutting member for breaking the foil.

7. The dispensing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the sealing element comprises a plug and/or a cap, which is optionally moveable by the activation assembly with respect to a respective receiving structure from a sealing position to an opened position.

8. The dispensing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the dispensing assembly comprises a further sealing element, wherein the activation assembly is configured for actuating the further sealing element while actuating the sealing element such that the dispensing assembly is thereby changed from the sealed state to the flow enabling state.

9. The dispensing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing assembly is manually changeable from the sealed state to the flow enabling state.

10. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein prior to the dispensing at least the duct is provided with a removable packaging which seals off an interior of the duct from an environment thereof.

11. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, configured such that in the flow enabling state the flow path is substantially sealed off from an environment of the dispensing assembly, at least when no product is dispensed from the assembly.

12. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the duct is provided with a pumping element and/or a pump for pumping product concentrate through the duct from the container to the mixing unit, wherein optionally the pumping element and/or pump comprises a peristaltic pump which is configured to actuate a flexible wall of the duct from outside the duct for urging product concentrate along the flow path inside the duct.

13. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mixing unit comprises at least two microfiltration devices for mixing the gas with the liquid.

14. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mixing unit comprises a valve member for regulating a flow of product concentrate through the concentrate inlet, wherein the valve member is optionally configured to be controlled by a dispensing machine which is configured to supply the liquid to the liquid inlet of the mixing unit, wherein optionally the valve member is configured to connect to a liquid injector of the dispensing machine.

15. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein a flow path length of the duct is in the range of 1 cm to 100 cm, wherein optionally an internal flow path width of the duct is in the range of 2 mm to 30 mm.

16. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the duct, at least a flexible section thereof, is made from a polymeric material, in particular a flexible and/or resilient polymeric material.

17. The dispensing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the product concentrate is a dairy concentrate.

18. A system for dispensing a flowable food product, the system comprising a dispensing assembly and a dispensing machine configured to cooperate with the dispensing assembly for dispensing the flowable food product, wherein the dispensing machine comprises a coffee dispensing machine, wherein the flowable food product is a foamed milk product, the dispensing assembly comprising: (a) a bag-in-box type container for holding a product concentrate, the container having a concentrate outlet for releasing product concentrate from the container; (b) a mixing unit spaced apart from the concentrate outlet, the mixing unit being configured for mixing the product concentrate with a liquid, the mixing unit having a concentrate inlet for receiving product concentrate released from the container, a liquid inlet for receiving the liquid, and a spout for dispensing as a flowable food product the product concentrate mixed with the liquid; and (c) a duct arranged for guiding a flow of product concentrate along a flow path from the concentrate outlet of the container to the concentrate inlet of the mixing unit, wherein at least a section of the duct is flexible, wherein the mixing unit comprises a valve member for regulating a flow of product concentrate through the concentrate inlet, wherein the valve member is configured to be controlled by the dispensing machine, wherein the valve member is configured to connect to a liquid injector of the dispensing machine, the dispensing machine having a liquid injector that is configured to control the valve member of the dispensing assembly and to supply the liquid to the liquid inlet of the mixing unit.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the mixing unit of the dispensing assembly being configured for mixing the product concentrate with the liquid first for obtaining a food product, and for mixing the resulting food product with a gas for providing a foamed food product, wherein the mixing unit comprises a respective gas inlet for receiving the gas, wherein the mixing unit comprises one or more microfiltration devices for mixing a gas with a liquid.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein the coffee dispensing machine has a housing, wherein the BIB container is located outside the housing of the coffee dispensing machine.

21. A kit of parts for assembling therefrom a dispensing assembly according to claim 1, the kit comprising the bag-in-box type container, the mixing unit and the duct, wherein optionally the container is separate from the mixing unit and/or from the duct.

22. The method of dispensing a flowable food product, comprising: (a) providing a dispensing assembly according to claim 1; (b) mixing, in the mixing unit, a flow of concentrate, which flow is guided from the bag-in-box type container through the duct to the mixing unit, with a liquid received at the liquid inlet, optionally received from the dispensing machine of the system; and (c) dispensing from the mixing unit, as a flowable food product the product concentrate mixed with the liquid, wherein optionally the flowable food product is dispensed as a foamed food product.

23. The method according to claim 22, comprising sterilizing one or more interior spaces of the dispensing assembly and subsequently changing the dispensing assembly from the sealed state to the flow enabling state.

24. The method according to claim 22, comprising pumping product concentrate from the bag-in-box type container through the duct to the mixing unit.

Description

[0056] In the following, the invention will be explained further using exemplary embodiments and drawings. The drawings are schematic and merely show examples. In the drawings, similar or corresponding elements have been provided with similar or corresponding reference signs. In the drawings:

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a dispensing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of part of a mixing unit of a dispensing machine with a cooperating part of a liquid injector of a dispensing machine; and

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a system for dispensing a flowable food product according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a dispensing assembly 1 for dispensing a flowable food product. The dispensing assembly 1 comprises a bag-in-box (BIB) type container 2 for holding a product concentrate, the container 2 having a concentrate outlet 3 for releasing product concentrate from the container 2.

[0061] The dispensing assembly 1 comprises a mixing unit 4 spaced apart from the concentrate outlet 3, the mixing unit 4 being configured for mixing the product concentrate with a liquid, e.g. water, the mixing unit 4 having a concentrate inlet 5 for receiving product concentrate released from the container 2, a liquid inlet 6a for receiving the liquid, and a spout 7 for dispensing as a flowable (i.e. liquid) food product the product concentrate mixed with the liquid.

[0062] In the shown example, the mixing unit 4 comprises a mixing chamber 8 or the like for mixing the product concentrate with a liquid, e.g. water, supplied to the liquid inlet 6a, in particular supplied by a liquid injector 15 of a dispensing machine M. The water may be heated in the machine M prior to supply via the injector 15.

[0063] A gas inlet 6b is arranged downstream of said mixing chamber 8 for receiving a gas, e.g. air, in the mixing unit 4. Thus, in this example, during use, in the mixing unit 4 concentrate is first mixed with a liquid (e.g. water) supplied to the liquid inlet 6a, and subsequently said concentrate mixed with liquid (i.e. the resulting liquid food product) is mixed with a gas (e.g. air) supplied to the gas inlet 6b, in particular for foaming of the liquid food product (i.e. of the concentrate mixed with liquid).

[0064] The dispensing assembly 1 comprises a duct 9 arranged for guiding a flow of product concentrate along a flow path from the concentrate outlet 3 of the container 2 to the concentrate inlet 5 of the mixing unit 4. In the shown example, substantially the entire duct 9 is flexible, in particular for flexibly adjusting the flow path prior to initial use, e.g. when arranging and/or assembling the dispensing assembly 1 with respect to a dispensing machine M. Alternatively, only one or more sections of the duct 9 may be flexible.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the flow path thus extends along the shown path of the duct 9 from the concentrate outlet 3 to the concentrate inlet 5.

[0066] While FIG. 1 shows the concentrate outlet 3 as arranged at a top end of the container 2, it will be appreciated that such a concentrate outlet 3 may more advantageously be arranged at a bottom end of the container 2, as shown in FIG. 3, to promote a flow of concentrate from the container 2 through the outlet 3 under influence of gravity. Alternatively, for example, a concentrate outlet 3 spaced away from a bottom end of the container 2 may be provided with a dip tube (not shown) which extends into, the container, in particular towards a bottom end thereof.

[0067] In the example of FIG. 1, as will be explained further, prior to initial use the dispensing assembly 1 is changeable from a sealed state to a flow enabling state, wherein in the sealed state an interior space S of the dispensing assembly is sealed off from an environment thereof, said interior space S extending at least in the container 2 and being configured for holding product concentrate, wherein in the flow enabling state the duct 9 provides the flow path for the flow of product concentrate.

[0068] With further reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary dispensing assembly 1 comprises an activation assembly 10 configured for actuating, e.g. moving and/or breaking, a sealing element 11 of the dispensing assembly, such that the dispensing assembly 1 is thereby changed from the sealed state to the flow enabling state.

[0069] In the example, the activation assembly 10 comprises an actuation member 12 for manual actuation of the sealing element 11 (either directly or indirectly), e.g. by pushing the actuation member 12 towards the sealing element 11 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1.

[0070] As shown, the sealing element 11 and the activation assembly 10 are arranged at the concentrate outlet 3 of the bag-in-box type container 2, in particular at a connection between said outlet 3 and the duct 9, wherein the activation assembly 10 is configured to mechanically connect the duct 9 and the container 2 to each other and to provide part of the flow path, at least when the dispensing assembly 1 is in the flow enabling state.

[0071] As one example, the sealing element 11 may comprise a foil, for example made from metal and/or plastic, which is breakable by the activation assembly 10, the activation assembly for example comprising a piercing and/or cutting member (not explicitly shown) for breaking said foil, said piercing and/or cutting member for example being arranged at an end of, e.g. as part of, the actuation member 12.

[0072] As another example, the sealing element 11 alternatively or additionally comprises a plug and/or a cap which is moveable by the activation assembly 10, in particular by actuation of the actuation member 12, with respect to a respective receiving structure from a sealing position to an opened position.

[0073] In a possible elaboration, the dispensing assembly 1 comprises a further sealing element (not shown), for example upstream or downstream from the sealing element 11, wherein the activation assembly 10 is configured for actuating, e.g. moving and/or breaking, the further sealing element while actuating the sealing element 11 such that the dispensing assembly 1 is thereby changed from the sealed state to the flow enabling state.

[0074] In the example of FIG. 1, as explained, the dispensing assembly is manually changeable from the sealed state to the flow enabling state, in particular by manual actuation, e.g. pushing, of the activation assembly 10, in this example manual actuation with respect to the bag-in-box type container 2.

[0075] Optionally, prior to the dispensing at least the duct 9 is provided with a removable packaging (not shown) which seals off an interior 9i of the duct 9 from an environment thereof.

[0076] The dispensing assembly 1 is preferably configured such that in the flow enabling state the flow path is substantially, preferably aseptically, sealed off from an environment of the dispensing assembly 1, at least when no product is dispensed from the assembly 1.

[0077] The duct 9 can be provided with a pumping element and/or a pump 13 for pumping product concentrate through the duct 9 from the container 2 to the mixing unit 4. In FIG. 1, an exemplary position of the pumping element and/or pump 13 has been indicated. It will be appreciated that such a pumping element and/or pump may alternatively or additionally be arranged elsewhere along the duct 9. Such a pumping element and/or pump 13 may be complimentary to a pumping function provided at the mixing unit 4 and/or at the container 2. Such an additional pumping function at the container 2 can be particularly beneficial in case of a relatively thick and/or viscous product concentrate such as a cream concentrate or cream.

[0078] Preferably the pumping element and/or pump 13 comprises, and/or is configured to form part of, a peristaltic pump which is e.g. configured to actuate a flexible wall of the duct 9 from outside the duct 9 for urging product concentrate along the flow path inside the duct 9.

[0079] In the example of FIG. 1, as previously alluded to, the mixing unit 4 is configured for mixing the product concentrate with the liquid first for obtaining a food product, and for mixing the resulting food product with a gas, e.g. air, in particular for providing a foamed food product, wherein the mixing unit 4 comprises a gas inlet 6b for receiving the gas. Preferably the mixing unit 4 comprises one or more microfiltration devices 17 for mixing a gas with a liquid, in particular downstream of the gas inlet 6b.

[0080] Each microfiltration device 17 preferably comprises a tubular microfiltration wall having gas transmissive pores, said microfiltration device 17 comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening, said microfiltration device 17 further comprising a housing surrounding said tubular microfiltration wall for forming a gas supply space between the tubular microfiltration wall and the housing, wherein said housing comprises a gas opening in communication with said gas inlet tube. For example, said tubular microfiltration wall can be made of a hydrophobic material.

[0081] As shown in the detailed view of FIG. 2, the mixing unit 4 may comprise a valve member 14 for regulating a flow of product concentrate through the concentrate inlet 5. In this example the valve member 14 is configured to be controlled, e.g. moved, by a dispensing machine M (see FIG. 3) which is configured to supply the liquid to the liquid inlet 6a of the mixing unit 4, wherein the valve member 14 is configured to connect to a liquid injector 15 of the dispensing machine M, the valve member 14 being arranged at the liquid inlet 6a. As shown, a sealing section 14s of the valve member 14 is preferably configured to provide a sealed connection between the valve member 14 and the liquid injector 15. Such an arrangement as such of a valve member in a mixing unit of a dispensing assembly has been described in detail in WO2016/043590, features of which can be advantageously applied in the context of the present invention, as will be clear to the skilled person.

[0082] It will be appreciated that in FIGS. 1 and 3 the duct 9 is not necessarily drawn to scale. A flow path length of the duct 9 is preferably in the range of 1 cm to 100 cm, preferably in the range of 5 cm to 60 cm, more preferably in the range of 10 cm to 40 cm, for example about 20 cm, wherein preferably an internal flow path width, e.g. diameter, of the duct 9, in particular measured transverse to the flow path, is in the range of 2 mm to 30 mm, preferably 5 mm to 20 mm, for example 8 mm to 16 mm.

[0083] The duct 9, at least a flexible section thereof, is preferably made from a polymeric material, in particular a flexible and/or resilient polymeric material. Such a material can provide recuperating mechanical behavior of the duct, e.g. in response to a deformation due to pumping action.

[0084] In use, the bag-in-box type container 2 thus holds the product concentrate to be dispensed. Prior to initial dispensing, the product concentrate is thus preferably confined to a sealed internal space S which extends at least, and preferably substantially, in the container 2. The product concentrate can be a liquid product concentrate, more in particular a dairy concentrate, for example a milk based concentrate or a cream based concentrate.

[0085] The exemplary milk or cream based concentrate comprises 20 wt % dry matter to 30 wt % dry matter, preferably 23-27 wt % dry matter, whereas milk with a normal water content, which latter is also called unconcentrated milk, comprises 10 wt % dry matter.

[0086] In addition, the maximum amount of milk or cream based concentrate contained in the container 4 can in embodiments of the invention amount to 2 to 10 liters for professional use and 0.2 to 1 liter (200 mL to 1000 mL) for home use and the milk or cream based concentrate can in embodiments comprise 20 wt % dry matter to 30 wt % dry matter, preferably 23-27 wt % dry matter.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows a system 16 for dispensing a flowable food product, the system comprising a dispensing assembly 1 as described and a dispensing machine M configured to cooperate with said dispensing assembly 1 for dispensing the flowable food product, wherein in particular the dispensing machine M is configured to supply the liquid to the liquid inlet 6a of the mixing unit 4. Preferably the machine M is also configured to supply the gas, e.g. air, to the gas inlet 6b. To that aim, the machine M can e.g. be provided with a gas pressure source or gas pump (not shown), connected or connectable to the gas inlet 6b, as will be appreciated by the skilled person.

[0088] As shown, part 3, 4 of the dispensing assembly 1 may thus be arranged in a housing H of the dispensing machine M, while another part 2 may be arranged outside said housing H. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the mixing unit 4 and optionally the pump 13 are arranged in said housing H together with part of the duct 9, while the container 2, the activation assembly 10 and another part of the duct 9 are arranged outside said housing H.

[0089] It will be appreciated that many variations are thus possible with respect to spatial arrangement of the dispensing assembly 1 relative to an associated dispensing machine. A particularly versatile dispensing assembly 1 can thus be provided, wherein for example a relatively large container 2 (see FIG. 3) holding a relatively large volume of product concentrate can be used with relatively little use of space inside the housing H of the machine M, in particular by placing/arranging the BIB container 2 outside the housing H of that machine (see FIG. 3). The BIB container 2 can thus for example be placed substantially out of view and/or at a location which is convenient for a product dispensing workflow, e.g. in or under a platform P for the machine M (see FIG. 3).

[0090] As an example, the flexible duct 9 can extend through an external wall, e.g. a side wall and/or a bottom wall, of the housing H of the dispensing machine (in which case the housing H can include an opening or passage for entry/passage of the flexible duct 9).

[0091] Optionally the dispensing machine M comprises or is part of a coffee dispensing machine, wherein for example the flowable food product is a foamed milk product or a foamed cream product. With reference to FIG. 3, the dispensing machine may to that end may comprise a coffee dispensing outlet C, preferably substantially adjacent to the spout 7 of the mixing unit 4. In this way, for example coffee and foamed milk can easily be dispensed, e.g. subsequently and/or simultaneously, into a receptacle R such as a cup, mug or glass.

[0092] With reference to the drawings and to the above description, an exemplary kit of parts for assembling therefrom a dispensing assembly 1 as described comprises at least the bag-in-box type container 2, the mixing unit 4 and the duct 9, wherein in the kit for example the container 2 is separate from the mixing unit 4 and/or from the duct 9.

[0093] For example, one or more embodiments of the present invention can be used to upgrade an existing (coffee) dispensing machine in a straight-forward manner to an upgraded dispensing machine M that has an additional capability of dispensing foamed food product (e.g. foamed milk). In particular, a relatively compact coffee dispensing machine M can be used in combination with a relatively bulky BIB-container 2 for delivering a relatively large quantity of product concentrate.

[0094] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a coffee machine can e.g. be provided with a mixing unit 4 and a respective liquid injector 15, wherein the machine can further be configured to supply gas, e.g. air, to the gas inlet 6b of the mixing unit (for example by providing or installing a gas source or gas pump to or in the coffee machine), wherein an external BIB-container can be connected to the mixing unit via the duct 9 (leading to a coffee machine M with foamed food product dispensing capabilities).

[0095] It should also be observed that in an alternative embodiment, the housing H of the coffee machine can be configured for receiving or enclosing a BIB-container 2.

[0096] With continued reference to the drawings and the above description, an exemplary method of dispensing a flowable food product comprises providing a dispensing assembly 1 as described, preferably in a system 16 as described.

[0097] The method comprises mixing, in the mixing unit 4, a flow of concentrate, which flow is guided from the bag-in-box type container 2 through the duct 9 to the mixing unit 4, with a liquid received at the liquid inlet 6a, preferably received from the dispensing machine M of the system 16. The method comprises dispensing, in particular from the mixing unit 4, as a flowable food product the product concentrate mixed with the liquid, wherein optionally the flowable food product is dispensed as a foamed food product.

[0098] The exemplary method comprises sterilizing one or more, preferably all, interior spaces S, 9i of the dispensing assembly 1 and subsequently changing the dispensing assembly 1 from the sealed state to the flow enabling state, in particular prior to the mixing.

[0099] The exemplary method comprises pumping product concentrate from the bag-in-box type container 2 through the duct 9 to the mixing unit 4, for example pumping with a pumping element or pump 13 arranged in the flow path along the duct 9 and/or a pump arranged elsewhere.

[0100] While the invention has been explained using exemplary embodiments and drawings, these are not to be construed as in any way limiting the scope of the invention, which scope is provided by the claims. Many variations, combinations and extensions are possible, as will be appreciated by the skilled person. Examples thereof have been provided throughout the description.