Extruder System

Abstract

In one embodiment, an extruder apparatus is disclosed that has a flexible pouch system, an extrusion device, and a spout. The flexible pouch system is for holding material that is to be extruded. The extrusion device has a squeezing mechanism that is configured to accept one of possibly many flexible pouch systems via a fitment that can be used to provide a pathway to an adjustable spout where material is extruded. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An extruder apparatus comprising: a flexible pouch system for holding material to be extruded; an extrusion device having a squeezing mechanism that is configured to accept the flexible pouch system, the squeezing mechanism for squeezing the flexible pouch system such that the pouch system is evacuated of at least a portion of the material; said flexible pouch system including a fitment having threads, the fitment being removably coupled to the extrusion device; and a spout being mechanically coupled to the fitment of the extrusion device, the spout for delivering the portions of the material of the pouch system to a location exterior of the extruder apparatus when the squeezing mechanism of the extrusion device is engaged, wherein the portions of the material in the pouch system are extruded through the spout.

2. The extruder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the material of the flexible pouch system is selected from the group consisting of: peanut butter, honey, mayonnaise, cream cheese, icing, and axle grease.

3. The extruder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the squeezing mechanism is set to completely evacuate the flexible pouch system.

4. The extruder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spout is adjustable to alter the location where the material of the flexible pouch system is to be extruded.

5. The extruder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the squeezing mechanism comprises multiple form factors.

6. The extruder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the squeezing mechanism includes clamp arms specially designed to engage with the flexible pouch system, wherein the squeezing mechanism is able to squeeze the flexible pouch system to optimally extrude its contents.

7. An extruder apparatus comprising: a pouch system for holding material to be extruded; an extrusion device having a squeezing mechanism that is configured to accept the pouch system, the squeezing mechanism for squeezing the pouch system; said pouch system being mechanically coupled to a fitment for sliding into a slot of the extrusion device for securely coupling the pouch system to the extrusion device, thereby allowing the pouch system to be securely coupled to the extrusion device by means of the fitment, the fitment also being configured to hold the material of the pouch system when apart from the extrusion device; and a spout being mechanically coupled to the fitment of the pouch system, the spout for delivering the portions of the material of the pouch system to a location exterior of the extruder apparatus when the squeezing mechanism of the extrusion device is engaged, wherein the portions of the material in the pouch system are extruded through the spout.

8. The extruder apparatus of claim 7 wherein the material of the pouch system is selected from the group consisting of: peanut butter, honey, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and axle grease.

9. The extruder apparatus of claim 7 wherein the squeezing mechanism is set to completely evacuate the pouch system.

10. The extruder apparatus of claim 7 wherein the spout is adjustable to alter the location where the material of the pouch system is to be extruded.

11. The extruder apparatus of claim 7 wherein the squeezing mechanism comprises multiple form factors.

12. The extruder apparatus of claim 7 wherein the squeezing mechanism includes clamp arms specially designed to engage with the pouch system, wherein the squeezing mechanism is able to squeeze the pouch system to optimally extrude its material contents.

13. An extruder apparatus comprising: a pouch system holding material to be extruded; an extrusion device that is configured to accept the pouch system, the extrusion device for compressing the pouch system; said pouch system being mechanically coupled to a fitment for sliding into a slot of the extrusion device for securely coupling the pouch system to the extrusion device, thereby allowing the pouch system to be securely coupled to the extrusion device by means of the fitment, the fitment also being configured to hold the material of the pouch system when apart from the extrusion device; and a spout being mechanically coupled to the fitment of the pouch system, the spout for delivering the portions of the material of the pouch system to a location exterior of the extruder apparatus when the compressing mechanism of the extrusion device is engaged, wherein the portions of the material in the pouch system are extruded through the spout.

14. The extruder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the material of the pouch system is selected from the group consisting of: peanut butter, honey, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and axle grease.

15. The extruder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the compressing mechanism is set to completely evacuate the pouch system.

16. The extruder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the spout is adjustable to alter the location where the material of the pouch system is to be extruded.

17. The extruder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the compressing mechanism comprises multiple form factors.

18. The extruder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the compressing mechanism includes clamp arms specially designed to engage with the pouch system, wherein the compressing mechanism is able to compress the pouch system to optimally extrude its material contents.

19. The extruder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the squeezing mechanism includes a clamp plate having an opening hole for accepting the fitment.

20. The extruder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the compressing mechanism includes a clamp plate having an opening hole for accepting the fitment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1A is a general schematic side-view drawing showing a first embodiment of an extruder system according to principles of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 1B is a top down cut-through view of the general schematic drawing of FIG. 1A showing more detail of a clamp plate;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic drawing showing a portion of the drawing of FIG. 1; and

[0035] FIG. 3 is another more detailed schematic drawing showing yet another portion of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following provides a detailed description of examples of the present invention and should not be taken to be limiting of the invention itself. Rather, any number of variations may fall within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims following this detailed description.

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts, acts, or steps. The drawings are in simplified form.

[0038] FIG. 1A is a general schematic side-view drawing showing a first embodiment of an extruder system 100 according to principles of the present invention.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, extruder system 100 is illustrated as having an extrusion device 102, with a flexible pouch 104. Flexible pouch 104 is illustrated as having a fitment 106 attached. In addition, a spout 108 is shown for receiving material from within flexible pouch 104 when such material is extruded therefrom. Spout 108 is adjustable for custom location when evacuating material from flexible pouch 104.

[0040] Of note, flexible pouch 104 is replaceable by different pouches that hold different materials such that extruder system 100 is able to be used to extrude different materials depending upon the contents disposed within flexible pouch 104. In particular, the material is a viscous material that does not easily flow such as a gooey substance, a substance such as peanut butter, mayonnaise, honey, or another difficult to handle substance.

[0041] The material within flexible pouch 104 is dependent upon a user's pouch selection for extrusion with extrusion system 100. Upon viewing, those of ordinary skill in the art can imagine a variety of materials such as food or non-food material like axle grease or oil paint.

[0042] FIG. 1B is a top down cut-through view of the general schematic drawing of FIG. 1A showing more detail of a partial clamp plate 110. Partial clamp plate 110 includes an opening hole 112 for accepting fitment 106. Partial clamp plate 110 also includes a complementary clamp plate 113 for exposing opening hole 112 of partial clamp plate 110. When in the closed position, partial clamp plate 110 and complementary clamp plate 113 are coupled to form one contiguous clamping surface surrounding opening hole 112.

[0043] Complementary clamp plate 113 is mechanically coupled to partial clamp plate 110 by means of a pivot point 114. Pivot point 114 allows complementary clamp plate 113 to move in as to allow convenient acceptance of fitment 106 of flexible pouch 104 into opening hole 112 of extrusion device 102.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic drawing showing a portion of the drawing of FIG. 1.

[0045] Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates a handle 202 of extrusion device 102 and an arrow 204 representing the pressing of handle 202 such that extrusion device 102 is configured to apply force to flexible pouch 102 so as to force at least some material from flexible pouch 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 3 is another more detailed schematic drawing showing a different portion of FIG. 1.

[0047] Specifically, more details regarding fitment 106 and spout 108, both of FIG. 1, are described in greater detail. Spout 108 is illustrated as having a spout extender 302 coupled to a fitment connector 304. Upon viewing, one of ordinary skills in the art is enabled to make fitment 106 with fitment connector 304.

[0048] In addition, a cap 306 or dispensing valve is available that prevents leakage of the material that is found within flexible pouch 102. Cap 306 also eliminates or reduces material exposure to air and can be placed upon fitment 106, spout 108, or other portion of extruder system 100 that would serve the purpose of material leakage prevention, reduce exposure to air, or otherwise.

[0049] Upon viewing the present disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other equivalent materials and steps could be substituted to realize the presently disclosed invention.

[0050] Although various disclosure embodiments have been described in the foregoing detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that the presently disclosed invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but indeed may assume numerous arrangements, re-arrangements, modifications, and substitutions of elements or steps without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention herein set forth. The appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

[0051] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is present.

[0052] For a non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim elements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an; the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.