# US 11,064,712 B2 · Systems and methods for distributing and dispensing chocolate

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- Number: US 11,064,712 B2
- Document ID: US11064712B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/923,971
- Filed: 2018-03-16
- Published: 2018-10-25
- Granted: 2021-07-20
- Earliest claimed: 2014-10-09
- Applicants: Trade Secret Chocolates
- Inventors: Matthew J. Rubin; Adam D. Ambrecht
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11064712B2

## CPC

- A23G 1/202: {Apparatus in which the material is shaped at least partially by a die; Extrusion of cross-sections or plates, optionally with an associated cutting device}
- A23G 1/0013: {Weighing or portioning processes}
- A23G 1/0036: {Conching}
- A23G 1/0046: {Processes for conditioning chocolate masses for moulding}
- A23G 1/0056: {Processes in which the material is shaped at least partially by a die; Extrusion of cross-sections or plates, optionally with associated cutting}
- B67D 3/0012: {provided with mixing devices}
- B67D 3/0022: {provided with heating arrangements}
- B67D 7/0216: {by squeezing collapsible or flexible storage containers (B67D7/0255 takes precedence; for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/0001)}
- B67D 7/82: Heating only
- B67D 1/0001: {by squeezing collapsible or flexible storage containers (B67D1/0462 takes precedence)}
- B67D 1/0431: {power-operated}
- B67D 1/045: {using elastic bags and pistons actuated by air or other gas}
- A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F)

## Abstract

Systems for dispensing chocolate, in one aspect including a generally fluid-tight exterior housing with first volume; a vertical support member; a base support member; a dispenser guiding member within the first volume; an extruder connection member extending through the housing and having a first end within the housing and a second end outside of the housing, defining a pivot axis; an extruder member connected to the first end; a lever connected to the second end; at least one extruder guide member within the first volume and connected to the extruder member; and at least one extruder guide rail connected to the housing within the first volume and capable of receiving the at least one extruder guide member; and where manual actuation of the lever pivots the extruder member in cooperation with the at least one extruder guide member.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A content dispensing system comprising:
a generally fluid-tight exterior housing defining a first volume;
a vertical support member operationally connected to the exterior housing;
a base support member operationally connected to the vertical support member;
a dispenser guiding member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the exterior housing;
an extruder connection member extending through the exterior housing and having a first end within the exterior housing and a second end outside of the exterior housing, and defining a pivot axis;
an extruder member disposed within the exterior housing and operationally connected to the first end;
a lever disposed outside the exterior housing and operationally connected to the second end;
at least one extruder guide member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the extruder member; and
at least one extruder guide rail operationally connected to the exterior housing within the first volume and capable of receiving the at least one extruder guide member;
a bulkhead positioned in the housing and bifurcating the first volume into separate second and third volumes, wherein the extruder member is disposed within the second volume;
an aperture formed through the housing for fluidic communication with the second volume;
a first deformable pouch positioned in the second volume, wherein the first deformable pouch further comprises:
a generally elongated fluid-tight enclosure;
a quantity of chocolate substantially filling the fluid-tight enclosure;
a fluidic conduit extending through the fluid-tight enclosure; and
a fluidic valve operationally connected to the fluidic conduit;
wherein the fluidic conduit extends through the aperture;
wherein pivoting of the lever yields an urging force applied to the first deformable pouch to decrease the quantity of chocolate therein;
wherein when the extruder member is urged against the first deformable pouch, automatic actuation of the fluidic valve allows the liquid chocolate to be flowingly dispensed from the first deformable pouch;
wherein manual actuation of the lever pivots the extruder member in cooperation with the at least one extruder guide member; and
wherein the deformable pouch remains substantially air-free during chocolate dispensation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The content dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the chocolate contains less than 3% water.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The content dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the chocolate is solid at room temperature.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The content dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising: a second deformable pouch positioned in the third volume, wherein the second deformable pouch is substantially identical to the first deformable pouch.

### Claim 5

A content dispensing method, comprising:
a) heating a flexible bag having a valve and containing a material to decrease viscosity of the material; and
b) manually squeezing the bag to pressurize the material;
wherein pressuring the material automatically actuates the valve;
wherein the flexible bag is disposed within a content dispensing system, the content dispensing system further comprising:
a generally fluid-tight exterior housing defining a first volume;
a vertical support member operationally connected to the exterior housing;
a base support member operationally connected to the vertical support member;
a dispenser guiding member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the exterior housing;
an extruder connection member extending through the exterior housing and having a first end within the exterior housing and a second end outside of the exterior housing, and defining a pivot axis;
an extruder member disposed within the exterior housing and operationally connected to the first end;
a lever disposed outside the exterior housing and operationally connected to the second end;
at least one extruder guide member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the extruder member; and
at least one extruder guide rail operationally connected to the exterior housing within the first volume and capable of receiving the at least one extruder guide member;
wherein manual actuation of the lever pivots the extruder member in cooperation with the at least one extruder guide member.