System and method for pressurizing and dispensing a food product
AssigneeKan-Pak, L.L.C.
InventorsJames Michael Borum, Joshua Laine Highland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for pressurizing and dispensing a food product can include a pouch for storing the food product, a dispensing valve coupled to the pouch, and a canister for holding the pouch. The pouch can include a valve fitment for attachment to the dispensing valve. The dispensing valve can include a first valve body portion moveably coupled to a second valve body portion. The first valve body portion can include a piston coupled to a nozzle portion. The dispensing valve can be manually manipulated between an open position and a closed position by axially translating the piston within the second valve body portion. The nozzle portion may be used to both charge the pouch with pressurized gas and dispense the food product.
Claims20
A system for pressurizing and dispensing a food product, the system comprising:
- a pouch configured to contain the food product, the pouch comprising:
- an opening into an interior of the pouch;
- and
- a valve fitment coupled to the opening;
- and
- a dispensing valve coupled to the pouch, the dispensing valve comprising:
- a first valve body portion comprising:
- a nozzle portion comprising a fluid outlet;
- a piston coupled to the nozzle portion;
- an interior channel extending axially within the first valve body portion from the piston to the fluid outlet;
- and
- a first valve port extending through a wall of the interior channel proximal to the piston, wherein the piston is axially translatable between a closed position in which the interior channel is not in fluid communication with the interior of the pouch and an open position in which the interior channel is in fluid communication with the interior of the pouch.
A dispensing valve for receiving pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas and dispensing whipped cream from a pouch, the dispensing valve comprising:
- a first valve body portion comprising:
- a nozzle portion comprising a fluid outlet;
- a piston coupled to the nozzle portion;
- an interior channel extending axially within the first valve body portion from the piston to the fluid outlet;
- and
- a first valve port extending through a wall of the interior channel proximal to the piston;
- and
- a second valve body portion moveably coupled to the first valve body portion, the second valve body portion comprising:
- an attachment end configured to be attached to the pouch;
- an actuator end disposed opposite the attachment end;
- and
- a valve chamber extending axially through the second valve body portion, wherein the piston is axially translatable within the valve chamber between a closed position in which the interior channel is not in fluid communication with the valve chamber and an open position in which the interior channel is in fluid communication with the valve chamber.
A method for pressurizing and dispensing a food product, the method comprising:
- connecting a source of pressurized gas to a nozzle portion of a dispensing valve, wherein the dispensing valve is coupled to a pouch containing the food product;
- manipulating the dispensing valve to an open position in which the nozzle portion is in fluid communication with an interior of the pouch;
- charging the pouch with pressurized gas via the nozzle portion;
- manipulating the dispensing valve to a closed position in which the nozzle portion is not in fluid communication with the interior of the pouch;
- detaching the source of pressurized gas from the nozzle portion;
- shaking the pouch to mix the food product with the pressurized gas;
- manipulating the dispensing valve to the open position in which the nozzle portion is in fluid communication with the interior of the pouch;
- and
- dispensing the food product via the nozzle portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.