Disposable pump and drive mechanism for dispensing a liquid food product

An assembly for dispensing liquid food product from a self-contained flexible container having an integrated coupling device, the assembly comprising:

• a disposable pump configured for connection to the coupling device of the flexible container, the pump having an attachment fitting configured for engagement with the coupling device of the flexible container, the pump being operable to dispense the liquid food product from the disposable pump;
• and
• means for compressing the disposable pump to dispose the liquid food product from the pump;
• wherein the pump is disposed of after the flexible container has been evacuated, and
• wherein the means for compressing the disposable pump includes a pair of members movable toward each other to compress the pump.

An assembly for dispensing liquid food product from a self-contained flexible container having an integrated coupling device, the assembly comprising:

• a disposable pump configured for connection to the coupling device of the flexible container, the pump having an open portioning chamber defined by a resilient outer wall, the portioning chamber being positioned between an attachment portion and a dispensing portion of the disposable pump;
• a compressing device positioned to contact the outer wall of the pump, the compressing device being movable between a compressing position and a filling position wherein movement of the compressing device to the compressing position compresses the portioning chamber and forces the liquid food product within the portioning chamber out of the dispensing portion of the disposable pump;
• and
• a drive member coupled to the compressing device, the drive member being operable to move the compressing device between the compressing position and the filling position,
• wherein the compressing device includes a pair of actuating arms each extending between an outer end and an inner end, the disposable pump being positioned between the outer ends of the actuating arms, the outer ends of each actuating arm being movable toward each other to compress the portioning chamber of the disposable pump.

A disposable pump for use in dispensing a liquid food product from a flexible container including the liquid food product, the flexible container including a coupling device, the disposable pump comprising:

• an open portioning chamber configured to receive the food product from the flexible container, the portioning chamber being defined by a resilient outer wall;
• an attachment portion in fluid communication with the portioning chamber, the attachment portion including an external attachment fitting for engagement with the coupling device of the flexible container, the attachment fitting including an open interior configured to allow food product to flow into the portioning chamber from the flexible container;
• a dispensing portion in fluid communication with the portioning chamber, the dispensing portion being formed integrally with the portioning chamber;
• an inlet valve positioned between the attachment fitting and the portioning chamber, wherein the inlet valve prevents movement of food product from the portioning chamber into the attachment portion during compression of the portioning chamber;
• and
• a flexible washer having a central opening, the flexible washer being positioned in contact with a seat formed in the dispensing portion;
• a cone washer positioned between the portioning chamber and the flex washer, the cone washer having a center plug positioned to cover the central opening of the flexible washer,
• wherein the flex washer is deflectable away from the center plug of the cone washer to allow food product to pass from the portioning chamber into the dispensing portion and the flex washer contacts the center plug of the cone washer to prevent the flow of food product back into the portioning chamber from the dispensing portion, and
• wherein the cone washer includes an outer ring that defines a central opening, the center plug being suspended in the central opening by a plurality of bridges.