Dispensing apparatus

Abstract

The invention comprises packaging, dispensing and delivery systems and relates to apparatus capable of dispensing frozen, chilled, and/or room temperature food and beverage products for both in-home and foodservice use. The present invention also relates to a dispenser of viscous comestibles.

1 . A dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a. A container having an opening for a spout;   b. A plurality of flexible product bladders located within the container that are capable of holding viscous comestible products;   c. A spout functionally connected to the product bladder(s) and extending out of the container;   d. A flexible pressurizing bladder that
 i. Is located within the container, 
 ii. Is capable of receiving and retaining pressurized gas, and 
 iii. Is capable of applying pressure to the plurality of product bladders when pressurizing bladder is inflated, 
   e. A means for inflating the pressurizing bladder.   
   
   
       2 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurizing bladder surrounds the product bladder(s). 
   
   
       3 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spout further comprises a means for opening and closing the spout. 
   
   
       4 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the means for opening and closing the spout comprises a dispensing button located on the spout. 
   
   
       5 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the product bladder(s) and pressurizing bladder are located within the container. 
   
   
       6 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the means for inflating the pressurizing bladder is located within the container. 
   
   
       7 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the means for inflating the pressurizing bladder comprises a manually operated pump. 
   
   
       8 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a pump shaft. 
   
   
       9 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising tubing that functionally connects the manual pump and the pressurizing bladder. 
   
   
       10 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the pump further comprises an attached handle. 
   
   
       11 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising an check-valve located between the pump and the pressurizing bag capable of preventing the back-flow of pressurized air from the pressurizing bag during the pump back-stroke and/or when pumping is completed upon attaining the desired pressure. 
   
   
       12 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the means for inflating the pressurizing bladder comprises a canister of pressurized gas. 
   
   
       13 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the container is primarily composed of cardboard. 
   
   
       14 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurizing bladder is sealed to the spout. 
   
   
       15 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurizing bladder comprises a flexible plastic bag. 
   
   
       16 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible product bag(s) are primarily composed of flexible plastic. 
   
   
       17 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the contents of the product bladder(s) comprise comestible product. 
   
   
       18 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for inflating the pressurizing bladder comprises a plurality of containers capable of holding and dispensing pressurized gas. 
   
   
       19 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the product bladder(s) that are functionally connected to spout are sealed to the outer circumference of the dispensing spout. 
   
   
       20 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the product bladder(s) are sealed to the dispensing spout via ultrasonic welding. 
   
   
       21 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the canister of pressurized gas comprises pressurized carbon dioxide. 
   
   
       22 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the canister of pressurized gas comprises pressurized air. 
   
   
       23 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurizing bladder is sealed to the dispensing spout. 
   
   
       24 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing spout is capable being contained within the external walls of the container. 
   
   
       25 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a user accessible regulating valve on the pressurizing canister. 
   
   
       26 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the regulating valve protrudes through the container. 
   
   
       27 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurizing container is affixed to the inner walls of the container. 
   
   
       28 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the product bag(s) further comprises a sealable opening. 
   
   
       29 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple dispensing spouts, wherein each dispensing spout connects to a separate product bag. 
   
   
       30 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein multiple product bags attach to a single dispensing spout. 
   
   
       31 . A dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a. A first container capable of receiving and retaining pressurized gas;   b. The first container is also capable of holding viscous comestible products;   c. The first container is capable of connecting to a means for pressurizing the first container;   d. The first container has an opening for a spout;   e. The spout is functionally connected to, and extends out from, the first container;   
   
   
       32 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the means for pressurizing the first container comprises a second container capable of holding and dispensing pressurized gas into the first container; 
   
   
       33 . The dispensing apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the first container is generally cylindrical in shape.