Metering container and metering device

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering container for mixtures of food products and liquids, a metering device for mixtures of food products and liquids and a method for metering mixtures of food products and liquids.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A metering device for food products, comprising a cylinder for accommodating a metering container for food products and a plunger which is movably supported in the cylinder and adapted to compress a metering container accommodated in the cylinder, wherein the metering device comprises a motor which is connected to the plunger and adapted to move the plunger in the cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The metering device according to  claim 8 , wherein the metering device comprises at least one liquid outlet adapted to introduce a liquid into the metering container. 
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The metering device according to  claim 8 , wherein the outside of the plunger engages with the inside of the cylinder in an airtight manner. 
     
     
         15 . The metering device according to  claim 14 , wherein a seal is provided between the outside of the plunger and the inside of the cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . The metering device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a seal which is so adapted that the metering container engages with the inside of the cylinder and/or an edge portion of the cylinder in an airtight manner. 
     
     
         17 . The metering device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a fixing means which is adapted to fix a part of the metering container in and/or at the cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . The metering device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a metering container for food products, wherein the metering container comprises a first end having a metering outlet and wherein the metering container is accommodated in the cylinder. 
     
     
         19 . The metering device according to  claim 18 , wherein the first end of the metering container engages with the inside of the cylinder and/or an edge portion of the cylinder in an airtight manner 
     
     
         20 . The metering device according to  claim 18 , wherein a seal, is provided between the first end of the metering container and the inside of the cylinder and/or an edge portion of the cylinder. 
     
     
         21 . The metering device according to  claim 18 , wherein the first end of the metering container and/or the metering outlet is removably attached to the inside of the cylinder and/or to an edge portion of the cylinder. 
     
     
         22 . A method for metering food products, comprising the following steps:
 (a) providing a metering device for food products according to  claim 8 ;   (b) introducing a metering container for food products into the cylinder of the metering device, wherein the metering container contains a food product; and   (c) moving the plunger of the metering device by means of the motor of the metering device such that the metering container is compressed so that the food product escapes from the metering outlet.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising a further step between steps (b) and (c):
 introducing a liquid into the metering container;   wherein step (c) comprises: moving the plunger of the metering device by means of the motor of the metering device such that the metering container is compressed so that a mixture of the food product and the liquid escapes from the metering outlet.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the metering container comprises an elastic membrane which tightly seals the metering container, wherein the metering device comprises a hollow needle for introducing the liquid and wherein the step of introducing a liquid into the metering container comprises:
 puncturing the membrane with the hollow needle; and   introducing the liquid through the hollow needle.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the metering container comprises an opening which is tightly sealed with a valve and wherein the valve is opened by introducing the liquid. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The metering device according to  claim 9 , wherein the liquid outlet is arranged at an end of the plunger. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the metering container comprises a flexible wall having a wall thickness of 0.5 mm or less and a first end comprising a metering outlet, wherein the metering container contains a food product, and wherein, in addition to the metering outlet, at least one portion is provided that is adapted for the introduction of a liquid into the metering container.