초록 ▼

A system for dispensing controlled amounts of flowable materials having a wide range of viscosities, such as food condiments, from a flexible-walled container or bag includes a second container for holding the flexible-walled container and a piston positioned within the second container to apply pre

A system for dispensing controlled amounts of flowable materials having a wide range of viscosities, such as food condiments, from a flexible-walled container or bag includes a second container for holding the flexible-walled container and a piston positioned within the second container to apply pressure to a wall of the flexible-walled container. An enfitment, which has a piercing member and sealing mechanism, is positioned adjacent an opposite wall of the flexible-walled container. By rotating the enfitment about a rotational axis generally normal to the wall of the first container, the enfitment forms an opening in the flexible-walled container and a seal with the container. The flowable material can then be forced through a hollow tube of the enfitment and an exit nozzle coupled to the enfitment. A desired amount of flowable material can be consistently dispensed from the flexible-walled container by controlling the displacement of the piston along a predetermined piston travel length for each dispensation of flowable material. Because the flexible-walled container can have an uneven shape, the piston displacement is determined based on, among other parameters, the number of dispensations which have already been made, the viscosity of the dispensed material and the initial quantity of material within the container.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for dispensing controlled amounts of flowable material stored in a first flexible-walled container, said system comprising:a second container configured to hold the first container;a piston having a face sized and configured to generally match the cross-sectional

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for dispensing controlled amounts of flowable material stored in a first flexible-walled container, said system comprising:a second container configured to hold the first container;a piston having a face sized and configured to generally match the cross-sectional shape of the second container;an actuator connected to the piston to drive the piston along the stroke axis through a preset travel range, said actuator including a screw, a nut engaged with the screw and coupled to the piston such that the nut and piston move alone the stroke axis relative to the screw, and a position controlled motor drivingly coupled to the screw so as to rotate the screw and move the piston within said travel range; anda controller connected to the actuator and configured to control piston movement along the stroke axis so as dispense a controlled amount of flowable material from the second container. [85.] A method of dispensing controlled amounts of flowable material stored in a first flexible-walled, sealed container comprising:providing a base;positioning the first flexible-walled sealed container in a second container, said second container being supported by said base;mounting a hollow enfitment through at least one wall of said second container for opening said first flexible-walled, sealed container and dispensing said flowable material therethrough;rotating said enfitment by a motor-driven actuator so that said first flexible-walled, sealed container is opened by and sealed with said enfitment;providing a piston positionable within the second container to apply force to at least one wall of said first flexible-walled container so as to compress said first flexible-walled container between said piston and said enfitment; anddriving said piston toward said base along a stroke axis to compress said first flexible-walled container against said second container to dispense the flowable material through said enfitment.