Nestec S.a.

Societe Des Produits Nestle S.a.

Balakrishna Reddy

J Antonio Gutierrez

Eric E Hartman

Hua Zhang

James Tuot

David J Harrison

Arturo F Guerrero

Antonio Gutierrez

Eileen M Roehr

Mark O Foster

Giinping I Schmidt

Mark A Gaj

Mark D Beaumont

Robert Greene

Bradley H Buchanan

Gene Frank Clyde

Gerhard Ufheil

Randall L Morrison

M Jeffrey Willey

Richard J Farrell

Amol Ashok Bhalerao

Larry Bartoletti

Robert Mora

Jose Antonio Gutierrez

Chee Kok Ong

Annette M Nikolis

Joshua Headings

Brian Tulley

A mixing nozzle () for mixing a concentrate and a diluent and dispensing the mixture is disclosed. The mixing nozzle includes: a concentrate conduit including a concentrate inlet port () and a concentrate outlet port () and a concentrate flowpath () therebetween, the conduit defining the longitudinal axis (XX') of the mixing nozzle; a toroidal chamber () around said concentrate conduit having a water inlet conduit () tangentially disposed with respect thereto to create a swirling of the water in said chamber, said toroidal chamber presenting multiple openings () at the bottom wall of the toroidal chamber to create multiple flows of diluent around the concentrate outlet port (); an assembly of multiple radially projecting ribs () provided downstream to the multiple openings () of the toroidal chamber, the ribs being curved at their downstream ends () towards the mixing nozzle longitudinal axis (XX&#x2032;).

Mixing nozzle

Mixing nozzle fitments and beverage devices containing the mixing nozzle fitments are provided. In an embodiment, the mixing nozzle fitment includes a first shaft defining an inlet passage, a second shaft defining a curved outlet passage and attached to the first shaft, and a coupling member attached to the second shaft. The coupling member defines a passage that leads into the curved outlet passage of the second shaft. The mixing nozzle fitment can be used in any suitable beverage dispensing device.

Mixing nozzle fitments

A method and a device are provided for dispensing multiple portions of a fluid that is stored in a container having a port and a flexible dispensing tube. The flexible dispensing tube includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is integrally sealed to the port and a viscoelastic valve is mounted in the outlet. The method includes a compression step and a step of terminating compression. The method also includes a step implemented at the end of the compression step that releases the pressure in a tube portion between a first tube portion and the valve.

Method and device for aseptically dispensing multiple portions of a fluid

Mixing nozzle fitments and beverage devices containing the mixing nozzle fitments are provided. In an embodiment, the mixing nozzle fitment includes a first shaft defining an inlet passage, a second shaft defining a curved outlet passage and attached to the first shaft, and a coupling member attached to the second shaft. The coupling member defines a passage that leads into the curved outlet passage of the second shaft. A flexible tube is attached to the coupling member. The mixing nozzle fitment can be used in any suitable beverage dispensing device.

Mixing nozzle fitment and mixed liquid dispenser

A method and a device for dispensing multiple portions of a fluid, the fluid being stored in a container comprising a port and a flexible dispensing tube having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being integrally sealed to the port and viscoelastic valve is mounted in the outlet. The method comprising a compression step and a step of terminating compression wherein the method comprises a further step implemented at the end of the compression step of releasing the pressure in the tube portion between the first tube portion and the valve.

A method and device for hygienically delivering a liquid food to or from a food or beverage dispenser by delivering a flow of liquid food through an outlet positioned at a distance of all surfaces of the dispenser and by frequently cleaning the outlet with a flow of cleaning liquid directed onto the external surfaces demarcating the outlet to eliminate the liquid and solid food residue. The device may include a connection fitment with an elongated food delivery member which is configured to connect to a cleaning chamber of the dispenser. The device can be easier and more conveniently cleaned and/or sanitized enabling the dispensing of microbial sensitive food products such as milk concentrate and the like.

Device and method for hygienically delivering a liquid

The present invention is directed to beverage dispensers and more specifically to a beverage dispensing nozzle that provides a short and direct beverage pathway. The nozzle is adapted for use in a self-cleaning assembly that provides for efficient cleaning of all of its surfaces that contact beverage products. The nozzle can be configured with an inlet port that provides a relatively direct product flow pathway from a beverage mixing chamber in the dispenser.

Dispensing device with self-cleaning nozzle

Device and method for hygienically delivering a liquid food

The invention relates to a method and a dispensing device for rapidly and efficiently heating/cooling a flowable food product whereby removable cassettes are provided for receiving a pouch containing food; the cassettes comprising pairs of opposed thermal conductive surfaces wherein the surfaces delimit together a limited spacing adapted to contact a pouch and means for applying heat to said at least pair of cassettes.

Dispensing device and method for rapidly heating and delivering a flowable product

The invention relates to a method for sealing a peripheral attachment member onto a sealed pouch that has been previously filled with a product. The invention also relates to a pouch that includes a peripheral attachment member sealingly attached to at least one of its faces. The method includes a step of providing a multi-layer pouch that is configured so as to provide an inner sealant adapted to form a closed enclosure along sealing lines and an outer sealant that forms at least one external face of the pouch wherein the outer sealant has a melting point that is lower than the melting point of the inner sealant.

Method for sealingly attaching a peripheral attachment member onto a filled-sealed pouch

A flowable food dispenser for dispensing a flowable food product. The dispenser includes a housing with first and second bays, and a plurality of cassettes that are removably receivable within the bays. Each cassette is configured for receiving a pouch containing the flowable food. First and second thermal exchange units are associated with the first and second bays, respectively, in heat-exchanging association with the cassettes received therein. A temperature-controlled system is connected with the thermal exchange units for controlling them independently to independently heat or cool the cassettes in the bays and the food product that is disposed therein. A least one dispensing mechanism is associated with the first and second bays to selectively dispense the food from the pouches that are in the cassettes.

Temperature controlled dispensing device

The invention relates to a method for rapidly, efficiently heating and dispensing a flowable food product, using a device preferably of limited footprint whereby removable cassettes are provided for receiving a food-containing package. The cassettes at least include a direct conduction surface and an insulating coverage that substantially reduces radiant heat loss outside the cassettes. Preferably, there is provided peristaltic pumps, each one being adapted to engage a discharge tube of the food pouch wherein the pumps have their rotor plane oriented in alignment or parallel to the axial plane of the cassettes. Cassettes are heated by low power density generating heating members, such as a thin film heater or equivalent.

Compartmentalized dispensing device and method for dispensing a flowable product therefrom

A merchandiser system and method for thawing, displaying, and warming previously baked dough products, such as cookies, under controlled drying conditions, including a warming compartment and a merchandiser. The merchandiser controls the drying of moisture in the thawed, baked products to maintain the organoleptic and/or texture properties of the products at essentially the same level as those of freshly baked products for a period of at least about 2 hours.

Growing community of inventors

Ridgefield, CT, United States of America

Balakrishna Reddy