The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 15, 2003
Juha K. Salmela, Citrus Heights, CA (US);
Juha K. Salmela, Citrus Heights, CA (US);
Automatic Bar Controls, Inc., Vacaville, CA (US);
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a heated fluid or flowable food product from a package while maintaining the product at or above a preset elevated temperature. In one embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing a flowable product from a product package through a dispensing outlet at or above a preset elevated temperature comprises a container in which to dispose the product package. The container includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A dispensing outlet is provided to dispense the flowable product from the product package, and is disposed adjacent the gas outlet. A pump is coupled between the product package and the dispensing outlet to pump the flowable product from the product package to the dispensing outlet. A heated gas flow controller is configured to direct a heated gas flow in the container to heat the product package, the pump, and the dispensing outlet. The heated gas flow includes gas flowing into the container via the gas inlet and gas flowing out of the chamber via the gas outlet adjacent the dispensing outlet.