Roller assembly for flexible bags

Abstract

A system for dispensing product includes a track support and a roller assembly slidably engaged with the track support. The system further includes a valve assembly attached to a base portion of the track support, wherein a flexible product filled bag is retainable between by the roller assembly and wherein the roller assembly translates down the track support to force the product toward the valve assembly.

1 . A system for dispensing product, comprising: 
 A track support;    A roller assembly slidably engaged with the track support;    A valve assembly attached to a base portion of the track support, wherein a flexible product filled bag is retainable between by the roller assembly and wherein the roller assembly translates down the track support to force the product toward the valve assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly includes an actuator to actuate the valve.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly is actuated by a roller assembly control member.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the flexible product filled bag comprises a material selected from the group consisting of biaxially oriented nylon material laminated to an ethyl-vinyl-alcohol (EVOh) polyethelyne, uni-axially oriented nylon, uni-axially oriented nylon laminated to EVOH, polypropylene, polypropylene laminated to EVOH, uni-axially oriented nylon laminated to EVOH and LLDPE, polypropylene laminated to EVOH laminated to LLDPE, PVC, polystyrene, high impact styrene, a barrier material, low density EVA blends, a material to tear uniformly along a tear strip, and metallocene sealant  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a top clip.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the roller assembly comprises a plurality of rollers.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein at least one roller includes a knurled region.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein at least one roller includes a geared region.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system dispenses product directly to a dispenser.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly further includes a heating element.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises a front, a back and a spout receiving portion.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a dispensing container.  
   
   
       13 . A method of dispensing product, comprising: 
 Securing a flexible product filled bag in a roller assembly;    Translating a roller assembly relative to the product filled bag;    Forcing product within the bag toward a valve assembly;    Dispensing product through the valve assembly.    
   
   
       14 . A roller assembly for dispensing product from a bag, comprising: 
 a roller frame;    a first knurled roller rotatably attached to the frame;    a second knurled roller attached to the frame, the second knurled roller positioned adjacent the first knurled roller to form a nip;    an actuator operably attached to one of the first and second roller, wherein product from a bag positioned in the nip is dispensed as the first and second rollers rotate responsive to rotation of the actuator.    
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the rollers comprises a relief region.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein the relief region is formed adjacent an end region of the roller.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the rollers is hingedly attached to the frame.  
   
   
       18 . A roller assembly for dispensing product from a bag, comprising: 
 a roller frame;    a first roller rotatably attached to the frame;    a second roller attached to the frame, the second roller positioned adjacent the first roller to form a nip, the second roller comprising a knurled region and at least one relief region;    an actuator operably attached to one of the first and second roller, wherein product from a bag positioned in the nip is dispensed as the first and second rollers rotate responsive to rotation of the actuator.    
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 18  wherein the first roller includes a knurled region.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the second roller is rotatably attached to the frame  
   
   
       21 . A roller assembly for dispensing product from a bag, comprising: 
 a roller frame;    a first roller rotatably attached to the frame;    a second roller rotatably attached to the frame, the second roller positioned adjacent the first roller to form a nip;    an actuator operably attached to one of the first and second roller, wherein rotation of the actuator directly rotates the rollers and simultaneously translates the rollers relative to a product filled bag positioned in the nip to dispense food product.    
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21  wherein at least one of the first and second rollers comprises a knurled region.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 21  wherein at least one of the first and second rollers includes a relief region.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 23  wherein the relief region comprises a covering.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 24  wherein the covering comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of: a soft material, a high friction material, an elastomer, rubber, and a smooth material.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 24  wherein the product filled bag dispenses food product directly into a dispenser.