Condiment Dispensing System

Abstract

A system for dispensing product includes a track support, the track support comprising a one-piece frame and a roller assembly slidably engaged with the one-piece frame, the roller assembly including a first lobed roller and a second lobed roller. The system further includes a valve assembly attached to a base portion of the one-piece frame, wherein a flexible product filled bag is retainable between 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, the track support comprising a one-piece frame;    a roller assembly slidably engaged with the one-piece frame, the roller assembly including a first lobed roller and a second lobed roller; and    a valve assembly attached to a base portion of the one-piece frame, wherein a flexible product filled bag is retainable between 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 valve assembly further includes a heating element.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises a front, a back and a spout receiving portion.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system dispenses product directly to a dispenser.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the dispenser comprises: 
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion;    a pump assembly received in the containment portion; and    a trigger configured to actuate the pump assembly.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a removable cap including at least one opening.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the removable cap and the trigger are color coordinated to correspond with a dispensed condiment.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the trigger includes a stop block configured to control the amount of product dispensed.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the stop block comprises a stop member and an actuator button, the stop member moveable between a stop position and a retracted position via actuation of the actuator button.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising at least one dispensing indicator operably attached to the handle portion.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the at least one dispensing indicator comprises a click spring.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the trigger further comprises at least one click spring actuator, wherein each of the at least one click spring actuators are positioned on the trigger to contact and depress a corresponding click spring.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pump assembly comprises a rod including a first knife blade receptacle, a cylinder including a second knife blade receptacle, a piston movable within the cylinder having a first knife blade and a valve having second knife blade, wherein when the valve is open the first knife blade engages with the first knife blade receptacle and when the valve is closed the second knife blade engages with the second knife blade receptacle.  
   
   
       18 . A roller assembly for dispensing product from a bag, comprising: 
 a one-piece roller frame;    a first lobed roller rotatably attached to the roller frame;    a second lobed roller attached to the roller frame, the second lobed roller positioned adjacent the first lobed roller in a fixed parallel arrangement to form a nip;    an actuator operably attached to one of the first and second lobed roller, wherein product from a bag positioned in the nip is dispensed as the first and second lobed rollers rotate responsive to rotation of the actuator.    
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 18  wherein the product filled bag dispenses food product directly into a dispenser.