阅读说明：本技术 发泡产品分配系统和产品容器 (Foamed product dispensing system and product container ) 是由 马克·罗伯特·雷内·马萨 罗伯特·马修斯·阿德里安·珀伊斯 科恩·比克曼 于 2020-02-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：发泡产品分配系统,其中,系统包括：产品分配机(B),配置为容纳可更换的产品容器(H)；产品容器(H),配置为在放置在产品分配机(B)中之后与产品分配机(B)协作；其中,产品容器(H)包含可发泡产品(P),其中,产品容器(H)设置有产品处理单元(CPU),产品处理单元(CPU)包括起泡设备(15),起泡设备(15)具有用于接收产品(P)的产品进口(15i)和用于排出产品(P)的产品出口(15u),其中,产品处理单元(CPU)可在产品排出期间连接到用于向产品(P)供应气体的流体供应部。(A foamed product dispensing system, wherein the system comprises: a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container (H); a product container (H) configured to cooperate with a product dispenser (B) after placement in the product dispenser (B); wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a foaming device (15), the foaming device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable during product discharge to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P).)

1. A foamed product dispensing system, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container (H);

a product container (H) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) after placement in the product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P),

wherein the product processing unit (CPU) comprises a product feed-through channel (PFC) upstream of the frothing device (15), which product feed-through channel (PFC) is closable by a valve member (50),

wherein the product processing unit (CPU) comprises a fluid feed-through channel (FFC) upstream of the frothing device (15),

wherein the valve member (50) is configured to provide fluid communication between the fluid feed-through channel (FFC) of the product handling unit (CPU) and a fluid supply of the product dispensing machine (B), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is preferably provided with a treatment device (7), the treatment device (7) being arranged downstream of the frothing device (15) for performing a mixing treatment and/or a pressure reduction treatment of the product with gas.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the product dispensing machine (B) comprises a Valve Actuator (VA) configured to cooperate with the valve member (50) of the placed product container (H) to move the valve member (50) between a product feed-through state and a product flow blocking state, wherein the valve member (50) is preferably at least rotatable between a product feed-through state and a product flow blocking state.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve member (50) comprises a fluid passage (51), which fluid passage (51) is arranged to be connected to a Fluid Injector (FI) of the product dispenser (B) when the product container (H) is in an operative position in the product dispenser (B), wherein the fluid passage (51) of the valve member (50) preferably coincides with or is parallel to the axis of rotation of the valve member (50), wherein the product dispenser (B) is preferably configured to feed a drying fluid or a dried fluid, such as nitrogen or air, preferably dried air, preferably under superatmospheric pressure to the fluid feed-through channel (FFC) of the product handling unit (CPU) of the placed product container (H), wherein the system preferably comprises an air dryer for supplying the drying fluid or the dried fluid, wherein the air dryer is preferably embedded in or forms part of a Cooling System (CS) of the product dispenser (B).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product dispenser (B) is designed to cool the product containers (H) comprising the product handling unit (CPU), preferably such that the temperature of the products (P) in the product containers (H) comprised in the product handling unit (CPU) is below 10 ℃, in particular below 5 ℃.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product dispenser (B) comprises a container housing space (Hs) for housing the product containers (H), which product containers (H) are exchangeable from the respective container housing space (Hs), wherein the direction of container placement is preferably a substantially horizontal direction.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product container (H) comprises a Flexible Bag (FB) filled with the foamable product (P) to be discharged.

7. System according to claim 6, wherein the product container (H) and/or the container receiving space (Hs) comprises a fluid inlet (Hi) for receiving fluid from the product dispenser (B), in particular from a respective Fluid Outlet (FO) connected to the fluid inlet (Hi), after placement of the product container (H) in the product dispenser (B), in order to pressurize the product container (H).

8. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frothing device (15) is provided with a microfiltration wall (15a), e.g. a tubular wall, having gas permeable holes, which microfiltration wall (15a) separates a gas supply space (15d) associated with the fluid supply from a frothing channel (15b) associated with the product inlet (15i), wherein the length of the frothing channel (15b), measured in the product flow direction, is preferably at most 10cm, more preferably at most 5cm, and even more preferably in the range of about 0.5 to 5cm, e.g. about 2cm,

wherein the gas permeable pores have a pore size preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 microns, more preferably a pore size of at least 0.1 and less than 2 microns, and even more preferably a pore size of at least 0.2 and less than 1.5 microns.

9. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frothing device (15) is provided with a housing (15h), the housing (15h) comprising a product inlet (15i) for supplying a product (P), a gas inlet (8) for supplying a gas and an outlet (15u) for discharging the product with gas, wherein the gas inlet (8) terminates in a gas containing space (15d), the gas containing space (15d) being separated from the product inlet (15i) and outlet (15u) by a microfiltration wall (15 a).

10. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product dispenser is provided with a Control Unit (CU), preferably user-operable via a user interface or operating device of the product dispenser (B), configured for controlling the flow of fluid and the flow of product to the product handling unit (CPU), wherein the Control Unit (CU) is preferably configured to initiate the flow of fluid before the flow of product in case of initiating the discharge of product.

11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product processing unit (CPU) comprises an airtight seal configured to block the flow of gas from the product processing unit (CPU) into the product container (H) before the initial use of the product container (H), for example before the container (H) is pressurized in the product dispensing machine (B), and to provide a passage for the flow of product (P) from the product container into the product processing unit (CPU) during use of the product container (H).

12. A foamed product dispensing system, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container (H);

a product container (H) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) after placement in the product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream,

wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving a product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging a product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a gas supply for supplying a gas to the product (P),

wherein the gas supply is a choke gas supply.

13. Product container (H), evidently configured to be part of a system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a foaming device (15), the foaming device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying a gas to the product, wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is preferably provided with a handling device (7), the handling device (7) being arranged downstream of the foaming device (15) for mixing and/or depressurizing the product with gas,

wherein the product processing unit (CPU) comprises a product feed-through channel (PFC) upstream of the frothing device (15), which product feed-through channel (PFC) is closable by a valve member (50),

wherein the product handling unit (CPU) comprises a fluid feed-through channel (FFC) upstream of the frothing device (15), wherein the valve member (50) is configured to provide fluid communication between the fluid feed-through channel (FFC) of the product handling unit (CPU) and a fluid supply of the product dispensing machine (B).

14. A method for dispensing a foamed product, comprising:

accommodating a replaceable product container (H) in a product dispenser (B), wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container is provided with a foaming device (15) and a product feed-through channel (PFC) closable by a valve member (50);

discharging product from the product container (H), for example by pressurizing the container;

moving the valve member (50) from a product flow blocking state to a product feed-through state; and

supplying a gas, preferably under super-atmospheric pressure, such as nitrogen or air, preferably dried air, to the product (P) via the fluid passage of the valve member (50) and via the frothing device (15) to introduce bubbles into the product (P), e.g. for forming a uniform foam.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

cooling the product container (H) comprising the frothing device (15), preferably such that the temperature of the product (P) in the container (H) comprising the frothing device (15) is below 10 ℃, in particular below 5 ℃.

16. A foamed product dispensing system, such as a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container;

a product container (H) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser after placement in the product dispenser;

wherein the product container contains a foamable product, preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container is provided with a product handling unit comprising a foaming device having a product inlet for receiving the product and a product outlet for discharging the product, wherein the product handling unit is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product,

wherein the frothing device (15) is provided with a microfiltration wall (15a), for example a tubular wall, having gas permeable apertures, the microfiltration wall (15a) separating a gas supply space associated with the fluid supply and a frothing channel associated with the product inlet,

wherein the microfiltration wall comprises a hydrophobic and/or oleophobic material, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

17. A foamed product dispensing system, such as a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container (H);

a product container (H) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) after placement in the product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P),

wherein the product dispenser (B) comprises a container accommodation space (Hs) for accommodating the product containers (H), which product containers (H) are exchangeable from the respective container accommodation space (Hs), wherein the direction of container placement is preferably a substantially horizontal direction,

wherein the product dispenser (B) is configured to cool the product container (H) after it has been placed in the container receiving space, preferably such that the temperature of the product (P) in the container (H) comprised in the product handling unit (CPU) is below 10 ℃, in particular below 5 ℃,

wherein the product dispensing machine (B) preferably comprises at least one cooling duct (122) containing a cooling liquid, wherein the cooling duct preferably surrounds at least a portion of the container receiving space (Hs),

wherein the container accommodation space (Hs) is preferably defined by a wall structure surrounding the space, which wall structure preferably comprises a closable foamed product passage below the product handling unit (CPU) of the placed product container (H), and which wall structure preferably comprises or is provided with the cooling duct.

18. System according to claim 17, comprising a closing member for closing the closable product passage of the wall structure of the container receiving space (Hs), the closing member being in particular configured to limit heat transfer between the environment of the system on the one hand and the container receiving space on the other hand,

wherein the closing member is preferably movable towards an open state by an actuator, allowing the foamed product to be discharged via the product passage of the wall structure of the container receiving space (Hs).

19. A foamed product dispensing system, such as a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container (H);

a product container (H) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) after placement in the product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (H) has a product holding space containing a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a foaming device (15), the foaming device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P),

wherein the product handling unit (CPU) comprises an airtight seal (61, 62), the airtight seal (61, 62) being configured to hermetically seal a product flow path between the product handling unit (CPU) and the product holding space of the product container (H) prior to an initial use of the product container (H) and to provide a passage for a flow of product (P) from the product container towards the frothing device (15) during use of the product container,

wherein the airtight seal (61, 62) is preferably positioned adjacent to, or at, or in a product discharge opening of the product holding space of the container (H),

wherein the gas-tight seal (61, 62) is preferably adjustable from a flow-blocking state to a product flow-releasing state under the influence of an opening pressure upstream of the seal, e.g. a pressure in the product holding space of the product container (H), wherein the opening pressure is a super-atmospheric pressure,

wherein the wall of the product container (H) preferably comprises a flexible and/or resilient portion allowing the inner volume of the container to be changed or increased.

20. A foamed product dispensing system, such as a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to contain a replaceable product container (FB);

a product container (FB) configured to cooperate with said product dispenser (B) after being placed in a pressurized chamber (SW) in said product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (FB) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P),

wherein the pressurization chamber is defined by a wall Structure (SW) comprising a CPU accommodation port (RP) for accommodating the product handling unit (CPU) and for engaging an outer surface of the product handling unit (CPU) in a gastight manner, the product handling unit (CPU) protruding in particular through the port (SW) towards a product discharge area,

wherein the airtight engagement of the outer surface of the product handling unit (CPU) with the CPU receiving port is preferably configured to withstand pressurization of the pressurization chamber (SW),

wherein said engagement between said product handling unit (CPU) and said CPU receiving port of said product dispenser is preferably releasable, in particular allowing replacement of said product container (FB),

wherein the system is preferably configured to provide feedback to a user regarding an engagement between the product processing unit (CPU) and the Receiving Port (RP), wherein the CPU Receiving Port (RP) and the product processing unit (CPU) are preferably configured to collectively generate an acoustic and/or tactile feedback signal, such as a click, upon such engagement.

21. A foamed product dispensing system, such as a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container (H);

a product container (H) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) after placement in the product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P),

wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is provided with a hermetically sealed cover (71), the hermetically sealed cover (71) being configured to seal a downstream product discharge area (128) of the product handling unit (CPU) from the environment, the downstream product discharge area (128) comprising a product discharge Nozzle (NZ) of the system.

22. A foamed product dispensing system, such as a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to receive a replaceable product container (H);

a product container (H) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) after placement in the product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (H) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P),

wherein, during use, the product handling unit (CPU) extends outside a pressurized space of the system, wherein a boundary of the pressurized space comprises a CPU opening for exchangeably accommodating the product handling unit (CPU),

wherein the system comprises a wall Structure (SW) comprising a CPU Receiving Port (RP) for receiving the product handling unit (CPU),

wherein the shape of the product handling unit (CPU) is configured to substantially match the shape of the CPU receiving port for positioning the product handling unit (CPU) relative to the wall Structure (SW),

wherein the shape of the product handling unit (CPU) and the corresponding shape of the CPU receiving port are preferably rotationally asymmetric about an axis substantially corresponding to the direction of receiving the product handling unit (CPU) into the port (RP),

wherein preferably at least one of a shape of the product handling unit (CPU) and a shape of the CPU opening is a tapered shape.

23. A foamed product dispensing system, such as a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises:

a product dispenser (B) configured to contain a replaceable product container (FB);

a product container (FB) configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) to be pressurized after being placed in the product dispenser (B);

wherein the product container (FB) contains a foamable product (P), preferably a food product such as cream, wherein the product container (H) is provided with a product handling unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product (P),

wherein the system further comprises an exchangeable capsule (SW) configured to replaceably accommodate the product container (FB), wherein the product dispensing machine (B) is configured to replaceably accommodate the capsule containing the product container (FB),

wherein the capsule (SW) is preferably configured to cooperate with the product dispenser (B) to be pressurized,

wherein the capsule preferably comprises a removable cover (TW) for providing access to the interior space of the capsule for replacing the product container (FB), wherein the cover is preferably configured to cooperate with the remainder of the capsule when the cover is in an assembled closed position to form an airtight connection between the cover and the remainder of the container,

wherein the product container preferably comprises a Flexible Bag (FB) containing a product (P), wherein the capsule (SW) is preferably a rigid capsule, wherein the capsule is preferably substantially cylindrical and/or barrel shaped.

24. A product container (H; FB), evidently configured to be part of a system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product container (H; FB) contains a foamable product (P), wherein the product container (H; FB) is provided with a product processing unit (CPU), the product processing unit (CPU) comprising a frothing device (15), the frothing device (15) having a product inlet (15i) for receiving the product (P) and a product outlet (15u) for discharging the product (P), wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is connectable to a fluid supply for supplying gas to the product, wherein the product processing unit (CPU) is preferably provided with a processing device (7), the treatment device (7) is arranged downstream of the frothing device (15) for subjecting the product with gas to a mixing treatment and/or a pressure reduction treatment.

25. The product container of claim 24 wherein:

wherein the frothing device (15) has at least one microfiltration wall comprising a hydrophobic and/or oleophobic material, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

26. The product container according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the product handling unit (CPU) comprises an airtight seal (61, 62), the airtight seal (61, 62) being configured to hermetically seal a product flow path between the product handling unit (CPU) and a product holding space of the product container (H) prior to an initial use of the product container (H) and to provide a passage for a product (P) to flow from the product container towards the frothing device (15) during use of the product container.

27. Product container according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the product handling unit (CPU) is configured to cooperate with a Receiving Port (RP) of a wall Structure (SW) of a pressurized chamber for mutual engagement in a gastight manner.

28. Product container according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the product processing unit (CPU) is provided with a hermetically sealed cover (71), the hermetically sealed cover (71) being configured to seal a downstream product discharge area (128) of the product processing unit (CPU) from the environment, the downstream area (128) containing a product discharge Nozzle (NZ) of the container.

29. The product container of any of claims 24-28 wherein the container includes a wall Structure (SW) including a CPU Receiving Port (RP) for receiving the product processing unit (CPU),

wherein the shape of the product handling unit (CPU) is configured to substantially match the shape of the CPU receiving port for positioning the product handling unit (CPU) relative to the wall Structure (SW).

30. The product container according to any one of claims 24-29, wherein the product container comprises a flexible pouch (FB) containing a product (P), wherein the flexible pouch is at least partially flexible to allow for changing the internal volume of the pouch.