Roller assembly for flexible bags

• US 20050167444A1
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Clear Lam Packaging Incorporated (Sonoco Products Company)
• Original Assignee: Clear Lam Packaging Incorporated (Sonoco Products Company)
• Inventors: Sanfilippo, James J., Sanfilippo, John E., Soria, Javier, Wong, Koon
• Application Number:
  US11/031,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20050167444A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/105
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/285 Co-operating squeezing supporting rollers

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.

Claims

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.