Roller assembly for flexible bags
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.