WO2020229520A1

WO2020229520A1 - Food product dispensing system

Info

Publication number: WO2020229520A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/063292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Olaf Edward DAM; Robert Willemsen; Luuk Jan BOEVINK; Bram VAN DER VEEN; Kai Franciscus Marc SMIT; Mathijs Van Dijk
Original assignee: Nutritious Juices & Soups B.V.
Priority date: 2019-05-13
Filing date: 2020-05-13
Publication date: 2020-11-19
Also published as: EP3968826A1; NL2023121B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a flowable food dispensing system which flowable food is initially in a frozen state, a flowable food dispenser for dispensing said initially frozen food product, a flexible pouch containing the initially frozen flowable food product, and a method for using the flowable food dispensing system. The flowable food dispenser comprises a pouch receiving assembly configured for receiving the flexible pouch and for moving the pouch between a pouch mounting position and a pouch heating position between two heating elements configured for melting the frozen food product contained in the pouch. The heating elements are moveable relative to each other to efficiently melt the frozen food product contained in the pouch.

Description

FOOD PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM

The invention relates to a flowable food dispensing system which flowable food in embodiments is initially in a frozen state, a flowable food dispenser for dispensing said food product, a flexible pouch containing the flowable food product, and a method for using the flowable food dispensing system.

Various fresh and flowable food products such as juices, soups, sauces, cheese spreads, ketchups, dairy products, humus, pasta’s, smoothies, teas, extracts, and cremes are considered tastier and/or more nutritious when they are consumed closer to the moment when they were made. For example, fresh orange juice is considered tastier than preserved orange juice.

However, preparing such food products may be a time consuming and labour intensive process, therefore pre-made and often preserved versions of the food product may be preferred.

Flowable food products may be frozen at completion of production in order to preserve the food products for a longer time. However, the frozen food products then has to be melted prior to consumption. Melting of the frozen food product may be achieved by removing the food product from a freezer and waiting, passively melting the food product, or by heating the frozen food product, actively melting the food product. Passively melting the food product may take a long time and thus is not practical. A difficulty in actively melting frozen food products is that heating of the frozen food product may affect the taste and nutritional value of the food product. For example, a frozen juice which is heated during melting to too high temperatures changes taste.

In order to preserve taste and nutritional values precise heating during melting is necessary. This is not only true for juices and smoothies but also for other frozen food products such as, beverages, cocktails, cheeses, sauces, soups and doughs.

US 6 196 420 discloses a pumpless dispenser especially intended for dispensing viscous fluids. The dispenser includes a supple pouch having first and second ends, a sidewall that can be arranged to form first and second opposed surfaces, and an outlet. The pouch contains a viscous fluid food product therein. The dispenser also includes a housing configured and dimensioned for receiving the pouch and a compression assembly for pressing the pouch so as to urge the viscous fluid food product toward the outlet.

US1940353 discloses a method for reducing frozen juices which method comprises the step of placing a block formed by a frozen food product in a heat zone of an apparatus and simultaneously comminuting the frozen liquid and subjecting the frozen liquid to heat for the purpose of causing liquefaction. The melted liquids are then removed from the heat zone to avoid materially raising their temperature.

A problem associated with the dispenser from US1940353 for flowable food products is residue of the food product which is left behind on the dispenser. Such residue should be removed to comply with health and safety regulations and to avoid negatively impacting the taste of the food product. Additionally, residue may result in a less pleasing looking dispenser and cause contamination of the flowable food dispenser. This may negatively impact the taste of the food product and increase maintenance requirements of the system.

A further problem associated with dispensing flowable food products which are initially in a frozen state is that the food product has to be heated in a predictable manner to avoid heating the food product too much or too little and too slow.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative flowable food dispensing system for flowable food products, more in particular to provide an improved flowable food dispensing system for initially frozen food products. It is a further object of the invention to obviate one or more of the problems described hereinabove and in particular to provide a flowable food product dispenser which does not affect the taste of the food product and which, additionally, is not subject to residue left behind in the dispenser. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a flowable food dispensing system that allows for a more efficient or practical use.

The invention provides a flowable food product dispenser system according to claim 1.

It will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to a wide variety of flowable food products, in particular advantageous for flowable products that have extended shelf life when frozen, e.g. immediate freezing upon production avoiding or reducing the need for treatments and/or additives that affect freshness, taste, appearance, etc.

The flowable food product may for example be a beverage, such as a fruit juice, e.g. obtained from freshly pressed fruit.

The flowable food product may also be a base ingredient for preparation of a smoothie, e.g. consisting of or comprising pureed fruit, etc. The flowable food product may also be a diary based product, e.g. a flowable cheese based product.

The flowable food product may be a sauce.

In general, the flowable food product can be any food product that flows when it is no longer frozen.

Preferably, the flowable food product in the flexible pouch is sized as a single portion for human consumption of the product.

For example, the food product in the pouch has a volume between 0.1 and 0.5 litres.

In practical embodiments, the dispenser has a control unit linked to the drive mechanism of the two heating elements, wherein the control unit is configured, e.g. programmed, so that the heating elements are moved by the drive mechanism to the pouch flattening position in a dispensing cycle, so that the entire volume within the pouch is dispensed within one dispensing cycle. The drive mechanism may be manufactured from a metal material or from plastic material. The plastic material may have advantageous heat flow properties compared to the metal material.

The control unit of the drive mechanism may be configured so that the heating elements are moved by the drive mechanism with a variable velocity. The velocity of the heating elements may depend on the melting speed of the flowable food product. It is also possible that the heating elements are moved to a position in contact with the pouch, wherein the heating elements are kept stationary to heat the food product in the pouch without applying pressure to the pouch. When the food product is heated sufficiently the heating elements may start moving to apply a pressure to the pouch.

The flowable food product is initially in a frozen state, e.g. the food product being filled into the pouch and then being frozen, e.g. in view of shelf life. Before consumption, the flowable food product is to be melted by operation of the dispenser.

For a range of envisaged applications of the invention, e.g. for a fruit juice, a smoothie, etc., the melting has to be done in such a way that the dispensed product is cold. So for these applications it is envisaged not to heat the flowable food product to an elevated temperature. For other possible applications, e.g. for soup, bouillon, hot beverages, it is envisaged that the system is configured to heat the flowable food product to an elevated temperature, preferably directly ready for consumption as heated food product.

For example, a freshly squeezed fruit juice could be preserved without the need for shelf-life enhancing treatment and/or additives to retain its qualities for a long time and after proper melting appear to be freshly squeezed.

For example, a melted and cold food product will be dispensed from the pouch at a temperature between 6 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius.

For example, a heated food product will be dispensed from the pouch at a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius, e.g. above 35 or above 65 degrees Celsius.

The flowable food dispensing system comprises a flowable food dispenser, which is configured to melt, possibly heat to an elevated temperature, and dispense the initially frozen food product.

Preferably, the dispenser is placeable on a kitchen counter close to a freezer to allow rapid placement of the pouch with frozen food product from the freezer into the dispenser.

The dispenser further, preferably, comprises a support for placing thereon a plate and/or a cup for receiving the flowable food product as it is dispensed.

The flowable food product dispenser comprises two heating elements for melting the frozen food product and comprises a pouch receiving assembly. The heating elements are moveable relative to each other such that the heating surfaces of the heating elements may move towards each other.

The heating elements may be connected to a motorized spindle drive system to cause movement of the heating elements relative to one another.

In embodiments, each of the two heating elements is resiliently supported in the

perpendicular direction, so the direction into which the heating elements are pressed onto the main surfaces of the pouch.

For example, one or more resilient members, e.g. springs, e.g. metal springs in view of the high temperature environment, are arranged between each of the two heating elements and a drive motor for each or for both heating elements. This resilient support enhances continuous contact between the heating surface of the heating elements and the main surfaces of the pouch, e.g. during continued advancing of the heating elements to the pouch flattening position upon melted flowable food product being discharged via the spout of the pouch.

So, as preferred, the heating elements are held in constant contact, e.g. via a resilient support, with the main pouch surfaces during heating and dispensing of the product. This resilient support allows to compensate for irregularities in the melting and flowing out of food product from each vertical side of the pouch.

The heating surfaces may be heated to a desired temperature depending on the type of food product. However, for melting and dispensing a cold, melted product it is equally possible to have the heating elements operate at a fixed temperature, with the duration of the dispensing cycle being variable, e.g. due to variation of the volume of food product in the pouch.

In embodiments, the heating elements are heated to between 90 and 99 degrees Celsius, e.g. between 95 and 99 degrees Celsius. In this approach the temperature is high, yet below boiling point of water. This choice of range with a maximum of 99 degrees is preferred in view of the possibility of frozen mist on the outside of the pouch. When brought into contact with the hot heating elements, a temperature within the proposed range causes quick evaporation of such frozen mist, yet avoids boiling effects and any noise produced thereby.

Preferably, the dispenser is configured to start heating of the heating elements upon the receiving assembly being moved into the pouch heating position.

Preferably, the heating elements are heated already ahead of the heating elements being pressed onto the pouch.

Preferably, the heating elements are each made as a metal block, e.g. each having a rectangular shaped heating surface, with one or more electric resistors integrated with, e.g. embedded in, the metal block to cause the heating.

Preferably, a non-stick coating is applied to each of the heating surfaces, e.g. in view of cleaning.

Preferably, the heating surfaces are flat surfaces, e.g. rectangular flat heating surfaces. The heating elements may each comprise a temperature control system for controlling their temperature. The temperature control system may comprise an individual temperature sensor for each heating element, which measures the temperature of each heating element thus providing information to the control unit of the dispenser. For example, the control unit operates on the basis of a set-point for the temperature of each heating element, e.g. electric power being supplied to each heating element (e.g. including a resistor) to control the temperature.

The control unit may be embodied to monitor electric current applied to the resistor type heating element, e.g. a determination being made on the basis thereof when the dispensing of food product has been completed.

The control unit may increase or decrease power supplied to the heating elements based on the information provided by the temperature sensors.

The heating elements are placed opposite each other in the food product dispenser such that the heating surfaces face each other and are oriented substantially vertically. This allows a frozen flowable food product to be placed between the heating elements and, when it melts, to flow downwards away from the heating elements without coming into contact with the heating elements. This prevents contamination of the heating elements by the food product.

The heating elements are moveable between a pouch receiving position and a pouch flattening position. In the pouch flattening position the heating elements are located closer to each other than in the pouch receiving position.

Preferably, the heating elements are very close to each other in the pouch flattening position, e.g. the empty pouch being sandwiched between the surfaces, e.g. just the main chamber thereof with the spout sticking out below the heating elements.

The heating elements can be separated by a distance to allow a pouch to be received between the heating elements in the pouch receiving position. When dispensing cold, melted, food product continued movement between the pouch receiving position and the pouch flattening position causes the pouch to be in constant contact with the heating elements as the frozen flowable food product in the pouch is melted and directly dispensed.

Movement of the heating elements may be driven by a motor, for example an electrical motor, e.g. via a spindle drive with a threaded motor driven spindle and a nut member interacting with the spindle and connected to a heating element, e.g. via a resilient support as described herein.

The heating elements may be coated by an anti-stick coating to prevent food product from sticking to the heating elements.

The heating elements, preferably, each comprise a heatable block made from a metal such as aluminium to allow effective heat transfer. For example, one or more electric resistor heaters are combined with, e.g. embedded in, the block so as to controllably heat the block.

The pouch receiving assembly is adapted for receiving a pouch which initially contains the frozen flowable food product. The pouch is mountable on pouch receiving members which are part of the pouch receiving assembly.

The pouch receiving assembly may be located above the pouch heating elements in the food product dispenser. This allows a pouch which is supported by the pouch receiving assembly to hang from the pouch receiving assembly between the heating elements.

The pouch receiving assembly is moveable between a pouch mounting position and a pouch heating position. The movement of the pouch receiving assembly may be driven by a motor, a spring, a consumer, or combinations thereof, or any other suitable means.

The pouch is mountable on the pouch receiving assembly when it is in the pouch mounting position.

Preferably, the pouch receiving assembly is substantially outside of the flowable food dispenser in the pouch receiving position to allow for easy mounting of the pouch.

Preferably, in the pouch heating position the pouch receiving assembly is substantially directly above the heating elements to allow the pouch to be located between the heating elements.

The flowable food dispensing system further comprises a flexible pouch for containing the flowable food product in a frozen state. The pouch is placeable in the dispenser by mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly.

The pouch is flexible when no food product is in the pouch. For example, the pouch is made from a flexible material such as a plastic.

The flexible material may be for example ALOXPET12, NY15, PE70 or any other suitable material.

The pouch is configured to transfer heat through the two main pouch surfaces to the frozen food product, such that the frozen food product is meltable by heat provided near the two main pouch surfaces by the pouch heating elements. Further the flexible material preferably resists shocks from falling.

The pouch comprises a main chamber delimited between two opposed main pouch surfaces, also to be named vertical main pouch surfaces as these surfaces will be vertical when the pouch is in the dispenser between the heating elements.

The main chamber contains the flowable food product in frozen state.

The main chamber has a top side and a bottom side.

A spout connects to the main chamber at the bottom side and extends below the main chamber, e.g. vertically downward when the pouch is in the dispenser between the heating elements.

The spout serves as dispensing channel from the main chamber. The cross-section of the spout is smaller than the cross-section of the main chamber. This allows for a focussed outlet flow from the pouch, e.g. when dispensing into a glass. The spout also avoids that too big lumps of not yet melted food product would be dispensed.

Preferably, mounting members for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser are located on the top side of the main chamber. For example, the pouch has a top portion at said top side wherein one or more pin receiving holes are present in the top portion allowing to suspend the pouch.

The two main pouch surfaces are preferably are two flat main pouch surfaces in the frozen state of the pouch. A top side of the pouch is preferably formed by sealing two sheet that form the pouch together.

Preferably, the pouch main surfaces have dimensions between 74 mm by 52 mm and 300 mm by 210 mm. This allows for a large contact area between the heating elements and the food product compared to the total food product in the pouch.

A spout is located on the bottom of the pouch. The spout allows melted, or heated, food product to flow out of the pouch.

The spout may be arranged below a funnel shaped bottom portion of the main chamber of the pouch.

The spout may be sealed hermetically by a removable or openable seal, for example by a tear-away portion at the lower end of the spout.

The spout, possibly after opening the seal, may be normally open to allow the melted food product to flow under the force of gravity out of the pouch.

The spout is directed downward when the pouch is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser to allow better flow of the melted food product.

Preferably, the bottom side of the pouch has a funnel shape to allow food product to flow easier out of the pouch.

Preferably, the spout is located near a front side of the pouch, preferably said front side being proximate a front side of the dispenser when in the pouch heating position.

The mounting members are configured for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser. The mounting members are, preferably, located on the top side of the pouch so as the allow the pouch to hang form the mounting members under the pouch receiving assembly allowing for easier placement of the pouch between the heating elements.

Preferably, the mounting members are constructed so as to allow easy mounting and dismounting of the pouch. The mounting members may also be located on one or both of the two main pouch surfaces or on another suitable location on the pouch. The two main pouch surfaces are substantially parallel to each other when the frozen flowable food product is contained in the pouch and they have a same shape. The pouch has a shape such that a distance between the two main pouch surfaces is smaller than a dimension of the two main pouch surfaces. This allows for a larger contact surface between the pouch and the heating elements and thus it allows for efficient heating and melting of the frozen food product.

Preferably, the two main surfaces are two flat main pouch surfaces, preferably the two main pouch surfaces are substantially rectangular, more preferably the two main surfaces have a shape similar to a shape of the heating surfaces. This may allow for more efficient contact between the heating elements and the pouch.

The frozen food product is stored between the main pouch surfaces, e.g. as a coherent block, below the top side and above the bottom side of the pouch, such that the frozen food product is adjacent to the two main pouch surfaces. This allows for improved heat transfer between the heating surfaces and the frozen food product since the contact surface area between the heating surfaces through the surfaces of the pouch and the frozen food product is bigger. A larger contact surface allows for better melting of the frozen food product and thus for more efficient dispensing of the flowable food product.

The food product dispenser may further comprise a drip tray. The drip tray may be located on a food product container receiving area. The drip tray may allow food product to drip from a pouch mounted on the pouch receiving assembly without leaving visible residue on the food product dispenser.

During melting of the frozen food product contained in the pouch, the pouch is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly and located between the heating surfaces. In embodiments, the pouch is continuously pressured by the heating surfaces during the dispensing of the melted product in cold state, thereby providing continuous conductive heat transfer between the heating elements and the frozen food product, thus effectively melting the frozen food product therein.

When dispensing cold, melted food product, it is envisaged that as soon as the food product melts, the food product flows out of the pouch through the open spout, e.g. directly into a food product container, such as a cup or a plate. The food product herein, preferably, flows directly from the spout into the food product container, not coming into contact with the flowable food product dispenser. The pouch is continuously pressured during the dispensing due to relative movement of the heating elements which move towards each other as food product is melted and flows out of the pouch.

Possibly the food product dispenser does not have any buttons to start the dispensing process. The interaction between the user and the dispensing system is then for example restricted to hanging a pouch on the pouch receiving assembly and manually pushing the pouch receiving assembly into the dispenser. This operation is determined by the control unit of the dispenser as the start signal of a dispensing cycle. The dispensing of food product and removing of the pouch, e.g. into the waste container, may further be done fully automatically under control of the control unit.

The dispenser may be provided with a scanning unit for scanning pouches. The scanning unit may scan the pouch that is to be placed or that is placed in the dispenser to determine one or more characteristics of the pouch. For example, the characteristics that may be determined may include expiration date of the food product in the pouch, type of food product in the pouch and heating temperature required. The scanning unit may further help determine if the pouch has been placed in the dispenser before. This is advantageous because it avoids reusing pouches which may reduce food safety. The scanned information may be located on a label that is attached to the pouch. For example in the form of a QR code. The label may be used to seal the spout of the pouch or to keep the spout in a folded position. For example the spout may be folded upwards against the pouch so as to avoid leaking of the food product and the label may be used as a seal to keep the spout in the folded position.

The system allows for controlled melting and dispensing of a frozen flowable food product. The frozen flowable food product is prepared and frozen in the pouch such that the pouch containing the frozen flowable food product has two main pouch surfaces that are

substantially parallel to each other. This allows for more efficient melting of the frozen food product.

Additionally, by freezing the food product in a pouch the frozen food product is easily handled by the consumer. For example, the frozen food product is easily placeable in the flowable food product dispenser.

The pouch receiving assembly allows for better handling of the pouch by the dispenser.

Contact between the consumer and the heating elements is avoided by placing the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly instead of directly between the heating surfaces. Further, since the frozen food product is contained in the pouch and the food product is dispensed directly from the pouch, no contact between the frozen food product and the dispenser is necessary, as is preferred. Thus, contamination and residue secretion in the dispenser is avoided. This is advantageous as contamination and residue negatively impact the taste of the food product and improves maintenance requirements of the system.

It is a further advantage of the invention that a quality of the melted food product may be controlled by controlling the movement and temperature of the heating surfaces. The quality may further be improved by the large contact area and thus by the more efficient heat transfer between the heating elements and the pouch more efficiently melting the frozen food product.

It should be noted that no comminuting of the frozen food product as in the prior art is necessary and that the system instead may rely on precise heating and movement of the heating elements and on the contact area of between the pouch and the heating surfaces. Comminuting may negatively impact the performance of the system as it negatively impacts the contact area between the frozen flowable food product and the heating surfaces.

In an embodiment, the spout of the pouch is folded onto a main pouch surface preventing frozen food product from entering the spout during filling. The spout may be releasably affixed to a main pouch surface by glue, an adhesive label, or another mechanism. The spout may be unfolded before placing the pouch in the dispenser.

The spout of the pouch may receive heat from the heating elements less effectively than the main pouch surfaces, or may even be outside the path of travel of the heating elements, so not directly heated by the two heating elements at all. Therefore, any frozen food product which is located in the spout may not melt similarly to frozen food product located in the main chamber of the pouch, or not melt at all. Therefore, preferably, no frozen food product is located in the spout of the pouch in its initial frozen state. This may be achieved by folding the spout, e.g. onto one of the main pouch surfaces, ahead of filling the pouch with food product in liquid state. The fold then prevents the still liquid food product from entering the spout during filling of the pouch. Then the pouch and content are frozen. Upon use, e.g. ahead of placing the pouch onto the pouch receiving assembly, the user unfolds the spout. In embodiments, the user may also tear away a portion of the lower end of the spout to create a dispensing outlet of the spout. The same may be done by cutting off a lower closed end portion of the spout. Instead of folding, the spout to avoid that liquid food product enters the spout during filling, other approaches may also be considered. For example, a clamp is fitted locally on the spout, to close the spout from the main chamber of the pouch, e.g. a user removable clamp.

In an embodiment, the mounting members of the pouch are formed by one or more holes in the top side of the pouch and the pouch receiving members are formed by one or more pins located on matching locations on the pouch receiving assembly. A combination of one or more pins and one or more holes provides for an easy to use combination for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly. The pouch may be easily mounted and dismounted on the pouch receiving assembly by moving the pins of the pouch receiving assembly through the holes of the pouch. The one or more pins may be orientated substantially horizontally so as to be able to support the pouch without the pouch being able to slide off.

In an embodiment of the flowable food dispensing system, the pouch receiving assembly is movable to a pouch disposing position which is preferably located above a waste container.

An internal waste container is advantageous since it allows for more efficient disposal of empty pouches. For example, a consumer does not have to throw away each pouch separately but may throw away the contents of the waste container when it is full.

Preferably, the waste container can contain more than 15, more preferably more than 30, empty pouches.

Preferably, the waste container is located behind and below the heating elements so that empty pouches can fall directly into the waste container.

In an embodiment of the flowable food dispensing system the mounting members of the pouch are formed by one or more holes in the top side of the pouch and the pouch receiving members are formed by one or more pins, the one or more pins are retractable after dispensing of the flowable food product from the pouch, e.g. when at the disposing position.

For example, two retractable and extendable pins are provided that are retractable in succession. In an embodiment, first one pin is retracted, with the other, second, pin being offset from the centre of gravity of the empty pouch. The retracting of the first pin then causes the pouch to swing about the second pin, e.g. further away from the heating elements. Then the second pin is retracted such that the pouch falls away into a waste container. The pins may be located in an asymmetrical manner on the pouch receiving assembly, wherein for example the first pin is located near a middle of the pouch receiving assembly and the second pin is located near a back side of the pouch receiving assembly. This allows the pouch having a matching arrangement of holes to be mounted in only one way on the pouch receiving assembly thus increasing ease of use of the food product dispensing system.

Furthermore, the pouch receiving members may have different shapes, e.g. the pins have different sizes, such that the pouch may only be mounted in one way on the pouch receiving assembly,

The successive retracting of the pins such that the pouch starts to swing and then falls enhances the transfer into the waste container, e.g. the filling of the waste container with multiple empty pouches and/or the likelihood of the pouch falling into the waste container.

Additionally, when a pouch receiving member, which is retracted later, has a bigger size than a pouch receiving member, which is retracted earlier, than the transfer into the waste container may be further enhanced.

Furthermore, in case the one or more pins are retractable, the system may dispose of a used pouch automatically into the waste container without involvement of the consumer. This makes the system easier in use. When the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch disposing position the pouch may fall easier into the waste container thus increasing effectiveness of the system.

Additionally, a pouch pushing member, for example a pouch pushing pin, may be present which may extend from the pouch receiving assembly. The pouch pushing member may push a pouch that is mounted on the pouch receiving members thus dismounting the pouch from the pouch receiving members. Thus the pouch pushing member may cause a pouch to no longer be mounted on the pouch receiving members. The pouch pushing member may further be embodied as an oblong component which extends between two or more of the receiving members. This has as an advantage that a pushing pressure is applied more uniformly to the pouch thus improving the performance of the pouch pushing member.

In an embodiment, the main pouch surfaces are flat main pouch surfaces and the heating surfaces are flat heating surfaces. This may increase the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating elements towards the pouch because the heating elements and the pouch may have a larger contact area. In an embodiment the system further comprises a pouch entry door which interacts with the pouch receiving assembly such that the entry door is open when the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch mounting position and closed when pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch heating position.

The heating elements of the dispenser may reach temperatures that are uncomfortable to touch thus advantageously the heating elements are shielded such that the consumer cannot touch them. This may be done by placing the heating elements in a case and placing an entry door for the pouch receiving system. In an embodiment of the entry door, it interacts with the pouch receiving assembly such that the entry door is open when the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch mounting position and closed when pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch heating position. Thus, the consumer does not have to directly interact with the entry door.

In an embodiment, the flowable food dispensing system is configured so that the flowable food product flows directly from the spout into the food product container. Hence, when the pouch is in the pouch heating position the spout is located directly above a location where a food container, such as a bowl, a plate or a cup, may be located. This reduces contact of the food product with the dispenser thus reducing contamination of the dispenser.

In an embodiment, the flowable food product is allowed to flow from the pouch solely under the force of gravity and pressure exerted by the pouch heating elements. Hence, the flowable food product when it is melted by the pouch heating elements naturally flows towards the spout and out of the pouch.

In an embodiment the flowable food dispenser further comprises a normally open pincher which may be closed to seal of the spout of the pouch, for example for heating the flowable food product beyond the melting point, for example for heating a soup.

The normally open pincher may be a spring-opened slider which may be pressed against a block such that the spout is pressed between the slider and the block. The normally open pincher further may be removable from the dispenser to increase the ease of cleaning the system. The pincher may be closable by a motor, such as an electrical motor, or the pincher may be manually closable. The normally open pincher may guide the pouch, in particular the spout of the pouch, when the pouch is moved between the pouch mounting position and the pouch heating position.

The normally open pincher does not have to engage when the food product to be dispensed is a juice which is best served cold to not change taste or nutritional value of the product. In contrast, a food product which may be served hot, such a soup, may be heated by the system by closing the spout with the normally open pincher. Thus by closing the spout by the pincher the frozen food product may be melted in the pouch without the food product flowing out of the pouch. The food product is thus heated in the pouch by the heating elements until it reaches a desired temperature.

In an alternative embodiment the flowable food dispenser further comprises a normally closed pincher which may be opened to allow food product to flow out of the spout of the pouch. The normally closed pincher may be used to pinch the spout of the pouch thus sealing the spout while the pouch is placed in the dispenser. The normally closed pincher may be opened when the food product has reached a desired temperature in the pouch.

The normally closed pincher may be closed by a spring and the normally closed pincher may be openable by a motor. The normally closed pincher may further be manually openable.

In an embodiment, the pouch initially comprises a tear-off seal for sealing the spout. A tear-off seal such as a tear-off portion may close the spout of the pouch such that no food product may leave the pouch before the seal is removed from the spout. Further, the pouch is sealed during transport and storage thus decreasing the change of contamination of the food product stored in the pouch.

For example, the tear-off seal may be removable when the spout is placed in the pouch heating position. Furthermore, in an embodiment with a normally open or closed pincher, the pincher may prevent food product to flow out of the pouch when the tear-off seal is removed.

The invention further relates to the flowable food dispenser of claim 11.

The present invention provides for a flowable food dispenser configured to dispense an initially flowable food product, e.g. an initially frozen flowable food product, which flowable food product may initially be in a frozen state and is heated, e.g. melted, by the flowable food dispenser in order to be dispensed, e.g. in a cold melted state or, in a heated state at an elevated temperature, which dispenser comprises: - two heating elements configured to heat the flowable food product whilst being contained in a flexible pouch so as to heat, e.g. melt, and to an elevated temperature, the flowable food product; and

- a pouch receiving assembly, wherein each of the heating elements comprises a heating surface, wherein the two heating elements are located opposite each other with the heating surfaces facing each other, substantially parallel to each other and oriented vertically, wherein the heating elements are moveable relative to each other perpendicular to the heating surfaces by a drive mechanism , such that the heating elements are moveable between a pouch receiving position and a pouch flattening position, wherein the heating elements in the pouch receiving position are separated by a distance to allow a pouch containing the flowable food product in frozen state to be received between the heating elements and wherein the heating surfaces are closer to each other in the pouch flattening position,

wherein the pouch receiving assembly comprises one or more pouch receiving members for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly using mounting members of the pouch, wherein the pouch receiving assembly is moveable between a pouch mounting position and a pouch heating position, wherein the pouch is mountable on the pouch receiving assembly in the pouch mounting position, and wherein the pouch is movable by said pouch receiving assembly between the pouch mounting position and the pouch heating position when the pouch is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly and wherein the pouch is located between the two heating elements when the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch heating position, wherein the system is configured so that, with the pouch being in the pouch heating position, the drive mechanism of the two heating elements is operated so that each of two main pouch surfaces is contacted by a heating surface of a respective one of the two heating elements and so that the two heating elements are operated to create heat that is transferred from said heating elements through the two main pouch surfaces to the flowable food product, so that in operation the frozen flowable food product is melted, possibly heated to an elevated temperature, so as to be dispensed, wherein the spout is directed downward when the pouch is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser. In case the flowable food product is not in an initially frozen state the heating elements may be used to first provide pressure to the pouch in order to flatten the pouch. This then allows for better heat transfer between the heating elements and the flowable food product contained in the pouch.

The flowable food dispenser of claim 11 may have one or more of the features discussed herein with reference to the dispensing system. Advantages and functionalities of the dispenser are discussed herein with reference to the dispensing system.

The present invention further relates to a flexible pouch containing a frozen flowable food product sealed in said pouch according to claim 23.

The present invention also relates to a method for preparation of a food product, wherein use is made of a dispenser according to claim 23 and a flexible pouch according to claim 23 is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser.

The present invention also relates to a flexible pouch containing a frozen flowable food product sealed in said pouch, for example a beverage, a smoothie, or soup, wherein the pouch containing the frozen food product is configured to be placed in a dispenser according to claim 22 and/or to be used in a system of any of claims 1 - 21 , wherein the pouch comprises:

- a bottom side comprising a spout;

- two main pouch surfaces; and

- one or more mounting members for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving

assembly of the dispenser, which mounting members are preferably located on a top side of the pouch,

wherein the two main pouch surfaces are parallel to each other.

In embodiments the frozen food product initially forms one coherent block in the pouch.

In embodiments, the distance between the two main pouch surfaces is smaller than each of the width and the height of the two main pouch surfaces.

In embodiments, the spout is located at side of the pouch seen in a view onto a main pouch surface. Preferably, a bottom gusset of the pouch extends at a downward incline from the opposite side towards the spout at said one side. In embodiments, a top portion at the top side of the pouch is formed by sealing two mono- or multilayer sheets forming at least the main pouch surfaces together. Herein the one or more mounting members are provided in or on said top portion. Preferably, one or more holes are provided in said top portion and form said mounting members.

In embodiments, the pouch including the spout thereof is made of mono- or multilayer film material, e.g. two sheets of said film material welded along perimeters of the pouch to one another.

In embodiments, initially, the spout of the pouch is folded onto a main pouch surface, the fold preventing food product from entering the spout, e.g. during filling of the food product in liquid state into the pouch ahead of the pouch containing the food product being frozen during production, and wherein the spout is unfolded ahead of dispensing, e.g. ahead of mounting the pouch to the pouch receiving assembly.

In embodiments, initially, the spout has a tear-away portion, e.g. defined by a notch in the spout, that closes an end of the spout and is to be torn away by a user to open the end of the spout.

In embodiments, an adhesive label is applied over the tear-away portion and over an area of the main surface of the spout to keep the spout in folded condition, the label being graspable to release the spout from the main surface and to tear the tear-away portion from the spout.

In embodiments, the pouch initially contains between 0.1 and 0.5 litres of flowable food product in frozen state.

In embodiments, the pouch is provided with top portion at the top side of the pouch. One or more holes are provided in said top portion, so as to receive therein multiple pins of a pouch receiving assembly of a dispenser as discussed herein.

The invention further relates to the flexible pouch containing a frozen flowable food product sealed in said pouch, for example a beverage, a smoothie, or soup, wherein the pouch containing the frozen food product is placeable in a dispenser, wherein the pouch comprises:

- a bottom side comprising a spout;

- two main pouch surfaces; and

- mounting members for mounting the pouch on the dispenser, which mounting

members are preferably located on a top side of the pouch, wherein the two main pouch surfaces are substantially parallel to each other, wherein a distance between the two main pouch surfaces is smaller than a dimension of the two main pouch surfaces, wherein, preferably, the top side of the pouch is formed by sealing the two main pouch surfaces together on a side opposite the bottom side, wherein, preferably, the two main pouch surfaces are substantially rectangular, wherein the frozen food product is stored between the main pouch surfaces, below the top side and above the bottom side of the pouch, such that the frozen food product is adjacent to the two main pouch surfaces, e.g. the frozen food product forming a coherent block, wherein the pouch is configured to transfer heat through the two main pouch surfaces to the frozen food product, such that the frozen food product is meltable by heat provided near the two main pouch surfaces.

In an embodiment of the flexible pouch, with the flowable food product in frozen state, the spout of the pouch is folded onto a main pouch surface preventing food product from entering the spout.

The spout of the pouch may have a choke with a choke point near an opening of the spout. This gives a more controlled flow of food product through the opening thus reducing sputter of the food product as it leaves the pouch.

The invention further relates to a method for using a flowable food dispenser and a flexible pouch.

The invention further relates to a pouch as described herein, wherein the pouch is filled with frozen smoothie.

The invention further relates to a method for dispensing a flowable food product, for example the flowable food product is a beverage, a smoothie, or a soup, which flowable food product is initially in a frozen state and contained in a flexible pouch which comprises:

- a bottom side comprising a spout;

- two main pouch surfaces; and

- mounting members for mounting the pouch on a dispenser, which mounting members are preferably located on a top side of the pouch, wherein the two main pouch surfaces are substantially parallel to each other, wherein a distance between the two main pouch surfaces is smaller than a dimension of the two main pouch surfaces, wherein, preferably, the top side of the pouch is formed by sealing the two main pouch surfaces together on a side opposite the bottom side, wherein, preferably, the two main pouch surfaces are substantially rectangular, wherein the frozen food product is stored between the main pouch surfaces, below the top side and above the bottom side of the pouch, such that the frozen food product is adjacent to the two main pouch surfaces, wherein the pouch is configured to transfer heat through the two main pouch surfaces to the frozen food product, such that the frozen food product is meltable by heat provided near the two main pouch surfaces, which heat is preferably provided by heating elements of a dispenser, wherein use is made of a flowable food dispenser which comprises:

- two heating elements for melting the frozen food product whilst being contained in the pouch received by the dispenser;

- a pouch receiving assembly for receiving the pouch containing the frozen food

product, wherein each of the heating elements comprises a heating surface, wherein the two heating elements are located opposite each other with the heating surfaces facing each other, substantially parallel to each other and oriented substantially vertically, wherein the heating elements are moveable relative to each other perpendicular to the heating surfaces, such that the heating elements are moveable between a pouch receiving position and a pouch flattening position, wherein the heating elements in the pouch receiving position are separated by a distance to allow the pouch to be received between the heating elements and wherein the heating surfaces are closer to each other in the pouch flattening position, wherein the pouch receiving assembly comprises pouch receiving members for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly using the mounting members of the pouch, wherein the pouch receiving assembly is moveable between a pouch mounting position and a pouch heating position, wherein the pouch is mountable on the pouch receiving assembly in the pouch mounting position, and wherein the pouch is movable between the pouch mounting position and the pouch heating position when the pouch is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly and wherein the pouch is located between the heating elements when the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch heating position, the method comprising the steps of:

a. mounting the flexible pouch on the pouch receiving assembly of the flowable food dispenser using the pouch receiving members such that the main pouch surfaces are oriented vertically and the spout is facing downward;

b. moving the pouch mounting assembly to a pouch heating position such that the pouch is placed between the two heating elements comprised in the flowable food dispenser; c. moving the heating elements in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the heating surfaces between a pouch receiving position and a pouch flattening position thus decreasing a distance between the heating elements, while the pouch is located between the two heating elements;

d. heating the heating surfaces while moving the heating elements thus constantly

pressuring the heating surfaces against the main pouch surfaces, thereby providing heat transfer between the heating elements and the frozen food product, thus melting the frozen flowable food product;

e. letting the melted flowable food product flow through the spout and receiving the

melted flowable food product in a food product container.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a flowable food product dispensing system configured to dispense a flowable food product, for example the flowable food product being a beverage, a sauce, or a soup, which flowable food product is heated to an elevated temperature by the flowable food dispensing system in order to be dispensed in a heated state, wherein the flowable food dispensing system comprises:

- a flowable food dispenser configured for heating and dispensing the flowable food product, which comprises:

two heating elements for heating the food product; and

- a pouch receiving assembly, and

- a flexible pouch containing the flowable food product in a liquid state, wherein the pouch is placeable in the dispenser, and wherein the pouch comprises:

- a bottom side comprising a spout;

- two main pouch surfaces; and

- one or more mounting members for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser, which mounting members are preferably located on a top side of the pouch, wherein each of the heating elements comprises a heating surface, wherein the two heating elements are located opposite each other with the heating surfaces facing each other, substantially parallel to each other and oriented substantially vertically, wherein the heating elements are moveable relative to each other perpendicular to the heating surfaces, such that the heating elements are moveable between a pouch receiving position and a pouch flattening position, wherein the heating elements in the pouch receiving position are separated by a distance to allow the pouch to be received between the heating elements and wherein the heating surfaces are closer to each other in the pouch flattening position, wherein the pouch receiving assembly comprises one or more pouch receiving members for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly using the mounting members of the pouch, wherein the pouch receiving assembly is moveable between a pouch mounting position and a pouch heating position, wherein the pouch is mountable on the pouch receiving assembly in the pouch mounting position, and wherein the pouch is movable between the pouch mounting position and the pouch heating position when the pouch is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly and wherein the pouch is located between the heating elements when the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch heating position, wherein the pouch is configured to transfer heat through the two main pouch surfaces to the food product, such that the food product is heated to an elevated temperature by heat provided near the two main pouch surfaces by the pouch heating elements, wherein the spout is directed downward when the pouch is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser.

It will be appreciated that in the second aspect of the invention the pouch, at the start of dispensing, contains liquid flowable food product instead of frozen state flowable food product.

The dispenser of the second aspect of the invention may have one or more of the features discussed herein with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

The pouch of the second aspect of the invention may have one or more of the features discussed herein with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

In an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, it is envisaged that the dispenser has a cutting device configured to cut open or away the lower end portion of the spout, e.g. combined with a higher located pincher that pinches the spout so as to keep the spout closed as long as the product has not reached the desired elevated temperature.

The second aspect of the invention also relates to a method for using a flowable food dispenser and a flexible pouch as described herein, wherein the food product initially is in liquid state.

It is appreciated that the pouch filled with liquid food product will have more or less bulbous main surfaces, e.g. when the pouch is suspended from the receiving assembly. In operation the heating elements, preferably having flat heating surfaces, will then contact said main surfaces and press them into a planar shape thereby enlarging the contact area for heat transfer.

It will be appreciated that, in embodiments, one and the same dispenser may handle both frozen pouches and liquid state pouches.

Advantageous embodiments of the flowable food product dispensing system according to the invention and the method according to the invention are disclosed in the subclaims and in the description. The invention is further illustrated and elucidated on the basis of the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 01 shows a view of the food dispensing system according to the invention;

Fig. 02 shows the food dispensing system of figure 1 from another side;

Fig. 03 shows a front view of the food dispensing system of figure 1 ;

Fig. 04 shows a side view of a food dispensing system with the pouch receiving assembly in the pouch heating position;

Fig. 05 shows the food dispensing system with the pouch receiving assembly in the pouch disposing position;

Fig. 06 shows the food dispenser with the pouch receiving assembly in the pouch mounting position;

Fig. 07 shows a bottom view of the food dispenser with an open pincher;

Fig. 08 shows a bottom view of the food dispenser of figure 07 with the pincher in a closed state;

Fig. 09 shows a pouch according to the invention with a tear-off seal; Fig. 10 shows the pouch receiving assembly with the pouch receiving members in an extended position;

Fig. 11 shows the pouch receiving assembly with the pouch receiving members in a retracted position;

Fig. 12 shows the heating elements inside the dispenser in the pouch receiving position;

Fig. 13 shows the heating elements inside of the dispenser in the pouch flattening position; Fig. 14 shows a pouch mounted on the pouch receiving assembly ready to be transported towards the heating elements;

Fig. 15 shows the pouch of figure 14 between the heating elements in the pouch receiving position;

Fig. 16 shows the pouch of figure 14 between the heating elements in the pouch flattening position;

Fig. 17 shows a view of the inside of the food product dispenser; and

Fig. 18 shows a second embodiment of a pouch with a tear-off seal.

Fig. 1 shows a view of the food dispensing system 1 according to the invention.

The food dispensing system comprises a food dispenser 2 and a flexible pouch 3.

In the figure the pouch 3 is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly 4, which is in the pouch mounting position.

The pouch 3 is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly 4 by hanging the mounting members 12 on the pouch receiving members 15.

The pouch 3 comprises a spout 5 and the food dispenser 2 comprises a waste container 6 for receiving empty pouches 3 that are emptied by dispensing the flowable food product.

Which flowable food product may be any of a beverage, juice, smoothie, soup, processed cheese, sauce or any other food product which is sufficiently flowable.

The flowable food product is initially in a frozen state in the pouch 3 for storage and transport. The flowable food dispenser 2 is configured to melt and dispense the initially frozen food product.

The spout 5 allows melted food product to flow out of the pouch 3. The spout 5 is normally open to allow the melted food product to flow under the force of gravity out of the pouch 5. The spout 5 is directed downward since the pouch 3 is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly 4 of the dispenser 2. This allows for better flow of the melted food product towards a food product container such as a bowl, cup or plate (not shown) for receiving the food product.

Fig. 02 shows the food dispensing system of figure 1 from another side. The figure shows a pouch entry door 7 which interacts with the pouch receiving assembly 4 such that the entry door 7 is opened by the pouch receiving assembly 4. The pouch receiving assembly 4 may have a handle 16 which is a thinner part and a wider part where the pouch 3 is mounted as in figure 1. Wherein the handle 16 extends further from the dispenser 2. As the pouch receiving assembly 4 moves out of the dispenser 2 the pouch entry door 7 is pushed open by the widening of the pouch receiving assembly 4.

In the figure 02, the pouch receiving assembly 4 is in the pouch mounting position and a pouch 3 is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly.

The pouch receiving assembly 4 may be retracted into the dispenser 2 by a motor 23, such as an electrical motor.

Fig. 03 shows a front view of the food dispensing system 1 of figure 1. As can be seen from the figure 03 the waste container 6 is embodied as hanging in the dispenser 2.

The waste container 6 is removable from the dispenser 2 by using the grip 8. Thus the waste container 6 may be emptied by pulling on the grip 8, removing the waste container 6 from the dispenser 2 and throwing any empty pouches 3 contained in the waste container 6 away.

Fig. 04 shows a side view of a food dispensing system 1 with the pouch receiving assembly 4 in the pouch heating position. In the pouch heating position the pouch receiving assembly 4 is retracted into the dispenser 2 such that the pouch 3 is hanging between the heating elements comprised in the dispenser 2. In this position the pouch 3 may be heated by the heating elements in order to melt the frozen food product contained in therein.

As can be seen from the figure 04 in the pouch heating position the spout 5 of the pouch 3 extends outwards from the dispenser 2, allowing food product to flow out of the dispenser 2 without coming into contact with the dispenser 2. A food container such as a bowl, cup or plate may be placed below the spout 5 to receive frozen food product that flows from the spout 5. Fig. 05 shows the food dispensing system 1 with the pouch receiving assembly 4 in the pouch disposing position. The pouch receiving assembly 4 is retracted completely into the dispenser by the assembly motor 23 such that the pouch receiving assembly is located above the waste container 6 for disposing the empty pouch 3. After having disposed of the pouch 3 the pouch receiving assembly 4 may move to a position, such as the pouch heating position, wherein the thin part of the pouch receiving assembly 4 extends out of the dispenser 2.

Fig. 06 shows the food dispenser 2 with the pouch receiving assembly 4 in the pouch mounting position. The pouch receiving assembly 4 in this figure 06 is ready to receive a pouch 3.

The figures 01 - 06 show the food dispensing system 1 during various steps of the method according to the invention.

Figures 01 - 03 show a pouch 3 mounted on the pouch receiving assembly 4 wherein the pouch receiving assembly 4 is in the pouch mounting position. The pouch 3 in these figures contains a frozen food product.

Figure 04 shows the dispensing system 1 with the pouch receiving assembly 4 in the pouch heating position. In this position the frozen food product is melted and dispensed into a food container such as a bowl, cup or plate (not shown). After the pouch 3 is emptied the pouch receiving assembly 4 moves towards the pouch disposing position, seen in figure 05, and disposes the pouch 3 into the waste container 6. Finally the pouch receiving assembly 4 may return to the pouch mounting position to receive another pouch 3.

Fig. 07 shows a bottom view of the food dispenser 2 with a pincher 9 in an open state. The waste container 6 has been removed to allow a better view such that the opening 20 in the dispenser 2 through which an empty pouch 3 falls into the waste container 6 is visible. The pincher 9 in open state allows a pouch 3, more in particular the spout 5 of the pouch 3, to pass through the pincher. When the pincher 9 is in the open position a spout 5 located between the pincher 9 is not closed off and melted food product is free to flow out of the pouch 3.

Fig. 08 shows a bottom view of the food dispenser 2 of figure 07 with the pincher 9 in a closed state. In the closed state the pincher 9 may prevent food product to flow through the spout 5 of a pouch 3. This is advantageous for example for heating the flowable food product beyond the melting point, for example for heating a soup. The pincher 9 closes the spout 5 of a pouch 3 and does not directly come into contact with food product contained in the pouch 3. Thus the pincher 9 is less likely to need cleaning.

Fig. 09 shows a flexible pouch 3 according to the invention filled with a single portion of frozen flowable food product, e.g. a smoothie. As preferred, the pouch initially contains between 0.1 and 0.5 litres of flowable food product in frozen state.

The pouch 3 can be placed in the dispenser 2 as described herein.

The pouch has one main chamber 11a delimited between two opposed main pouch surfaces or main walls 11 of the pouch. This main chamber 11a contains the flowable food product in frozen state, preferably in absence of a head space. The main chamber 11a has a top side 10a and a bottom side 10.

A spout 5 is present at the bottom side 10 of the main chamber 11. In operation the spout 5 defines a focussed stream of flowable food product that is dispensed from the pouch. The flow cross-section of the spout 5 is significantly smaller than the cross-section of the main chamber 11. For example, the spout 5 avoids that too large chunks of still frozen material can be dispensed from the pouch.

As preferred, the pouch 3 including the spout 5 thereof is made of mono- or multilayer film material, e.g. having one or more layers of plastic material. As preferred, two sheets of such film material are joined, e.g. welded, along perimeters of the pouch to one another.

The spout 5 is, as preferred, not located centrally in the bottom of the pouch 3. Instead the spout 5 is located at side of the pouch seen in a view onto a main pouch surface 11. As shown herein, the spout 5 is preferably located at the vertical side of the pouch 3 that can be regarded as the“trailing side” when the pouch 5 held by the receiving assembly 4 is advanced from the pouch mounting position to the pouch heating position. In particular when the passage for the pouch, and preferably the door 7, are located at the front side of the dispenser, the offset location of the spout 5 has the benefit of the spout being located relatively close to the front of the dispenser. This, for example, facilitates placement of a food product container, e.g. a glass, underneath the spout 5. It also allows for a relatively small depth design of the dispenser, even when provided with a waste container 6 that is arranged further towards the rear of the dispenser 2. It is illustrated that, as preferred, a bottom edge 10b of the pouch delimiting the chamber 11a extends at a downward incline from the opposite vertical side towards the spout 5. This enhances flow of food product to the spout.

As preferred, the frozen food product forms one coherent block in the pouch. This, for example, is the result of the main chamber 11a being filled with said product in liquid state, the pouch then being hermetically sealed, and the pouch being frozen so that the liquid turns into one solid block.

As preferred, the freezing process is done such that the main chamber surfaces 11a of the pouch are flat and parallel to one another. It is noted that in practice the flatness may not be obtained throughout the entirety of the surfaces 11a, e.g. flatness primarily being attained in a central region and the surfaces showing some undulations towards the perimeter.

It is preferred for the thickness of the pouch 3 to be relatively limited compared to the surface area of the main surfaces 11a so that a relatively large surface area is available for heat transfer compared to the volume within the pouch. Generally the distance between the two main pouch surfaces 11 is smaller than each of the width and the height of the two main pouch surfaces 11.

A top portion 13a of the pouch above the top side 13 of the main chamber 11 is formed by sealing the two mono- or multilayer sheets forming the main pouch surfaces and the spout together.

One or more mounting members 12, here one or more holes 12 provided in the top portion 13a, for mounting the pouch 3 on the pouch receiving assembly 4 of the dispenser 2 are located on a top side 13 of the pouch 3.

Initially, the film material spout 5 of the pouch 3 is folded upward onto a main pouch surface 11 along fold line 24. This fold line 24 is, as preferred, located at the join between the spout 5 and the main chamber 11a. The fold 24 prevents food product from entering the spout 5 during the filling of the food product in liquid state into the main chamber 11a of the pouch 3 ahead of the pouch containing the food product being frozen during production.

As shown in figure 09 the spout 5 is to be unfolded by the user ahead of the dispensing, e.g. ahead of mounting the pouch 3 to the pouch receiving assembly 4. As shown in figure 09, initially, the spout 5 has a removable lower end portion, here a tear away portion 14, which hermetically seals the spout 5 at the outer end thereof during storage and transport.

The tear-away portion 14 is to be torn away by the user, e.g. just before mounting the pouch 3 on the pouch receiving assembly 4 or just after mounting the pouch 3 on the pouch mounting assembly 4.

The tear-away portion 14 here is defined by one or more notches 14a in one or more vertical seams of the spout 5.

It is shown in figure 09 that an adhesive label 14c is applied over the tear-away portion 14 and over an area (identified by dashes line) of the main surface 11a of the pouch to keep the spout in folded condition.

In use the label 14c is to be grasped by the user to release the folded spout 5 from the main surface so as to undo the seal of the top of the spout by the fold (this is shown in figure 09). Later, the user can pull on the label 14c to thereby tear the tear-away portion 14a from the spout so that the spout is open at the lower end thereof.

The pouch 3 can be mounted on the pouch receiving assembly 4 by the mounting members 12, e.g. the holes 12 being matched with the pins 15. The pouch 3 will then hang from the mounting members 15 under the pouch receiving assembly 4.

The pouch 3 is configured to transfer heat through the two main pouch surfaces 11 to the frozen food product, such that the frozen food product is meltable by heat provided by the heating elements 17.

Figure 09 schematically denotes the perimeter of the heating elements 17, which are preferably rectangular. It is illustrated that the spout 5 extends below the heating elements 17, so the spout 5 will not be in direct contact with the heating elements 17 during operation of the dispenser 2. As explained, the pouch is filled so that only the single main chamber 11a thereof contains the frozen flowable food product and the spout 5 is then empty. The latter avoids any frozen product from forming an obstruction in the spout, and/or avoids discharge of a frozen plug from the spout. It will be appreciated that instead of a fold line 24 other measures can be provided to seal the top end of the spout 5 from the main chamber 11a so as to avoid filling liquid product into the spout ahead of freezing the pouch. For example, a clip is applied at the location of the line 24 thereby avoiding the need for folding the spout 5.

It is noted that, in embodiments, the spout 5 could also be configured as an injection molded plastic fitment that is secured to the bottom side of the main chamber 11a. For example, the fitment then has a squeezable section, that can be squeezed to close the spout.

The frozen food product is stored between the flat main pouch surfaces 11 , below the top side 12 and above the bottom side 10 of the pouch 3, such that the frozen food product is adjacent to the two flat main pouch surfaces 11. This allows for effective heat transfer between the heating surfaces 18 and the frozen food product since the contact surface area between the heating surfaces 18 through the flat main sides 11 of the pouch 3 and the frozen food product is big. A large contact surface allows for better melting of the frozen food product and thus for more efficient dispensing of the flowable food product.

The bottom side 10 of the pouch 3 has a funnel shape and the spout 5 may be folded along the fold line 24 to prevent food product from flowing into the spout 5.

Figs. 10 and 11 show the pouch receiving assembly 4 with the pouch receiving members 15 and the handle 16. Fig. 10 shows the pouch receiving assembly 4 with the pouch receiving members 15 in an extended position and fig. 11 shows the pouch receiving assembly 4 with the pouch receiving members 15 in a retracted position. In these figures the pouch receiving members 15 are embodied as retractable pins.

The pouch receiving members 15 are configured for mounting the pouch 3 on the pouch receiving assembly 4 using the mounting members 12 of the pouch 3 when the pouch receiving members 15 are in the extended position. When the pouch 3 is emptied by the dispenser 2 the pouch receiving members 15 may retract causing the pouch 3 to fall from the pouch receiving assembly 4, and preferably into the waste container 6. The pouch receiving members 15 are retracted asymmetrically, with the pouch receiving member 15 closer to the handle 16 retracted first. This allows the pouch to fall more easily into the waste container 6 which is located at the back of the dispenser 2.

Figs. 12 and 13 show the heating elements 17 inside of the dispenser 2 mounted on a dispenser frame 21. Fig. 12 shows the heating elements 17 in the pouch receiving position and fig. 13 shows the heating elements 17 in the pouch flattening position. Each of the heating elements 17 comprises a flat heating surface 18. The two heating elements 17 are located opposite each other with the flat heating surfaces 18 facing each other, substantially parallel to each other and oriented substantially vertically.

The heating elements 17 are moveable relative to each other, in particular in this embodiment one of the heating elements 17 moves towards the other, such that the heating elements 18 are moveable between the pouch receiving position of figure 12 and the pouch flattening position of figure 13.

The moveable heating element 17 is moveable by threaded motor driven spindle 25 and nutplate structure 26 which are connected to the heating element 17 via guided rods 27. Springs 27a provide resiliency between the drive motor spindle 25 and the heating element 17.

The heating elements 17 in the pouch receiving position are separated by a distance to allow a pouch 3 to be received between the heating elements 17 and the heating elements 17 are closer to each other in the pouch flattening position.

A frozen flowable food product in a pouch 3 is allowed to be placed between the heating elements 17 in the pouch receiving position. When the heating elements 17 move towards each other the food product melts and flows downwards away from the heating elements 17 without coming into contact with the heating elements 17. This prevents contamination of the heating elements 17 by the food product.

The heating elements 17 are in contact with each other in the pouch flattening position as can be seen in figure 13. Movement between the pouch receiving position and the pouch flattening position allows the pouch 3 to be in constant contact with the heating elements 17 as the frozen flowable food product in the pouch 3 is melted. Movement of the heating elements 17 may be driven by a motor 19, for example an electrical motor 19.

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate the process of mounting a pouch 3 on the pouch receiving assembly 4 which then transports the pouch 3 between the heating elements 17 where the pouch 3 is flattened. The pouch receiving assembly is guided by assembly guide 22. Fig. 14 shows a pouch 3 mounted on the pouch receiving assembly 4 ready to be transported towards the heating elements 17.

Fig. 15 shows the pouch 3 of figure 14 between the heating elements 17 which are in the pouch receiving position .

Fig. 16 shows the pouch 3 of figure 14 between the heating elements 17 which are in the pouch flattening position.

The food product is melted by the heating elements 17 as they move between the pouch receiving position and the pouch flattening positions shown in figs. 15 and 17.

During melting of the frozen food product, the pouch 3 is mounted on the pouch receiving members 15 between the flat heating surfaces 17. There the pouch 3 is continuously pressured by the flat heating surfaces 17 as they move between the pouch receiving position and the pouch flattening position. Heat transfer is thereby provided between the heating elements 17 and the frozen food product, thus effectively melting the frozen food product in the pouch 3.

As the flowable food product melts it flows out of the pouch 3 through the spout 5 into a food product container, such as a bowl, a cup or a plate. The pouch 3 is continuously pressured due to movement of the heating elements 17 which move towards each other as food product is melted and flows out of the pouch 3. After the food product has flowed out of the pouch 3 the heating elements 17 will move back towards the pouch receiving position. Afterwards the pouch receiving assembly 4 may move to the pouch disposing position for disposing of the pouch 3.

Fig. 17 shows a view of the inside of the food product dispenser 2. The figure 17 shows the assembly motor 23 for moving the pouch receiving assembly 4 between the pouch disposing position, pouch flattening position and pouch mounting position. The figure further shows the pincher motor 28 for closing the pincher. The entry door 7 is not shown.

Fig. 18 shows a second embodiment of a pouch 3 with a tear-off seal 14. As preferred, the pouch initially contains between 0.1 and 0.5 litres of flowable food product in a possibly frozen state.

The pouch 3 can be placed in the dispenser 2 as described herein. The pouch has one main chamber 11a delimited between two opposed main pouch surfaces or main walls 11 of the pouch. This main chamber 11a contains the flowable food product in frozen state, preferably in absence of a head space. The main chamber 11a has a top side 10a and a bottom side 10.

In embodiment of the pouch 3, the spout 5 has a choke 29 wherein the spout 5 decreases in size as seen from a cross-sectional view. This reduces sputter as a food product flows through the spout 5. The choke 29 may be located adjacent to the tear of the tear strip 14.

The spout 5 is, as preferred, not located centrally in the bottom of the pouch 3. Instead the spout 5 is located at side of the pouch seen in a view onto a main pouch surface 11. As shown herein, the spout 5 is preferably located at the vertical side of the pouch 3 that can be regarded as the“trailing side” when the pouch 5 held by the receiving assembly 4 is advanced from the pouch mounting position to the pouch heating position. In particular when the passage for the pouch, and preferably the door 7, are located at the front side of the dispenser, the offset location of the spout 5 has the benefit of the spout being located relatively close to the front of the dispenser. This, for example, facilitates placement of a food product container, e.g. a glass, underneath the spout 5. It also allows for a relatively small depth design of the dispenser, even when provided with a waste container 6 that is arranged further towards the rear of the dispenser 2.

As preferred, the frozen food product forms one coherent block in the pouch. This, for example, is the result of the main chamber 11a being filled with said product in liquid state, the pouch then being hermetically sealed, and the pouch being frozen so that the liquid turns into one solid block. As preferred, the freezing process is done such that the main chamber surfaces 11a of the pouch are flat and parallel to one another. It is noted that in practice the flatness may not be obtained throughout the entirety of the surfaces 11a, e.g. flatness primarily being attained in a central region and the surfaces showing some undulations towards the perimeter.

One or more mounting members 12, here one or more holes 12 provided in the top portion 13a, for mounting the pouch 3 on the pouch receiving assembly 4 of the dispenser 2 are located on a top side 13 of the pouch 3. In this embodiment the mounting members 12 have different sizes to accommodate for pouch receiving members 15 with different sizes.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Flowable food dispensing system (1) configured to dispense an initially frozen flowable food product, which flowable food product is initially in a frozen state and is melted by the flowable food dispensing system (1) in order to be dispensed, e.g. in a cold melted state or, possibly, in a heated state at an elevated temperature, wherein the flowable food dispensing system (1) comprises:

- a flowable food dispenser (2) configured for melting and dispensing the flowable food product in a melted state, possibly a heated state, which dispenser (2) comprises:

- two heating elements (17) configured to heat the initially frozen flowable food product whilst being contained in a flexible pouch so as to melt, and possibly heat to an elevated temperature, the flowable food product; and

- a pouch receiving assembly (4),

- a flexible pouch (3) containing the flowable food product in frozen state, wherein the pouch (3) is placeable in the dispenser (2), and wherein the pouch (3) comprises:

- a main chamber (11a) delimited between two opposed main pouch surfaces (11), the main chamber containing the flowable food product in frozen state, the main chamber having a top side (13) and a bottom side (10),

- a spout (5) at said bottom side of the main chamber;

- one or more mounting members (12) for mounting the pouch on the pouch receiving assembly (4) of the dispenser (2), which mounting members (12) are preferably located on a top side (13) of the pouch (3), wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) comprises one or more pouch receiving members (15) for mounting the pouch (3) on the pouch receiving assembly (4) using the mounting members (12) of the pouch (3), wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) is moveable between a pouch mounting position and a pouch heating position, wherein the pouch (3) is mountable on the pouch receiving assembly (4) in the pouch mounting position, and wherein the pouch (3) is movable by said pouch receiving assembly (4) between the pouch mounting position and the pouch heating position when the pouch (3) is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly (4) and wherein the pouch (3) is located between the two heating elements (17) when the pouch receiving assembly (4) is in the pouch heating position, wherein the spout (5) is directed downward when the pouch (3) is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly (4) of the dispenser (2), wherein each of the heating elements (17) comprises a heating surface (18), wherein the two heating elements (17) are located opposite each other with the heating surfaces (18) facing each other, substantially parallel to each other and oriented vertically, characterized in that the heating elements (17) are moveable relative to each other perpendicular to the heating surfaces (18) by a drive mechanism (19), such that the heating elements (18) are moveable between a pouch receiving position and a pouch flattening position, wherein the heating elements (17) in the pouch receiving position are separated by a distance to allow the pouch (3) containing the flowable food product in frozen state to be received between the heating elements (17) and wherein the heating surfaces (18) are closer to each other in the pouch flattening position, wherein the system is configured so that, with the pouch being in the pouch heating position, the drive mechanism (19) of the two heating elements (17) is operated so that each of two main pouch surfaces (11) is contacted by a heating surface of a respective one of the two heating elements (17) and so that the two heating elements (17) are operated to create heat that is transferred from said heating elements through the two main pouch surfaces (11) to the frozen flowable food product, so that in operation the frozen flowable food product is melted, possibly heated to an elevated temperature, so as to be dispensed.

2. Flowable food dispensing system (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the dispenser comprises a waste container (6) configured to receive therein empty pouches (3), wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) is further movable from the pouch heating position to a pouch disposing position, and wherein the system is configured so that, after discharge of the flowable food product in a melted state, possibly heated state, from the pouch, the two heating elements (17) are moved apart, out of the pouch flattening position in order to free the emptied pouch, and the pouch receiving assembly is moved with the emptied pouch to the pouch disposing position where the emptied pouch is disengaged from the pouch receiving assembly and transferred to the waste container, for example the waste container being arranged below the emptied pouch in the pouch disposing position and the pouch being disengaged so as to drop into the waste container, e.g. the mounting members (12) located on a top side (13) of the pouch (3) being disengaged from the one or more pouch receiving members (15).

3. Flowable food dispensing system (1) according any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting members (12) of the pouch (3) are formed by one or more holes located at the top side (13) of the pouch (3), e.g. in a top portion of the pouch, and wherein the pouch receiving members (15) are formed by one or more pins located, so that - with the pouch receiving assembly (4) in the pouch mounting position thereof - a user of the system can manually suspend a pouch containing flowable food product in frozen state from the pouch receiving assembly (4).

4. Flowable food dispensing system (1) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the one or more pins, e.g. two pins, are retractable and extendable, wherein the pouch is suspendable from the one or more pins in their extended position, and wherein the system is configured to retract the one or more pins when the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch disposing position so that the emptied pouch is disengaged, for example the disengaged pouch dropping into the waste container arranged below, preferably wherein the pouch receiving members (15) are formed by multiple pins, e.g. two pins, and wherein the system is configured to cause successive retraction of the pins when the pouch receiving assembly is in the pouch disposing position such that the pouch is finally suspended from one pin only and a swing motion of the emptied pouch is caused due to a centre of gravity of the emptied pouch being offset from said one pin, e.g. said swing motion being away from the pouch heating position, wherein said one pin then is retracted causing the swinging emptied pouch to drop in the waste container.

5. Flowable food dispensing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (2) has a housing with a pouch entry door (7) at a side of the housing, e.g. at a front side of the housing, said pouch entry door being configured to close a passageway for the pouch received by the receiving assembly (4) into the housing leading to the pouch heating position, wherein, preferably, said pouch entry door (7) is configured to mechanically interact with the pouch receiving assembly (4) such that the entry door (7) is opened by the pouch receiving assembly (4) being advanced to the pouch receiving position outside of the housing, said pouch entry door (7) closing, e.g. spring-loaded, as the pouch received by the pouch receiving assembly is moved to the pouch heating position.

6. Flowable food dispensing system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (2) has a housing, and wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) is horizontally, and preferably rectilinearly, guided relative to the housing in a path passing above the two heating elements, and wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) and the pouch are configured so that a pouch containing flowable food product in frozen state is to be suspended from the pouch receiving assembly (4), so that the suspended pouch can be brought between the two heating elements (17).

7. Flowable food dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) is manually movable between the pouch mounting position and the pouch heating position, e.g. the pouch receiving assembly having a hand grip (16), e.g. said hand grip protruding from a side of a housing in the pouch heating position, and wherein, in an embodiment according to claim 2, preferably, the dispenser (2) comprises a drive for the pouch receiving assembly configured to move the pouch receiving assembly between the pouch heating position and the pouch disposing position.

8. Flowable food dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the two heating elements (17) is resiliently supported in said perpendicular direction, e.g. one or more resilient members (27a) being arranged between each of the two heating elements (17) and a drive motor for each or for both heating elements, said resilient support enhancing continuous contact between the heating surface of the heating elements (17) and the main surfaces of the pouch, e.g. during continued advancing of the heating elements (17) to the pouch flattening position upon melted flowable food product being discharged via the spout of the pouch.

9. Flowable food dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spout comprises a squeezable section configured to open and close the spout, and wherein the dispenser (2) comprises a pincher (9) configured to squeeze said squeezable section of the spout (5) to close the spout.

10. Flowable food dispensing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pouch (3) including the spout (5) thereof is made of mono- or multilayer film material, e.g. two sheets of said film material welded along perimeters of the pouch to one another, wherein preferably, initially, the spout (5) of the pouch (3) is folded onto a main pouch surface (11), the fold (24) preventing food product from entering the spout (5), e.g. during filling of the food product in liquid state into the pouch ahead of the pouch containing the food product being frozen during production, and wherein the spout is unfolded ahead of dispensing, e.g. ahead of mounting the pouch to the pouch receiving assembly, wherein preferably, initially, the spout has a tear-away portion (14), e.g. defined by a notch (14a) in the spout, that closes an end of the spout and is to be torn away by a user to open the end of the spout, wherein, preferably in the embodiment of claim 19, an adhesive label (14c) is applied over the tear-away portion and over an area of the main surface of the pouch to keep the spout in folded condition, the label being graspable to release the spout from the main surface and to tear the tear-away portion from the spout.

11. Flowable food dispenser configured to dispense a flowable food product, e.g. an initially frozen flowable food product, which flowable food product may initially be in a frozen state and is heated, e.g. melted, by the flowable food dispenser (1) in order to be dispensed, e.g. in a cold melted state or, possibly, in a heated state at an elevated temperature, which dispenser (2) comprises:

- two heating elements (17) configured to heat the flowable food product whilst being contained in a flexible pouch so as to heat, e.g. melt, the flowable food product; and

- a pouch receiving assembly (4), wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) comprises one or more pouch receiving members (15) for mounting the pouch (3) on the pouch receiving assembly (4) using mounting members (12) of the pouch (3), wherein the pouch receiving assembly (4) is moveable between a pouch mounting position and a pouch heating position, wherein the pouch (3) is mountable on the pouch receiving assembly (4) in the pouch mounting position, and wherein the pouch (3) is movable by said pouch receiving assembly (4) between the pouch mounting position and the pouch heating position when the pouch (3) is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly (4) and wherein the pouch (3) is located between the two heating elements (17) when the pouch receiving assembly (4) is in the pouch heating position, wherein the spout (5) is directed downward when the pouch (3) is mounted on the pouch receiving assembly (4) of the dispenser (2). wherein each of the heating elements (17) comprises a heating surface (18), wherein the two heating elements (17) are located opposite each other with the heating surfaces (18) facing each other, substantially parallel to each other and oriented vertically, characterized in that the heating elements (17) are moveable relative to each other perpendicular to the heating surfaces (18) by a drive mechanism (19), such that the heating elements (18) are moveable between a pouch receiving position and a pouch flattening position, wherein the heating elements (17) in the pouch receiving position are separated by a distance to allow a pouch (3) containing the flowable food product, e.g. in frozen state, to be received between the heating elements (17) and wherein the heating surfaces (18) are closer to each other in the pouch flattening position, wherein the system is configured so that, with the pouch being in the pouch heating position, the drive mechanism (19) of the two heating elements (17) is operated so that each of two main pouch surfaces (11) is contacted by a heating surface of a respective one of the two heating elements (17) and so that the two heating elements (17) are operated to create heat that is transferred from said heating elements through the two main pouch surfaces (11) to the flowable food product, so that in operation the flowable food product is heated, e.g.

melted, so as to be dispensed.

12. Flexible pouch (3) containing a one flowable food product sealed in said pouch (3), for example a beverage, a smoothie, or soup, wherein the pouch (3) containing the frozen food product is configured to be placed in a dispenser (2) according to claim 11 and/or to be used in a system of any of claims 1 - 10, wherein the pouch (3) comprises:

- a main chamber (11a) delimited between two opposed main pouch surfaces (11), the main chamber containing the flowable food product in frozen state, the main chamber having a top side, a bottom side (10),

- a spout (5) at said bottom side of the main chamber;

- one or more mounting members (12) for mounting the pouch (3) on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser (2), which mounting members (12) are preferably located on the top side (13), wherein the two main pouch surfaces (11) are parallel to each other, wherein the frozen food product forms one coherent block in the pouch, wherein the distance between the two main pouch surfaces (11) is smaller than each of the width and the height of the two main pouch surfaces (11), wherein the spout is located at a side of the pouch seen in a view onto a main pouch surface, and wherein, preferably, a bottom edge of the pouch extends at a downward incline from the opposite side towards the spout, wherein a top portion of the pouch above the top side (13) is formed by sealing two mono- or multilayer sheets forming at least the main pouch surfaces (11) together, wherein, preferably one or more holes are provided in said top portion forming said mounting members (12).

13. Flexible pouch (3) according to claim- 12, wherein the pouch including the spout thereof is made of mono- or multilayer film material, e.g. two sheets of said film material welded along perimeters of the pouch to one another, wherein preferably, initially, the spout (5) of the pouch (3) is folded onto a main pouch surface (11), the fold preventing food product from entering the spout (5), e.g. during filling of the food product in liquid state into the pouch ahead of the pouch containing the food product being frozen during production, and wherein the spout is unfolded ahead of dispensing, e.g. ahead of mounting the pouch to the pouch receiving assembly, wherein preferably, initially, the spout has a tear-away portion, e.g. defined by a notch in the spout, that closes an end of the spout and is to be torn away by a user to open the end of the spout, wherein, preferably in the embodiment of claim 19, an adhesive label is applied over the tear-away portion and over an area of the main surface of the spout to keep the spout in folded condition, the label being graspable to release the spout from the main surface and to tear the tear-away portion from the spout.

14. Method for production of a flexible pouch (3) containing a frozen flowable food product sealed in said pouch (3), for example a beverage, a smoothie, or soup, wherein the pouch (3) containing the frozen food product is configured to be placed in a dispenser (2) according to claim 11 and/or to be used in a system of any of claims 1 - 10, wherein the pouch (3) comprises:

- a bottom side (10) comprising a spout (5);

- two main pouch surfaces (11); and

- mounting members (12) for mounting the pouch (3) on the pouch receiving assembly of the dispenser (2), which mounting members (12) are preferably located on a top side (13) of the pouch (3),

the method comprising:

- filing the flowable food product in liquid state into the pouch, - sealing the pouch, preferably in absence of head space above the liquid flowable food product,

- arranging the filled pouch in a freezer whilst confining the two main pouch surfaces (11a) so that in frozen state the two main pouch surfaces (11) are parallel to each other, wherein preferably dispensthe pouch including the spout thereof is made of mono- or multilayer film material, e.g. two sheets of said film material welded along perimeters of the pouch to one another, and wherein, prior to said filling step, the spout (5) of the pouch (3) is folded onto a main pouch surface (11), the fold preventing liquid food product from entering the spout (5) during the filling step.

15. Method for dispensing an initially frozen flowable food product, which flowable food product is initially in a frozen state and is melted by the flowable food dispenser (1) in order to be dispensed, e.g. in a cold melted state or, possibly, in a heated state at an elevated temperature, wherein use is made of a system according to any of claims 1 - 10, a dispenser according to claim 11 , and/or a flexible pouch according to any of claims 12 - 13.

16. Method for dispensing an initially frozen flowable food product as a cold and melted food product, e.g. a fruit juice, a smoothie, wherein use is made of a system according to any of claims 1 - 10, wherein the system is operated so that, with the pouch containing the frozen flowable food product in the heating position, the heating surfaces of the two heating elements (17) are brought into contact with the main pouch surfaces (11) and the two heating elements (17) are operated to create heat that is transferred from said heating elements through the two main pouch surfaces (11) to the frozen flowable food product thereby melting frozen flowable food product, wherein the spout is open or opened upon or ahead of the start of melting the food product by means of the two heating elements (17) so that melted food product, due to gravity and assisted by continued advancing of the two heating elements towards the pouch flattening position, directly flows out of the spout and is dispensed as cold and melted food product.

17. Method for dispensing an initially frozen flowable food product as a heated food product having an elevated temperature, e.g. a soup, a hot beverage, a hot sauce, wherein use is made of a system according to any of claims 1 - 10, wherein the system is operated so that, with the pouch containing the frozen flowable food product in the heating position, the heating surfaces of the two heating elements (17) are brought into contact with the main pouch surfaces (11) and the two heating elements (17) are operated to create heat that is transferred from said heating elements through the two main pouch surfaces (11) to the frozen flowable food product thereby melting frozen flowable food product, wherein the spout is closed or kept closed until the entirety of the food product contained in the pouch has reached said elevated temperature, and wherein said spout is then opened so that the heated food product due to gravity and possibly assisted by advancing of the two heating elements towards the pouch flattening position, flows out of the spout and is dispensed as a heated food product at an elevated temperature.