Method and Apparatus for Preserving and Dispensing a Food Product, In Particular a Yogurt

摘要

The apparatus (1) according to the invention for preserving and dispensing a food product such as a yogurt has a tank (4) outside which the product can be extracted by actuating an extraction device (20) and set in motion by a peristaltic pump (5). The apparatus makes it possible to cool the reservoir (4) in a cooling area, engage the pump (5) with a flexible hose (14) of a dispensing line (15) connected to the reservoir and, in response to an order transmitted via an interface (33), extract the food product by rotating a rotor (22) of the pump in a first direction, such that a dose corresponding to the order may be recovered at an outlet (16) of the dispensing line. The circulation of the food product in the dispensing line (15) is modified at the end of the dispensing operation so as to move the food product remaining in the line away from the outlet (16).

主权项

1. An apparatus for preserving and dispensing, on demand, a liquid or pasty food product, comprising:
a storage compartment; a food product reservoir, which is in the form of a flexible pouch; a dispensing line connected to the reservoir and having an outlet, the dispensing line channeling the food product and comprising a flexible hose; an extraction device for extracting the food product channeled into the dispensing line, configured to circulate the food product toward the outlet in response to a command to dispense a dose of food product; a cooling device for refrigerating the food product contained in the reservoir when the reservoir is in the storage compartment;wherein said extraction device comprises a peristaltic pump from which one end of the dispensing line extends including the outlet, the dispensing line being connected to the reservoir at another end that is opposite the outlet, the pump having a rotor rotating around an axis of rotation at least in a first direction corresponding to a descending circulation of the food product toward the outlet, the extraction device being configured to selectively modify circulation of the food product in the dispensing line at the end of dispensing of a dose of food product, by rotating the rotor in a second direction corresponding to an ascending circulation of the food product, the rotation in said second direction being controlled so that the product can rise in the dispensing line without reaching an upper level downstream of the reservoir, in order to avoid any air rising up inside the reservoir.