Method and apparatus for dispensing product from a product bag

Claim 2

A product dispensing system comprising: a gas generating chamber; a first reactant disposed in said gas generating chamber; a first enclosure for storing the product, said first enclosure disposed within said gas generating chamber; and a second enclosure storing a second reactant, said second enclosure being disposed in said gas generating chamber and comprising, a hollow member; and a plurality of permeable areas responsive to a pressure differential existing between a pressure within said hollow member and a pressure in said gas generating chamber; wherein at least one of the permeable areas passes gas therethrough from the gas generating chamber to an internal chamber of said hollow member whenever a pressure in said gas generating chamber exceeds a pressure in said hollow member, and wherein at least one of the permeable areas passes said second reactant therethrough whenever said pressure in said tubular member exceeds said pressure in said gas generating chamber, said second reactant passes from said tubular member mixing with said first reactant and creating additional pressure in said gas generating chamber.

Claim 3

A product dispensing system, in which the product introduction activates a generation mechanism which comprises: a gas generating chamber; a bag for containing product having a valve connected thereto and being disposed in said gas generating chamber; a first reactant disposed in said gas generating chamber; and a pressure generation mechanism means containing a volume of gas and a second reactant having an initial pressure therein; said pressure generation mechanism means comprising, a hollow enclosure; a gas permeable opening; an opening permeable by said second reactant; and wherein a pressure within said generation mechanism increases to a starting dispensing pressure upon filling of said bag with product via said valve and wherein said pressure generation mechanism discharges a quantity of said second reactant into said gas generating chamber when said pressure in said gas generating chamber falls below said starting dispensing pressure and said quantity of said second reactant discharged is proportional to a pressure differential between a pressure in said discharge means and a pressure in said gas generating chamber.

Claim 4

A product dispensing system, in which the product introduction activates a generation mechanism which comprises: a gas generating chamber; a bag for containing product having a valve connected thereto and being disposed in said gas generating chamber; a first reactant disposed in said gas generating chamber; and a pressure generation mechanism means containing a volume of gas and a second reactant having an initial pressure therein; said pressure generation mechanism means comprising, a hollow enclosure; a gas permeable opening; an opening permeable by said second reactant; and wherein a pressure within said generation mechanism increases to a starting dispensing pressure upon filling of said bag with product via said valve and wherein said pressure generation mechanism discharges a quantity of said second reactant into said gas generating chamber when said pressure in said gas generating chamber falls below said starting dispensing pressure and said quantity of said second reactant discharged is proportional to a pressure differential between a pressure in said discharge means and a pressure in said gas generating chamber.

Claim 7

The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: providing a second reactant in said pressure regulator; and providing a permeable opening for discharging a quantity of said second reactant into said container when a pressure in said container drops below said starting dispensing pressure and wherein said quantity of said second reactant is proportional to a difference between a pressure in said pressure regulator and a pressure in said container.

Claim 8

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; and an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member.

Claim 9

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; and an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member.

Claim 10

The mechanism of claim 5 wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member.

Claim 11

The mechanism of claim 6 wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member.

Claim 12

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member; wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member; wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member; and wherein said first and second one way valves comprise elastomeric plugs arranged at said first and second ends of said hollow tubular member respectively.

Claim 13

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member; wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member; wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member; and wherein said first and second one way valves comprise elastomeric plugs arranged at said first and second ends of said hollow tubular member respectively.

Claim 14

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member; wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member; wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member; and wherein said first one-way valve comprises a plurality of films having a plurality of pierced holes where a first elastomeric film is disposed over said first end of said tube and a semi-rigid film is disposed over said first elastomeric film.

Claim 15

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member; wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member; wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member; and wherein said first one-way valve comprises a plurality of films having a plurality of pierced holes where a first elastomeric film is disposed over said first end of said tube and a semi-rigid film is disposed over said first elastomeric film.

Claim 16

The mechanism of claim 9 wherein said second one way valve comprises a second plurality of films each having a second set of pierced holes where a second semi-rigid film is disposed over said second end of said member and a second elastomeric film is disposed over said second semi-rigid film.

Claim 17

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member; wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one-way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member; wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member; and wherein said second one-way valve comprises a plurality of films, each having a set of pierced holes where a first semi-rigid film is disposed over said second end of said member and a first elastomeric film is disposed over said first semirigid film.

Claim 18

A pressure regulating mechanism for insertion into a gas generating chamber that includes a first reactant, the mechanism comprising: a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism for enabling an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure in said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member; wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one-way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member; wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member; and wherein said second one-way valve comprises a plurality of films, each having a set of pierced holes where a first semi-rigid film is disposed over said second end of said member and a first elastomeric film is disposed over said first semirigid film.

Claim 19

The mechanism of claim 5 wherein said first end of said member is sealed impervious to gas and said second reactant and said charging mechanism and said outlet both comprise a plurality of apertures along said second end of said member.

Claim 20

The mechanism of claim 12 wherein said apertures are formed in a body constituting said member.

Claim 21

The mechanism of claim 12 wherein said apertures are formed as pierced holes in an elastomeric film over said second end of said member.

Claim 22

The mechanism of claim 5 further comprising means of maintaining said second reactant in contact with said second end of said member despite changes in orientation of said mechanism.

Claim 23

The mechanism of claim 15 wherein said means for maintaining comprises an immiscible liquid disposed between said second reactant and said gas.

Claim 24

The mechanism of claim 15 wherein said means for maintaining comprises a plurality of protrusions extending along an inner circumference of said member between said second reactant and said gas whereby a surface tension of said second reactant along said protrusions prevents said second reactant from interchanging positions in said member with said gas.

Claim 25

The mechanism of claim 15 wherein said means for maintaining comprises a spherical plug disposed in said member providing a movable seal between said gas and said second reactant.

Claim 26

A product dispensing system having a regulated dispensing pressure, comprising: a container; a first reactant disposed in said container; a product bag disposed in said container, wherein a space between said product bag and a sidewall of said container defines a gas generating chamber; and a pressure regulating mechanism disposed in said gas generating chamber, said pressure regulating mechanism comprising, a hollow tubular member having a first end and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism enabling the establishment of an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; and an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure inside said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member.

Claim 27

A product dispensing system having a regulated dispensing pressure, comprising: a container; a first reactant disposed in said container; a product bag disposed in said container, wherein a space between said product bag and a sidewall of said container defines a gas generating chamber; and a pressure regulating mechanism disposed in said gas generating chamber, said pressure regulating mechanism comprising, a hollow tubular member having a first end and a second end; a second reactant disposed in said hollow tubular member; a gas disposed in said hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism enabling the establishment of an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; and an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure inside said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure outside said hollow tubular member.

Claim 28

The system of claim 19 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member establishes an initial dispensing pressure for the system.

Claim 29

The system of claim 20 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member is established by an amount of product in said product bag.

Claim 30

The mechanism of claim 19 wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one-way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member.

Claim 31

The mechanism of claim 22 wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member.

Claim 32

The system of claim 23 wherein said first and second one-way valves comprise elastomeric plugs arranged at said first and second ends of said hollow tubular member respectively.

Claim 33

The system of claim 23 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member establishes an initial dispensing pressure for the system.

Claim 34

The system of claim 25 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member is established by an amount of product in said product bag.

Claim 35

The system of claim 24 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member establishes an initial dispensing pressure for the system.

Claim 36

The system of claim 27 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member is established by an amount of product in said product bag.

Claim 37

The system of claim 19 wherein: said charging mechanism comprises a first one-way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure outside said member exceeds a pressure inside said member, said first one-way valve comprising a plurality of films having a plurality of pierced holes, where a first elastomeric film is disposed over said first end of said tube and a first semi-rigid film is disposed over said first elastomeric film; and said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing said second reactant to be discharged from said member only if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure outside of said member, said second one-way valve comprising a second plurality of films, each having a second set of pierced holes, where a second semi-rigid film is disposed over said second end of said member and a second elastomeric film is disposed over said second semi-rigid film.

Claim 38

The system of claim 29 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member establishes an initial dispensing pressure for the system.

Claim 39

The system of claim 30 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member is established by an amount of product in said product bag.

Claim 40

The system of claim 19 wherein said first end of said hollow tubular member is sealed to be impervious to gas and said second reactant and said charging mechanism and said outlet both comprise a plurality of apertures disposed along said second end of said member.

Claim 41

The system of claim 32 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member establishes an initial dispensing pressure for the system.

Claim 42

The system of claim 33 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member is established by an amount of product in said product bag.

Claim 43

The mechanism of claim 32 wherein said apertures are formed in a body constituting said member.

Claim 44

The system of claim 35 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member establishes an initial dispensing pressure for the system.

Claim 45

The system of claim 36 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member is established by an amount of product in said product bag.

Claim 46

The mechanism of claim 32 wherein said apertures are formed as pierced holes in an elastomeric film over said second end of said member.

Claim 47

The system of claim 38 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member establishes an initial dispensing pressure for the system.

Claim 48

The system of claim 39 wherein said initial pressure in said hollow tubular member is established by an amount of product in said product bag.

Claim 49

A product dispensing system comprising: a container having sidewalls and a bottom portion; a first reactant disposed in said container; a product bag, having a gusset at a first and thereof, wherein a seam of said gusset is in contact with said bottom of said container, said product bag also having a fin seal along a sidewall of said bag, disposed away from a top end of said container and from said bottom of said container; a gas generating chamber defined in part by a space between said product bag and the sidewalls and bottom of said container; and a pressure regulating mechanism, disposed in said gas generating chamber and having a second reactant disposed therein, wherein said second reactant is metered out of said pressure regulating mechanism into said gas generating chamber in accordance with a pressure differential between a pressure inside of said mechanism and a pressure in said gas generating chamber.

Claim 50

A product dispensing system comprising: a container having sidewalls and a bottom portion; a first reactant disposed in said container; a product bag, having a gusset at a first and thereof, wherein a seam of said gusset is in contact with said bottom of said container, said product bag also having a fin seal along a sidewall of said bag, disposed away from a top end of said container and from said bottom of said container; a gas generating chamber defined in part by a space between said product bag and the sidewalls and bottom of said container; and a pressure regulating mechanism, disposed in said gas generating chamber and having a second reactant disposed therein, wherein said second reactant is metered out of said pressure regulating mechanism into said gas generating chamber in accordance with a pressure differential between a pressure inside of said mechanism and a pressure in said gas generating chamber.

Claim 51

The system of claim 41 wherein said pressure regulating system further comprises: a hollow tubular member; a charging mechanism enabling establishment of an initial pressure in said hollow tubular member; and an outlet discharging said second reactant from said hollow tubular member when a pressure inside said hollow tubular member exceeds a pressure in said gas generating chamber.

Claim 52

The system of claim 42 wherein said charging mechanism comprises a first one-way valve disposed at said first end of said hollow tubular member and allowing gas to pass into said member only if a pressure in said gas generating chamber exceeds a pressure inside said member.

Claim 53

The system of claim 43 wherein said outlet comprises a second one-way valve disposed at said second end of said member and metering said second reactant into said gas generating chamber if a pressure inside of said member exceeds a pressure in said gas generating chamber.

Claim 54

The system of claim 44 wherein said first and second one-way valves comprise elastomeric plugs arranged at said first and second ends of said hollow tubular member respectively.

Claim 55

The system of claim 44 wherein, said first one-way valve comprises a plurality of films having a plurality of pierced holes where a first elastomeric film is disposed over said first end of said tube and a first semi-rigid film is disposed over said first elastomeric film; and said second one-way valve comprises a plurality of films having a second set of pierced holes, where a second semi-rigid film is disposed over said second end of said member and a second elastomeric film is disposed over said second semi-rigid film.

Claim 56

The system of claim 42 wherein said first end of said member is sealed impervious to gas and said second reactant, and wherein said charging mechanism and said outlet both comprise a plurality of apertures along said second end of said member.

Claim 57

The mechanism of claim 47 wherein said apertures are formed in a body constituting said member.

Claim 58

The mechanism of claim 47 wherein said apertures are formed as pierced holes in an elastomeric film over said second end of said member.

Claim 63

The method of claim 51 further comprising the steps of initializing a pressure in said pressure regulating mechanism and releasing said pressure responsive tags by introducing product into said product bag.

Claim 64

The method of claim 52 wherein said product is introduced into said product bag via said dispensing valve.