Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a dispensing device for rapidly and efficiently heating/cooling a flowable food product whereby removable cassettes are provided for receiving a pouch containing food; the cassettes comprising pairs of opposed thermal conductive surfaces wherein the surfaces delimit together a limited spacing adapted to contact a pouch and means for applying heat to said at least pair of cassettes.

Abstract: A device for effecting transfer of material from a container by piercing the container. The device includes a fitment member that includes a portion having a bore and a base end capable of being attached to a container; a spout member that has a piercing end; and a portion of tube having an outer surface capable of mating in axial relationship with the portion of bore of the fitment member so as to form mating surfaces. The device preferably has a locking assembly that is adapted to lock the fitment and spout members together in a position whereby the piercing end is in piercing engagement with the container. The device also includes at least one sealing member that is arranged to seal the portion of tube and the portion of bore in a position between the locking assembly and the piercing end so as to leave the mating surfaces downstream including the locking assembly substantially cleansed of the flowable material.

Abstract: A heating element assembly and a method of manufacturing heating assemblies. The heating assembly may be used for heating food products, including polypropylene bags containing cheese sauce or hot fudge, for example. The preferred heating assembly is configured to fit precisely around a standard cheese sauce bag, thus optimizing heat transfer between the heating assembly and the food product. The varied surface watt density of the heating assembly allows for accurate heat placement such that the food product can be efficiently and evenly warmed. A preferred embodiment of the heating element assembly includes two resistance heating elements. The first heating element is a temperature booster, while the second heating element is a maintenance heater to maintain heated food at a serving temperature.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a heated wet food or beverage product that includes a housing capable of receiving the product, a heating device including an electrical power supply and a magnetron configured to supply electromagnetic energy in the microwave range to a wave-guide, and a heating passage configured to supply the product on-demand and arranged to intersect the wave-guide to heat the product when electromagnetic energy is applied within the wave-guide. The invention aims to prevent degradation and microbiological contamination of the product by maintaining it at ambient temperature and then heating and dispensing it only on-demand.