Abstract: A system for pressurizing and dispensing a food product can include a pouch for storing the food product, a dispensing valve coupled to the pouch, and a canister for holding the pouch. The pouch can include a valve fitment for attachment to the dispensing valve. The dispensing valve can include a first valve body portion moveably coupled to a second valve body portion. The first valve body portion can include a piston coupled to a nozzle portion. The dispensing valve can be manually manipulated between an open position and a closed position by axially translating the piston within the second valve body portion. The nozzle portion may be used to both charge the pouch with pressurized gas and dispense the food product.

Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.