Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing apparatus
for dispensing a heated fluid or flowable food product from a package while maintaining
the product at or above a preset elevated temperature. In one embodiment, an apparatus
for dispensing a flowable product from a product package through a dispensing outlet
at or above a preset elevated temperature comprises a container in which to dispose
the product package. The container includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A dispensing
outlet is provided to dispense the flowable product from the product package, and
is disposed adjacent the gas outlet. A pump is coupled between the product package
and the dispensing outlet to pump the flowable product from the product package
to the dispensing outlet. A heated gas flow controller is configured to direct
a heated gas flow in the container to heat the product package, the pump, and the
dispensing outlet. The heated gas flow includes gas flowing into the container
via the gas inlet and gas flowing out of the chamber via the gas outlet adjacent
the dispensing outlet.