Dispenser for Dispensing Semi-Solid Substances

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing butter, margarine, lubricant, adhesive, or other semi-solid substance. The dispenser comprises a body member and cap member which together enclose the substance when being dispensed. The dispenser further comprises a piston member that is manually actuated to advance the substance out of the dispenser and onto a desired food or surface.

Claims

1. A semi-solid substance dispenser, the semi-solid substance dispenser comprising: A hollow body member having an open top end and an interior cavity having at least one wall, the hollow body member further having an open bottom end, the hollow body member open bottom end having a lip portion, the open bottom end adapted to receive at least one human finger, the hollow body member interior cavity having a length between 50 and 100 millimeters; A piston member arranged for travel along the interior cavity to provide upon manual actuation by the at least one human finger dispensing pressure upon the substance, the piston member further arranged to be prevented from passing through the hollow body member open bottom end by the lip portion; A hollow cap member arranged to removeably cover the hollow body member open top end, the hollow cap member further comprising a securing means to secure the hollow cap member to the hollow body member.

2. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hollow body member, piston member, and hollow cap member are made of heat resistant food safe materials comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, treated wood, treated bamboo, toughened glass, and stainless steel.

3. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 2, wherein the hollow body member and hollow cap member are each further comprised of a tube of rectangular cross section.

4. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 3, wherein the securing means comprises a friction means whereby the hollow cap member frictionally engage the hollow body member open top end, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice.

5. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 3, wherein the hollow body member open top end further comprises a cam portion, the securing means comprising an engagement means whereby the hollow cap member snapably engages the hollow body member open top end cam portion, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice.

6. A semi-solid substance dispenser, the semi-solid substance dispenser comprising: A hollow body member having an open top end and an interior cavity having at least one wall, the hollow body member further having an open bottom end, the hollow body member open bottom end having a lip portion, the open bottom end adapted to receive at least one human finger; the hollow body member interior cavity having a length between 50 and 100 millimeters; the hollow body member being made of heat resistant food safe materials comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, treated wood, treated bamboo, toughened glass, and stainless steel, the hollow body further comprised of a tube of rectangular cross section; A piston member arranged for travel along the interior cavity to provide upon manual actuation by the at least one human finger dispensing pressure upon the substance, the piston member further arranged to be prevented from passing through the hollow body member open bottom end by the lip portion, the piston member being made of heat resistant food safe materials comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, treated wood, treated bamboo, toughened glass, and stainless steel; A hollow cap member arranged to removeably cover the hollow body member open top end, the hollow cap member further comprising a securing means to secure the hollow cap member to the hollow body member, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice, the hollow cap member being made of heat resistant food safe materials comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, treated wood, treated bamboo, toughened glass, and stainless steel, the hollow cap member further comprised of a tube of rectangular cross section.

7. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 6, wherein the securing means comprises a friction means whereby the hollow cap member frictionally engage the hollow body member open top end, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice.

8. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 6, wherein the hollow body member open top end further comprises a cam portion, the securing means comprising an engagement means whereby the hollow cap member snapably engages the hollow body member open top end cam portion, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice.

9. A semi-solid substance dispenser, the semi-solid substance dispenser comprising: A hollow body member having an open top end and an interior cavity having at least one wall, the hollow body member further having an open bottom end, the hollow body member open bottom end having a lip portion, the open bottom end adapted to receive at least one human finger; the hollow body member interior cavity having a length between 50 and 100 millimeters; the hollow body member being made of heat resistant food safe materials comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, treated wood, treated bamboo, toughened glass, and stainless steel, the hollow body further comprised of a tube of rectangular cross section, the hollow body member further comprising a translucent elongated window along one side thereof substantially along the length thereof, the hollow body member further comprising graduation marks proximate the translucent elongated window; A piston member arranged for travel along the interior cavity to provide upon manual actuation by the at least one human finger dispensing pressure upon the substance, the piston member further arranged to be prevented from passing through the hollow body member open bottom end by the lip portion, the piston member being made of heat resistant food safe materials comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, treated wood, treated bamboo, toughened glass, and stainless steel; A hollow cap member arranged to removeably cover the hollow body member open top end, the hollow cap member further comprising a securing means to secure the hollow cap member to the hollow body member, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice, the hollow cap member being made of heat resistant food safe materials comprising high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, treated wood, treated bamboo, toughened glass, and stainless steel, the hollow cap member further comprised of a tube of rectangular cross section, the hollow cap member further comprising a translucent elongated window along one side thereof substantially along the length thereof, the hollow body member further comprising graduation marks proximate the translucent elongated window.

10. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 9, wherein the securing means comprises a friction means whereby the hollow cap member frictionally engage the hollow body member open top end, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice.

11. The semi-solid substance dispenser of claim 10, wherein the hollow body member open top end further comprises a cam portion, the securing means comprising an engagement means whereby the hollow cap member snapably engages the hollow body member open top end cam portion, the hollow cap member further comprising a vent orifice.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying figures and drawings, incorporated into and forming part of the specification, service to further illustrate the present invention, its various principles and advantages, and varying embodiments. It is to be noted, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the present invention may admit other equally effective embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary dispenser in assembled configuration.

[0010] FIG. 2a is a cross sectional view of an exemplary dispenser, in assembled configuration, holding an eastern stick of butter prior to manual actuation.

[0011] FIG. 2b is a cross sectional view of an exemplary dispenser holding an eastern stick of butter prior after complete manual actuation.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary dispenser holding a western stick of butter being applied to food.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary dispenser as it may be used to apply cooking product to a cooking surface.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary dispenser as it may be used to grate irregular portions of cheese.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary dispenser. A hollow body member 100 contains a piston member 170, forming an interior cavity 120. An open bottom end 130 has a lip portion 140 through which the piston member 170 can be accessed. The interior cavity 120 comprises the space between the piston member surface 175, the interior cavity wall 126, and the hollow body member open top end 110. The interior cavity length 125 is measured longitudinally along the interior cavity wall 126. A friction means 220 secures the hollow cap member 190 onto the hollow body member 100. A vent orifice 230 exists on the hollow cap member 190 to allow air or other gas to escape the interior cavity 120 when the hollow cap member 190 is placed onto the hollow body member 100.

[0016] FIG. 2a shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary dispenser prior to dispensation. A hollow body member 100 as an interior cavity 120 occupied by an eastern stick of butter 182. A piston member 170 resides within the hollow body member 100, the eastern stick of butter 182 contacting the piston member surface 175 and hollow body member interior cavity wall 126. The piston member 170 abuts the open bottom end 130 and its lip portion 140. A hollow cap member 190, having a vent orifice 230, encloses around the hollow body member open top end 110, engagement means 290 securing the hollow cap member 190 to the hollow body member 100 by engaging the cam portion 280. A user prepares to press one finger 150 against the piston member 170 and along the interior cavity length 125.

[0017] FIG. 2b shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary dispenser after complete dispensation. The user has fully inserted one finger 150 into the hollow body member 100 past the lip portion 140 and through the open bottom end 130. The one finger 150 advanced the piston member 170 along the hollow body member interior cavity length 125 and against the interior cavity wall 126, evacuating the hollow body member interior cavity 120. The piston member surface 175 and is advanced proximate to the hollow body member open top end 110.

[0018] The interior cavity length 125 is critical. Typical substances which may be dispensede.g., butterare typically acquired in quantities which conform to standardized sizes. Eastern sticks of butter, also known as Elgin, are rectangular prisms with dimensions approximately 51.251.25. Western sticks of butter, also known as cubes, are rectangular prisms with dimensions approximately 3.51.51.5. Certain imported varieties of butter, while larger, have rectangular prism geometry. If the interior cavity length is too long, then an average person will not be able to advance the entirety of the dispensed substance out of the interior cavity 120 as the user's finger will be insufficient to advance the piston member surface 175 to the lower body member open top end 110. If the interior cavity length 125 is too short, certain preconfigured substances will be insufficiently contained an incapable of being effectively dispensed. Exemplary dispensers will be utilized by users' index and middle fingers which, according to various anthropometric data range in lengths from 50 mm and 100 mm (Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, Third Edition By Stephen Pheasant, Christine M. Haslegrave; Pheasant S. BodyspaceAnthropometry, Ergonomics and Design. London: Taylor and Francis, 1988; Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate: Specific Anthropometric and strength data for people with dexterity disability (URN 02/743). Department of Trade and Industry, London).

[0019] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser being used on food. A user has inserted one finger 150 into the hollow body member 100 through the open bottom end 130 and past the lip portion 140. The user's finger 150 is pressed against the piston member 170, the piston member surface 175 forcing a Western stick of butter 183 out of the hollow body member interior cavity 120, through the open top end 110, and against a slice of toast 217.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary dispenser being used in a food preparation capacity. A user has inserted two fingers 160 into the hollow body member 100 through the open bottom end 130 and past the lip portion 140. The user is applying a 11b block of butter 184, common in the food service industry as a means by which a cooking surface 216 is prepared to cook food. The user's fingers 160 are advancing the piston member 170 through the interior cavity 120, forcing the 11b block of butter 184 out of the open top end 110 and against the cooking service 216. A translucent window 240 and graduation marks 250 enable the user to determine how much of the 11b block of butter 184 is being dispensed.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary dispenser being used to grate cheese. A hollow body member 100 having a circular cross section contains irregular chunks of cheese 185 contained within the interior cavity 120. The user inserts one finger 150 into the hollow body member 100 through the open bottom end 130, past the lip portion 140, and against the piston member 170. The piston member surface 175 forces the cheese 185 out of the open top end 110 and against a cheese grater 218.

[0022] As described above, the dispenser may be used to dispense a variety of semi-solid or amorphous substances, taking advantage of its interior cavity to contain the substance and its piston member to advance it out of the interior cavity in controlled fashion. Despite the interior cavity length being associated with a range of human finger lengths, the remaining two dimensions of the dispenser can be adapted to a variety of geometries, enabling a user to controllably dispense with one hand a variety of semi-solid or amorphous substances as they may be prepackaged or otherwise acquired by the user.

[0023] Dispenser components may be made from any robust, heat resistant, and/or food safe materials such as high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, stainless steel, and treated glass, bamboo, and wood. Because of the wide variety of materials from which the dispenser components may be made, the dispenser may dispense a variety of: (i) food products, such as butter, margarine, coconut oil, frosting, shortening; (ii) waxes; (iii) adhesives; (iv) ointments; and (v) lubricants. Because the dispenser may be used with one hand and is compatible with nearly all semi-solid and/or amorphous solids, it can be used to accurately and precisely dispense materials in typically out-of-reach places, or in places where the user may only be able to place an extended arm; the user would not have to retract the dispenser and use another hand to advance the to-be-dispensed substance (e.g., as necessary with screw-type dispensers), or require additional space around the dispenser to use a ratcheting or other substance advancing mechanism outside of the immediate spatial envelope containing the substance. Further, a user would not have to be restricted to using the packaging in which a semi-solid substance is acquired and can pre-dispense the semi-solid substance into the dispenser for more convenient dispensation.

[0024] Although the above detailed descriptions relate to specific preferred embodiments as the inventors presently contemplate, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspects includes mechanical, chemical, and functional equivalents of the elements and features described herein. Various details of design and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims. Other embodiments, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art and which practice the teachings herein set forth, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.