Utensil dispenser system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus that dispenses fluid material comprising:
- a chamber that contains fluid material;
a dispensing portion having a dispensing end with at least one aperture, a base opposite the dispensing end, and a pressure applying mechanism, the dispensing portion is configured to receive the chamber so that the dispensing portion is placed in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the dispensing portion is ergonomically shaped to be grasped with a hand and comprises a grip portion that accommodates grasping with the hand and a depressible button;
whereinthe base portion comprises a substantially flat bottom surface and includes an electric motor that drives the pressure applying mechanism to create motorized pressure that causes the fluid material to dispense through the at least one aperture, and wherein the button is operatively coupled to the electric motor and engages the electric motor when depressed;
whereinthe pressure applying mechanism further receives manual power input to create manual pressure that causes the fluid material to dispense through the at least one aperture, wherein the electric motor can sense when manual power input is received and ceases operation despite depression of the button; and
a utensil that connects to the dispensing end of the dispensing portion and receives the fluid material dispensed from the at least one aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dispenser for food material that facilitates spreading of the material is disclosed. The dispenser can comprise a unitary construction, or can be composed of a plurality of components that can be fastened together. Disposable cartridges containing food material can be attached to the dispense, and the material within can be dispensed into a utensil such as a spoon for serving. The dispense provides metered dispensing.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus that dispenses fluid material comprising:
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a chamber that contains fluid material; a dispensing portion having a dispensing end with at least one aperture, a base opposite the dispensing end, and a pressure applying mechanism, the dispensing portion is configured to receive the chamber so that the dispensing portion is placed in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the dispensing portion is ergonomically shaped to be grasped with a hand and comprises a grip portion that accommodates grasping with the hand and a depressible button;
whereinthe base portion comprises a substantially flat bottom surface and includes an electric motor that drives the pressure applying mechanism to create motorized pressure that causes the fluid material to dispense through the at least one aperture, and wherein the button is operatively coupled to the electric motor and engages the electric motor when depressed;
whereinthe pressure applying mechanism further receives manual power input to create manual pressure that causes the fluid material to dispense through the at least one aperture, wherein the electric motor can sense when manual power input is received and ceases operation despite depression of the button; and a utensil that connects to the dispensing end of the dispensing portion and receives the fluid material dispensed from the at least one aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20)
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9. A method of serving fluid material from a utensil, comprising:
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holding a dispensing apparatus containing fluid material in a hand, wherein a utensil is attached to the dispensing apparatus and contains at least one aperture through which the fluid material exits the dispensing apparatus; creating pressure in the chamber with an electric motor or manual power input; sensing when pressure is created with manual power input and ceasing the creating pressure with the electric motor; forcing the fluid material onto the utensil through the at least one aperture in response to the creating the pressure; and serving the fluid material from the utensil with the hand. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 13, 17, 18)
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Specification