Condiment dispenser

Abstract

A condiment dispenser includes a holder, and a condiment container adapted to be positioned in the holder and containing a quantity of an edible food condiment. The condiment container is provided with a dispensing nozzle through which the condiment in the condiment container is dispensed from the condiment container. The condiment container is adapted to be wound on a shaft that is rotatably supported on the holder so that rotation of the shaft applies pressure to the condiment in the condiment container to dispense the condiment through the dispensing nozzle.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 437,730 filed on Jan. 3, 2003, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention generally relates to dispensers for dispensing food products. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a condiment dispenser for dispensing desired amounts of condiment from a condiment-containing receptacle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Various types of food service establishments such as restaurants and fast food facilities serve a variety of food items. With at least some of the food items, patrons oftentimes prefer to consume the food item accompanied by one or more condiments. These condiments include ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish and possibly others. [0004] These condiments are sometimes served or provided to the patrons in individual serving packages. Another approach involves providing containers of condiments from which customers can ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] A condiment dispenser is comprised of a holder having walls which together define an interior of the holder, and a condiment container having an interior containing a quantity of an edible food condiment. The condiment container is provided with a dispensing nozzle through which the condiment in the condiment container is dispensed from the condiment container. The condiment container is adapted to be positioned in the interior of the holder with the dispensing nozzle accessible from outside the holder so that the condiment can be dispensed from the condiment container. The condiment dispenser also includes a shaft on which the condiment container is adapted to be wound to apply pressure to the condiment in the condiment container to dispense the condiment through the dispensing nozzle.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a condiment dispenser for dispensing condiment from a condiment containing bag through a dispensing nozzle provided on the condiment containing bag comprises a holder having a plurality of upright walls surrounding an enclosed space in the holder which is adapted to receive the condiment containing bag so that the dispensing nozzle of the condiment containing bag is accessible rom outside the holder, and a shaft rotatably mounted at the holder and on which the condiment containing bag is adapted to be wound to apply pressure to the condiment in the condiment containing bag and thereby dispense the condiment in the condiment containing bag through the dispensing nozzle. A handle is connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft so as to wind the condiment containing bag on the shaft and apply pressure to the condiment in the condiment containing bag causing the condiment to be dispensed from the dispensing nozzle.

Problems solved by technology

While it may be cost efficient to purchase large industrial size quantities of condiments, these approaches also present certain drawbacks.

For example, condiment in the large container is not easily dispensed into the smaller containers for use by patrons.

Also, difficulties may be created with respect to storing the condiment in the large container after a portion of the condiment has been dispensed into the smaller container.

In the case of the bags mentioned above, as the condiment is dispensed from the spout, the condiment can adhere to the inside surface of the spout and accumulate over time which may not be desirable.

This can create difficulties as the user may forget to remove the spout before discarding the emptied bag.

Also, it has been found to be somewhat difficult to completely empty the bag and so useful condiment may be discarded with the bag.

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