초록 ▼

A dispenser for dispensing serving portions of topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a first compartment portion and a second compartment portion hingedly connected to the first compartment portion. One of the compartment portions includes a backing surface and a bag holding member operable

A dispenser for dispensing serving portions of topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a first compartment portion and a second compartment portion hingedly connected to the first compartment portion. One of the compartment portions includes a backing surface and a bag holding member operable to releasably attach a product bag to the compartment portion adjacent the backing surface. The other compartment portion includes a squeeze member, for example a cylindrical roller, mounted for travel in upward and downward directions. The squeeze member is arranged to contact the product bag when the second compartment portion is closed relative to the first compartment portion. The dispenser also comprises an actuating lever mechanically connected to the squeeze member, for example by a one-way advancing mechanism, wherein the actuating lever is operable by a user to advance the squeeze member in the downward direction to dispense product. The dispenser facilitates cleaning and product replacement.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dispenser for dispensing a food product, the dispenser comprising: a first compartment portion;a second compartment portion hingedly connected to the first compartment portion to enable the second compartment to move between an open and a closed position;wherein the first compartment portion in

1. A dispenser for dispensing a food product, the dispenser comprising: a first compartment portion;a second compartment portion hingedly connected to the first compartment portion to enable the second compartment to move between an open and a closed position;wherein the first compartment portion includes a backing surface and a bag holding member operable to releasably attach a product bag to the first compartment portion adjacent the backing surface, the bag holding member positioned at a top portion of the first compartment, the bag holding member designed to releaseably engage a non-dispensing end of the product bag and prevent the product bag from moving downwardly relative to the first compartment, the first compartment including a shelf, the shelf is connected to a bottom portion of the first compartment, the shelf is spaced downwardly from the bag holding member, the shelf includes a shelf opening designed to receive a dispensing end of the product bag when the product bag is secured to the first compartment by the bag holding member;wherein the second compartment portion includes a squeeze member mounted for travel in an upward direction and a downward direction, the squeeze member being arranged to contact the product bag attached by the bag holding member when the second compartment portion is the closed position, movement of the squeeze member in the downward direction causing product in the product bag to be dispensed out from the dispensing end of the product bag when the product bag is secured to the first compartment by the bag holding member and the second compartment is in the closed position, the squeeze member designed to disengage from the product bag when the second compartment is in the open position; andan actuating lever mechanically connected to the squeeze member and pivotally connected to the second compartment, wherein the actuating lever is operable by a user by pivoting the actuating lever downwardly relative to the second compartment to advance the squeeze member in the downward direction. 2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the second compartment portion includes a bottom wall having a wall opening arranged to overlap with the shelf opening when the second compartment portion is in the closed position, the dispensing end of the product bag being entrapped between the bottom wall and the shelf when the product bag is secured to the first compartment by the bag holding member and the second compartment is in the closed position. 3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuating lever is a U-shaped member having a pair of legs pivotally mounted to the second compartment portion on opposite sides of the wall opening. 4. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the squeeze member is a cylindrical roller. 5. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the bag holding member includes an elongated clip positionable to extend along an upper edge of the backing surface, wherein the clip is operable to clamp an edge portion of a product bag. 6. The dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the elongated clip has a hingedly mounted first end and a releasably securable second end, and wherein the clip and the second compartment portion open in a same hinge direction. 7. The dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a base and an upstanding member extending upwardly from the base, wherein the first compartment portion is supported by the upstanding member, the base including a base cavity positioned underneath and spaced from a bottom end of both the first and second compartments when the second compartment is in the closed position. 8. A dispenser for dispensing a food product from a product bag, said dispenser comprising: a first compartment portion, said first compartment portion includes a backing surface, a bag holding member and a shelf, said bag holding member operable to releasably attach the product bag to said first compartment portion adjacent said backing surface, said bag holding member positioned at a top portion of said first compartment, said bag holding member designed to releaseably engage a non-dispensing end of the product bag and prevent the product bag from moving downwardly relative to said first compartment, said shelf connected to a bottom portion of said first compartment, said shelf is spaced downwardly from the bag holding member, said shelf includes a shelf opening designed to receive a dispensing end of the product bag when the product bag is secured to the first compartment by said bag holding member;a second compartment portion hingedly connected to the first compartment portion to enable the second compartment to move between an open and a closed position, said second compartment portion includes a squeeze arrangement and a bottom wall, said squeeze arrangement including a squeeze member mounted for travel in in an upward direction and a downward direction relative to said second compartment, said squeeze member arranged to contact the product bag attached by said bag holding member when said second compartment portion is said closed position, movement of said squeeze member in said downward direction causing product in the product bag to be dispensed out from the dispensing end of the product bag when the product bag is secured to said first compartment by said bag holding member and said second compartment is in the closed position, said squeeze member designed to disengage from the product bag when said second compartment is in said open position, said bottom wall having a wall opening arranged to overlap with said shelf opening when said second compartment portion is in said closed position, the dispensing end of the product bag being entrapped between said bottom wall and said shelf when the product bag is secured to said first compartment by said bag holding member and said second compartment is in said closed position;an actuating lever mechanically connected to said squeeze arrangement and pivotally connected to said second compartment, said actuating lever operable by a user by pivoting said actuating lever downwardly relative to said second compartment to advance said squeeze member in said downward direction; and,a base and an upstanding member connected to said base and extending upwardly from the base, said upstanding member connected to said first compartment portion, said base including a base cavity positioned underneath and spaced from a bottom end of both said first and second compartments when said second compartment is in said closed position, said actuating lever spaced above said base when said second compartment is in said closed position, the dispensing end of the product bag being spaced above said base when the product bag is secured to said first compartment by said bag holding member and said second compartment is in said closed position. 9. The dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein said actuating lever is connected to said squeeze arrangement, said squeeze arrangement including a pair of guide rods that are vertically positioned on each vertical side of said second compartment, said actuating lever connected to said pair of guide rods, each of said guide rods movable in an upward and downward position, said guide rods spring biased in said upward position, said squeeze member movably connected to said pair of guide rods, said squeeze arrangement designed to cause said squeeze member to only move downwardly when said actuating lever is pivoted relative to said second compartment. 10. The dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein said second compartment includes a spring biased latch member, said latch member includes a catch element that is designed to be releaseably securable to said first compartment, said latch member moveable between a locked and unlocked position, said latch member spring biased in said locked position. 11. The dispenser as defined in claim 9, wherein said second compartment includes a spring biased latch member, said latch member includes a catch element that is designed to be releaseably securable to said first compartment, said latch member moveable between a locked and unlocked position, said latch member spring biased in said locked position. 12. The dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein said second compartment includes an opening to enable a user to visually see at least a portion of said squeeze arrangement as said squeeze member moves past the vertical location of said opening on said second compartment. 13. The dispenser as defined in claim 11, wherein said second compartment includes an opening to enable a user to visually see at least a portion of said squeeze arrangement as said squeeze member moves past the vertical location of said opening on said second compartment. 14. The dispenser as defined in claim 8, wherein said squeeze member is a cylindrical roller. 15. The dispenser as defined in claim 13, wherein said squeeze member is a cylindrical roller. 16. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said second compartment includes an opening to enable a user to visually access an amount of product remaining in the product bag when the second compartment is in the closed position.