CN117940044A

CN117940044A - Condiment dispensing apparatus, systems, and methods of use

Info

Publication number: CN117940044A
Application number: CN202280059252.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: I·卡里维欧蒂; G·T·F·里奇; K·贝腾斯-瓦勒姆斯; J·E·欧贝多夫
Original assignee: Kraft Heinz Foods Co
Current assignee: Kraft Heinz Foods Co
Priority date: 2021-07-06
Filing date: 2022-07-06
Publication date: 2024-04-26
Also published as: CN117897076A

Abstract

In one aspect, a condiment dispenser is provided that includes a pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a movable wall forming at least a portion of a pumping chamber such that moving the movable wall adjusts the volume of the pumping chamber to pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet. The spout is connected to the outlet of the pump and has a passage extending to the dispensing opening. A bellows is disposed along at least a portion of the passage. The piston is connected to the movable wall of the pump and is movable between a first position and a second position to move the movable wall of the pumping chamber to pump fluid toward the dispensing opening of the spout. Movement of the piston between the first and second positions also compresses and releases the bellows.

Description

Condiment dispensing apparatus, systems, and methods of use

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/218,826 filed on 7.6 of 2021 and U.S. provisional application No. 63/218,838 filed on 7.6 of 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fluid dispensing devices, and in particular, to condiment dispensing devices.

Background

Restaurants often provide one or more condiments to customers for their food products. These condiments include, for example, tomato ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce, as well as other condiments containing particulates. Some restaurants provide a large container of one or more condiments and a manual pump that is actuated to dispense the condiments to users for use with their food.

Condiment dispensers typically require daily cleaning. Current manual pump solutions are difficult to clean. This is due in part to the long path that is difficult to reach and the many internal crevices and ledges (ledge) within the pump components and the container. Employees are often reluctant to clean current manual pump solutions because of the difficulty of doing so. Furthermore, disassembly of the pump during cleaning may result in loss of one or more components, particularly small components. Thus, the pump is not cleaned frequently, and even when cleaned, the pump may not be completely cleaned. Thus, current pump solutions are susceptible to contamination. In addition, many restaurants use more than one dispenser, and because of the need for thorough and manual cleaning, restaurants may require additional resources to properly maintain the condiment dispenser.

Refilling an existing condiment dispenser can also be cumbersome because the employee must remove the pump from the condiment dispenser's container, connect the pump to a new condiment bag, and carefully lower the pump and condiment bag into the container without disconnecting the pump from the condiment bag. Furthermore, when it is desired to refill the condiment dispenser, the condiment dispenser may not be used by a consumer for a substantial period of time while the condiment is loaded into the condiment dispenser. In addition, once the condiment is placed into the condiment dispenser for use, the condiment is not sealed and is susceptible to contamination if not used for a period of time.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a top perspective view of a condiment dispenser and cartridge in accordance with a first embodiment.

Fig. 1B is a right side view of the condiment dispenser and cartridge of fig. 1A.

Fig. 1C is a bottom perspective view of the condiment dispenser and cartridge of fig. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a side cross-sectional view of the condiment dispenser and cartridge of FIG. 1A taken along line 1D-1D of FIG. 1A.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A.

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view showing the compatibility of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A with various types of cartridges.

Fig. 4A is a front perspective view showing the separability of the cartridge and front cover of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A and a fluid delivery system.

Fig. 4B is a rear perspective view of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A showing the removable tray.

Fig. 5A is a left side perspective view of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A shown in a partially disassembled configuration.

Fig. 5B is a right side perspective view of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A shown in a partially disassembled configuration similar to fig. 5A.

Fig. 6A is a front perspective view of a piston of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A.

Fig. 6B is a front view of the piston of fig. 6A.

Fig. 6C is a rear upper perspective view of the piston of fig. 6A.

Fig. 6D is a rail and mounting plate for the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A of the piston of fig. 6A.

Fig. 7A is an exploded view of a pumping tray of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A.

Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the pumping tray of fig. 7A, shown in an assembled configuration.

Fig. 7C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve of the pumping tray of fig. 7A, similar to the cross-sectional view of fig. 7B.

Fig. 7D is a top perspective view of the base of the pumping tray of fig. 7A.

Fig. 8A and 8B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the spout of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A.

Fig. 8C and 8D are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the spout of fig. 8A with the side cover removed.

Fig. 9A is a top perspective view of the fluid delivery system of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A showing the piston and drive assembly.

Fig. 9B is a front view of the fluid delivery system of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A showing the piston and drive assembly.

Fig. 10A and 10B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the cartridge receiving portion of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A.

Fig. 10C is a rear perspective view of the front panel of the housing of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A.

Fig. 10D is a front perspective view of the base of the condiment dispenser of fig. 1A.

Fig. 11A and 11B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 11A taken along line 11C-11C of FIG. 11A.

Fig. 11D is a perspective view of the cartridge of fig. 11A, shown in an open configuration.

Fig. 11E is a bottom perspective view of the condiment cartridge of fig. 11A having an alternative locking groove configuration.

Fig. 12A is a side perspective view of a dispenser-bag adapter of the cartridge of fig. 11A.

Fig. 12B is a perspective view of the dispenser-bag adapter of fig. 12A with the side panels removed.

Fig. 12C is a side perspective view of the dispenser-bag adapter of fig. 12A, shown in a disassembled configuration.

Fig. 12D is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser-bag adapter of fig. 12A, shown in a disassembled configuration.

Fig. 12E is a side cross-sectional view of the dispenser-bag adapter of fig. 12A.

Fig. 12F is a side cross-sectional view of the valve of the dispenser-bag adapter of fig. 12A in a closed configuration.

Fig. 12G is a side cross-sectional view of the valve of the dispenser-bag adapter of fig. 12A in an open configuration.

Fig. 13A is a bottom perspective view of a cartridge according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 13B is an exploded view of the cartridge of fig. 13A.

Fig. 13C is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cartridge of fig. 13A.

Fig. 13D is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of fig. 13A.

Fig. 13E is a top perspective view of the valve of the cartridge of fig. 13A.

FIG. 13F is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 13A taken along line 13F-13F of FIG. 13A.

Fig. 14 is a top perspective view of a condiment dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment wherein the cartridge of fig. 12A is inserted into the condiment dispenser.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the condiment dispenser of fig. 14 taken along line 15-15 of fig. 14.

Fig. 16A and 16B are perspective and side views, respectively, of the fluid delivery mechanism, piston and pump handle of the condiment dispenser of fig. 14.

Fig. 16C is an exploded view of the pumping mechanism of the condiment dispenser of fig. 14.

Fig. 17A shows an alternative valve in a closed configuration for use with the cartridge of fig. 11A and 13A.

Fig. 17B shows the valve of fig. 17A in an open configuration.

Fig. 18A shows another alternative valve in a closed configuration for use with the cartridge of fig. 11A and 13A.

Fig. 18B shows the valve of fig. 18A in an open configuration.

Fig. 19A is a top perspective view of a condiment dispenser in accordance with another embodiment.

Fig. 19B shows the condiment dispenser of fig. 19A in a separated configuration.

Fig. 19C is a bottom perspective view of the basin cover of the condiment dispenser of fig. 19A.

Fig. 20A is a bottom perspective view of the fluid delivery system of the condiment dispenser of fig. 19A.

Fig. 20B is a top perspective view of the fluid delivery system of fig. 20A.

Fig. 21A is a rear perspective view of the condiment dispenser of fig. 19A with the cartridge receiving portion removed.

Figure 21B is a side cutaway view of the condiment dispenser shown in figure 21A.

Fig. 21C is a front perspective view of a portion of the condiment dispenser of fig. 19A showing the drive shaft and piston.

Fig. 22A is a perspective view of a condiment cartridge in accordance with another embodiment.

Fig. 22B is a cross-sectional view of the condiment cartridge of fig. 22A.

Fig. 22C is a perspective view of an upper portion of the condiment cartridge of fig. 22A.

Fig. 23A and 23B are top perspective and side views, respectively, of the pouch clip of the condiment cartridge of fig. 22A.

Fig. 24A and 24B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the dispenser-bag adapter of the condiment cartridge of fig. 22A.

Fig. 25A is a perspective view of a dispenser-bag adapter according to another embodiment.

Fig. 25B is a cross-sectional view of the condiment cartridge of fig. 22A including the dispenser-bag adapter of fig. 25A.

Detailed Description

With respect to fig. 1A-2, a condiment dispenser 100 according to a first embodiment is shown. Condiment dispenser 100 includes a cartridge receiving portion 102 into which a removable cartridge 104 can be inserted. Cartridge 104 may include a fluid, such as a condiment, flowing into a pump (such as pump tray 106) of condiment dispenser 100. Condiment dispenser 100 includes a sensor 108, the sensor 108 being positioned to detect proximity and/or movement of an outlet 110 proximate a spout 112. The controller 114 monitors the data provided by the sensor 108 and upon detecting proximity and/or movement proximate to the outlet 110, the controller 114 may operate the motor 116. Operation of the motor 116 causes the pump tray 106 to draw fluid from the cartridge 104 and pump the fluid toward the outlet 110 of the spout 112, as described in further detail below.

With respect to fig. 3, the cartridge 104 may be easily removed from the cartridge receiver 102 for refilling and/or replacement by another cartridge 104. As described in further detail below, to remove the cartridge 104 from the condiment dispenser 100, a user may raise the cartridge 104 out of the cartridge receiver 102. In some forms, it may be desirable to rotate the cartridge 104 to unlock the cartridge 104 from the condiment dispenser 100. Thus, when a cartridge 104 is empty or ready to be replaced, the old cartridge 104 may be quickly removed and replaced with a new and/or full cartridge 104. By providing the condiment dispenser 100 with a replaceable cartridge, the condiment dispenser 100 can be easily refilled without requiring prolonged deactivation of the condiment dispenser. This is particularly advantageous in restaurants and food squares where customer traffic is high because staff may spend less time refilling the condiment dispenser 100 and the customer does not have to wait as long to obtain condiments after the condiment dispenser 100 is empty. As described in further detail below, the condiment dispenser 100 can also be used similarly with the cartridge 400 of fig. 13A-13E.

With respect to fig. 4A, the condiment dispenser 100 is also easy to clean. As described in further detail below, the cartridge 104 may be removed and the front cover 118 slid forward from the housing 120 of the condiment dispenser 100. The fluid delivery system 122 may also slide forward from the remainder of the condiment dispenser 100 along a track 124 in a base 126 of the condiment dispenser 100. The fluid delivery system 122 includes components that contact the fluid after the fluid exits the cartridge. To clean the condiment dispenser 100, the fluid delivery system 122 may be removed, disassembled, cleaned, reassembled, and slid back into the condiment dispenser 100. As described in further detail below, the components of the fluid delivery system 122 are configured to be easily disassembled and intuitively reassembled to enable personnel to quickly and efficiently clean the condiment dispenser 100. The components of the fluid delivery system 122 may be formed of a food safety material and a dishwasher safety material to allow the fluid delivery system 122 to be washed in a dishwasher. This helps the restaurant to properly clean the condiment dispenser 100 while reducing the resources required to properly clean the condiment dispenser 100. Other surfaces of the condiment dispenser 100 may inadvertently drip or spill fluid (e.g., condiment) thereon. For example, when a user removes the cartridge 104 from the cartridge receiving portion 102, fluid may drip onto the bowl or basin 128 of the cartridge receiving portion 102. As another example, the user may contact the fluid dispensed at outlet 110 with front cover 118. The surfaces are smooth and/or flat to enable the surfaces to be quickly wiped clean and disinfected.

The cartridge receiving portion 102 is shown as having a bowl shape or a cone shape, but the cartridge receiving portion 102 may have other shaped surfaces for receiving a cartridge. For example, the cartridge receiver 102 may have an engagement surface for contacting the cartridge that has any shape that corresponds substantially to the bottom surface of the cartridge. As an example, cartridge receiver 102 may have a planar, concave, convex, tapered, and undulating (e.g., with smooth or sharp transitions) engagement surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the cartridge receiver 102 that engages the cartridge 104 may be removed from the remainder of the condiment dispenser 100 (e.g., in a dishwasher) for cleaning. For example, referring to fig. 4B, the tray 102A engaged with the cartridge 104 may be removed. The tray 102A may be removed when cleaning of the tray 102A may be required due to the seasoning dripping on the surface during insertion and removal of the cartridge 104. The tray 102A may be attached to the remainder of the cartridge receiver 102 by a friction fit connection or a snap fit connection to prevent the removable portion from accidentally disengaging from the remainder of the condiment dispenser 100 while achieving quick removal.

With respect to fig. 1D, a fluid flow path 132 through condiment dispenser 100 is shown. Cartridge 104 may be inserted into cartridge receiving portion 102 of condiment dispenser 100. Cartridge 104 may contain a bag filled with a flavoring. The dispenser-bag adapter 130 may pierce the condiment bag allowing condiment to flow from the condiment bag into the dispenser-bag adapter 130. Fluid flows from the cartridge 104 through the dispenser-bag adapter 130 of the cartridge 104 and into the pump tray 106. The pump tray 106 includes a membrane 134, the membrane 134 including a diaphragm portion 160, the diaphragm portion 160 reciprocating or moving up and down to increase and decrease the volume within the pumping chamber 136 of the pump tray 106. As the membrane 134 moves upward, the volume of the pumping chamber 136 increases, drawing fluid from the cartridge 104 into the pumping chamber 136. As the membrane 134 moves downward, the volume of the pumping chamber 136 decreases, which forces the fluid in the pumping chamber upward to the jet 112. Pump tray 106 forces fluid along spout 112, which causes fluid to be dispensed from outlet 110 of condiment dispenser 100 as the fluid fills the length of spout 112. As described in further detail below, the cartridge 104 includes a one-way valve to prevent fluid from returning to the cartridge when the volume of the pumping chamber 136 decreases due to the downward movement of the membrane 134. Likewise, the outlet end 138 of the pump tray 106 includes a one-way valve to prevent fluid from being drawn from the spout 112 as the volume of the pumping chamber 136 increases due to the upward movement of the membrane 134.

With respect to fig. 5A and 5B, the connection or linkage between the motor 116 and the membrane 134 is shown. The motor 116 includes a shaft (not shown) coupled to the first pulley 142. The motor 116 is configured to rotate a shaft that rotates the pulley 142. The belt 144 extends around a first pulley 142 and a second pulley 146, the second pulley 146 being mounted adjacent to a reciprocating member or piston 154. The belt 144 may be made of a rubber material, such as reinforced rubber. The belt 144 is secured about the first pulley 142 and the second pulley 146 such that rotation of the first pulley 142a by the motor 116 causes rotation of the second pulley 146. The belt tensioner 149 may be configured to engage the belt 144 to ensure that the belt 144 sufficiently engages the first pulley 142 and the second pulley 146 to mitigate slippage of the belt 144 relative to the pulleys 142, 146. The second pulley 146 is coupled to a shaft 148, and the shaft 148 includes a pinion 150 coupled thereto. The second pulley 146 is rigidly coupled to the shaft 148 such that rotation of the second pulley 146 by the motor 116 causes the shaft 148 to rotate. Pinion gear 150 is positioned along shaft 148 to engage a rack or linear gear 152 on a reciprocating member or piston 154 (see fig. 6A). As the pinion gear 150 rotates, the pinion gear 150 engages the rack 152 to move the piston 154 up or down the rack 152. During pumping operations, the controller 114 is configured to operate the motor 116 to cycle between operating in a forward direction and operating in a reverse direction. This causes the pinion gear 150 to cycle up and down the drive piston 154 or to reciprocate the drive piston 154 as described in further detail below.

As shown in fig. 5A-6C, the piston 154 includes a compartment 156 and a channel 158 for receiving a head 159 of a diaphragm 160 of the membrane 134. The head 159 is attached to the diaphragm 160 of the membrane 134 by a neck 162 (see fig. 7B). To attach the piston 154 to the membrane 134, the head 159 of the membrane 134 is slid into the compartment 156, with the neck 162 slid along the channel 158 of the piston 154. Head 159 has a larger diameter than neck 162 and channel 158, thereby preventing piston 154 from disengaging membrane 134 as piston 154 moves upward and downward.

The piston 154 may be formed of a plastic (e.g., ABS) and/or a metallic material. In some forms, the piston 154 is a unitary piece. In other forms, the piston 154 is formed from multiple pieces that are attached together. The piston 154 also includes a body 164 extending from the rack 152 and the compartment 156. The body 164 includes walls 166, 167 that form a recess 168 within the body 164. Body 164 may be positioned such that spout 112 is positioned at least partially within recess 168. Piston 154 helps support spout 112 in an upright position. The piston 154 may also include rollers 170, 171 mounted to the walls 166, 167 that are positioned to roll along both sides of the spout 112 as the piston 154 is moved up and down by the motor 116. The rollers 170, 171 allow the spout 112 and the piston 154 to remain in contact with each other while reducing frictional resistance therebetween during movement of the piston 154. Roller 170 is further positioned to engage bellows 234 of spout 112, as described in further detail below. The plunger 154 also includes a top roller 163 that is used in conjunction with the condiment dispenser 500 of the second embodiment discussed with respect to figures 14-16C.

With respect to fig. 6C-6D, the reciprocating movement of the piston 154 is guided by a rail. The plunger 154 includes a side plate 320, the side plate 320 being mounted on a raised portion 322 of the back side of the plunger 154. The side plates 320 extend from the raised portions 322 toward each other to form a T-shaped channel 324 on the piston 154. Condiment dispenser 100 includes a T-shaped track 326 mounted to a mounting plate 328. The mounting plate 328 may be mounted to the back plate 256 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 via fasteners extending through mounting holes 330 of the mounting plate and into fastener receiving portions 332 of the back plate 256 (see fig. 10A). The T-shaped rail 326 includes an aperture 334, and a fastener may extend through the aperture 334 into the aperture 336 to secure the T-shaped rail 326 to the mounting plate 328.

The T-shaped channel 324 of the piston 154 receives a T-shaped track 326. As the piston 154 is moved up and down, for example by the motor 116, the piston 154 is guided up and down by the track 326. The T-shaped channel 324 and the T-shaped track 326 help prevent substantial tilting or rotation of the piston 154, thereby limiting movement of the piston primarily along the longitudinal length of the track 326.

With respect to fig. 7A-7C, a pump tray 106 is shown. Pump tray 106 includes a cover 180, a channel member 182, and a base 184. The membrane 134 may form part of the cover 180. The cover 180 includes a main body 186, the main body 186 having an inlet port 188 and an outlet port 190, and a central opening across which the membrane 134 extends. The body 186 and the base 184 may be formed of a rigid material such as plastic (e.g., ABS). The membrane 134 may be formed of a flexible material, and is preferably formed of a food safe material. As an example, the film 134 may be formed of rubber, silicon, or polyurethane. The membrane 134 may be flexible enough to allow the membrane to deflect relatively easily, thereby reducing the amount of force required to deflect the membrane 134, but may also be rigid enough to be stable enough as the membrane 160 moves up and down. The film 134 may have a shore hardness in the range of about 60 to 80. In one example, the film 134 has a shore hardness of 70A. The membrane 134 may have a substantially uniform thickness such that the membrane 134 maintains a stable, uniform shape in an upward pull (inhalation) position and a downward (dispensing) position. As the diaphragm 160 moves between locations to achieve more consistent pump performance, reducing locally thinner regions within the diaphragm may help form a more stable shape within the diaphragm 160. The membrane 134 may be attached to the body 186 by molding the membrane 134 to the body 186. In other forms, the membrane 134 is separable from the body 186, which enables separation of the membrane 134 for cleaning. During assembly, the membrane 134 may be positioned between the body 186 and the channel member 182. In some forms, the diaphragm portion 160 of the membrane may extend further up and through the opening of the cover 180 to allow for an increase in volume within the pumping chamber 136. For example, the diaphragm 160 may be generally cylindrical or conical with a higher height and configured to compress downward and pull upward to increase and decrease the volume within the pumping chamber 136. The volume of the pumping chamber 136 and the height, shape and/or configuration of the diaphragm may be based on the viscosity of the fluid being pumped and/or the desired dosage volume to be pumped per pumping cycle. The inlet port 188 of the cap 180 interfaces with the cartridge 104 (dispenser-bag adapter 130) when inserted into the cartridge receiver 102 and allows fluid to enter the pumping chamber 136 formed between the cap 180 and the channel member 182. In the form shown, the inlet valve 307 forms part of the cartridge 104. In other embodiments, the inlet valve 307 may be a component of the inlet port 188.

The diaphragm 160 may have kinks 160A or waves within the diaphragm 160 to make the diaphragm 160 more susceptible to deflection during pumping. The illustrated embodiment includes two kinks 160A. In some embodiments, the septum 160 may have one or three kinks 160A. In other embodiments, the septum 160 may not have kinks.

The channel member 182 may be formed of a rigid material. When the channel member 182 is assembled in contact with the membrane 134, the channel member 182 may form a sealed connection with the cap 180. The passage member 182 may be separated from the cover 180 for cleaning the passage member 182. In the illustrated embodiment, the membrane 134 on the underside of the cap 180 extends from the body 186 of the cap to the flange 192 of the channel member 182 to form a sealed connection therebetween when the channel member 182 is in contact with the cap 180. The channel member 182 includes a channel 182A, which channel 182A is formed by a recessed portion or groove along the length of the channel member 182. The passage 182A directs fluid from the inlet port 188 of the cap 180 along the passage 182A to the pumping chamber 136. The channel member 182 defines an area of increased width that corresponds to the diaphragm 160 of the membrane 134 to form the pumping chamber 136. The dimensions of the pumping chamber 136 may correspond to the size and volume of the dose of condiment dispensed from the condiment dispenser 100. The size of the pumping chamber 136 and/or the pump tray 106 may be adjusted to dispense a desired dose of flavoring in each pump cycle. The size of the pumping chamber 136 and/or pump tray 106 may also be adjusted based on the condiments pumped from the cartridge 104 to accommodate differences in viscosity and particle size of the various condiments. Channel 182A extends from pumping chamber 136 to outlet port 190. The passage 182A thus serves to direct fluid from the inlet port 188 to the pumping chamber 136 and the outlet port 190. Reducing the distance that fluid travels from pumping chamber 136 to outlet valve 196 increases pump efficiency because it is easier to displace fluid in pumping chamber 136 due to less viscous friction and sauce compression that may occur over longer distances.

The maximum volume of the pumping chamber 136 may be in the range of about 10mL to 25mL when the diaphragm 160 is in the fully upward inhalation position. As one example, the pumping chamber 136 may have a volume of about 17 mL. The dimensions of the diaphragm 160, pumping chamber 136, and stroke length of the piston 154 may be modified to provide a desired fluid flow rate toward the outlet 110 or a desired volume of fluid pumped per pump cycle. The dimensions of the diaphragm 160 and pumping chamber 136 may be modified based on the condiment pumped by the condiment dispenser 100. The stroke length of the piston 154 may be in the range of about 10mm to 20mm, for example 15mm. The stroke length of the piston 154 is adjustable to set the change in volume of the pumping chamber 136 as the pump tray 106 pumps fluid. The diameter of the diaphragm 160 may be in the range of about 50mm to 60mm, for example 53mm. The ratio of the height of the diaphragm 160 to the radius of the diaphragm 160 determines the ease of deflection of the diaphragm 160. The diaphragm 160 may have a height of about 7.5mm and a radius of about 26.5. The increased slope of the walls forming the cone of the diaphragm 160 may result in more volume being displaced in the pump cycle, but also in the diaphragm 160 being more difficult to deflect, requiring more power to perform the pump cycle. In some forms, the diaphragm 160 does not have a taper or the height of the diaphragm 160 when in the rest position, but is flat.

The outlet end of the pump tray 106 includes a one-way valve 196. The check valve 196 allows fluid to exit the passage 182A through the outlet port 190 but prevents fluid from entering the passage 182A through the outlet port 190. As shown in fig. 7B-7C, the channel 182A includes a raised portion or sealing protrusion 194. The membrane 134 and the sealing protrusion 194 form a one-way valve 196. The membrane 134 includes a sealing tab 198 extending within the outlet port 190 and around the sealing protrusion 194. The sealing tab 198 is circular and extends radially inward toward the sealing projection 194. The use of a circular sealing flap 198 facilitates a reliable, predictable seal that continues to close. The tab 198 is biased such that the tab 198 normally resides or seals against the sealing protrusion 194. Tab 198 resides on sealing protrusion 194 such that fluid cannot enter passage 182A through outlet port 190. Fluid entering the outlet port 190 forces the tab 198 against the sealing protrusion 194 to close the outlet port 190. As the diaphragm 160 moves to force fluid along the channel 182A to the outlet port 190, the force of the fluid forces the tab 198 up and away from the sealing protrusion 194 to open the valve 196. The length of the radially inward extending tab 198 may be selected for adequate and adequate sealing. Too short a tab 198 may result in the tab 198 being too stiff to force fluid through the pump tray 106, while too long a tab 198 may result in the seal not returning to form a fluid seal against the sealing protrusion 194. The tab 198 may have a shore hardness of about 70A so that the tab 198 quickly seals against the sealing protrusion 194 when the force is removed and returns to the same position and shape all the time. Thus, fluid can leave the channel 182A but cannot enter the channel 182A via the outlet port 190. In other embodiments, outlet valve 196 may be positioned within spout 112.

The base 184 of the pump tray 106 is configured to receive the channel member 182 and the cover 180. The base 184 includes a bottom 200 and side walls 202 that form a compartment. The base 184 may be removably locked to the cover 180 and the channel member 182 to allow for disassembly of the pump tray 106. For example, the base 184 and the cover 180 may be attached to each other by a bayonet connection. The side wall 202 of the base 184 includes locking hooks 204, the locking hooks 204 being configured to engage corresponding locking hooks 206 on the periphery of the cover 180. The locking hook 204 includes a ramped projection 208 extending inwardly from the side wall 202. The ramped protuberance 208 includes an engagement surface 210, the engagement surface 210 having a thin leading edge that increases in thickness to a stop 212. The locking hooks 206 of the cover 180 include ramped protrusions 214 extending outwardly from the periphery of the cover 180. The ramped projection 214 includes an engagement surface 216, the engagement surface 216 having a thin leading edge that increases in thickness to a stop 218. The front edge of the locking hook 204 of the base 184 faces in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction and the front edge of the locking hook 206 of the cover 180 faces in the other opposite direction of the locking hook 204 of the base 184. To connect the cover 180 to the base 184, the channel member 182 may be positioned within a compartment of the base 184. The cover 180 may be positioned on top of the channel member 182 and oriented such that the leading edge of the locking hooks 206 of the cover 180 are adjacent to the leading edge of the locking hooks 204 of the base 184. The cover 180 and the base 184 may then be rotated relative to one another such that the angled engagement surface 216 of the locking hook 206 of the cover 180 contacts the angled engagement surface 210 of the locking hook 204 of the base 184. As the cover 180 rotates relative to the base 184, the sloped engagement surfaces of the locking hooks 204, 206 force the cover 180 toward the bottom 200 of the base 184. The cover 180 and/or the channel member 182 upon which the cover 180 rests may be forced against the base 184 such that frictional resistance between the cover 180 and the base 184 increases at the locking hooks 204, 206. This forces the membrane 134 against the channel member 182, thereby forming a tight sealing connection therebetween. The cover 180 may be rotated relative to the base 184 until the locking hooks 204, 206 contact the corresponding stops 212, 218. In other words, the cover 180 includes partial threads (locking hooks) and the base 184 includes complementary partial threads (locking hooks) such that the cover 180 can be threadably connected to the base 184.

With the cover 180 secured by the locking hooks 204, 206, the channel member 182 may be rotated with the cover 180 to lock the channel member 182 and the cover 180 from rotating relative to the base 184. The base 184 may include deflectable tabs 340 on both ends of the base 184. The deflectable tab 340 includes a protrusion 342, the protrusion 342 being configured to snap into a corresponding recess 346 of the channel member 182 to lock the channel member 182 against rotation therein. The channel member 182 includes an angled surface 344 that opens into recesses 346 on both ends. The channel member 182 may be rotated relative to the base 184 to slide the protrusion 342 of the base 184 along the angled surface 344 of the channel member 182 until the protrusion 342 is aligned with the recess 346. The deflectable tab 340 resiliently returns to its original position with the protrusion 342 within the recess 346 of the channel member 182, thereby preventing substantial rotation of the channel member 182 and the cover 180 within the base 184 from the locked position, and thus preventing unintentional rotation of the locking hooks 204, 206 from the locked position toward the unlocked position.

To disassemble the pump tray 106, the cover 180 may be rotated in the opposite direction to disengage the locking hooks 204, 206 from each other. It may be desirable to rotate the cap 180 with a force sufficient to cause removal of the protrusion 342 of the base 184 from the recess 346 of the channel member 182.

By including such a locking mechanism to retain the cover 180 to the base 184, the pump tray 106 can be quickly and easily disassembled. For example, when an employee attempts to clean the condiment dispenser 100, the pump tray 106 can be easily removed to allow cleaning of the interior of the pump tray 106. The components of the pump tray 106 may be formed of dishwasher safe material to allow the detached pump tray 106 to be placed within a dishwasher for cleaning. When cleaning, the pump tray 106 can be quickly reassembled by inserting the channel member 182 into the base 184, placing the cover 180 over the channel member 182, and rotating the cover 180 relative to the base 184 to secure the cover 180 to the base 184.

With respect to fig. 7B, fluid flows along path 153 in inlet port 188 along channel 182A, through pumping chamber 136, and out outlet port 190. As described above, the piston 154 is connected to the diaphragm 160 of the membrane 134 and moves in a reciprocating manner to move the diaphragm 160 upward and downward. As the diaphragm 160 is pulled upward, the volume within the pumping chamber 136 increases.

The diaphragm 160 has sufficient rigidity such that the shape of the diaphragm 160 changes rapidly, thereby causing a rapid change in volume. This increase in volume creates a low pressure region within the pump tray 106. Since the outlet port 190 includes a one-way valve, fluid cannot be drawn from the outlet port 190 toward the pumping chamber 136. Conversely, fluid is drawn from the inlet port 188. With the cartridge 104 attached to the inlet port 188, fluid is drawn from the cartridge 104 along the channel 182 and toward the pumping chamber 136. As the piston 154 forces the diaphragm 160 downward, the volume within the pumping chamber 136 decreases, thereby creating a high pressure in the pumping chamber 136. The diaphragm 160 may take a shape that substantially corresponds to the portion of the channel member 182 that forms the pumping chamber 136 such that when the diaphragm 160 is forced downward, a large amount of fluid within the pumping chamber 136 is forced out of the pumping chamber 136. As discussed in further detail below with respect to fig. 12A-12F, the cartridge 104 includes a one-way valve that allows fluid to exit the cartridge 104 but prevents fluid from reentering the cartridge 104. Thus, as the diaphragm 160 is forced downward, fluid is forced from the pumping chamber 136 toward the outlet port 190. The fluid forces the check valve 196 to open and travel through the outlet port 190. With spout 112 connected to outlet port 190, fluid is forced into spout 112 and toward outlet 110. The diaphragm 160 has a stiffness such that the shape of the diaphragm 160 is consistent and predictable as the diaphragm 160 moves up and down to pump fluid.

With respect to fig. 8A-8D, spout 112 is shown. Spout 112 may be formed of a plastic material such as ABS or other food safe material, dishwasher safe material. Spout 112 includes a substantially vertical portion 220 and a substantially horizontal portion 222 connected at an angled or curved portion. Spout 112 includes a channel 224 extending along the length of spout 112 from a base portion 225 to outlet 110. The channel 224 may have a cross-sectional area selected to allow a desired flow rate of the condiment, for example, about 8mm to about 16mm. As one example, the channel 224 may have a cross-sectional area of 12 mm. A smaller cross-sectional area may require increased force to move the sauce through the channel 224 and cause the sauce to be forced through the outlet 110 at a higher velocity. A larger cross-sectional area may be selected to reduce the force required to force the sauce to move through the channel 224. The choice of a larger cross-sectional area of the passage 224 is particularly advantageous for sauces (e.g., mayonnaise) having increased viscosity. The diameter of outlet 110 may be in the range of about 4mm to 10mm, allowing fluids of various viscosities to be dispensed from condiment dispenser 100. In one example, the diameter of outlet 110 is 8mm. Spout 112 may be configured to enable condiment dispenser 100 to dispense 10mL to 15mL of sauce in about 1 to 4 seconds.

The base portion 225 is configured to interface with the outlet port 190 of the pump tray 106. The base portion 225 may be inserted into the outlet port 190 such that the base portion 225 is attached to the pump tray 106. The base portion 225 may form a sealed connection with the pump tray 106 when inserted into the outlet port 190. In some forms, a seal (e.g., an O-ring) may extend between the base portion 225 of the spout 112 and the outlet port 190 to form a sealed connection therebetween. The seal may be positioned in a groove 226 formed around the periphery of the base portion 225. Forming a sealed connection between spout 112 and pump tray 106 prevents fluid from leaking out of fluid delivery system 122 at the connection point between spout 112 and pump tray 106.

Spout 112 includes a side panel 112A, which side panel 112A may be separated from the remainder of the spout, such as body 112B. Side panel 112A may be attached to body 112B by a snap-fit connection or a friction-fit connection and inserted into opening 228 in spout 112. Side panel 112A includes an insertion portion 230 insertable into opening 228 of spout 112 and an outer portion 232 that abuts a portion of body 112B around the opening. The insertion portion 230 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 228 of the spout 112 to ensure that the opening 228 is closed when the side panel 112A is attached. A seal (e.g., an O-ring) may be positioned about the insert portion 230 to form a sealed connection between the side panel 112A and the main body 112B when the two are connected together. The side panel 112A can be removed by pulling the side panel 112A from the main body 112B. The side panels 112A may slide apart with a certain amount of force applied to ensure that the side panels 112A do not inadvertently disengage from the body 112B, yet enable a user to pull the side panels 112A apart without difficulty. By including removable side panels 112A, a substantial portion of the channel 224 can be directly and easily accessed. This is advantageous for cleaning spout 112, where long channels are difficult to clean, often resulting in insufficient cleaning. For example, many existing pump designs include a long dip tube extending from the condiment to the outlet, which is difficult to clean properly due to the length of the tube. Such tubes require manual cleaning with a brush, while the disclosed spout 112 allows the spout 112 to be disassembled to allow access along the length of the spout 112 for cleaning. This ensures that the spout 112 is properly cleaned because water and detergent can flow along the channel 224 to clean the channel length, for example, when washing in a dishwasher.

In the illustrated embodiment, the side panel 112A also includes a bellows 234. Bellows 234 bubbles or extends outwardly from side panel 112A. The bellows 234 may be formed of a semi-flexible material such as rubber, silicon, or polyurethane, so that the bellows 234 may squeeze or flex inwardly toward the side panel 112A, but when the force is removed, the bellows 234 returns to its normal shape extending from the bellows 234. When the piston 154 is not in the downward position, the bellows 234 helps prevent fluid from exiting the outlet 110 of the spout 112 and forces the fluid out of the pumping chamber 136 and up to the spout 112. As described above, and with respect to fig. 9A-9B, the piston 154 includes a roller 170, the roller 170 being positioned to engage the bellows 234. When piston 154 is forced downward (e.g., by motor 116) to cause pump tray 106 to force fluid up spout 112 and away from outlet 110, roller 170 engages bellows 234, which reduces the volume within spout 112 and helps to force fluid up spout 112 and toward outlet 110. In other embodiments, the piston 154 does not include rollers or wheels, but rather includes protrusions or other members configured to engage and compress the bellows.

As the piston 154 moves upward, the roller 170 is removed from the bellows 234, allowing the bellows 234 to expand. This increases the volume in spout 112, creating a low pressure region at bellows 234. This low pressure region draws fluid in spout 112 toward bellows 234 at outlet 110, causing condiment dispenser 100 to rapidly cease dispensing fluid upon upward movement of piston 154, such as the end of a dispensing cycle. Drawing fluid away from outlet 110 also reduces the likelihood that fluid will remain above outlet 110 and may drip from outlet 110 after a dispense cycle (e.g., when a user's dish or sauce cup is not below the outlet). Drawing fluid away from outlet 110 further minimizes the time it takes for an employee to maintain condiment dispenser 100 to ensure that condiment dispenser 100 has a clean appearance, as accidental dripping on the surface of dispenser 100 or the surface on which dispenser 100 rests is reduced. In addition, pulling the condiment back from the outlet 110 and within the spout 112 also ensures that the condiment does not remain in contact with air that may dry the condiment, which may give the condiment an undesirable appearance and texture if the dispenser 100 is not used for a period of time. Bellows 234 may be shaped with a ramp that allows roller 170 to transition smoothly to move along bellows 234 without catching or catching on bellows 234 and forcing piston 154 upward relative to spout 112. As shown, the bellows 234 has a teardrop shape. Bellows 234 may be sized based on the type of condiment being pumped to help force fluid along spout 112 and draw fluid from outlet 110.

In other embodiments, bellows 234 is disposed on body 112B of spout 112. In some forms, bellows 234 is disposed on both side panel 112A and main body 112B of spout 112 simultaneously. In some forms, there may be a plurality of bellows 234 along the length of spout 112, with piston 154 engaging bellows 234 as piston 154 reciprocates. In some forms, a bellows 234 is disposed along the fluid flow path 132 on the outlet port 190 after the valve 196.

In other embodiments, condiment dispenser 100 includes another member configured to compress bellows 234 as pump tray 106 pumps fluid toward outlet 110. Condiment dispenser 100 can include a clamping mechanism or solenoid configured to compress bellows 234 while pump tray 106 is operating. For example, the control circuit 270 may cause the solenoid to pull the plunger to engage the bellows 234 during the pumping cycle. In some forms, bellows 234 remains compressed while condiment dispenser 100 dispenses fluid in response to input from sensor 108 (e.g., for several pump cycles or reciprocation of piston 154) and is released when condiment dispenser 100 has completed dispensing (e.g., when a 10mL dose has been dispensed). Bellows 234 can remain released until seasoning dispenser 100 receives input from sensor 108 to dispense another dose.

Referring again to fig. 4, the fluid delivery system 122 includes the pump tray 106 and the spouts 112. As shown in fig. 7D, the base 184 of the pump tray 106 includes an elongated protrusion 238, which elongated protrusion 238 is sized to slide within a corresponding groove or track 124 in the base 126 of the condiment dispenser 100 (see, e.g., fig. 9A-9B). When the pump tray 106 is positioned on the base 126, the elongated protrusion 238 extends into the track 124. The rails 124 guide the pump tray 106 as the pump tray 106 slides longitudinally in and out of the base 126 of the housing 120. This allows for quick removal of the fluid delivery system 122 from the housing 120 without having to remove any fasteners or connections between the fluid delivery system 112 and the housing 120. The fluid delivery system 122 is also easily and intuitively reinstalled or inserted into the base 126. The elongated protrusion 238 of the pump tray 106 aligns with and slides along the track 124 of the base 126 to position the fluid delivery system 122 within the housing. The front cover 118 may then be attached to the housing 120 to secure the fluid delivery system 122 between the front cover 118 and the housing 120.

With respect to fig. 10D, the base 126 includes a track 124 for receiving the fluid delivery system 122. The track 124 may also include deflectable tabs 350 for holding the pump tray 106 in place within the base 126 and helping to align the inlet port 188 with the opening 242 in the cartridge receiving portion 102. The deflectable tab 350 includes a protrusion 352, the protrusion 352 configured to be inserted into a recess 354 on the underside of the base 184 of the pump tray 106 to hold the pump tray 106 in place. As the base 184 of the pump tray 106 slides along the track 124, the base 184 engages the projection 352, causing the tab 350 to deflect downward. Once the base 184 has been slid along the track 124 to a point where the recess 354 is above the protrusion 352, the protrusion 352 resiliently returns to its original position, with the protrusion 352 within the recess 354 of the base. The projection 352 may snap into the recess 354 of the base 184 at a point where the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106 is in place and aligned with the opening 242 of the cartridge receiver 102.

The base 126 may also include a slot 280 for receiving the battery 272. After the front cover 118 is removed, the battery 272 may be readily accessed for replacement and/or recharging. The base 126 may be secured to the cartridge receiving portion 102 by fasteners to secure the base 126 to the cartridge receiving portion 102.

The tip portion 240 of the cartridge 104 is inserted into the opening 242 of the cartridge receiver 102 and extends to attach to the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106 (see fig. 1D). As can be seen in fig. 5A-5B, the outlet barrel 244 is not shown, and the dispenser-bag adapter 130 is shown attached to the inlet port 188. The inlet port 188 includes an outer annular wall 246 and an inner cylindrical inlet tube 248 to which the tip portion 240 of the cartridge is attached. In the form shown, and with respect to fig. 1D and 7A-7B, the dispenser-bag adapter 130 of the cartridge 104 includes a cylindrical outlet 250, which cylindrical outlet 250 fits over the inlet tube 248 and is inside the outer annular wall 246. As the cartridge 104 is inserted into the cartridge receiving portion 102, the outer annular wall 246 may help guide the connection of the cylindrical outlet 250 to the inlet tube 248. The outer annular wall 246 may also act as a barrier preventing any fluid that may leak from the cartridge 104 during insertion or removal from flowing from the inlet port 188.

The fluid delivery system 122 may be at least partially held in place by the cartridge 104. Because the cartridge 104 extends through the opening 242 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 of the housing 120 and attaches to the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106, the fluid delivery system 122 cannot move along the track 124 when the cartridge 104 is inserted into the condiment dispenser 100. The fluid delivery system 122 is also prevented from rotating or pivoting about the inlet port 188 by an elongated protrusion 238 that rests within the track 124 of the base 126. Due to this configuration, fluid delivery system 122 is substantially unable to move when cartridge 104 is inserted into condiment dispenser 100. To withdraw the fluid delivery system 122 (e.g., for cleaning), the cartridge 104 must first be removed from the cartridge receiver 102 and disengaged from the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106. The fluid delivery system 122 may then be slid forcibly along the track 124 to deflect and move the protrusions 352 of the base 126 from the recesses 354 of the base 184 of the pump tray 106. To install the fluid delivery system 122, the fluid delivery system 122 is slid along the rails 124 of the base 126 until the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106 is substantially aligned with the opening 242 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 and the projection 352 of the base 126 snaps into the recess 354 of the pump tray 106. The tip portion 240 of the cartridge 104 may then be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 102 with the dispenser-bag adapter 130 attached to the inlet port 188.

The housing 120 of the condiment dispenser 100 includes a front cover 118, a front plate 252, a cartridge receiving portion 102, a base 126, and a top cover 254 (see, e.g., fig. 2). The front cover 118, front plate 252, cartridge receiver 102, base 126, and top cover 254 may be formed of a plastic material such as ABS. With respect to fig. 10A-10B, the cartridge receiving portion 102 includes a bowl or basin 128 and a back plate 256. The basin 128 is shaped to receive a bottom tapered surface 316 of the cartridge 104. The basin 128 includes a locking tab 258 (see fig. 3) to which a locking slot 362 of the cartridge 104 may be attached to secure the cartridge 104 to the condiment dispenser 100, as described in further detail below. The back plate 256 includes a plurality of fastening members 260 that enable the back plate 256 to be attached to the front plate 252. The fastening member 260 may include magnets configured to interact with corresponding magnets or ferromagnetic material of the fastening member 262 of the front plate 252. In another embodiment, the fastening members 260 receive fasteners that extend through the front plate 252 to secure the front plate 252 to the back plate 256. A top cover 254 is mounted to the top end of the back plate 256 and forms the top of the condiment dispenser 100 extending from the front plate 252 to the back plate 256. The top cover 254 may also include a plurality of fastening members 260 that correspond to fastening members 262 of the front plate 252. For example, as described above, the fastening members 260 of the top cover 254 may be used to magnetically attach the top cover 254 to the front plate 252. In other forms, fasteners may extend through the fastening members 262 of the front plate 252 and into the fastening members 260 to secure the front plate 252 to the top cover 254.

With respect to fig. 10C, the rear side of the front plate 252 is shown. The front plate 252 includes a plurality of cylindrical tubes or fastening members 262, the cylindrical tubes or fastening members 262 including magnets or ferromagnetic metals for magnetically attaching the front plate 252 to the back plate 256. The front plate 252 also includes an elongated opening 264 through which the rollers 170, 171 of the piston 154 may extend to engage the bellows 234 of the spout 112 as the piston 154 moves upward and downward. Front plate 252 also includes a recessed portion 266 for receiving spout 112 when fluid delivery system 122 is inserted into housing 120. Recessed portion 266 is shaped to follow the contours of spout 112 such that spout 112 may be received within recessed portion 266. Recessed portion 266 helps prevent spout 112 from substantially moving when inserted into condiment dispenser 100. For example, the walls of the recessed portion 266 engage the spout 112 to prevent the fluid delivery system 122 from swinging or pivoting about the elongated protrusion 238 within the track 124 of the base 126, e.g., when the roller 170 of the piston 154 engages the bellows 234 of the spout 112. This ensures that the roller 170 deforms the bellows 234 or depresses the bellows 234 when in a downward or compressed state, and substantially prevents deflection of the spout 112 and/or bellows 234 as the roller 170 engages the bellows 234.

The front plate 252, the top cover 254, and the back plate 256 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 form a cavity and house the control circuitry 270, which control circuitry 270 may be on one or more circuit boards (fig. 2). The control circuit 270 may include a microcontroller or processor, memory, and in some cases, communication circuitry. The control circuit 270 may be mounted to one or more circuit boards and to the rear surface of the front plate 252. The control circuit 270 enables the condiment dispenser 100 to operate automatically. The processor communicates with and is electrically coupled to the memory, the communication circuitry, the sensor 108, and the battery 272.

The control circuit 270, the sensor 108, and/or the motor 116 may receive power from the battery 272. The battery 272 may be a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery. In other embodiments, other battery types may be used, such as standard household battery cells (e.g., AA, C, D-type batteries). The control circuit 270 may be electrically coupled to the sensor 108 via wires or ribbons. Sensor 108 may be mounted at an opening 276 in front plate 252 (see fig. 1C) along recessed portion 266 near outlet 110 of spout 112 to sense movement and/or proximity near outlet 110. The control circuit 270 may provide power to the sensor 108 via wires. The sensor 108 may also be in communication with the control circuit 270 via wires. For example, the sensor 108 may provide a signal to the control circuit 270 indicating whether movement is detected or whether an object is near the sensor 108. The sensor 108 may continuously provide sensor data to the control circuit 270 for processing and analysis. In another example, the sensor 108 provides a signal to the control circuit 270 only when movement is detected or when an object is detected in proximity to the sensor 108.

Upon receiving a signal from the sensor 108 indicating that movement or object proximity to the sensor 108 is detected, the controller of the control circuit 270 may determine whether to actuate the pump 116 to dispense the flavoring. In one example, the controller actuates the motor 116 upon receiving an indication from the sensor 108 that movement has been detected or communication of an object in proximity to the sensor 108. In another example, the controller processes the communication to determine a length of time that movement is detected or a length of time that an object has been in proximity to the sensor 108. For example, the controller may be configured to monitor the movement signal for a specific period of time, such as one or two seconds, prior to dispensing the condiment. Requiring movement to be detected within a certain minimum period of time may reduce the likelihood of dispensing the condiment when the user is not ready or when the sensor 108 detects movement that does not mean that dispensing of fluid is requested. Similarly, where the sensor 108 is a proximity sensor, the controller may be configured to dispense the flavoring only after the object has been in proximity to the sensor 108 for a minimum period of time.

The control circuit 270 may be configured to delay the dispensing of the fluid for a particular period of time after determining that the user desires to dispense the condiment (e.g., the user moves or approaches). For example, the controller may wait one or two seconds before operating the motor 116 to dispense the condiment. This allows the user time to place their container, tray or food under the opening 110 before dispensing the condiment. This may reduce the dispensing of fluid when the user is not ready and may cause the condiment to be dispensed on the surface on which the container rests or where the user is not desired. The condiment dispenser 100 can indicate to a user when a condiment is to be dispensed. This may be accomplished, for example, by using an indicator light provided on the condiment dispenser 100. For example, when the condiment dispenser 100 has detected that a user needs a condiment and is about to be dispensed, the indicator light may turn green, allowing the user to position their container or food accordingly.

When the control circuit operates the motor 116, the control circuit 270 may send a signal to the electric motor 116 to operate. The control circuit 270 may operate the motor 116 in the forward direction for a period of time or number of revolutions and then in the reverse direction for a period of time or number of revolutions to reciprocate the piston 154 or, according to a predetermined period of up and down movement, move the diaphragm 160 of the pump tray 106 up and down to pump fluid. For example, the motor 116 may repeatedly rotate the pulley 142 half way in the forward direction from the initial position and then half way back to the initial position in the reverse direction. The motor 116 drives the piston 154 and diaphragm 160 of the pump tray 106 in the manner described above with respect to fig. 5A-5B to cause the fluid delivery system 122 to pump fluid from the cartridge 104 to the outlet 110 of the spout 112. The control circuit 270 may be configured to cause the piston 154 to have strokes of different lengths to increase and decrease the volume of the diaphragm 160 to different extents. The stroke length of the piston 154 may be adjusted based on the desired size of fluid pumped through the pump tray 106 and/or the dose dispensed at the outlet 110. In some forms, the motor 116 is a servo motor and the control circuit 270 sends a pulse width modulated signal to the motor 116 to rotate the motor 116 between precise positions to ensure that the piston 154 moves within a predetermined range. The control circuit 270 may return the motor 116 to the initial starting position after each dispense cycle to ensure that the motor 116 drives the piston 154 within an appropriate range of movement and causes the roller 170 of the piston 154 to be removed from the bellows 234 of the spout 112 to withdraw fluid from the outlet 110 of the spout 112 to prevent dripping or fluid leakage.

The control circuit 270 may provide a control signal to the motor 116 until a desired amount of seasoning is dispensed for a predetermined length of time or a predetermined number of pump cycles (up/down cycles of the piston 154). The controller may be programmed to operate the electric motor 116 based on the flavoring being dispensed. The controller may be programmed for different settings for each condiment. For example, the controller may operate the motor 116 at a different speed for each condiment to provide the appropriate flow rate. As another example, motor 116 may operate for different types of condiments for different periods of time or for different numbers of pump cycles. This is done to accommodate the different viscosities and densities of the condiments. This may also be done to dispense a quantity of flavoring over a period of time. For example, the condiment dispenser 100 can dispense 30 grams of condiment over a period of 5 seconds. The motor 116 may be operated to achieve the dispensing rate based on the fluid characteristics of the condiment.

In some forms, the condiment dispenser 100 includes a user interface, such as one or more buttons, disposed thereon, that a user can input the type of condiment of the cartridge 104 inserted into the cartridge receiving portion 102. The user interface may be in communication with the control circuit 270 and provide a signal to the control circuit 270 indicating the type of condiment. The motor 116 may then be operated by the controller accordingly. In some forms, the cartridge 104 may have a tag, such as an RFID tag, attached thereto that is readable by the condiment dispenser 100 when the cartridge 104 is received in the condiment dispenser 100. The control circuit 270 may receive or determine the condiment type from the tag reader of the condiment dispenser 100 and adjust the settings of the condiment dispenser 100 accordingly.

Once motor 116 forces a quantity of condiment out of outlet 110 of spout 112, completing the pumping cycle, and/or sensor 108 indicates that the user is no longer present, control circuit 270 and/or motor 116 may cease operation such that fluid is not redistributed. The control circuit 270 may continue to operate the motor 116 to return the motor 116 to the initial position, or to a position where the roller 170 of the piston 154 does not engage the bellows 234 of the spout 112. This causes the condiment to cease dispensing quickly and can draw condiment further into spout 112 and away from outlet 110, which can reduce the dripping of condiment from outlet 110.

The control circuit 270 may be configured to delay dispensing for a period of time after one dispensing cycle. This allows the user to move their plate, container or food out of the range of the sensor 108 before another dose of condiment is dispensed. If the sensor 108 detects that the user continues to want more seasoning (e.g., their dish, container, or food item remains below the sensor 108), the controller may delay dispensing seasoning for a period of time to ensure that the user has time to get away from the sensor 108. The controller may delay a certain period of time, for example one second, two seconds or three seconds, before another dose of flavouring is dispensed. This provides the user with enough time to retrieve their plate, container or food from within range of sensor 108 if the user no longer needs additional seasoning. This reduces the likelihood that the control circuit 270 will cause the seasoning to be dispensed after the user has pulled their plate, container or food from the outlet 110.

In other embodiments, the control circuit 270 is configured to continue dispensing the flavoring until the sensor no longer detects the presence of a user (e.g., their plate, container, or food) below the sensor 108. The controller may be configured to immediately stop dispensing upon determining that the user is pulling their tray, container or food item away from outlet 110.

Condiment dispenser 100 can include a microphone coupled to control circuit 270 for receiving verbal commands from a user for dispensing. Condiment dispenser 100 can dispense condiment to a user after determining that the user has spoken a trigger such as "dispense". The condiment dispenser 100 can dispense a dose of condiment before ceasing to dispense condiment. In another example, the condiment dispenser 100 can dispense condiments until the user speaks another trigger word such as "stop. When it is determined, for example, by the control circuit 270 that the user has said "stop", the control circuit 270 may stop dispensing the condiment.

With respect to fig. 2, the battery 272 may slide within a slot 280 in the base 126. Battery 272 provides power to the electrical components of condiment dispenser 100. The battery 272 may be electrically coupled to other electrical components by wires. The battery 272 may be a rechargeable battery that may be recharged by removing the battery 272 from the base 126 and placing the battery on a charger. When the battery 272 is low or no, the battery 272 may be replaced by removing the front cover 118 to access the battery 272 or replacing the battery 272 with another battery 272. The battery 272 may be withdrawn from the base 126 by sliding the battery 272 along the slot 280. The battery 272 may then be recharged or replaced with another battery 272 and inserted along the slot 280. In some forms, battery 272 may need to be plugged into an electrical cord to electrically connect battery 272 to condiment dispenser 100. In other forms, the battery 272 may be electrically connected as the battery 272 is slid into the slot until the terminals of the battery 272 engage corresponding terminals of the condiment dispenser 100. In some forms, the battery 272 snaps into place and is electrically connected to the condiment dispenser when snapped into place. In some forms, the battery 272 may be recharged while remaining within the condiment dispenser 100. For example, the base 126 of the other portion of the condiment dispenser 100 may include a recharging port for connecting to a power source to recharge the battery 272 without removing the battery 272 from the condiment dispenser 100. In other embodiments, the battery 272 is comprised of one or more replaceable standard batteries (e.g., four AA batteries). These replaceable batteries may be removed and replaced with new batteries. In some forms, the removed battery may be recharged via a battery charger. In other embodiments, the condiment dispenser 100 includes a power cord that can be attached to or plugged into a standard wall outlet to provide power to the condiment dispenser 100. Seasoning dispenser 100 may include power conditioning circuitry to provide appropriate power to the electronics of seasoning dispenser 100.

Condiment dispenser 100 can include an on/off switch 360 on the back side of top cover 254 for switching the condiment dispenser on and off. When sensor 108 is activated, condiment dispenser 100 may be shut off to prevent condiment dispenser 100 from dispensing fluid. The condiment dispenser 100 can be cut off, e.g., for cleaning, prior to removal of the condiment dispenser 100. Condiment dispenser 100 can be turned on to provide power to the electronics of condiment dispenser 100, allowing fluid to be dispensed in response to the input detected by sensor 108.

The top cover 254 also includes an opening 370 on a top surface through which an indicator light 372 may extend from the control circuitry through the opening 370 (fig. 1A, 3). The indicator light 372 may be one or more LEDs and is configured to illuminate in various colors and/or flashing patterns to indicate various conditions to the user. The control circuit 270 is communicatively coupled to the indicator light 372, determines the status of the dispenser 100, and controls the indicator light 372 based on the determined status. When the condiment dispenser 100 is not in use but is available, the control circuit 270 may cause the indicator light 372 to display a color (e.g., green) to indicate to a user that the condiment dispenser is available. When the dispenser 100 has sensed proximity/movement via the sensor 108, the control circuit 270 may cause the indicator light to display a different color (e.g., yellow) and/or flash and alert the user that the condiment dispenser 100 is about to dispense fluid. When the battery 272 is low in power or needs to be replaced, the control circuit 270 may cause the light to be another color (e.g., red) and/or flash.

The front cover 118 may be attached to the front plate/cartridge receiver 102. In some forms, the front cover 118 is magnetically attached to the front plate 252 and the cartridge receiver 102. The front cover 118 may include a magnet or ferromagnetic metal that interacts with the magnetic fastening member 262 of the front plate 252 when in contact with the cartridge receiving portion 102 or proximate to the cartridge receiving portion 102. Additionally, or alternatively, the front cover 118 may include an insertion protrusion (e.g., a T-shaped protrusion) configured to slide into a receiving groove 374 (see fig. 5B, 10A) of the front plate 252/cartridge receiver 102 such that the front cover 118 remains attached to the remainder of the housing 120 by a friction fit, but is easily disassembled. The front cover 118 may also be attached by a snap fit connection with the front plate 252/cartridge receiver 102. Attaching the front cover 118 such that it is easily removable (via magnetic, snap-fit, or friction-fit attachment) facilitates quick maintenance of the condiment dispenser 100. For example, when the condiment dispenser 100 is to be cleaned or the battery 272 replaced, the front cover 118 can be quickly and easily removed to access the fluid delivery system 122 and/or the battery 272.

In operation, the cartridge 104 may be inserted into the basin 128 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 to connect the dispenser-bag adapter to the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106. A user may place their plate, food or other condiment container under the outlet 110 of the condiment dispenser 100. The control circuit 270 detects the proximity and/or movement of the user at the outlet 110 via data from the sensor 108 and determines that the user wishes to dispense the flavoring (e.g., based on detecting the presence of the user over a period of time). The control circuit 270 operates the motor 116 to drive the piston 154 up and down during a pump cycle to cause the diaphragm 160 of the pump tray 106 to pump fluid through the pump tray 106. Fluid is drawn from cartridge 104, pumped along the path of pump tray 106, out outlet port 190, up spout 112, and to outlet 110 where it is distributed to the user. The control circuit 270 may be configured to pump fluid for a period of time or for a number of pump cycles before checking with the data of the sensor 108 whether the user is still present at the outlet 110. In some forms, the control circuit 270 continuously monitors the data from the sensor 108 throughout the pump cycle and stops the pump cycle when the user is no longer present at the outlet 110 (e.g., the user withdraws their condiment container from the outlet 110).

When the condiment dispenser 100 has emptied the cartridge 104, or when it is desired to replace the cartridge 104, the cartridge 104 may be removed from the cartridge receiving portion 102 and disengaged from the cartridge 104 from the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106. The cartridge 104 may be refilled and the cartridge 104 or a new cartridge 104 may be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 102 as described above to continue dispensing fluid to the user.

To clean the condiment dispenser 100, the cartridge 104 is removed. The front cover 118 may be removed from the base by disengaging the front cover 118 from the front panel. The fluid delivery system 122 may then be withdrawn from the housing 120 along the track 124 of the base 126. The fluid delivery system 122 may be disassembled and cleaned. Side panel 112A of spout 112 may be removed from spout 112 to enable access to passageway 224 of spout 112, which minimizes the area where seasoning may be trapped and avoided from cleaning. The pump tray 106 may also be disassembled with the cover 180 rotated relative to the base 184 to unlock the cover 180 and the channel member 182 from the base 184. The cover 180, channel member 182, and base 184 may then be cleaned individually to completely clean the pump tray and minimize the area where fluid may become trapped within the pump tray 106 and avoid cleaning. The components of the fluid delivery system 122 are formed of dishwasher safe materials that can be washed by hand or in a dishwasher. Because all of the components of fluid delivery system 122 are separable for cleaning, condiment dispenser 100 does not have long pathways or enclosed areas that are difficult to reach and clean. This eliminates the need for special cleaning tools such as long brushes or cleaning appliances that are required in prior art dispensers to properly and completely clean the condiment dispenser. Instead, all areas of fluid contact of the condiment dispenser 100 are readily accessible for cleaning. The components of the housing 120 may also be wiped off as desired.

Once cleaned, the fluid delivery system 122 may be reassembled and inserted into the housing 120. Side cover 112A of spout 112 may be inserted into spout body 112B to form spout 112. The channel member 182 may be positioned within the base of the pump tray 106, and the cover 180 positioned over the channel member 182. The cover 180 may be rotated relative to the base 184 to secure the cover 180 and the channel member 182 to the base 184 to form the pump tray 106. Spout 112 may be attached to outlet port 190 of pump tray 106 and inserted along track 124 of base 126. The front cover 118 may be reattached to the housing 120. The condiment dispenser 100 is then ready to receive the cartridge 104 and continue to pump fluid to the user.

With respect to fig. 11A-11D and 12A-12G, the tapping cartridge 104 is shown according to a first embodiment of a cartridge compatible with the condiment dispenser 100. Cartridge 104 is a refillable cartridge configured to store a condiment bag within body 244. The dressing may be any dressing including, for example, tomato sauce, mustard sauce, roast meat sauce, mayonnaise, dressing and other sauces with or without particulates. As shown, the body 244 includes two halves 244A, 244B that are connected by a hinge 282. The sides of each of the halves 244A, 244B opposite the hinge 282 are configured to be secured together by a snap-fit connection. Half 244A includes two snap members 284 with barbs 286 for attachment to ridges 288 of half 244B (see fig. 11C). The catch member 284 is resiliently deflectable such that the barb 286 no longer hooks the ridge 288, allowing the halves 244A, 244B to rotate relative to each other about the hinge 282. The halves 244A, 244B may be closed by bringing the catch members 284 to the ridge 288 of the half 244B. The barbs 286 of the snap members 284 may include a ramped surface 286A that engages the ridge 288 when the cartridge 104 is closed. As the barbs 286 are forced against the ridge 288, the ramped surfaces 286A deflect the catch members 284 away from the ridge 288 until the barbs 286 clear the ridge 288. At this point, barbs 286 resiliently spring back to their original position, hooking ridge 288 and preventing halves 244A, 244B from rotating relative to one another about hinge 282. The halves 244A, 244B may be opened by manually deflecting the catch members 284 and passing the barbs 286 over the ridges 288.

When the condiment bag is in the open position (see fig. 11D), the condiment bag can be inserted into the cartridge body 244 and connected to the bag piercing member 290 of the dispenser-bag adapter 130. The cartridge body 244 may then be moved to a closed position wherein the condiment bag is within the cartridge body 244. Cartridge 104 is then ready for insertion into cartridge receiving portion 102 of condiment dispenser 100 to dispense fluid in the condiment bag.

Cartridge 104 further includes a tip portion 240, and dispenser-bag adapter 130 may be connected to tip portion 240. The dispenser-bag adapter 130 includes a first end having a bag piercing member 290 and a second end having a valve 307 for attachment to the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106. A passageway 291 (see fig. 12E) extends from the bag spike 290 to the valve 307 within the dispenser-bag adapter 130. The dispenser-bag adapter 130 includes a body 292 and a side panel 294, the side panel 294 configured to be removably attached to the body 292. The side panels 294 may be attached to the body 292 by a snap fit connection or friction fit connection and inserted into openings 293 in the body 292. In other embodiments, the side panels 294 are connected to the body 292 by one or more straps or clamps. The side panel 294 includes an insertion portion 296 insertable into an opening 293 of the body 292, and an outer portion 298 adjacent a portion of the body 292 about the opening. The insert portion 296 may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the opening of the body 292 to ensure that the opening is closed when the side panel 294 is attached. A seal (e.g., an O-ring) may be positioned about the insert portion 296 to form a sealed connection between the side panel 294 and the body 292 when the two are connected together. The body 292 may include a hook 300 configured to hook over a protrusion 295 of the side panel 294 when the side panel 294 is attached to the body 292. To attach the side panel 294 to the body 292, the protrusion 295 of the side panel 294 can be positioned under the hook 300 and the opposite end of the side panel 294 pivoted about the hook 300 to force the insertion portion 296 into the opening of the body 292. The side panels 294 include tabs 302 at the end opposite the protrusions 295, with the protrusions 304 snap into corresponding recesses in the body 292. The side panel 294 can be removed by applying a force to the end of the tab 302 of the side panel 294 to pivot the side panel 294 about the hook 300 to withdraw the insertion portion 296 of the side panel 294 from the body 292. The side panels 294 can slide apart with a certain amount of force applied to ensure that the side panels 294 do not inadvertently disengage from the body 292, yet enable a user to pull the side panels 294 apart without significant difficulty. By including removable side panels 294, a significant portion of the channels 291 can be directly and easily accessed, e.g., for cleaning (e.g., in a dishwasher).

The body 292 includes an attachment end that includes a base 305 and an annular skirt 306 with attachment threads, partial threads, or protrusions 308. An annular skirt 306 is used to attach the valve 307 to the body 292 of the dispenser-bag adapter 130. The valve 307 may be generally cylindrical and include corresponding threads 310, the threads 310 engaging threads 308 of the annular skirt 306 of the body 292 to attach the valve 307 to the body 292. The body 292 includes an opening 309 extending through the base 305 and a sealing post 312 extending from the base 305 within the channel 291. The opening 309 allows fluid to flow along the passage 291 through the base 305 to the valve 307. The valve 307 includes a sealing flap 314 extending around the sealing post 312 within the passage 291. Sealing flap 314 may have a shore hardness of about 40A that is flexible enough to allow suction from pump tray 106 to open valve 307, but rigid enough to return to the closed position. In other embodiments, the shore hardness may be increased, for example, by about 70A. The valve 307 forms a one-way valve with the body 292 of the dispenser-bag adapter 130. Referring to fig. 12F, sealing flap 314 may be biased toward a normally closed position wherein sealing flap 314 engages sealing post 312 of body 292 to form a sealed connection. This bias prevents fluid from leaking or dripping out of cartridge 104 from cartridge 104 when cartridge 104 is removed from condiment dispenser 100 (e.g., during insertion or removal of the cartridge receiver). Thus, the valve 307 may function as an anti-drip valve. Referring to fig. 12G, when the valve 307 is connected to the inlet port 188, the pump tray 106 may create a negative pressure at the inlet port 188, withdraw the sealing flap 314 from the sealing post 312, and allow fluid to flow from the channel 291 into the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106. When positive pressure from the pump tray 106 is present, such as when the pump tray 106 forces fluid out of the outlet port 190, the fluid forces the sealing flap 314 against the sealing post 312, as shown in fig. 12E, thereby preventing fluid from returning through the valve 307 and into the channel 291 of the dispenser-bag adapter 130. When fluid is not being withdrawn from cartridge 104, valve 307 remains in a closed, sealed position, which helps to maintain freshness of the condiment within the cartridge and thus helps to inhibit spoilage of the condiment that remains sealed to the air within dispenser-bag adapter 130 and/or the condiment bag.

The valve 307 further comprises a sealing member 318, the sealing member 318 extending radially inwards from the cylinder of the valve 307. These sealing members 318 may contact the inner cylindrical inlet tube 248 of the inlet port 188 when the cartridge 104 is attached to the condiment dispenser 100. These sealing members 318 help form a sealed connection between the valve 307 and the inlet port 188 to prevent fluid from passing through the connection. This helps prevent air from entering the inlet port 188 as the pump tray 106 pumps fluid, thereby allowing fluid to be drawn from the cartridge 104. The sealed connection also serves to maintain freshness of the fluid or condiment within the pump tray 106.

Referring again to fig. 11A-11B, the bottom surface 316 of the cartridge 104 is generally conical. The shape of the bottom surface 316 substantially corresponds to the shape of the basin 128 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 such that the cartridge 104 is supported in an upright position when the bottom surface 316 rests on the basin 128. The bottom surface 316 of the cartridge 104 includes three locking slots 362, the locking slots 362 being configured to hook over the locking protrusions 258 within the basin 128 of the cartridge receiving portion 102. In another embodiment shown in fig. 11E, the cartridge 104 may include two locking slots 362. In other embodiments, any number of locking slots 362 corresponding to the locking protrusions 258 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 may be used. For example, the cartridge 104 of fig. 11E having two locking grooves 362 may be attached to the cartridge 102A of fig. 4B having two locking protrusions 258. The locking groove 362 and locking protrusion 258 enable the cartridge 104 to be attached to the cartridge receiver 102 by a bayonet connection. The locking grooves 362 are L-shaped grooves each having a mouth 364 into which the locking protrusion 258 can be inserted into the locking groove 362. The cartridge 104 is then rotated relative to the cartridge receiver 102 to move the locking tab 258 along the leg portion 366 of the locking slot 362. Once the locking tab 258 is positioned within the leg portion 366 of the slot, the locking tab 258 snaps over the ledge 368 of the locking slot 362, which ledge 368 prevents the cartridge 104 from moving along its axis relative to the cartridge receiver 102. Then, for example, when the diaphragm is compressed to force fluid toward the outlet 110, the cartridge 104 is secured to the cartridge receiving portion 102 and prevented from substantially moving relative to the cartridge receiving portion 102 due to the pressure of the fluid at the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106.

To insert the cartridge 104 into the condiment dispenser 100, the bottom surface 316 of the cartridge 104 is brought to the basin 128 of the cartridge receiving portion 102. The locking protrusions 258 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 are aligned with the mouths 364 of the locking slots 362 of the cartridge 104. The locking protrusion 258 slides into the locking slot 362 and the cartridge 104 rotates relative to the cartridge receiver 102 to slide the locking protrusion 258 along the leg portion 366 of the locking slot 362. Cartridge 104 is then secured to condiment dispenser 100.

To remove the cartridge 104 from the condiment dispenser 100, the cartridge 104 is rotated relative to the cartridge receiving portion 102 to move the locking protrusions 258 toward the mouth 364 of the locking slots 362. Once the locking tab 258 is aligned with the mouth 364 of the locking slot 362, the cartridge 104 can be lifted from the cartridge receiving portion 102.

In use, the bag piercing member 290 of the dispenser-bag adapter 130 may be used to pierce a condiment bag (now shown) to allow condiment to flow from the condiment bag through the channel 291 to the valve 307. When in the open configuration, the condiment bag can be positioned within the cartridge body 244. Valve 307 may be positioned within tip portion 240 and cartridge body 244 moved to a closed configuration wherein the condiment bag is within cartridge body 244. The halves 244A, 244B of the cartridge body 244 may be moved relative to each other about the hinge 282 until the catch members 284 of the first half 244A catch on the ridges 288 of the second half 244B, thereby securing the cartridge body 244 in the closed configuration. Cartridge 104 may then be inserted into cartridge receptacle 102 of condiment dispenser 100 to dispense fluid from the condiment bag.

With respect to fig. 13A-13E, a cartridge 400 compatible with the condiment dispenser 100 is shown in accordance with a second embodiment. The cartridge 400 is similar in many respects to the cartridge 104 of the previous embodiment, except as highlighted in the discussion below. Cartridge 400 does not include a condiment bag, whereas condiments are placed directly inside the cartridge. The cartridge 400 may be refilled with flavoring every time the cartridge 400 is emptied. In some forms, the cartridge 400 may need to be returned to the vendor for refilling. The cartridge 400 may be sealed and configured to be opened by a vendor with a special tool for cleaning and refilling, and to otherwise prevent a person purchasing the cartridge 400 from opening or refilling the cartridge 400 itself.

The cartridge 400 includes a cartridge body 402, a plunger 404, a cover 406, and a valve 408. The cartridge body 402 receives the plunger 404 and has a cylindrical inner surface along which the plunger 404 slides to assist in emptying the cartridge 400. The bottom surface 410 of the cartridge body 402 has a tapered shape similar to the bottom surface 316 of the cartridge 104 and is configured to be placed in the basin 128 of the cartridge receiving portion 102. The bottom surface 410 has a locking slot 412 for attaching the cartridge 400 to the cartridge receiving portion 102 of the condiment dispenser 100, the locking slot 412 being similar to the locking slot 362 of the cartridge 104 described above. The valve 408 is positioned within the tip portion 414 of the cartridge body 402 and is configured to attach to the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106 when the cartridge 400 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 102.

With respect to fig. 13D, plunger 404 is within cartridge body 402 and is configured to slide along the length of cartridge body 402 to help drive fluid toward valve 408, plunger 404 being similar to a plunger of a syringe. When a new, full cartridge 400 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 102, the plunger 404 rests on top of the fluid within the cartridge 400. The plunger 404 has a cylindrical body 416, the cylindrical body 416 having a tapered nose 418, the tapered nose 418 having a shape that substantially corresponds to the tapered shape of the bottom surface 410 of the cartridge body 402. The plunger 404 includes at least two seals 420 extending radially outward from the plunger body 416 to form a fluid seal between the plunger body 416 and the inner wall of the cartridge body 402 of the cartridge 400. The seal 420 may be a flexible tab extending from the plunger body 416 around the periphery of the plunger body 416. In other embodiments, a gasket or O-ring may be positioned to extend around the periphery of the plunger body 416 to form a fluid seal between the plunger body 416 and the cartridge body 402. As the pump tray 106 draws fluid from the cartridge 400, the plunger 404 remains resting on top of the fluid to maintain pressure on the fluid, forcing the fluid out of the cartridge. The plunger 404 may be weighted such that it applies a force to the fluid and cannot remain spaced apart from the fluid as the level of the fluid within the cartridge 400 decreases. The seal 420 drags along the interior surface of the cartridge body 402 to push fluid adhering to the wall of the cartridge body 402 away from the wall and toward the opening in the bottom surface 410 of the cartridge body 402. Thus, the seal 420 helps to completely empty the cartridge 400, as the seal 420 helps to scrape the condiment off the inner wall of the cartridge body 402 and force it toward the opening. The sealing member 420 further seals the seasoning from the outside air, thereby maintaining freshness of the seasoning and preventing deterioration of the seasoning.

The length of the plunger body 416 may extend along the longitudinal length of the cartridge body 402 to prevent the plunger 404 from tilting or twisting as the plunger 404 travels along the cartridge body 402. In other words, the seals 420 of the plunger 404 may be spaced apart from one another along the direction of travel of the plunger 404 to help maintain the proper orientation of the plunger 404 within the cartridge body 402. Plunger 404 may be formed of plastic and/or rubber materials. In one form, the plunger body 416 is formed of a plastic material and the seal 420 is formed of rubber and is attached to the plunger body 416.

The cover 406 is mounted at an end of the cartridge body 402 opposite the bottom surface 410. The cover 406 may be secured to the cartridge body 402 such that the cover 406 cannot be removed without the use of tools. In some forms, the cover 406 is attached to the cartridge body 402 with an adhesive. The cover 406 may allow air to enter the cartridge body 402 above the plunger 404 to prevent a vacuum from forming within the cartridge body 402 as the plunger 404 travels along the cartridge body 402. The fluid within the cartridge 400 remains sealed to the air and is prevented from leaking from the cap 406 (e.g., if stored while resting on the cap 406) by the plunger 404 forming a seal with the inner surface of the cartridge body 402. As an example, the cover 406 may be formed of a plastic and/or rubber material.

With respect to fig. 13C, 13F, the bottom surface 410 of the cartridge body 402 includes an opening 422 through which fluid may exit the cartridge 400. The bottom surface 410 includes a sealing post 424 that interacts with a sealing flap 426 of the valve 408 similar to the sealing post 312 and sealing flap 314 of the dispenser-bag adapter 130 of the cartridge 104 described above. As shown, the sealing post 424 is positioned within the opening 422 and is held in place by a support arm 428. The sealing post 424 is shaped to direct fluid radially outward to flow around the radially outer edge of the sealing post 424. Similar to the cartridge 104 described above, the sealing tab 426 is typically in contact with the sealing post 424 to seal the contents of the cartridge 400. When attached to the inlet port 188, the pump tray 106 may create a negative pressure at the valve such that the sealing flap 426 moves away from the sealing post 424, allowing fluid to exit the cartridge 400 and travel into the inlet port 188. Once the pressure is equalized, the sealing fins 426 may be biased back into sealing engagement with the sealing post 424. This bias prevents fluid from leaking or dripping out of cartridge 400 when cartridge 400 is removed from condiment dispenser 100 (e.g., during insertion or removal of cartridge receiver). Thus, the valve 408 may act as an anti-drip valve. When the pump tray 106 creates positive pressure to pump fluid in the pump tray 106 out of the outlet port 190, the fluid is forced against the sealing fins 426 that form a seal with the sealing post 424, thereby preventing the fluid from re-entering the cartridge 400.

With respect to fig. 13E, the valve 408 may have a cylindrical body 430, the cylindrical body 430 configured to be inserted into the tip portion 414 of the cartridge 400. The sealing tabs 426 extend radially inward and upward from the cylindrical body 430 to engage the sealing post 424 of the cartridge body 402. The valve 408 may be formed of a plastic and/or rubber material. As shown in fig. 13C-13D, a lower portion of the valve 408 may include an additional sealing member 432 extending radially inward from the cylindrical body 430 of the valve 408 that is configured to engage the inlet port 188 to form a sealed connection between the cartridge 400 and the inlet port 188 when the cartridge 400 is attached to the inlet port 188.

In other embodiments, the bottom surface 410 of the cartridge 400 (and cartridge 104) may be smooth, enabling the interior of the cartridge 400 to be quickly and easily cleaned, such as by a dishwasher. The inner surface of cartridge body 402 may not have crevices or ridges along which condiments may collect and which are difficult to reach during cleaning. Furthermore, providing a smooth surface inside cartridge 400 further helps to completely empty cartridge 400 of condiment as the plunger forces condiment to the opening in valve 408, so that there are no wrinkles or gaps forming locking groove 412. In some embodiments, the locking grooves 362, 412 of the cartridge embodiments may be formed by ridges extending from the outer surface of the cartridge body such that the inner surface of the cartridge is smooth.

In other embodiments, the cartridge 104, 400 may include other numbers of locking slots 362, 412, such as two (similar to fig. 11E) or four locking slots. The cartridge receiving portion 102 of the condiment dispenser 100 may have a corresponding number of locking protrusions 258 for insertion along the locking slots 362, 412 to attach the cartridges 104, 400 to the cartridge receiving portion 102. For example, as shown in fig. 4B, the tray 102A includes two locking protrusions 258 for locking to the cartridge 104, 400 having at least two locking slots 362, 414, the locking slots 362, 414 being positioned opposite each other on the cartridge bottom surface.

Referring to fig. 14A-16C, a condiment dispenser 500 according to a second embodiment is shown. The condiment dispenser 500 is similar in many respects to the condiment dispenser 100 discussed above, except as highlighted in the discussion that follows. For brevity and clarity, reference numerals used for the components and features described above with respect to condiment dispenser 100 will be used for similar components and features with respect to condiment dispenser 500. The main difference between the second embodiment of the condiment dispenser 500 and the condiment dispenser 100 described above is that the condiment dispenser 500 is a manual dispenser rather than an automatic dispenser. Condiment dispenser 500 includes a pumping handle 502 that dispenses fluid when pressed or pumped by a user, rather than using a sensor, controller, motor.

Referring to fig. 14, a condiment dispenser 500 includes a cartridge receiving portion 102 into which a cartridge, such as cartridge 400 shown, may be inserted as discussed with respect to condiment dispenser 100. Condiment dispenser 500 includes fluid delivery system 122 described above with respect to condiment dispenser 100. The cartridge 400 is inserted into the cartridge receiver 102 such that the valve 408 of the cartridge 400 is connected to the inlet port 188 of the pump tray 106 of the fluid delivery system 122. Referring to fig. 15, fluid delivery system 122 (pump tray 106 and spout 112) operates as described above with respect to condiment dispenser 100, wherein diaphragm 160 of pump tray 106 moves up and down to aspirate fluid from cartridge 400 and pumps fluid up spout 112 to outlet 110 to dispense fluid.

In the condiment dispenser 500 of this second embodiment, fluid is manually pumped from the cartridge 400 to the outlet 110 of the spout 112. The diaphragm 160 of the pump tray 106 of the fluid delivery system 122 is pushed downward by the user pressing the handle 502, forcing fluid toward the outlet 110. As discussed in further detail below, the handle 502 is biased by a biasing member to return to its original position such that the diaphragm 160 is pulled upward to draw fluid from the cartridge 400 into the pump tray 106. The handle 502 may be pressed again to pump fluid toward the fluid outlet 110 of the condiment dispenser 500. Condiment dispenser 500 can include stops along the path of plunger 154 and/or handle 502 to limit the stroke length of plunger 154 to set the range of movement of plunger 154. Doing so may set the extent to which the piston 154 moves the diaphragm 160 to set the amount of fluid dispensed from the outlet 110 in a single stroke. The range of movement of the piston 154 may be adjusted based on the type of flavoring (e.g., viscosity, containing particles, etc.).

Referring to fig. 16A-16C, the handle 502 includes an engagement portion 504 and an arm 506 extending from the engagement portion 504. Arm 506 is hingedly attached to attachment member 508, which is attached to top cover 254 of condiment dispenser 500. The cap 254 may have a slot or opening 521 therein through which the arm 506 of the handle 502 extends through the slot or opening 521. The engagement portion 504 of the handle 502 may rotate or pivot about a hinged connection to the attachment member 508. The handle 502 also includes a cross bar 510 extending between the arms 506, the cross bar 510 engaging the plunger 154. The crossbar 510 may be rigidly secured to the arm 506 by fasteners extending through the crossbar 510 and into the arm 506. As shown, the crossbar 510 may be angled (e.g., approximately right angle) to add strength and engage a larger portion of the handle 502, thereby preventing the crossbar 510 from substantially twisting or otherwise moving relative to the handle 502. As an example, the crossbar 510 may be formed of plastic or metal.

As the handle 502 is pressed downward, such as by a user applying a downward force to the handle 502, the crossbar 510 engages the plunger 154 and pushes the reciprocating member 514 downward. In the illustrated embodiment, the crossbar 510 engages a top roller 173 of the plunger 154, the top roller 173 rotates as the crossbar 510 rotates about the arm 506, and the plunger 154 moves downward. The use of the rollers 173 reduces frictional resistance between the crossbar 510 and the piston 154 as the crossbar 510 slides along the piston 154 as the crossbar 510 rotates to move the piston 154. The use of rollers 173 further increases the life of condiment dispenser 500 as wear on crossbar 510 and piston 154 decreases. As described above with respect to condiment dispenser 100, piston 154 is coupled to head 159 of diaphragm 160 of pump tray 106. As the piston 154 is pushed downward by the force applied by the user, the piston 154 pushes the diaphragm 160 downward. As the diaphragm 160 moves downward, the volume within the pump chamber of the pump tray 106 decreases, forcing fluid out of the outlet port 190 and up to the spout 112.

When the downward force on the handle 502 is removed, the handle 502 may be returned to its original upward position by a biasing member forcing the handle 502 toward the upward position. As shown in fig. 16C, condiment dispenser 500 includes spring 516 as a biasing member. In other forms, the biasing member may be, for example, rubber or an elastic band. The spring 516 is coupled to and extends between the back plate 256 of the cartridge receiver 102 and the piston 154. The back plate 256 of the cartridge receiving portion 102 of the condiment dispenser 500 includes a fastener receiving portion 518 for receiving a fastener 520. One end of the spring 516 is attached to the backplate 256 by a fastener 520. As the plunger 154 is forced downward due to a downward force applied to the handle 502, the spring 516 is stretched as the plunger 154 moves downward relative to the fastener 520 or the point at which the spring 516 is coupled to the back plate 256. As the spring 516 is stretched, the spring 516 applies a biasing force to the piston 154 to pull the piston 154 upward to its original, generally upward position. When the biasing force of the spring 516 overcomes the downward force applied to the plunger 154 (e.g., when the user releases the handle 502), the spring 516 pulls the plunger 154 upward. This causes the piston 154 to exert an upward force on the cross bar 510, thereby causing the handle 502 to pivot about the arm 506 to its original upward position. Thus, to dispense seasoning from outlet 110, the user may press handle 502 downward, releasing handle 502 to allow handle 502 to return to its upward position by the biasing force of spring 516, and then press handle 502 again. The user may repeatedly press and release the handle 502 to pump fluid out of the cartridge 400 and up through the pump tray 106 to the spout 112.

Referring to fig. 17A-17B, a valve 600 according to another embodiment is shown. The valve 600 may be used as an alternative to the valves 307, 408 of the cartridges 104, 400, but will be described below in relation to the cartridges 104. The valve 600 is configured to bias toward the closed configuration when the cartridge 104 is not inserted into the cartridge receiver 102 of the condiment dispenser 100, 500. In the closed configuration, the valve 600 forms a fluid tight connection, preventing fluid from entering or exiting the cartridge 104, 400. Thus, the valve 600 helps prevent fluid from leaking out of the cartridge 104 when the cartridge 104 is withdrawn from the condiment dispenser. Thus, valve 600 acts as an anti-drip valve, preventing fluid from exiting cartridge 104 as it is inserted into or withdrawn from condiment dispenser 100. This prevents the seasoning from dripping onto the seasoning dispenser (e.g., cartridge receiver 102) during removal and insertion, thereby reducing the need to clean and wipe surfaces due to unintentional dripping of seasoning.

The valve 600 is located within the tip portion 240 of the cartridge 104. The valve 600 may include a cylindrical body 602 having an opening therethrough forming a portion of the channel 604 exiting the cartridge 104. A resilient valve seal member 606 is disposed within the channel 604. The sealing member 606 may include a base portion 608 and a sealing portion 610 connected by an elongate connector arm 612. The valve sealing member 606 may be formed of a flexible material configured to be compressed when a force is applied and to resiliently return to its original position. The base portion 608 may be positioned to engage a narrowed portion or step 614 of the channel 604 and prevent the sealing member 606 from sliding out of the valve 600 along the channel 604 beyond the step 614 of the channel 604. When the sealing member 606 is compressed once inserted into the condiment dispenser 100, the base portion 608 may be forced against the step 614. The base portion 608 may include a plurality of apertures 616 that allow fluid to pass through the base portion 608 along the channel 604.

A sealing member 606 is positioned at an opposite end of the valve 600 within the channel 604. As shown in fig. 17A, the sealing member 606 may be a generally dome-shaped or concave tab biased into engagement with a lip 618 of the valve 600 positioned at the end of the channel 604. Once inserted into condiment dispenser 100, referring to fig. 17B, inlet port 188 engages sealing portion 610 and forces sealing portion 610 away from lip 618 of the valve, thereby compressing elongate connector arm 612. The fluid may then flow along a flow path 620 around the periphery of the sealing portion 610, deflecting the edge of the sealing portion 610 slightly toward the lip 618 and away from the inner wall of the valve 600 forming the channel 604. The inlet port 188 may include a recess or recess in an end surface of the inlet port 188 that engages the sealing portion 610 to allow fluid flow into the inlet port 188. The end surface of the inlet port 188 may be contoured or wavy, allowing fluid to enter the inlet port 188 in the space or gap between the sealing portion 610 and the end surface of the inlet port 188. When the cartridge 104 is removed from the cartridge receiver 102 and the inlet port 188 is no longer engaged with the sealing portion 610, the sealing portion 610 resiliently returns to its original position in sealing engagement with the lip 618. When the force applied to the sealing portion 610 is overcome (e.g., from the inlet port 188), the elongate connector arm 612 may act as a spring biasing the sealing portion 610 into engagement with the lip 618. Thus, when the cartridge 104 is not inserted into the cartridge receiver 102, fluid is inhibited from entering or exiting the cartridge 104.

Referring to fig. 18A-18B, a valve 600 according to another embodiment is shown. The valve 600 of fig. 18A-18B is similar in many respects to the valve of fig. 17A-17B, and therefore the same reference numerals will be used to describe similar features, except as highlighted in the discussion below. With respect to fig. 18A, the valve 600 is positioned within the tip portion 240 of the cartridge 104. The valve 600 includes an opening therethrough forming a portion of the channel 604, and fluid from the cartridge 104 flows along the channel 604 as the fluid exits the cartridge 104.

A valve sealing member 606 is disposed within the channel 604 of the valve 600. The valve sealing member 606 includes a base portion 608 that is configured to anchor at an upper end of the valve 600 such that the base portion 608 is substantially immovable along the length of the channel 604. An elongated connector arm 612 extends from the base to the sealing portion 610 and biases the sealing portion 610 into engagement with a lip 618 of the valve 600. The sealing portion 610 may be formed of a flexible material (e.g., rubber) and form a fluid-tight connection between the sealing portion 610 and the lip 614 when the sealing portion 610 is forced into engagement with the lip 618.

Valve 600 is positioned over inlet port 188 of condiment dispenser 100 to connect cartridge 104 to condiment dispenser 100. Referring to fig. 18B, when the cartridge 104 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 102, the inlet port 188 engages the sealing portion 610, thereby causing the sealing portion 610 to move away from the lip 618 or lift from the lip 618. This creates a gap between the sealing portion 610 and the lip 618, allowing fluid to exit the cartridge 104. As described with respect to fig. 17A-17B, the end surface 188A of the inlet port 188 may be contoured or notched to allow fluid to flow between the end surface and the sealing portion 610 and into the inlet port 188. When the cartridge 104 is removed from the cartridge receiver 102 and the inlet port 188 is no longer engaged with the sealing portion 610, the elongate connector arm 612 forces the sealing portion 610 to its original position and into sealing engagement with the lip 618. Thus, when the cartridge 104 is not inserted into the cartridge receiver 102, fluid is inhibited from entering or exiting the cartridge 104, preventing dripping or leakage from the cartridge.

The various embodiments of the condiment dispenser and cartridge described above are interchangeable and compatible with one another. For example, the condiment dispenser 100 of the first embodiment can be used with and compatible with both the cartridge 104 and the cartridge 400. Similarly, the condiment dispenser 500 of the second embodiment can be used with and compatible with both the cartridge 104 and the cartridge 400. Thus, cartridges 104, 400 used with condiment dispenser 100 may be removed, refilled, and used with condiment dispenser 500.

The condiment dispensers and cartridges described herein are configured to be cleanable. The condiment dispenser can be quickly and intuitively removed and cleaned to ensure proper and complete cleaning of the condiment dispenser during cleaning. As described above, the components of the condiment dispenser can be disassembled such that there are no long channels or locations along the fluid flow path that are difficult to reach. The components can be disassembled and placed in a dishwasher for full cleaning without the additional step of cleaning using a special tool (e.g., a long brush). Furthermore, cleaning the condiment dispenser is less cumbersome due to the quick and intuitive removability and cleanability of the condiment dispenser, which may allow the condiment dispenser to be cleaned more regularly than staff may delay cleaning because of the difficulty in cleaning, as with prior art dispensers.

Referring to fig. 19A-19C, a condiment dispenser 700 is shown in accordance with another embodiment. The condiment dispenser 700 is similar in many respects to the condiment dispenser 100 discussed above, and therefore differs in the discussion that follows. Condiment dispenser 700 includes a cartridge receptacle 702 for receiving a cartridge, such as cartridge 104, 400, 800 discussed herein.

The condiment dispenser 700 includes a basin tray 704, the basin tray 704 being attachable to the cartridge receiving portion 702 and removable from the cartridge receiving portion 702. The basin tray 704 may be connected to the cartridge receiver 702 by way of a bayonet connection. As shown in fig. 19C, the basin tray 704 includes hooks 706, which hooks 706 can be inserted into corresponding locking slots 708 (see fig. 19B) of the cartridge receiving portion 702. The locking groove 708 of the cartridge receiver includes a receiving portion 710 and a locking portion 712. To attach the basin tray 704 to the cartridge receiver 702, the hooks 706 of the basin tray 704 may be aligned with and inserted into the receiving portions 710 of the locking slots 708. The basin tray 704 may then be rotated such that the hooks 706 of the basin tray 704 slide under the locking portions 712 of the locking slots 702, thereby securing the basin tray 704 to the cartridge receiver 702 and preventing removal of the basin tray 704 from the cartridge receiver 702. The basin tray 704 may include a tab 705 that may be used to rotate the basin tray 704 to attach the basin tray 704 to the cartridge receiving portion 702 and/or detach the basin tray 704 from the cartridge receiving portion 702. The tab 705 may include a recess or depression 707 that may provide a sloped or curved surface for a user to engage to assist in rotating the basin tray 704. For example, a user may place their finger in the recess 707 to apply a force to the basin tray 704. The basin tray 704 may be removed for cleaning. For example, the basin tray 704 may be separate from the cartridge receiver 702 and may be placed in a dishwasher for cleaning. The upper face 714 of the basin tray 704 may include a tab 716 for securing the cartridge to the basin tray, similar to the embodiments described above.

The condiment dispenser 700 includes a front support 718, the front support 718 including deflectable hooks 720 for securing the cartridge receiver 702 to the front support 718. As shown in fig. 19B, deflectable hook 720 has an arm 722 extending from the body of front support 718 to a protrusion 724. The cartridge receiver 702 includes a slot or channel 726 along which deflectable hooks 720 of the front support 718 can slide to attach the front support 718 to the cartridge receiver 702. When slid along the channel 726, the deflectable hooks 720 may resiliently deflect from the rest position until the protrusions 724 align with the openings 728 of the channel 726, at which point the deflectable hooks 720 resiliently return to their rest position, with the protrusions 724 extending into the openings 728. With the protrusion 724 of the front support 718 extending into the opening 728 of the cartridge receiver 702, the cartridge receiver 702 is attached to the front support 718. The cartridge receiver 702 may be disengaged from the front support 718 by deflecting the deflectable hook 720 to withdraw the protrusion 724 from the opening 728 and slide the deflectable hook 720 along the channel 726 of the cartridge receiver 702.

With respect to fig. 20A-20B, a fluid delivery system 730 is provided that is similar in many respects to the fluid delivery system 122 discussed above, and thus will emphasize the differences. Fluid delivery system 730 includes a pump tray 732 and a spout 734. Similar to spout 112 described above, spout 734 includes side panel 734A, which may be separate from body 734B of spout 734. Spout 734 may also include a bellows 736 that may be depressed by a roller 737 (fig. 21C) of piston 738 of condiment dispenser 700 as piston 738 reciprocates to help pump fluid upward and through spout 734 to a dispensing opening 739 of spout 734. Roller 737 may also be moved away from bellows 736 to release bellows 736 to draw fluid from dispensing opening 739 to prevent fluid from dripping from dispensing opening 73. In the spout 734, a bellows 736 is included on the body 734B of the spout 734. The width of a lower portion 740 of body 734B below bellows 736 may be increased relative to an upper portion 742 of body 734B above bellows 738. The increased width of the lower portion 740 of the body 734B may limit movement of the roller 737 of the piston 738 as the piston 738 moves downward to press the bellows 736. For example, roller 737 may roll along bellows 736 until roller 737 abuts stop edge 740A of body 734B, thereby preventing roller 737 from passing through lower portion 740 of body 734B.

Side panel 734A of spout 734 may include a hook 744. Hooks 744 may be used to secure side panel 734A within the dishwasher. For example, hooks 744 may be used to secure side panel 734A to the frame of a dishwasher when spout 734 is disassembled in the dishwasher for cleaning. The hooks 744 may prevent substantial movement of the side panel 734A when the dishwasher sprays water on the side panel 734A during a cleaning cycle, which may, for example, prevent the side panel 734A from moving around the dishwasher during a cleaning cycle and possibly being lost.

With respect to fig. 21A-21B, front support 718 includes an arm 746, the arm 746 may support a shaft 748 of a pump drive system 750 of condiment dispenser 700. An attachment bracket 752 may be secured to an end of the shaft 748, allowing the shaft 748 to rotate therein. An attachment bracket 752 may be mounted to the arm 746 to support the shaft 748 and allow the shaft 748 to be rotated by a pump drive system 750 to move the piston 738 up and down. With respect to fig. 21C, the shaft 748 may include a length extending along the length of the shaft 748

Across the width or a substantial portion of the width of the piston 738. Gear teeth 754 of shaft 748 engage teeth 758A of piston 738 such that rotation of shaft 748 causes piston 738 to move upward and/or downward, which may cause condiment dispenser 700 to dispense fluid. Extending the gear teeth 754 of the shaft 748 along the teeth 758A of the piston 738 along the width of the piston 738 may reduce the amount of slip that may occur between the shaft 748 and the piston 738 during operation due to the increased contact area between the shaft 748 and the piston 738.

With respect to fig. 22A-22C, a condiment cartridge 800 in accordance with another embodiment is shown that can be used with the condiment dispenser of the above-described embodiments. Condiment cartridge 800 is similar in many respects to condiment cartridge 104 discussed above, and thus will emphasize the differences. Condiment cartridge 800 includes a cartridge body 802, the cartridge body 802 having a first half 802A and a second half 802B hinged together that are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Condiment cartridge 800 includes an upper catch 804 and a lower catch 806, the upper catch 804 and the lower catch 806 operable to secure together the first half 802A and the second half 802B of the cartridge body 802 in a closed configuration to inhibit substantial movement of the first half 802A relative to the second half 802B about the hinged connection. The upper and lower fasteners 804, 806 may be connected to the first half 802A by upper and lower hinges 808, 810, the upper and lower fasteners 804, 806 pivoting about the upper and lower hinges 808, 810. The upper catch 804 and the lower catch 806 may snap to corresponding ledges or hooks of the second half 802B to secure the cartridge body 802 in the closed configuration. The upper and lower fasteners 804, 806 may be pried away from the second half 802B to release the upper and lower fasteners 804, 806, thereby allowing the first and second halves 802A, 802B to move about the hinged connection toward the open configuration, e.g., to remove and/or load a condiment bag.

With respect to fig. 22B, cartridge 800 includes a bag holder 812 mounted to an upper portion of the interior of cartridge body 802. The bag holder 812 may be clamped to a condiment bag inserted into the cartridge 800 to suspend the condiment bag within the cartridge 800 when the cartridge is inserted into a condiment dispenser. Suspending the condiment bag within cartridge 800 may assist in draining condiment from the condiment bag and directing the condiment to the dispenser-bag adapter 814. For example, clamping the condiment bag to the upper portion of the cartridge body 802 prevents the condiment bag from collapsing around the dispenser-bag adapter 814, which can restrict the flow of condiment from the condiment bag and prevent the removal of condiment from the condiment bag.

With respect to fig. 23A-23B, the bag holder 812 includes a jaw 815 and a buckle 816. The clamping jaw 815 includes opposing plates or arms 817, 818 that can be pressed against one another to hold an object therebetween. For example, a portion of the seasoning bag may be held between the arms 817, 818 such that the arms 817, 818 clamp the portion of the seasoning bag therebetween to hold the seasoning bag. The arms 817, 818 may each include a ribbed gripping surface 820, 822, the ribbed gripping surfaces 820, 822 may help retain the condiment bag therebetween. For example, the ribbed portions of the gripping surfaces 820, 822 may intermesh (see fig. 23B), which prevents the condiment bag from sliding along the gripping surfaces 820, 822 and out of the jaws 815. The arms 817, 818 of the clamp jaw 815 may be pulled together by the screw 824. The screw 824 includes a head 826 that can be grasped by a user to rotate the screw 824. The screw 824 may extend through the second arm 818 and into a threaded bore of the first arm 817. Rotating the head 826 of the screw 824 in a first direction pulls the first arm 817 toward the second arm 818. The head 826 of the screw 824 may be rotated in a first direction until the clamping surfaces 820, 822 of the arms 817, 818 contact one another. The portion of the seasoning bag may be positioned between the clamping surfaces 820, 822 of the arms 817, 818 and then the arms 817, 818 are pulled toward one another to clamp the seasoning bag between the clamping surfaces 820, 822 of the arms 817, 818. The head 826 of the screw 824 may be rotated in opposite directions to separate the arms 817, 818 from one another. With a portion of the condiment bag clamped between the arms 817, 818, the head 826 can be rotated to release the condiment bag, e.g., to replace the condiment bag.

The buckle 816 of the pouch holder 812 may be inserted into the buckle receiver 828 (fig. 22B-22C) of the cartridge body 802 to attach the pouch holder 812 to the cartridge body 802. As shown in fig. 23A-23B, the buckle 816 includes a deflectable arm 832 extending from the pawl 815. The connecting portion 830 may extend between the deflectable arms 832 to bias the deflectable arms 835 toward a home or rest position. The deflectable arm 832 includes an angled protrusion 834 at an end thereof. With respect to fig. 22C, the buckle receiving portion 828 includes an upper slot 836 and a lower slot 838 into which the buckle 816 of the pouch holder 812 may be inserted to secure the pouch holder 812 to the cartridge body 802. The buckle receiving portion 828 includes side walls 839, 840 depending from the cartridge body 802. Upper, middle and lower walls 842, 844, 846 extend inwardly from the side walls to form upper and lower channels 836, 838. While the buckle receiving portion 828 is shown as including an upper slot and a lower slot, the buckle receiving portion 828 may include any number of slots for mounting the bag holder 812 at different heights within the cartridge body 802. In some embodiments, the buckle receiving portion 828 includes a single slot for mounting the bag holder 812.

The side walls 839, 840 include an upper opening 848 adjacent the upper channel 836 between the upper and middle walls 842, 844 and a lower opening 852 adjacent the lower channel 838 between the middle and lower walls 844, 846. The buckle 816 may be inserted into the upper channel 836 or the lower channel 838 to attach the bag holder 812 to the buckle receiver 828. To insert the buckle 816 into the upper channel 836, for example, the angled protrusion 834 of the deflectable arm 832 may be aligned with the upper channel 838 and interposed between the upper wall 842 and the middle wall 844. As the buckle 816 is inserted, the angled protrusions 834 contact the sidewalls 839, 840, causing the deflectable arms to deflect inwardly. The buckle 816 may be inserted into the upper channel 836 until the angled protrusion 834 is aligned with the upper opening 848, at which point the deflectable arm 832 resiliently returns to its original position with the angled protrusion 834 extending into the upper opening 848. The angled protrusion 834 hooks the upper opening 848, which prevents the buckle 816 from being withdrawn from the upper channel 836. A force (e.g., with a finger or a tool) may be applied to the angled protrusion 834 to deflect the deflectable arm 832 inwardly until the angled protrusion 834 is no longer within the upper opening 848, such that the buckle 816 may be withdrawn from the upper channel 836. The buckle 816 may similarly be inserted into the lower slot 838 and removed from the lower slot 838. The user can select which of the upper or lower slots 836, 838 to insert into the buckle 816 to set the height at which the condiment bag is suspended. For example, for smaller condiment bag sizes, the user may insert the buckle 816 into the lower slot 838 so that the condiment bag can extend to the dispenser-bag adapter 814 at the lower end of the cartridge 800.

With respect to fig. 24A-24B, dispenser-bag adapter 814 is similar in many respects to dispenser-bag adapter 130 of fig. 12A-12C, and so differences will be emphasized. The dispenser-bag adapter 814 includes a body 860, side panels 862, and an inlet valve 864. The side panels 862 may be removable from the body 860 to enable access to the interior of the dispenser-bag adapter 814, for example, for cleaning. The side panels 862 can include hooks 866. Hooks 866 may be used to attach the side panels 862 to the rack of the dishwasher. For example, when the dispenser-bag adapter 814 is disassembled in a dishwasher for cleaning, the hooks 866 can be used to secure the side panels 862 to the rack of the dishwasher. The hooks 866 may prevent substantial movement of the side panels 862 when the dishwasher sprays water on the side panels 862 during a cleaning cycle, which may, for example, prevent the side panels 862 from moving around the dishwasher during a cleaning cycle and possibly being lost.

The dispenser-bag adapter 814 may include straps 868 to secure the side panels 862 to the body 860. The strap 868 can be wrapped around the body 860 and the side panel 862 to secure the side panel 862 to the body 860 after the side panel 862 has been attached to the body 860. The strap 868 can be mounted to the side panel 862 such that the strap 868 cannot be removed from the side panel 862. For example, the strap 868 may be secured to the side panel 862 by an adhesive. In other forms, strap 868 is secured to body 860. The strap 868 may be formed of a flexible material such as rubber. The strap 868 can include an opening 870 and a tab 872. The tab 872 may extend through an opening 870 of the strap 868 to secure the strap 868. The protrusion 872 may have a neck portion and a head portion having a width greater than the neck portion. The head portion may be sized such that force is required to pass the head portion through the opening 870 of the strap 868. In use, a user may insert the side panel 862 into the body 860 of the dispenser-bag adapter 814. The end of the strap 868 may be wrapped around the body 860 until the opening 870 is aligned with the protrusion 872. The head portion of the tab 872 can be forced through an opening 870 in the strap 868 to secure the strap around the side panel 862 and the body 860. Thus, strap 868 retains side panel 862 to body 860 and prevents side panel 862 from separating from body 860, for example, as condiments are pumped through dispenser-bag adapter 814.

The inlet valve 864 may have a cylindrical body that is clamped by a lower portion of the cartridge body 802 when the cartridge 800 is in the closed configuration. The outer surface 878 of the inlet valve 864 may include a plurality of ribs 880, which ribs 880 may help prevent rotation of the inlet valve 8640 relative to the cartridge body 802 when in the closed configuration. For example, the ribs 880 further provide a grip for a user to rotate the inlet valve 864 relative to the body 860 when assembling or disassembling the dispenser-bag adapter 814.

Referring to fig. 25A-25B, a dispenser-bag adapter 900 according to another embodiment is shown. The dispenser-bag adapter 900 is similar to the dispenser-bag adapters of the embodiments discussed above, and so the differences will be emphasized. As shown in fig. 25A, the body 902 of the dispenser-bag adapter 900 extends from the base portion 904 obliquely or angularly relative to the inlet valve 906. As shown in fig. 25B, when installed in cartridge 800, dispenser-bag adapter 900 does not extend vertically, but extends outwardly toward cartridge body 802 as it extends upwardly. This angled configuration of the dispenser-bag adapter 900 allows additional space within the cartridge 800 into which a condiment bag can be inserted. Thus, the use of the angled configuration of the dispenser-bag adapter 900 allows for larger sized condiment bags to be loaded into the condiment cartridge 800.

The use of singular terms such as "a," "an," and "the" are intended to cover both the singular and the plural unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms. The phrase "at least one" as used herein is intended to be interpreted in a disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase "at least one of a and B" is intended to include A, B or a and B.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various modifications, substitutions and combinations of the above described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and these modifications, substitutions and combinations are to be considered as being within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A condiment dispenser comprising:

a pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a movable wall forming at least a portion of a pumping chamber, such that moving the movable wall adjusts the volume of the pumping chamber to pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet;

a spout connected to the outlet of the pump and having a passage extending to a dispensing opening;

a bellows disposed along at least a portion of the channel; and

A piston connected to the movable wall of the pump and movable between a first position and a second position to move the movable wall of the pumping chamber to pump fluid toward the dispensing opening of the spout, wherein moving the piston between the first and second positions compresses and releases the bellows.

2. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, wherein moving the piston from the first position to the second position forces fluid from the pumping chamber toward the dispensing opening and compresses the bellows to force fluid in the spout toward the dispensing opening.

3. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, wherein moving the piston from the second position to the first position draws fluid from the inlet to the pumping chamber and compresses the bellows to draw fluid in the spout from the dispensing opening.

4. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, wherein the piston includes a roller that moves along a side of the spout including the bellows as the piston moves between the first and second positions, wherein the roller engages the bellows when the piston is in the second position and disengages the bellows when the piston is in the first position.

5. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a motor operable to rotate a drive gear, the piston including a linear gear interfacing with the drive gear such that operation of the motor moves the piston between the first and second positions.

6. The condiment dispenser of claim 5, wherein the drive gear is a shaft having gear teeth disposed thereon.

7. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a pumping handle configured to pivot relative to the piston and engage the piston to move the piston between the first and second positions.

8. The condiment dispenser of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plunger and the pumping handle includes a roller engaged with a surface of the other of the plunger and the pumping handle, the roller allowing the plunger and the pumping handle to move relative to each other as the pumping handle pivots relative to the plunger.

9. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a guide rail, the piston engaging the guide rail such that the piston travels along the guide rail as the piston moves between the first position and the second position.

10. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, wherein the movable wall of the pump includes an attachment head slidably inserted into a compartment of the piston to attach the piston to the movable wall.

11. A condiment dispenser as recited in claim 1, wherein said spout includes a base removably connected to an outlet of said pump, said passageway of said spout extending from said base to said dispensing opening of said spout.

12. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spout includes a removable panel to allow access to the channel.

13. A condiment dispenser as recited in claim 1, wherein said pump includes a channel for transferring fluid from said inlet to said outlet, said movable wall being a flexible membrane disposed over at least a portion of said channel.

14. The condiment dispenser of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the pump includes a one-way valve to allow fluid to leave the pump and inhibit fluid from entering the pump at the outlet.

15. A condiment dispenser comprising:

A fluid delivery system comprising a pump and a spout to pump fluid from an inlet of the pump to a dispensing outlet of the spout;

a dispenser housing having a track along which the fluid delivery system is removably inserted into the dispenser housing as a single unit; and

A cartridge receiving portion for receiving a condiment cartridge, the cartridge receiving portion including an opening through which condiment is received from the condiment cartridge into an inlet of the fluid delivery system.

16. The condiment dispenser of claim 15, wherein the inlet of the fluid delivery system is connected to the condiment cartridge when the condiment cartridge is received within the cartridge receiving portion, which prevents removal of the fluid delivery system from the dispenser housing along the track.

17. The condiment dispenser of claim 15, wherein the track aligns an inlet of the fluid delivery system with an opening in the condiment receiving portion to facilitate connection of the condiment cartridge to the fluid delivery system when the condiment cartridge is received in the cartridge receiving portion.

18. The condiment dispenser of claim 15, wherein the dispenser housing includes deflectable tabs having protrusions thereon and the fluid delivery system includes complementary recesses for receiving the protrusions, wherein the protrusions snap into the recesses of the fluid delivery system when the inlet is aligned with the opening of the cartridge receiver upon insertion of the fluid delivery system into the dispenser housing.

19. The condiment dispenser of claim 15, wherein the track comprises an elongated groove and the fluid delivery system comprises at least one protrusion sized to slide within the elongated groove to guide the fluid delivery system as it is inserted into or removed from the dispenser housing.

20. The condiment dispenser of claim 15, further comprising a piston that actuates the pump, the pump configured to be removably connected to the piston as the fluid delivery system is inserted into the dispenser housing along the track.

21. The condiment dispenser of claim 20, wherein the pump includes an attachment tab that slides into a compartment of the piston as the fluid delivery system is inserted into the dispenser housing along the track to attach the piston to the pump.

22. The condiment dispenser of claim 15, further comprising a front cover removably attached to the dispenser housing, wherein removal of the front cover allows access to the fluid delivery system for removal from the dispenser housing along the track.

23. The condiment dispenser of claim 15, wherein the cartridge receiver is configured to be reversibly secured to the condiment cartridge when the condiment cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receiver.

24. A condiment dispenser as recited in claim 15, wherein said cartridge receiving portion is secured to said condiment cartridge via a bayonet connection.

25. A pump apparatus, comprising:

a pump tray having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flexible membrane, the pump tray formed from a first housing portion removably secured to a second housing portion; and

A channel member disposed in the pump tray between the first and second housing portions and having a channel extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, the flexible membrane being disposed over at least a portion of the channel to form a pumping chamber such that movement of the flexible membrane relative to the channel pumps fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port.

26. The pump apparatus of claim 25, wherein removal of the first housing portion from the second housing portion enables access to the passage of the passage member.

27. The pump apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first housing portion comprises at least one ramped protrusion and the second housing portion comprises at least one ramped protrusion, wherein the first housing portion is secured to the second housing portion by rotating the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion such that the at least one ramped protrusion of the first housing portion engages the at least one ramped protrusion of the second housing portion.

28. The pump apparatus of claim 25, wherein the channel member is removably secured to the second housing portion.

29. The pump apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second housing portion includes a locking protrusion on a deflectable tab, the channel member includes a ramped edge and a recess adjacent the ramped edge, wherein the channel member is secured to the second housing portion by rotating the channel member relative to the second housing portion to slide the locking protrusion along the ramped edge and slide the locking protrusion into the recess of the channel member.

30. The pump apparatus of claim 25, wherein the channel extends along a first axis from the inlet port to the outlet port, the flexible membrane being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the pump tray to pump fluid along the channel.

31. The pump apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a one-way valve at the outlet port to allow fluid to leave the pump tray and prevent fluid from entering the pump tray at the outlet port.

32. The pump apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one-way valve is formed from the first housing portion and a channel member.

33. The pump apparatus of claim 32, wherein the channel member includes a post adjacent the outlet port, the flexible membrane including a sealing tab biased to engage the post to form the one-way valve when the first housing portion is connected to the channel member.

34. The pump apparatus of claim 25, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a diaphragm forming part of the pumping chamber, the diaphragm being movable relative to the channel to pump fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port.

35. The pump apparatus of claim 34, wherein the diaphragm comprises an attachment head configured to attach to a piston to move the diaphragm.

36. The pump apparatus of claim 25, wherein the inlet port comprises an inlet tube and an annular wall surrounding the inlet tube.

37. The pump apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first housing portion includes the inlet port, the outlet port, and the flexible membrane, the inlet port and the outlet port being substantially parallel to one another.