NL2035722B1

NL2035722B1 - Condiment dispenser

Info

Publication number: NL2035722B1
Application number: NL2035722A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Klaasjan Verbrugge Jeroen; Cornelis Van Scheppingen Martinus; Wittenberg Michel
Original assignee: Remia Bv
Priority date: 2023-09-01
Filing date: 2023-09-01
Publication date: 2025-03-13
Also published as: BE1031905A1; BE1031905B1

Abstract

A condiment dispenser which comprises of: - a main body with an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a cup portion, - a dispensing tube connected to the outlet portion, - a valve component, with an inlet and an outlet valve which cooperate with the inlet and outlet portions, - a cylinder member which is removably mounted in the cup portion, such that the valve component is clamped between the cylinder member and the bottom of the cup portion, 10 - a piston assembly comprising a top body which is mounted on the cup portion such that the cylinder member is confined between the valve component and the top body, a piston member which is slidable within the cylinder member, and an actuator mechanism which is coupled to the piston member.

Description

P36401NLO0

CONDIMENT DISPENSER

The invention relates to a dispenser for condiments.

Condiment dispensers are widely used in both domestic and commercial settings to dispense sauces, dressings, etc.

Ina prior art design, for example WO 2022/020688, the condiment dispenser is provided with a hand-held pump system which is connected to a condiment reservoir, e.g. a bag, and an outlet nozzle. The pump system is usually actuated by hand in order to dispense a condiment.

Ina prior art design, for example US 6019256, the condiment dispenser is difficult to clean.

These difficulties stem from the long and hard-to-access passageways, coupled with the numerous crevices and edges of the dispenser. Furthermore, the pump system comprises many smaller parts, such as ball valves, which are easily misplaced and lost when disassembling the condiment dispenser for cleaning.

It is known to provide both an inlet and an outlet valve in the pump system which allows for more accurate portioning. The inlet and outlet valve can be integrated into a single component, see for example EP 0599459. These known integrated inlet and outlet valves are of an intricate design, which are hard to clean and remove from the pump system during disassembly.

A condiment dispenser should provide a similar portion for each user. Additionally, condiment dispensers should be cleaned regularly, to ensure that the condiments it dispenses do not get contaminated. The present invention aims to provide an accurate and easy-to-clean condiment dispenser.

The present invention provides a condiment dispensing pump system according to claim 1.

The present invention makes the condiment dispenser easier to clean and (disassemble, and it allows for an accurate and consistent dispensing of a condiment. The top body being removably mounted on the open top of the cup portion makes the removal thereof easier, this increases the efficiency and speed of the cleaning of the pump system by making it easier to reach the components inside of the pump. By clamping the one or more valve components between the cylinder member and the bottom of the cup portion the one or more valve components remain fixed on the bottom of the cup portion. This ensures that the condiment portion dispensed by the dispenser is accurate and consistent. Furthermore, the inlet and outlet port are both arranged at the bottom of the cup portion of the main body, this in combination with the one or more valve components, allows for a small and compact pump system design.

In an embodiment, the one or more valve components is a dual valve component. The dual valve component is an integral component and comprises both the inlet valve and the outlet valve. When the dual valve component is placed on the bottom of the cup portion, the inlet valve and outlet valve cooperate with the inlet and outlet port of the bottom respectively. Due to the inlet and outlet valve being integrated in to a single dual valve component the pump system is more easily (dis)assembled and cleaned due to the pump system having less components.

During use of the pump system the piston member is moved within the cylinder member between a top and bottom position by the actuator mechanism, when the piston member is moved from the bottom position to the top position the piston member creates a (near) vacuum within the cylinder member, this sucks a condiment into the cylinder member subsequently through the inlet portion, inlet port and inlet valve. When the piston member is moved from the top to the bottom position the inlet valve is closed and the piston member forces the condiment out of the cylinder member through the outlet valve, outlet port and outlet portion. To ensure that each portion dispensed by the condiment dispenser is consistent and accurate, it is important that no air can pass from the outlet port to the inlet valve when the piston member is moved from the bottom to the top position.

In an embodiment, the cylinder member comprises a cylinder rib which extends between two diametrically opposing points at the lower end of the cylinder member. The bottom of the cup portion members comprises a corresponding bottom rib. These two ribs are aligned when the cylinder member is mounted in the cup portion.

In an embodiment, a middle section of the dual valve component is clamped between the aligned cylinder rib and bottom rib. The dual valve component is clamped such that the inlet and outlet valves are located on a different side of the two ribs, where the inlet valve and outlet valve cooperate with the inlet and outlet port respectively. By clamping the dual valve component it ensures that no air can pass directly between the outlet port and inlet valve by passing in between the bottom of the cup portion and the valve component while the piston member is moved from the bottom to the top position. This ensures that the dispensed portions are consistent and accurate.

In an embodiment, the dual valve component is shaped as a disc, e.g. a flat disc, that is placed on the bottom of the cup portion. The valve component completely covers the bottom of the cup portion, such that once the valve component is clamped between the cylinder member and the bottom of the cup portion no condiment or air can pass into or out of the cylinder member without going through either the inlet or outlet valve. The disc shape of the valve component further allows for a small and compact pump system design.

In an alternative embodiment, the one or more valve components are a separate first and second valve component. The first valve component has the inlet valve, and the second valve component has the outlet valve. The first and second valve are distinct and separate from each other. The first and second valve components are thus separately placed on the bottom of the cup portion and are shaped such that they completely cover the bottom of the cup portion.

In an embodiment, the bottom of the cup portion is divided into a first and a second bottom section by the bottom rib. The inlet port is located on the first bottom section and the outlet port is located on the second bottom section of the bottom of the cup portion. The separate first and second valve components are placed respectively on the first and second bottom sections, such that the inlet and outlet valves can cooperate with the inlet and outlet port respectively, e.g. the inlet and outlet valves are each semi-circular valve flaps. By placing the two valve components on the two different bottom sections separated by the bottom rib, it ensures that no air can pass through the outlet port into the inlet valve.

In an alternative embodiment, the first and second valve components are both shaped as two semi-circular flat discs which are placed on the first and second bottom sections respectively.

In an embodiment, the one or more valve components are made of a flexible material, e.g. silicon.

In an embodiment, the top body is releasably mounted on the open top of the cup portion by a bayonet connection. This connection allows for easy (dis}assembly and cleaning of the pump system.

In an embodiment, a piston sealing ring, e.g. a quad ring, is arranged around the circumference of the piston member. The piston sealing ring creates a tight seal between the piston member and the cylinder member, this ensures that no air can pass between the cylinder member and the piston member into the cylinder member, which would decrease the accuracy and consistency of the condiment dispenser.

In an embodiment, a body sealing ring is arranged between the open top of the cup portion and the top body, e.g. the body sealing ring being made of a flexible material, such that a tight seal is formed between the top body and the cup portion of the main body.

In an embodiment, the actuator mechanism comprises a lever which is hinged to the top body and the lever is coupled to the piston member. The lever is configured to be moved between an upward and downward position and thereby moving the piston member between a top and bottom position in the cylinder member.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuator mechanism is an electronic actuator mechanism, e.g. with a spindle drive.

In an embodiment, the actuator mechanism comprises a spring which urges the lever from the downward position to the upward position when no external downward force is applied to the lever. The spring is arranged between the top body and the lever.

In an embodiment, the diameter of the cylinder member is between 40 - 80 mm, preferably between 55 - 65 mm.

In an embodiment, the stroke of the piston member in the cylinder member is between 1-5 cm, preferably between 2 - 4 cm.

In an embodiment, the condiment dispenser is configured to dispense a condiment portion of between 25-75 mL, preferably between 40-60 mL, more preferably 50 mL.

In an embodiment, the piston member can be easily replaced or adjusted, such that the portion size that is dispensed can be changed to a desired portion size, e.g. by using thicker or thinner piston members.

In an embodiment, the portion size of the dispensed condiment is accurate with respect to the desired portion size between +0-2 mL, preferably between +0-1 mL.

In an embodiment, the entire pump system is made of a dishwasher safe material, such that it can be easily and safely washed in the dishwasher.

In an embodiment, the entire pump system is made of a food safe material to ensure that no contamination of the condiments takes place in the dispenser.

The invention further relates to a condiment dispenser, wherein the condiment dispenser is provided with the pump system described herein. For example, the pump system is releasably connected to a riser tube and the riser tube is connected, preferable releasably connected, to a condiment reservoir, e.g. a bag filled with a condiment. Such that the pump system can be removed from the riser tube and condiment reservoir for cleaning. By actuating the lever of the pump mechanism it forces a portion of condiment from the condiment reservoir through the riser tube and into the cylinder member.

In an embodiment, the condiment dispenser further comprises a housing. The pump system, riser tube and condiment reservoir are all at least partly housed inside of the housing.

In an embodiment, the pump system, riser tube and condiment reservoir are all removable from the housing, such that all components of the condiment dispenser can be easily {(dis)assembled and cleaned.

The invention will now be described in reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded view of the condiment dispensing pump system,

Fig. 2a shows a schematic cross sectional view of the assembled condiment dispensing pump system,

Fig. 2b shows schematic cross sectional zoomed in view of a part of the assembled condiment dispensing pump system,

Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the condiment dispenser.

Figure 1 shows the condiment dispensing pump system 1.

The pump system 1 has a main body 10 which is releasably connectable to a condiment reservoir 120. The main body 10 has an inlet portion 11 and an outlet portion 12. The main body further has a cup portion 13, which cup portion comprises an open top, a peripheral wall and a bottom, the bottom having an inlet port 14 and outlet port 15 which are connected to the inlet portion 11 and the outlet portion 12 respectively.

The inlet portion 11 has a connection element 16 which can be used to connect the inlet portion 11 to a riser tube 130.

The pump system further has a dispensing tube 20 which has an inner end 21 and an outer end 22. The inner end 21 is releasably connectable or connected to the outlet portion 12 of the main body 10.

In the shown embodiment, the dispenser tube at the inner end 21 thereof and the outlet portion 12 have corresponding bayonet connection elements 23.

In the shown embodiment, the pump system has a dual valve component 30, which is removable placed on the bottom of the cup portion 13.

The dual valve component 30 is a disc, here a flat disc that covers the bottom of the cup portion 13.

The dual valve component 30 has an inlet valve 31 and an outlet valve 32 which cooperate with the inlet port 14 and outlet port 15 respectively, through which the condiment enters and exits the main body 10.

In the shown embodiment, the inlet and outlet valves are semi-circular flap valves formed in the disc, e.g. by molding of the disc and/or making cuts therein.

The pump system further has a cylinder member 40, that is removably mounted in the cup portion 13. The cylinder member 40 has a lower end.

The dual valve component 30 is clamped between the lower end of the cylinder member 40 and the bottom of the cup portion 13.

In the shown embodiment, the cylinder member 40 comprises a cylinder rib 41 which extends between two diametrically opposing points at the lower end of the cylinder member 40. The bottom of the cup portion 13 has a corresponding bottom rib 17. When the cylinder member is mounted in the cup portion 13 the cylinder rib 41 and the bottom rib 17 are aligned. A middle section of the dual valve component 30 is then clamped between the aligned cylinder and bottom ribs, such that no air can pass directly between the outlet port 14 and the inlet valve 31.

The pump system also has a piston assembly. The piston assembly has a top body 50, a piston member 60, and an actuator mechanism 70.

The top body 50 of the piston assembly is removably mounted on the open top of the cup portion 13.

A body sealing ring 51 is arranged between the open top of the cup portion 13 and the top body 50.

In the shown embodiment, the top body 50 and the cup portion 13 have corresponding bayonet connection elements 52.

When the top body 50 is mounted on the on the open top of the cup portion 13, the cylinder member 40 is confined between dual valve component 30 and the top body 50.

Figure 2a shows the piston member 60 being guided by the top body 60 and is slidable withing the cylinder member 40.

A piston sealing ring 62 is arranged around the circumference of the piston member 60, which creates a tight seal between the piston member 60 and the cylinder member 50.

The piston member is coupled to the actuator mechanism 70, preferably, as shown, an manually operated mechanism.

In the shown embodiment, the actuator mechanism has a manual lever 71 and a spring 73.

The manual level is hinged to the top body 50 at a lever hinge 72 and coupled to the piston member 60. The lever 71 is configured to be moved between an upward position and a downward position thereby moving the piston member between a top and bottom position.

Figures 1-2 show the lever and the piston member in the upward position and the top position respectively. The spring 73 is arranged between the manual lever 71 and the top body 50 and automatically urges the manual lever 71 from the downward position to the upward position when no external downward force is applied to the lever 71.

In the shown embodiment, the manual lever has a piston rod 74 that, when the manual lever 71 is moved downward, pushes the piston member 60 such that the piston member 60 is moved downward to the bottom position. The piston rod has a receiving opening 51 into which a connection pin 61 of the piston member 60 is received. The spring 73 is partly housed between the spring housing 75 and the piston rod 74.

In an embodiment, the dual valve component 30 is made of a flexible material, e.g. silicon.

In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the cylinder member 40 is between 40-80 mm, preferably between 55 - 85 mm.

In an embodiment, the maximum stroke of the piston member 60 is between 1 - 5 cm, preferably between 2 - 4 cm.

Figure 3 shows a condiment dispenser 100. The condiment dispenser has a housing 110, a condiment reservoir 120, a riser tube 130, and the condiment pump system 1 described herein. The pump system 1, riser tube 130, and the condiment reservoir 120 are all at least partly removably housed inside the housing 110.

The inlet portion 11 of the main body 10 of the pump system 1 is releasably connected to the riser tube 130 at an upper end 131 thereof via corresponding connection elements 16. The riser tube 130 is at a lower end 132 thereof releasably connected to the condiment reservoir 120.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. A condiment dispenser pump system (1) comprising: - a main body (10) having an inlet portion (11) connectable to a condiment reservoir (120), e.g. a bag, an outlet portion (12), and a cup portion (13), the cup portion (13) having an open top, a peripheral wall, and a bottom, the bottom having an inlet port (14) connected to the inlet portion and an outlet port (15) connected to the outlet portion, - a dispensing tube (20) connectable or connected at an inner end thereof to the outlet portion and the dispensing tube having an outer dispensing end, - a valve component (30) detachably disposed on the bottom of the cup portion (13), the valve component comprising an inlet valve (31) and an outlet valve (32) adapted to cooperate with the inlet port (14) and the outlet port (15), respectively, - a cylinder element (40) detachably mounted in the cup portion (13), wherein the cylinder element has a lower end, the valve component (30) being clamped between the lower end of the cylinder element and the bottom of the cup member, - a piston assembly comprising: - an upper body (50) releasably mounted on the open top of the cup member so that the cylinder element is trapped between the valve component and the upper body, - a piston element (60) guided by the upper body and slidably within the cylinder element, - an actuator mechanism (70) coupled to the piston element.

2. A pump system according to claim 1, wherein the valve component is a dual two-way valve component (30), the dual valve component comprising both the inlet valve (31) and the outlet valve (32).

A pump system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylinder element (40) comprises a cylinder rib (41) extending between two diametrically opposed points at the lower end of the cylinder element, and wherein the bottom of the cup member comprises a bottom rib (17), the cylinder and bottom ribs being aligned when the cylinder element is mounted in the cup member.

4. The pump system of claim 3, wherein a center portion of the valve component (3) is clamped between the aligned cylinder rib (41) and lower rib (17) so that no air can pass directly between the outlet port and the inlet valve.

5. A pump system according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve component (30) is a disc or disc parts, for example a flat disc or flat disc parts, covering the bottom of the cup part.

6. A pump system according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the valve component is made of a flexible material, for example silicone.

7. A pump system according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper body (50) is detachably mounted to the open top of the cup part (13) via a bayonet connection (52).

8. Pump system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a piston sealing ring (62), for example a quad ring, is arranged around the circumference of the piston element (60), so that a good seal is created between the piston element and the cylinder element (40).

9. A pump system according to any preceding claim, wherein a body sealing ring (51) is provided between the open top of the cup part (13) and the upper body (50) so that a good seal is created between the upper body and the cup part.

A pump system according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator mechanism (70) comprises a manual lever (71), the lever pivoting on the upper body (70) and coupled to the piston element (60), the lever being adapted to move between an upward position and a downward position thereby moving the piston element between an upper position and a lower position.

The pump system of claim 9, wherein the actuator mechanism (70) further comprises a spring (73) that urges the manual lever (71) from the downward position to the upward position when no external downward force is applied to the lever.

12. Pump system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the internal diameter of the cylinder element (50) is between 40 - 80 mm, preferably between 55 - 65 mm.

13. Pump system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the stroke of the cylinder element (60) is between 1 - 5 cm, preferably between 2 - 4 cm.

14. Condiment dispenser (100) provided with the pump system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet part (11) of the pump is detachably connected to a riser pipe (130), the riser pipe being connected to a condiment reservoir (120).

15. A condiment dispenser according to claim 14, wherein the riser tube is detachably attachable to the condiment reservoir.

16. The condiment dispenser of claims 14-15, wherein the condiment dispenser further comprises a housing (110), the condiment reservoir, riser, pump system being at least partially contained within the housing.

17. A condiment dispenser according to claims 14-16, wherein the pump system, the riser tube and the condiment reservoir are all removable from the housing.

18. A method for dispensing a condiment using the condiment dispenser pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or the condiment dispenser according to any one of claims 14 to 17.