Handheld confectionary dispenser

Abstract

A handheld confectionary dispenser includes a flexible pouch that presents an interior chamber and is configured to contain confectionary within the chamber. The pouch defines a reservoir portion, a dispensing portion, and a funnel portion located between the reservoir and dispensing portions. The funnel portion is configured to be grasped within a hand of the user to force confectionary through the dispensing portion when the funnel portion is squeezed. The pouch defines a transition along which the cross-sectional area of the chamber abruptly decreases, with the transition being defined at or adjacent the junction between the reservoir and funnel portions to facilitate bending of the pouch at the transition.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 904,272, filed Nov. 14, 2013, entitled HANDHELD CONFECTIONARY DISPENSER, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]The present invention relates generally to containers operable to store and dispense food stuffs such as icing, glaze, frosting, filling, and the like. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a confectionary dispenser with a reservoir that is operable to be folded relative to the remainder of the pouch so that the reservoir can rest on a user's forearm.[0004]2. Discussion of Prior Art[0005]Various types of known devices have been used to dispense icing, frosting, fillings, and other spreadable food stuffs. Food stuffs such as icing are commonly dispensed onto cakes, pies, cookies, and other dessert confectionaries, for instance, as an edible decoration. Prior art confectionary dispensing dev...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a handheld confectionary dispenser that has a flexible pouch with a unique design. The pouch has a chamber that can contain confectionary and is shaped like a funnel with a narrower opening at the dispensing end. It also has a reservoir end that can hold more confectionary. When the user squeezes the funnel portion, the confectionary is forced out of the pouch. The pouch has a sharp transition point where the cross-sectional area of the chamber abruptly decreases, making it easier for the pouch to bend at this point. Overall, this design allows for convenient and easy dispensing of confectionary from the pouch.

Problems solved by technology

However, prior art icing pouches and other confectionary dispensing devices have been found to exhibit various deficiencies.

For instance, prior art reusable icing pouches require a chef or other user to spend a significant amount of time preparing the spreadable confectionary and loading the confectionary into the pouch.

This time consuming process of loading and unloading / cleaning of the pouch is especially problematic if the same pouch is used to apply multiple types and / or colors of confectionary in quick succession (e.g., when different confectionaries are applied to the same cake).

Furthermore, prior art icing pouches are difficult for a user to support while simultaneously controlling the position of the nozzle end and the flow rate of confectionary out of the pouch.

This problem is particularly evident when a conventional pouch is filled with confectionary, such that the pouch becomes top heavy or otherwise presents a weight distribution that is awkward to support.

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