Discharge tube for food product dispenser

Abstract

A food product dispenser comprising a container configured to hold a flowable food product, a lid comprising a top surface and configured to cover the container, a pump extending into the container through the lid and configured to pump the flowable food product from the container, and a discharge tube coupled to the pump extending from the container through the lid and having an exit nozzle. The discharge tube is configured to dispense the flowable food product from the exit nozzle upon operation of the pump. The exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a lid plane defined by the top surface of the lid.

Description

DISCHARGE TUBE FOR FOOD PRODUCT DISPENSERCROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 626,393, filed January 29, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Food product dispensers are used in restaurants, fast food establishments, convenience stores, grocery stores, and the like to dispense liquid or flowable food products, such as but not limited to syrups, fudges and sauces for ice cream, condiments, sandwich toppings, dairy products and other food products. Many food product dispensers include a food container that holds the food product and a manually operated piston pump that can be actuated by an operator to dispense the flowable food product out of a discharge tube into a cup, container, bowl, or onto food or a plate. In addition, presently available food product dispensers often include a discharge tube that has a horizontal portion that leads to the dispensing end. Such configuration can cause the food product to drip after the desired amount of food product has been dispensed during the pumping stroke

[0003] Therefore, a need exists for an improved food product dispenser that reduces leakage of the food product from the discharge tube.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a discharge tube on a food product dispenser. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a discharge tube designed to prevent the dripping of flowable food products when dispensed via the food product dispenser.

[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a food product dispenser comprises a container configured to hold a flowable food product, a lid comprising a top surface and configured to cover the container, a pump extending into the container through the lid and configured to pump the flowable food product from the container, and a discharge tube coupled to the pump extending from the container through the lid and having an exit nozzle. The discharge tube is configured to dispense the flowable food product from the exit nozzle upon operation of the pump. The exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a lid plane defined by the top surface of the lid.

[0006] In various cases, the discharge tube includes a first segment and a second segment that are angled relative to one another at an angle that is between thirty degrees and sixty degrees. In some cases, the angle is approximately 40 degrees.

[0007] In some instances, the second segment of the discharge tube further comprises a vertical portion extending from the lid, a rounded portion extending out from the vertical portion, an angled portion extending down and out from the rounded portion, a curved portion extending out from the angled portion, and an outlet portion extending down from the curved portion. The outlet portion can be parallel to the vertical portion. In some cases, the vertical portion and the angled portion are angled relative to one another at a first angle that is between thirty degrees and sixty degrees and the angled portion and the outlet portion are angled relative to one another at a second angle that is between 120 degrees and 150 degrees. In various instances, the vertical portion and the angled portion are angled relative to one another at a first angle that is approximately 40 degrees and the angled portion and the outlet portion are angled relative to one another at a second angle that is approximately 140 degrees.

[0008] In some cases, the exit nozzle is located between approximately 2.5 inches to approximately 3.5 inches below the top surface of the lid.

[0009] In various instances, a top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion defines a rounded portion plane and a bottom nozzle exit surface of the exit nozzle defines an exit nozzle plane and a ratio between a first distance between the rounded portion plane and the lid plane and a second distance between the lid plane and the exit nozzle plane can be between approximately 0.6 to 1. The top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion can be an uppermost portion of the discharge tube.

[0010] In some cases, a top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion is below a top knob surface of a knob of the pump. The top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion can be approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 2 inches below the top knob surface of the knob of the pump.

[0011] In some instances, the container is mounted to a bottom counter surface of a counter and the exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a counter plane defined by a top counter surface of the counter.

[0012] In another aspect, a food product dispenser comprises a lid comprising a top surface, a pump extending into the container through the lid and configured to pump the flowablefood product, and a discharge tube coupled to the pump extending through the lid and having an exit nozzle. The discharge tube is configured to dispense the flowable food product from the exit nozzle upon operation of the pump. The exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a lid plane defined by the top surface of the lid.

[0013] In various cases, the discharge tube includes a first segment and a second segment that are angled relative to one another at an angle that is between thirty degrees and sixty degrees. In some cases, the angle is approximately 40 degrees.

[0014] In some instances, the second segment of the discharge tube further comprises a vertical portion extending from the lid, a rounded portion extending out from the vertical portion, an angled portion extending down and out from the rounded portion, a curved portion extending out from the angled portion, and an outlet portion extending down from the curved portion. The outlet portion can be parallel to the vertical portion.

[0015] In some cases, a top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion is below a top knob surface of a knob of the pump.

[0016] In another aspect a method of forming a food product dispenser can include providing a lid comprising a top surface, providing a pump configured to pump a flowable food product, coupling the lid to the pump, providing a discharge tube having an exit nozzle configured to dispense the flowable food product upon operation of the pump, and coupling the discharge tube to the pump and the lid. In various cases, the exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a lid plane defined by the top surface of the lid.

[0017] The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration a preferred configuration of the disclosure. Such configuration does not necessarily represent the full scope of the disclosure, however, and reference is made therefore to the claims and herein for interpreting the scope of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will be better understood and features, aspects, and advantages other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such detailed description makes reference to the following drawings.

[0019] FIGS. 1A and IB are side views of a food product dispenser, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the food product dispenser of FIG. 1 A, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of the portion of the food product dispenser of FIG. 2 with internal components of the portion of the food product dispenser shown in dashed lines, according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the portion of the food product dispenser of FIG. 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Before any aspects of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and may also include fluid and electrical connections.

[0024] As used herein, unless otherwise defined or limited, directional terms are used for convenience of reference for discussion of particular figures or examples. For example, references to downward (or other) directions or top (or other) positions may be used to discuss aspects of a particular example or figure, but do not necessarily require similar orientation or geometry in all installations or configurations. Additionally, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” as used herein with respect to a reference value or ratio, refer to variations from the reference value or ratio of ± 15% or less (e.g., ± 15, ± 10%, ± 5%, etc.), inclusive of the endpoints of the range.

[0025] As also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, “substantially parallel” indicates a direction that is within ± 12 degrees of a reference direction (e.g., within ± 6 degrees or ± 3 degrees), inclusive. Similarly, unless otherwise specified or limited, “substantially perpendicular” similarly indicates a direction that is within ± 12 degrees of perpendicular a reference direction (e.g., within ± 6 degrees or ± 3 degrees), inclusive.

[0026] Unless otherwise specifically indicated, ordinal numbers are used herein for convenience of reference, based generally on the order in which particular components are presented in the relevant part of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, designations such as “first,” “second,” etc., generally indicate only the order in which a thus-labeled component is introduced for discussion and generally do not indicate or require a particular spatial, functional, temporal, or structural primacy or order. Relatedly, similar or identical components may be referred to with different ordinal numbers in different contexts.

[0027] The following discussion is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

[0028] Some of the discussion below describes a food product dispenser comprising a discharge tube and a pump. The context and particulars of this discussion are presented as examples only. For example, embodiments of the disclosed invention can be configured in various ways, including with other shapes and arrangements of elements that are expressly described or illustrated. Similarly, embodiments of the invention can be used with arrangements of food dispensers, or other assemblies other than those expressly illustrated or described herein

[0029] Food product dispensers or other dispensing systems can be used to dispense flowable food products. Flowable food products can include a wide variety of products, such ascondiments (e.g., ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, etc.), syrups, dressings, cheeses, fudge, caramel, sauces, wing sauces or other similar food products that can flow and thus be pumped. Flowable food products can include a wide variety of viscosities, can include nonNewtonian properties, can include small particulates, and can be dispensed in a wide range of temperatures from cold to hot. Flowable food products can also be heated food products such as liquid cheese, hot ice cream toppings, or the like or chilled food products such as milk, cream, or the like.

[0030] In various cases, food product dispensers can include pumps that can be operated to create a pressure difference within the pump to dispense the flowable food product from the exit nozzle of the discharge tube. Food product dispensers having pumps are used in restaurants, fast food establishments, convenience stores, and the like to dispense liquid food products. Typically, in these pumped food product dispensers, the discharge tube and exit nozzle are located above a lid of the food product dispenser such that the operator must reach above or around the discharge tube to operate the pump while holding a container or food item beneath the exit nozzle of the discharge tube. In addition, presently available food dispensers often include an exit nozzle that leaks after the pump has been operated depending on the properties of the food product (e.g., viscosity, adhesion characteristics, etc.).

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure can address these and other issues. According to the present disclosure, a discharge tube can be configured in accordance with a type of flowable food product to reduce dripping following a pumping operation. The discharge tube can define a discharge tube that is exposed outside of a corresponding food product container during operation. The discharge tube can be angled relative to a vertical direction (e.g., a direction of gravity). The angle can range between about thirty degrees and about sixty degrees relative to the vertical direction. More specifically the angle can be about forty degrees. In some examples an exit nozzle of the discharge tube can be positioned below a plane defined by a lid that is configured to cover the food product container.

[0032] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a non-limiting example of a food product dispenser 100 configured to dispense a flowable food product, according to aspects of the disclosure. In the aspect shown in FIGS. 1-4, the food product dispenser 100 includes a food container 200, a pump 300, and a discharge tube 400. The food product dispenser 100 can be stainless steel with a stainless- steel discharge tube 400 to dispense various flowable food products. However, the food productdispenser 100 or one or more components of the food product dispenser 100 could also be formed from other materials such as plastic, glass, or the like. During use, the pump 300 can be coupled to a food container 200 that contains the flowable food product therein. The pump 300 then directs the flowable food product to and out of the discharge tube 400 via an exit nozzle 416 for convenient use by a user of the food product dispenser 100.

[0033] In some cases, as shown in FIG. IB, the food product dispenser 100 is mounted such that the food container 200 is suspended substantially below a lower counter surface 102 of a counter 104 and the pump 300 and the discharge tube 400 extend through the lower counter surface 102 of the counter 104 to above an upper counter surface 106 of the counter 104. In some cases, the food container 200 is mounted to the lower counter surface 102 of counter 104.

[0034] In various instances, the food container 200 or the pump 300 can include a lid 202. The lid 202 can be positioned above the food container 200 and configured to cover the food container 200. In some cases, the lid 202 is positioned above the upper counter surface 106 and mounted to the upper counter surface 106. That is, the lid 202 can define the lip 210 (e.g., a flange) that can rest on the upper counter surface 106. In other contemplated embodiments, a bottom surface 206 of the food container 200 could be configured to be supported by or rest upon the upper counter surface 106 rather than located below the lower counter surface 102.

[0035] In some cases, the food container 200 is configured to hold a flowable food product. In other cases, the food container 200 is a self-sealing food package, such as a flexible bag or pouch. Alternatively, the food container 200 could be a bottle or other type of container capable of holding a flowable food product. In some cases, the food container 200 might be configured to hold the self-sealing food package, bottle, or other type of container capable of holding or supporting a flowable food product, or the like.

[0036] In some cases, a flowable food product or self-sealing food package, bottle, or other type of container capable of holding or supporting a flowable food product can be inserted into the food container 200 by removing the lid 202 from the food container 200. Alternatively, in other cases, the flowable food product, self-sealing food package, bottle, or other type of container capable of holding or supporting a flowable food product can be inserted into the food container 200 via a side of the food container 200, a bottom surface 206 of the container, or the like. In some cases, the lid 202 includes the lip 210 sized to mount to or engage with an upper counter surface

[0037] The food product dispenser 100 includes a pump 300. The pump 300 can be a manual pump (e.g., a hand operated piston-type displacement pump, a fountain pump, etc.). In some cases, the pump 300 includes an upper tube 302 that extends above the top lid surface 204 of the lid 202. In various embodiments, the upper tube 302 of the pump 300 extends along a pumping axis 301 that is located through a center of the upper tube and is substantially vertical as shown in FIG. 3. The upper tube 302 includes a collar 304 that can be tightened to limit the movement of the pump 300 relative to the lid 202, the food container 200, and / or the counter 104. In some cases, the collar 304 can be threaded or screwed onto a corresponding threaded portion of the lid 202. The upper tube 302 further includes a knob 306 coupled to an upper end 308 of the upper tube 302. The knob 306 is designed for engagement by the hand of an operator.

[0038] In some instances, the pump 300 additionally includes a spring 310 and a piston rod 312 having a piston 314 (e.g., a piston head), as shown in FIG. 3. The spring 310 and piston rod 312 having the piston 314 are contained within the upper tube 302 and extend into a lower tube 316 located below the upper counter surface 106 or below lid 202. An interior of the upper tube 302 is in communication an interior of the lower tube 316. The spring 310 biases against the piston rod 312 and pushes the piston rod 312 and knob 306 upward into an initial position. A first end 318 of the piston rod 312 is attached to an inner surface of the knob 306. Further details of the configuration of the piston and piston rod are shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,375,746, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. It should be noted that other configurations of the pump 300 are possible and within the scope of this disclosure and the pump is not limited to only the configuration shown or discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,375,746 or shown in this application. For example, while a manual pump is depicted in FIGS. 1-4, motorized pumps are also contemplated and can be used with the nozzle arrangements described herein.

[0039] In operation (e.g., during the pumping action by an operator), the operator exerts a downward force on the knob 306 of the food product dispenser 100, which causes the knob 306, upper tube 302, piston rod 312, and piston 314 to move downward against the bias force of the spring 310. The movement of the piston 314 in the downward direction creates a flow of the food product through a valve assembly 322 (e.g., a check valve assembly or the like) that is connected to a lower end 324 of the lower tube 316. The valve assembly 322 includes two check valves 326, 327 therein that regulate the flow of the flowable food product through the pump 300 and discharge tube 400. The first check valve 326 is positioned at an inlet to allow food product into the pump300 and the second check valve 327 is positioned at an outlet to allow food product to exit the pump 300. During the downward movement of the knob 306, the upper tube 302, and the piston 314 (e.g., to move toward the valve assembly 322), the flowable food product is pumped out of the valve assembly 322 into the discharge tube 400 and dispenses from the exit nozzle 416. Specifically, the volume within the lower tube 316 is reduced to pressurize the food product therein. The increased pressure causes the first check valve 326 to close and causes the second check valve 327 to open. When the operator removes pressure from the knob 306, the spring 310 returns the upper tube 302, knob 306, the piston rod 312, and piston 314 to the initial position of FIG. 1, thereby drawing additional flowable food product from the food container 200 into the pump 300 through the valve assembly 322. Specifically, the volume within the lower tube 316 is increased to reduce the pressure therein. The reduced pressure causes the first check valve 326 to open and causes the second check valve 327 to close. This process is repeated each time food product is dispensed.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 3, the discharge tube 400 extends upwardly from the valve assembly 322. The discharge tube 400 comprises a first segment 402 (e.g., a first discharge tube) and a second segment 404 (e.g., a second discharge tube). The first segment 402 extends substantially vertically upwards from the valve assembly 170 and ends at the lid 202. The second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 begins at the lid 202 and is secured to the lid 202 by a discharge tube collar 405. The discharge tube collar 405 can be tightened to limit the movement of the discharge tube 400 relative to the lid 202, the food container 200, or the counter 104. In some cases, the discharge tube collar 405 can be threaded or screwed onto a corresponding threaded portion of the lid 202. In this way, the second segment 404 can be used with other pumps or lids. The first segment 402 of the discharge tube 400 and the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 can be a single, unitary (integral) piece. In some non-limiting examples, the first segment 402 of the discharge tube 400 and the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 may be two or more separate pieces, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 3, the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 comprises a vertical portion 406 (e.g., a first segment, a first portion, or a first straight segment) extending substantially perpendicular to the lid 202 (e.g., in a first direction). In some cases, the first direction can be a substantially vertical direction. The vertical portion 406 can be connected to the lid 202 or the first segment 402 via the collar 405 and extends above the lid 202. The endof the vertical portion 406 that is coupled at the lid 202 can define an inlet 407 of the second segment 404. The inlet 407 can be positioned along a base plane 409 (e.g., a first plane) that can correspond with a surface of the lid 202. A rounded portion 408 (e.g., a second segment, a second portion, or a first curved segment) extends from the vertical portion 406. An apex 420 of the rounded portion 408 defines a top of the second segment 404. The apex 420 can correspond with a top plane 421 (e.g., a second plane), that is parallel to the base plane 409. An angled portion 410 (e.g., a third segment, a third portion, or a second straight segment) extends from the rounded portion 408. More specifically, the angled portion 410 extends out and down from the rounded portion 408 to extend in a second direction. A curved portion 412 (e.g., a fourth segment, a fourth portion, or a second curved segment) extends out and down from the angled portion 410. An outlet portion 414 (e.g. a fifth segment, a fifth portion, or a third straight segment) extends down from the curved portion 412 in a third direction (e.g., a substantially vertical direction). The outlet portion 414 of the discharge tube 400 comprises an exit nozzle 416 (e.g., an outlet) at an end of the outlet portion 414 of the discharge tube 400. The exit nozzle 416 can be positioned along a bottom plane 417 (e.g., a third plane) so that the base plane 409 and the top lid surface 204 (e.g., a lid plane 205 defined by the top lid surface 204) are between the top plane 421 and the bottom plane 417. In some cases, the segments of the second segment 404 can each define a center axis (e.g., a centerline) of the second segment 404 that lies within a plane.

[0042] As noted herein, the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 is angled downward. In particular, the second segment 404 has a hook-like shape. The angled configuration of the discharge tube 400 prevents the dripping of a flowable food product when the flowable food product is pumped by the pump 300. Therefore, the configuration of the discharge tube 400 prevents the flowable food product from dripping out of the exit nozzle 416 when the food product dispenser 100 is between uses. In other words, after the pump 300 is pumped and flowable food product is dispensed, the configuration of the discharge tube 400 prevents additional flowable food product from dripping out of the exit nozzle 416 while the food product dispenser 100 is waiting for its next use, i.e., time period between uses or pumps by a user.

[0043] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the angled portion 410 of the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 is angled relative to the vertical portion 406 to define a first angle 422. The first angle 422 can be between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees with respect to the vertical portion 406 of the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400. Forexample, in the illustrated example, the of the first angle 422 is approximately 40 degrees with respect to the vertical portion 406 of the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400.

[0044] Further, the outlet portion 414 of the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 extends down from the curved portion 412 of the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400. The outlet portion 414 of the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 can be parallel or substantially parallel with the vertical portion 406 of the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400. In other words, the outlet portion 414 of the second segment 404 can be substantially vertical similar to the vertical portion 406 of the second segment 404. In order to return the outlet portion 414 of the second segment to substantially vertical, a second angle 424 defined between the angled portion 410 and the outlet portion 414 can be between about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees. In the illustrated example, the second angle 424 between the outlet portion 414 and the angled portion 410 is approximately 140 degrees.

[0045] Turning to FIG. 4, in various cases, the knob 306 of the pump 300 comprises a top knob surface 320. The top knob surface 320 (e.g., an apex thereof) defines a knob plane 307 (e.g., a fourth plane) extending in a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity). The knob plane 307 is located above the top plane 421. In other words, the top knob surface 320 of the knob 306 is located above the apex 420 of the rounded portion 408 of the second segment 404. A first distance 501 is defined between the knob plane 307 and the top plane 421. In some cases, the first distance 501 may be between approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 2 inches. By locating the knob 306 above the rounded portion 408 of the second segment 404, the knob 306 is easily accessible and actuatable by a user of the food product dispenser 100. For example, it is less likely a user would contact the rounded portion 408 of the discharge tube 400 when actuating the knob 306 of the pump 300.

[0046] Additionally, in various cases, the exit nozzle 416 can be located below the lid 202, the top lid surface 204, or the upper counter surface 106. A bottom exit nozzle surface 418 of the exit nozzle 416 can define the bottom plane 417 (e.g., an exit nozzle plane) extending in a horizontal direction along the bottom exit nozzle surface 418 of the exit nozzle 416.

[0047] In order to position the exit nozzle 416 below the lid 202, the top lid surface 204, or the upper counter surface 106, the rounded portion 408 is positioned that the top plane 421 of the discharge tube 400 can be positioned a second distance 502 from the lid plane 205. The second distance 502 can be between approximately 2 inches to approximately 3.3 inches.Correspondingly, the bottom plane 417 can be at a third distance 503 from the lid plane 205. The third distance 503 can be between approximately 2.5 inches to approximately 3.5 inches. In various cases, the second distance 502 between the top plane 421 and the lid plane 205 can be less than or equal to the third distance 503 between the bottom plane 417 and the lid plane 205. In other examples, the distances can be different and a ratio of the second distance 502 to the third distance 503 can be between about 0.6 to about 1, or any ratio therein. For example, a ratio of the second distance 502 to the third distance 503 may be about 0.6 to about 0.8, about 0.7 to about 0.9, or about 0.8 to about 1.

[0048] Furthermore, an eighth distance 508 can be defined between the base plane 409 and the top plane 421 and a ninth distance 509 can be defined between the lid plane 205 and the bottom plane 417. The eighth distance 508 can be greater than the ninth distance 509. For example, the eighth distance 508 can be about 3.0 inches to about 3.6 inches and the ninth distance 509 can be about 2.0 inches to about 2.8 inches. In other examples, the distances can be different and a ratio of the eighth distance 508 to the ninth distance 509 can be about 1 to about 3, to about or any ratio therein. For example, a ratio of the eighth distance 508 to the ninth distance 509 can be about 1.2 to about 1.8, about 1.1 to about 1.3, about 1.5 to about 2.5, or about 2.4 to about 3. Additionally, a tenth distance 510 can be defined as a length of the outlet portion 414. A ratio of the ninth distance 509 to the tenth distance 510 can be between about 2 to about 6, or any ratio therein. For example, a ratio of the ninth distance 509 to the tenth distance 510 may be about 2 to about 4, about 4 to about 5, or about 4.5 to about 6. Correspondingly a ratio of the third distance 503 to the tenth distance 510 can be between about 3 to about 7, or any ratio therein. For example, a ratio of the third distance 503 to the tenth distance 510 may be about 2 to about 4, about 4 to about 5, about 4.5 to about 6, about 5 to about 6.5, about 5.5 to about 7, or about 4 to about 6.

[0049] Turning back to FIG. 3, in some cases, a fourth distance 504 can be defined between an axis 521 extending vertically along an edge 208 of the lid 202 to an axis 522 extending vertically through a center of the exit nozzle. The axis 522 is an axis of the outlet portion 414. The fourth distance 504 can be approximately 3 inches to approximately 4 inches. By having the outlet portion 414 approximately 3 inches to approximately 4 inches away from the edge 208 of the lid 202 (e.g., the lip 210), users can easily place a food item or a food container configured to receive the flowable food product below the exit nozzle 416 to receive the flowable food product. In some cases, a fifth distance 505 can be defined between the axis 301 and the axis 522. A ratio of thefourth distance 504 to the fifth distance 505 can be between about 0.4 and about 0.7, or any range therein. For example, a ratio of the fourth distance 504 to the fifth distance 505 may be about 0.4 to about 0.5, about 0.45 to about 0.6, about 0.5 to about 0.65, or about 0.6 to about 0.7. In this way, a user can easily place a food item or a food container configured to receive the flowable food product below the exit nozzle 416 while still easily actuating the knob 306 to dispense the flowable food product from the food product dispenser 100.

[0050] Furthermore, a sixth distance 506 can be defined between an axis 523 of the vertical portion 406 and the axis 522 of the outlet portion 414, and a seventh distance 507 can be defined between the axis 523 and the apex 420 of the rounded portion 408. The sixth distance 506 and the seventh distance 507 are measured parallel to one another. The sixth distance 506 can be greater than the seventh distance 507. For example, the sixth distance 506 can be about 4 inches to about 5 inches and the seventh distance 507 can be about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches. In other examples, the distances can be different. A ratio of the sixth distance 506 to the seventh distance 507 can be about 4 to about 7, or any ratio therein. For example, a ratio of the sixth distance 506 to the seventh distance 507 may be about 4 to about 5, about 4.5 to about 6, about 5 to about 6.5, about 5.5 to about 7, about 4 to about 6, about 4.5 to about 6.5, or about 5 to about 7. Additionally, the apex 420 can be positioned between the axis 523 and the axis 521.

[0051] Thus, as discussed above, an improved food product dispenser is provided. In order to provide the improved food product dispenser, the second segment 404 of the discharge tube 400 is angled to prevent flowable food product from dripping out while the food product dispenser 100 is not in use. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the outlet portion 414 comprising the exit nozzle 416 is parallel to the vertical portion 406. In some cases, the outlet portion 414 comprising the exit nozzle 416 is also parallel to the upper tube 302 and the lower tube 316 of the pump 300. Additionally, the exit nozzle 416 is positioned below the lid plane defined by the top lid surface 204 of the lid 202. Therefore, in some non-limiting examples, the exit nozzle 416 is positioned at the same level as the flowable food product within the food container 200 during use. In some nonlimiting examples, the outlet portion 414 form and the hole size design of the exit nozzle 416 can help with eliminating dripping as well.

[0052] Therefore, the configurations of the food product dispenser described above can provide several advantages over traditional food product dispensers. For example, the food product dispenser described above can be helpful to prevent flowable food product from leaking from theexit nozzle 416. Additionally, this configuration is easier to access by a user because the user does not need to hold a food item or a food container configured to receive the flowable food product as high as when the exit nozzle is positioned above the lid 202. Further, the knob 306 of the pump 300 is easier to actuate because the uppermost surface of the discharge tube 400 is located below the knob 306. The configuration of the discharge tube 400 can also improve the efficiency and improve the speed of use and can also cause the portioning of the flowable food product leaving the discharge tube 400 to be more consistent and accurate.

[0053] The description of the different advantageous embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageous embodiments may provide different advantages as compared to other advantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A food product dispenser comprising: a container configured to hold a flowable food product; a lid comprising a top surface and configured to cover the container; a pump extending into the container through the lid and configured to pump the flowable food product from the container; and a discharge tube coupled to the pump extending through the lid and having an exit nozzle configured to dispense the flowable food product upon operation of the pump, the exit nozzle positioned below a lid plane defined by the top surface of the lid.

2. The food product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the discharge tube includes a first segment and a second segment that are angled relative to one another at an angle that is between thirty degrees and sixty degrees.

3. The food product dispenser of claim 2, wherein the angle is approximately forty degrees.

4. The food product dispenser of claim 2, wherein the second segment further comprises a first portion extending from the lid in a first direction, a rounded portion extending out from the first portion, an angled portion extending down and out from the rounded portion, a curved portion extending out from the angled portion, and an outlet portion extending down from the curved portion.

5. The food product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the outlet portion is parallel to the first portion.

6. The food product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the first portion and the angled portion are angled relative to one another at a first angle that is between thirty degrees and sixtydegrees and wherein the angled portion and the outlet portion are angled relative to one another at a second angle that is between 120 degrees and 150 degrees.

7. The food product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the first portion and the angled portion are angled relative to one another at a first angle that is approximately 40 degrees and wherein the angled portion and the outlet portion are angled relative to one another at a second angle that is approximately 140 degrees.

8. The food product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the exit nozzle is located between approximately 2.5 inches to approximately 3.5 inches below the top surface of the lid.

9. The food product dispenser of claim 4, wherein a top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion defines a rounded portion plane and a bottom nozzle exit surface of the exit nozzle defines an exit nozzle plane, wherein a ratio between a first distance between the rounded portion plane and the lid plane and a second distance between the lid plane and the exit nozzle plane can be between approximately 0.6 to 1.

10. The food product dispenser of claim 9, wherein the top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion is an uppermost portion of the discharge tube.

11. The food product dispenser of claim 4, wherein a top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion is below a top knob surface of a knob of the pump.

12. The food product dispenser of claim 11, wherein the top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion is approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 2 inches below the top knob surface of the knob of the pump.

13. The food product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container is mounted to a bottom counter surface of a counter, and wherein the exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a counter plane defined by a top counter surface of the counter.

14. A food product di spenser compri sing : a lid comprising a top surface; a pump extending through the lid and configured to pump a flowable food product; and a discharge tube coupled to the pump extending through the lid and having an exit nozzle configured to dispense the flowable food product upon operation of the pump, wherein the exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a lid plane defined by the top surface of the lid.

15. The food product dispenser of claim 14, wherein the exit nozzle includes a first segment and a second segment that are angled relative to one another at an angle that is between thirty degrees and sixty degrees.

16. The food product dispenser of claim 15, wherein the angle is approximately forty degrees.

17. The food product dispenser of claim 15, wherein the second segment of the discharge tube further comprises a first portion extending from the lid in a first direction, a rounded portion extending out from the first portion, an angled portion extending down and out from the rounded portion, a curved portion extending out from the angled portion, and an outlet portion extending down from the curved portion.

18. The food product dispenser of claim 17, wherein the outlet portion is parallel to the first portion.

19. The food product dispenser of claim 17, a top rounded portion surface of the rounded portion is below a top knob surface of a knob of the pump.

20. A method of forming a food product dispenser, the method comprising: providing a lid comprising a top surface; providing a pump configured to pump a flowable food product; coupling the lid to the pump;providing a discharge tube having an exit nozzle configured to dispense the flowable food product upon operation of the pump, wherein the exit nozzle of the discharge tube is positioned below a lid plane defined by the top surface of the lid; and coupling the discharge tube to the pump and the lid.

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