U.S. patent application number 12/694073 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-29 for pedestal dispenser.
Invention is credited to Danny Rowe.
Application Number | 20100187373 12/694073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42353388 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100187373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rowe; Danny |
July 29, 2010 |
PEDESTAL DISPENSER
Abstract
A dispenser pedestal for storing and dispensing product from a
container having a base and a pair of braces extending from the
base. A basket defines an opening for the container. The basket
pivotally seats with the brace for movement about an axis between a
storage position with the container in a generally upright
position, and a dispensing position for dispensing product from the
container.
Inventors: |
Rowe; Danny; (Godfrey,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Lucchesi, L.C.
12412 Powerscourt Dr. Suite 200
St. Louis
MO
63131-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
42353388 |
Appl. No.: |
12/694073 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61147356 |
Jan 26, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 5/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/133 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/12 20060101
A47F005/12 |
Claims
1. A dispenser pedestal for storing and dispensing product from a
container, comprising: a base; a pair of braces extending from the
base; and a basket pivotally seated to the brace for movement about
an axis between a storage position with the container in a
generally upright position, and a dispensing position for
dispensing product from the container, the basket defining an
opening sized and shaped to receive a container.
2. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a wall bracket
configured for attachment to a vertical surface; and a mounting
hook extending from a distal end of the base, the mounting hook
sized and shaped for detachable engagement of the wall bracket for
support of the dispenser pedestal.
3. The dispenser of claim 1, each brace, comprising: a generally
angled anterior upright; and a generally angled posterior upright
attached to the anterior upright to form a generally triangular
shape and define an opening.
4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the anterior upright defines a
slot sized and shaped to receive the engagement member.
5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the slot is positioned at an
angle of 45.degree. relative to the base.
6. The dispenser of claim 1, the basket comprising: a generally
rectangular upper rim; engagement members extending from opposed
sides of the upper rim; and a plurality of generally U-shaped wire
supports extending between opposed sides of the upper rim to define
an opening sized and shaped to receive and support the
container.
7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the base is configured for
engagement with either a horizontal surface or a vertical
surface.
8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the basket is sized and shaped
to receive the container so that the center of gravity of the
container is positioned within the opening of the basket and below
the axis.
9. The dispenser of claim 1, the base comprising: a bottom member
shaped and sized for resting on a horizontal surface; a post
extending upwardly from the bottom member; and a U-shaped brace
attached to an upper end of the post; the brace defining holes
sized and shaped to receive the engagement members of the basket at
pivot axis X.
10. A system for storing and dispensing product from a container,
comprising: a wireframe base configured for engagement with either
a horizontal surface or a vertical surface; a pair of wireframe
braces extending from the base, each brace defining an engagement
juncture along a pivot axis; and a basket pivotally seated to the
brace at the engagement juncture for movement about the pivot axis
between a storage position with the container in a generally
upright position, and a dispensing position, the basket defining an
opening sized and shaped to receive a container.
11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the basket is sized and
shaped to receive the container so that the center of gravity of
the container is positioned within the opening of the basket and
below the axis.
12. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a wall bracket
configured for attachment to a vertical surface; and a mounting
hook extending from a distal end of the base, the mounting hook
sized and shaped for detachable engagement of the wall bracket for
support of the dispenser pedestal.
13. The dispenser of claim 10, each brace, comprising: a generally
angled anterior upright; and a generally angled posterior upright
attached to the anterior upright to form a generally triangular
shape and define an opening.
14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the anterior upright defines
a slot sized and shaped to receive the engagement member.
15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the slot is positioned at an
angle of 45.degree. relative to the base.
16. The dispenser of claim 1, the basket comprising: a generally
rectangular upper rim; engagement members extending from opposed
sides of the upper rim; and a plurality of generally U-shaped wire
supports extending between opposed sides of the upper rim to define
an opening sized and shaped to receive and support the
container.
17. A method for storing and dispensing product from a container,
comprising: providing a base for engagement with either a
horizontal surface or vertical surface; providing a pair of braces
extending from the base; providing a basket pivotally seated to the
brace about an axis, the basket defining an opening sized and
shaped to receive a container; inserting a container into the
opening of the basket; and pivoting the basket and container about
the axis between a storage position with the container in a
generally upright position, and a dispensing position for
dispensing product from the container.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the basket is sized and shaped
to receive the container so that the center of gravity of the
container is positioned within the opening of the basket and below
the axis.
19. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a wall
bracket configured for attachment to a vertical surface; and
providing a mounting hook extending from a distal end of the base,
the mounting hook sized and shaped for detachable engagement of the
wall bracket for support of the dispenser pedestal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/147,356 filed Jan. 26, 2009 from which priority
is claimed, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates generally to dispensers, and, more
particularly, to a liquid dispenser for convenient storage and
dispensing.
[0004] In the food and restaurant industry, many liquid products
are transported and delivered in a package commonly referred to as
a bag-in-box (BIB). The BIB typically comprises of a product filled
bag enclosed by a cardboard box. The cardboard box protects the bag
inside from damage during shipping and handling. After delivery,
the user removes a perforated patch thereby creating an opening to
the bag. A dispensing fitment attaches to an outlet of the bag for
dispensing. This type of packaging is well-suited for economical
transport of bulk products because it requires very little
packaging relative to the amount of product. However, BIB is not
well-suited for actual use in a restaurant or other setting.
Typically, a BIB package is large and heavy, which makes it
difficult to handle and dispense and contributes to waste and
safety issues.
[0005] Therefore, what is needed is a dispenser that conveniently
stores and dispenses BIB packages.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the
specification:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pedestal dispenser
positioned on a horizontal surface and supporting a product
container, in accordance with and embodying the present
disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pedestal dispenser
mounted on a vertical surface;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pedestal dispenser
mounted on a vertical surface, supporting a product container, and
positioned in a dispensing position;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
pedestal dispenser;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the alternate
embodiment of the pedestal dispenser; and
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing fitment.
[0013] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The following detailed description illustrates the invention
by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description
clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the
invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations,
alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is
presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the
invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited in its application to the details of construction
and the arrangements of components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or 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.
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of the present
disclosure, generally referred to as a pedestal dispenser 10,
includes a basket 12 sized and shaped for reception and support of
a product container 14. The basket 12 includes engagement members
15 moveably seat with a pedestal 16 for movement of the basket 12
between a storage position (FIG. 1) for storage of the product
container 14 and a dispensing position (FIG. 3) for dispensing
product from the container 14.
[0016] The pedestal 16 is preferably a wire framework, including a
generally rectangular base 18 having four side members 22 that
define an opening 19 therebetween. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the base 18 can be configured into a multitude of
other shapes, including, but not limited to circular, polygonal,
rectilinear, triangular, curvilinear, and the like. A pair of
braces 20 extends generally vertically from opposed side members 22
of the base 18 so that the braces 20 are general parallel with each
other. Each brace 20 includes a generally angled anterior upright
21 and posterior upright 23 that form a generally triangular shape
and define an opening 25. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that the base 18 can be configured into a multitude of other
shapes, including, but not limited to circular, polygonal,
rectilinear, triangular, curvilinear, and the like.
[0017] The anterior upright defines a slot 24 at about the distal
end of the brace 20. The slot 24 extends generally downwardly
towards the base 18, generally inwardly towards the center of the
opening 19 of the brace 20, and generally planar with the brace 20.
Preferably, the slot 24 is positioned at an angle of about
90.degree. relative to the anterior upright 21, or at an angle of
45.degree. relative to the base 22. At such an angle, the slot 24
can adequately seat the engagement members 15 when the pedestal
rests either in a horizontal surface 64 (FIG. 1) or mounted to a
vertical surface 32 (FIG. 2). The slot 24 is sized and shaped to
receive the engagement members 15 of the basket 12. In FIGS. 1-3,
each engagement member 15 embodies a hook that seats within the
slot 24 for pivotal movement along an axis X of the engagement
member 15 and the basket 12. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the slot 24 can embody any size, shape, and
configuration that moveably seats the basket 12 with the pedestal
16. Moreover, the engagement member 15 can comprise other element
known in the art for moveably seating with pedestal, including, but
not limited to, bearings, bushings, and the like.
[0018] A pair of mounts 26, such as hooks, extends from an upper
portion of the base 18. The mounts 26 are sized and shaped for
removable engagement with a corresponding wall bracket 28. The wall
bracket 28 includes a plate 30 configured for attachment to a
generally vertical surface 32 (FIG. 3), such as a wall, with
fasteners 34, and a generally horizontal bar 36 sized and shaped to
couple with the mounts 26. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that the mounts 26 can be configured for engagement with other
devices for mounting the dispenser 10 to a vertical surface.
[0019] The basket 12 includes a generally rectangular upper rim 38
with front member 40, rear member 42, and side members 44. The
engagement members 15 extend generally outwardly from each side
member 44 to moveably, preferably pivotally, seat within
corresponding slots 24 of the braces 20 along axis X. A plurality
of generally U-shaped wire supports 50 attach, such as with
welding, between opposed sides of the rim 38 to define an opening
52 sized and shaped to receive and support the container 14. In
FIGS. 1-3, two wire supports 50 extend between a front and rear
sides of the rim 38 and three wire supports 50 extend between the
sides of the rim 38. However, any number of wire supports 50 can be
used to provide support for the container 14. The opening 52 of the
basket 12 is defined to generally correspond to the shape of the
container 14. Also, the opening 52 should be deep enough to receive
about half of the total height of the container 14. In this way,
the center of gravity of the container 14 remains below the axis X
so that the basket 12 automatically returns to the storage position
when not in use due to the force of gravity. If desired, a panel 53
attached to the front of the basket 12 can display indicia, such as
instructions, advertisements, product identification, and the
like.
[0020] The container 14 is preferably a conventional "bag-in-box"
package that includes a bag 54 of product, such as cooking oil,
enclosed by a generally rectangular box 56 (FIG. 1). The upper end
of the box 56 defines an opening 58 sized and shaped to provide
access to an outlet 60 of the bag 54. The outlet 60 is configured
to couple with a removable dispensing fitment 62 that can meter and
dispense the product from the bag 54. The bag 54 can be made from
any number of plastic materials and preferably a food grade
material. The box 56 is preferably made from cardboard, but can
also comprise other suitable materials. The container 14 can be
used to store and dispense various liquid products including, but
not limited to, cooking oil, margarine, syrup, dressing, sauce,
brine, puree, and juice. The container 14 can also be used to store
and dispense non-food items including, but not limited to,
chemicals, surfactants, and motor oil.
[0021] The pedestal dispenser 10 is preferably made from metal wire
stock, preferably a 3 gauge nickel-chrome wire, but other material
and gauges can also be used, including, but not limited to
stainless steel, or other suitable material. However, other
materials can be used such as plastic.
[0022] In operation, the pedestal dispenser 10 can either rest of a
horizontal surface 64
[0023] (FIG. 1) or mount to a vertical surface 32 (FIG. 2). For the
horizontal surface 64, the base 18 of the pedestal 16 rests on the
horizontal surface 64 so that the braces 20 extend upwardly. For
the vertical surface 32, the wall bracket 28 mounts to the vertical
surface 32 with fasteners 34. The mounts 26 engage the bar 36 of
the wall bracket 28 so that the base 18 hangs downwardly and at
least partially rests against the vertical surface 32. In this
position, the slots 24 are located on the upper side of the braces
20 to receive the basket 12.
[0024] After either horizontal or vertical mounting of the pedestal
16, the basket 12 pivotally mounts to the pedestal 16 by seating
the engagement members 15 into corresponding slots 24. A container
14 is placed into the opening 52 so that the dispensing fitment 62
faces forward. The force of gravity pivots the basket 12 and
container 14 to a generally upright plane, referred to as the
storage position (FIG. 1). An operator pivots the container 14 and
basket 12 about the X axis to the dispensing position. The operator
engages the dispensing figment 62 to dispense the product (FIG. 3).
After the desired amount of product dispenses, the operator
disengages the dispensing figment 62 and releases the container 14
and basket 12, which return to the storage position due to the
force of gravity. As seen from the above description, the pedestal
dispenser 16 effectively suspends the container 14 so that an
operator can easily pivot the container 14 between the storage
position and dispensing position.
[0025] The present disclosure can also be embodied in the form of
FIGS. 4-5, which pivotally mounts the basket 12 to a floor-standing
pedestal 100 so that the basket pivots between a storage position
and a dispensing position. The floor-standing pedestal 100 includes
a bottom member or base 102 for resting on horizontal surface 104,
such as the floor. A post 106 extends upwardly from the base 102 to
support a U-shaped brace 108. Holes 110 at the upper ends of the
brace 108 receive the engagement members 15 of the basket at pivot
axis X. The basket 12 is similar to the basket of FIGS. 1-3 and
therefore, will not be described again here.
[0026] In operation, a container 14 is placed into the opening 52
so that the dispensing fitment 62 faces forward. The force of
gravity pivots the basket 12 and container 14 to a generally
upright position. An operator pivots the container 14 and basket 12
about the X axis to the dispensing position. The operator engages
the dispensing figment 62 to dispense the product. After the
desired amount of product dispenses, the operator disengages the
dispensing figment 62 and releases the container 14 and basket 12,
which return to the storage position due to the force of
gravity.
[0027] Changes can be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *