U.S. patent application number 14/542028 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for handheld confectionary dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is CSM Bakery Products NA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Thomas Ciecorka, Chris Davis, Sarah Key, Srikant Ramachandran.
Application Number | 20150129609 14/542028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53042855 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150129609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ciecorka; Thomas ; et
al. |
May 14, 2015 |
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.
Inventors: |
Ciecorka; Thomas; (Suwanee,
GA) ; Key; Sarah; (Buford, GA) ; Ramachandran;
Srikant; (Cape Girardeau, MO) ; Davis; Chris;
(Cape Girardeau, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CSM Bakery Products NA, Inc. |
Tucker |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53042855 |
Appl. No.: |
14/542028 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61904272 |
Nov 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/92 ;
222/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5883 20130101;
B65D 35/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/92 ;
222/107 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/38 20060101
B65D035/38; B65D 35/02 20060101 B65D035/02 |
Claims
1. A handheld confectionary dispenser comprising: a flexible hollow
pouch presenting an interior chamber, with the pouch being
configured to contain confectionary within the chamber, said pouch
extending longitudinally to present a dispensing end and an
opposite reservoir end, said pouch defining a reservoir portion
adjacent the reservoir end, a dispensing portion adjacent the
dispensing end, and a funnel portion located between the reservoir
and dispensing portions, with the chamber extending continuously
between the portions, said chamber having a cross-sectional area
that is greatest at the reservoir portion and smallest at the
dispensing portion, said funnel portion being configured to be
grasped within a hand of the user so that confectionary is forced
through the dispensing portion when the funnel portion is squeezed,
said reservoir portion being configured to replenish the funnel
portion with confectionary when the reservoir portion is
selectively compressed, said pouch defining a sharp cross-sectional
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.
2. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1, said
transition being defined within the reservoir portion immediately
adjacent the funnel portion.
3. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1, said
pouch tapering along the transition to a greater degree than
elsewhere along the reservoir portion and the funnel portion.
4. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1, said
pouch including inner and outer surfaces, with the inner surface
defining the chamber, said outer surface presenting an upstream
recess adjacent the transition.
5. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 4, said
outer surface defining a downstream recess facing a generally
opposite direction from the upstream recess, said recesses being
spaced longitudinally along the pouch.
6. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1, said
pouch including inner and outer surfaces, with the inner surface
defining the chamber, said outer surface presenting a recess within
the funnel portion.
7. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 6, said
funnel portion including upstream and downstream sections that
cooperatively define the recess, said pouch tapering along the
upstream section of the funnel portion at a greater rate than the
downstream section of the funnel portion.
8. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1, said
reservoir portion including a section thereof along which the
cross-sectional area of the chamber is generally constant.
9. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1, said
cross-sectional area of the chamber progressively decreasing along
the dispensing portion toward the dispensing end.
10. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 9,
said pouch tapering along the dispensing portion at a substantially
even rate.
11. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 10,
said pouch being defined by a pair of superimposed panels sealingly
interconnected along side margins thereof, said side margins each
being generally straight and extending along a substantially
constant angle along the dispensing portion.
12. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1,
said dispensing portion presenting a maximum length of about two
inches.
13. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1,
said reservoir portion of the pouch having a greater interior
chamber volume than the funnel portion, said funnel portion of the
pouch having a greater interior chamber volume than the dispensing
portion.
14. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1,
said reservoir end being closed, said pouch being prefilled with
confectionary.
15. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1,
said pouch being defined by a pair of superimposed panels that are
sealingly interconnected along side margins, said transition being
defined by an angled segment along at least one of the side
margins.
16. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 15,
said pouch including inner and outer surfaces, with the inner
surface defining the chamber, said angled segment cooperating with
an adjacent segment of the at least one of the side margins to
define an upstream recess in the outer surface.
17. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 16,
said outer surface defining a downstream recess facing a generally
opposite direction from the upstream recess, said recesses being
spaced longitudinally along the pouch.
18. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 1,
said dispensing end of the pouch being open; and a dispensing
fitment sealingly coupled to the dispensing end.
19. The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in claim 18,
said dispensing fitment including a universal threaded connection
for use with a variety of dispensing nozzles.
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 devices
include flexible icing pouches having a pouch and a nozzle end. In
the usual manner, the pouch contains the spreadable confectionary
or other food stuff to be dispensed and a nozzle end through which
the food stuff is dispensed in a controlled manner.
[0006] 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. Any unused portions of confectionary in the pouch must then
be removed from the pouch. Prior to further use, the pouch must
then be cleaned using conventional washing techniques. 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).
[0007] 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. Conventional pouches, particularly when filled, require
the user to constantly hold the pouch with both hands so that the
weight of the pouch does not cause unintended shifting of the
nozzle or undue physical strain on the user (e.g., where awkward
weight distribution of the pouch causes the user's hands or arms to
become fatigued).
SUMMARY
[0008] The following brief summary is provided to indicate the
nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain
aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary
is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a handheld
confectionary dispenser that does not suffer from the problems and
limitations of the prior art dispensers set forth above.
[0010] A first aspect of the present invention concerns a handheld
confectionary dispenser that broadly includes a flexible hollow
pouch. The pouch presents an interior chamber, with the pouch being
configured to contain confectionary within the chamber. The pouch
extends longitudinally to present a dispensing end and an opposite
reservoir end. The pouch defines a reservoir portion adjacent the
reservoir end, a dispensing portion adjacent the dispensing end,
and a funnel portion located between the reservoir and dispensing
portions, with the chamber extending continuously between the
portions. The chamber has a cross-sectional area that is greatest
at the reservoir portion and smallest at the dispensing portion.
The funnel portion is configured to be grasped within a hand of the
user so that confectionary is forced through the dispensing portion
when the funnel portion is squeezed. The reservoir portion is
configured to replenish the funnel portion with confectionary when
the reservoir portion is selectively compressed. The pouch defines
a sharp cross-sectional 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.
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed description
of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in
detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a handheld confectionary
dispenser constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention, with the dispenser including a fitment and a
pouch, showing the dispenser filled with confectionary, grasped
along a funnel portion of the pouch, and folded so that a reservoir
portion of the pouch is supported on a user's hand, wrist, and
forearm;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the handheld confectionary
dispenser shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the dispenser filled with
confectionary and the pouch being generally unfolded;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the handheld confectionary
dispenser similar to FIG. 2, but with the pouch being compressed
and twisted along the reservoir portion and the funnel portion to
force confectionary out of the pouch;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross section of the pouch shown in FIGS. 1-3,
with one of the panels of the pouch being removed, and with the
depicted panel being shown in a flat condition;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of the handheld
confectionary dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-3, showing the fitment
removed from the pouch and a reservoir end of the pouch
unsealed;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of the handheld
confectionary dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, showing the pouch
in the expanded condition, with part of one of panels being removed
to depict an empty interior chamber of the dispenser;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross section of the fitment shown in FIGS. 1-3,
5, and 6;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the handheld
confectionary dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5, and 6, showing the
fitment sealed to a dispensing end of the pouch; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the
handheld confectionary dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5, 6, and 8,
showing the decorating nozzle and coupling ring removed from the
fitment.
[0022] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Turning initially to FIGS. 1-3, a handheld confectionary
dispenser 20 is constructed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. In the usual manner, the
dispenser 20 is preferably used to contain icing and selectively
distribute the icing on confections and other food stuffs. However,
it is within the ambit of the present invention where the dispenser
20 is used to dispense various food stuffs, such as frostings,
glazes, fillings, creams, toppings, and other spreadable
confectionary substances. The term confectionary as used herein
shall be interpreted to include icing, frosting, glaze, filling,
cream, toppings, and other similar substances used in the food
industry, particularly those that are manually dispensed. The
present invention is especially useful in manually dispensing
creamy confectionary substances for food decorating purposes.
[0024] As will be discussed, the dispenser 20 is preferably
prefilled with confectionary (not shown) and sealed to provide a
sealed prefilled dispenser 20'. However, it is within the scope of
the present invention where dispenser 20 is filled without being
later sealed. It is also within the ambit of the present invention
for the dispenser 20 to be distributed unfilled, such that the user
fills the dispenser with confectionary as needed. If desired, the
dispenser may also be reused. The dispenser 20 broadly includes a
fitment 22 and a flexible hollow pouch 24.
[0025] The fitment 22 is preferably designed to permit selective
opening and closing of the pouch 24. The fitment 22 is also
preferably designed to selectively permit dispensing of
confectionary from the pouch 24. Yet further, the illustrated
fitment 22 permits a decorating nozzle 26 to be attached to the
pouch 24 with a coupler ring 28.
[0026] Turning to FIG. 9, the decorating nozzle 26 is conventional
and includes an annular wall 30. In the usual manner, the wall 30
defines a nozzle passage (not shown) that tapers in a downstream
direction D (i.e., in a direction toward a downstream dispensing
end of the pouch 24) and extends from a flared upstream end 31 that
presents an upstream opening (not shown) to a rounded downstream
end 32 that presents a discharge opening 34. The discharge opening
34 is sized and shaped to discharge a continuous stream of
dispensed confectionary. The confectionary stream, as it emerges
from the discharge opening 34, has a predetermined cross-sectional
shape that corresponds to the shape of the discharge opening 34. It
will be appreciated that the discharge opening 34 and other
features of the nozzle 26 can be alternatively configured to
selectively shape or otherwise control the confectionary
stream.
[0027] Turning to FIGS. 5-9, the illustrated fitment 22 preferably
includes a fitment nozzle body 36, a seal body 38, and a flange 40
that are integrally formed with one another. The nozzle body 36
presents a downstream fitment opening 42. Also, the fitment 22
presents a continuous fitment passage 44 that fluidly communicates
with the fitment opening 42. The passage 44 tapers in the
downstream direction D and extends from an upstream fitment end 46
to a downstream fitment end 48 (see FIG. 7).
[0028] Turning to FIG. 7, the fitment nozzle body 36 is generally
tubular and includes a downstream portion 50 that presents an outer
surface 52 that tapers in the downstream direction D. The fitment
nozzle body 36 also includes an upstream portion 54 that presents
threads 56 to provide a universal threaded connection. The flange
40 is located upstream of the threads 56 and projects radially
outwardly from the upstream portion 54.
[0029] Turning to FIGS. 5-7, the seal body 38 is also integrally
formed with the fitment nozzle body 36 and is attached to the
upstream portion 54. The illustrated seal body 38 preferably
includes an elongated base 62 and ribs 64. The base 62 preferably
includes a central tubular section 66 and a pair of flanges 68,
with the illustrated flanges 68 presenting laterally outermost
edges 70 of the seal body 38 (see FIG. 7). The ribs 64 preferably
extend along and interconnect the tubular section 66 and flanges
68. The base 62 and ribs 64 cooperatively define lateral channels
72 that extend between adjacent pairs of ribs 64 (see FIG. 5).
[0030] The base 62 and ribs 64 also cooperatively present opposite
sealing surfaces 74. The illustrated sealing surfaces 74 preferably
extend continuously from one of the outermost edges 70 to the other
one of the outermost edges 70. The sealing surfaces 74 cooperate to
define a seal body thickness dimension ST that tapers in outboard
directions toward the outermost edges 70. As will be discussed, the
sealing surfaces 74 are configured to be positioned in sealing
engagement with the flexible pouch 24.
[0031] The fitment 22 preferably includes a synthetic resin
material. More preferably, the fitment 22 includes a polyolefin
material, although other thermoplastic materials could be used
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0032] As mentioned above, the decorating nozzle 26 is selectively
attached to the pouch 24 with the coupler ring 28. The nozzle
passage receives the fitment 22 and is thereby operable to be
mounted on the fitment 22. The discharge opening 34 communicates
with the fitment passage 44 when the decorating nozzle 26 is
mounted on the fitment 22. It will be appreciated that various
decorating nozzles could be selectively mounted on the fitment 22.
In the usual manner, the fitment 22 can be used with decorating
nozzles having differently sized and shaped discharge openings
(e.g., to create different sizes and/or shapes of
confectionary).
[0033] Turning to FIG. 9, the coupler ring 28 presents a knurled
outer surface 76 and a threaded opening 78 that receives the
decorating nozzle 26. With the decorating nozzle 26 mounted on the
fitment 22, the coupler ring 28 can be threaded onto the threaded
connection to engage and hold the flared proximal end of the
decorating nozzle 26 against the fitment 22.
[0034] Turning to FIG. 6, the flexible pouch 24 preferably has an
elongated hollow shape and presents inner and outer surfaces 80,82
that extend between an upstream reservoir end 84 and a downstream
dispensing end 86. The inner surface 80 defines an interior chamber
88 that is designed to receive and contain confectionary. The
flexible pouch 24 can preferably be folded, twisted, squeezed, or
otherwise deformed to change the volume of the chamber 88. In this
manner, deformation of the pouch 24 is used to move confectionary
through the chamber 88 and/or to urge confectionary out of the
chamber 88. Preferably, confectionary is generally moved through
the chamber 88 in the downstream direction D. As will be discussed,
the flexible pouch 24 is shaped so that the pouch 24 is convenient
for a user to hold and deform, particularly while confectionary is
being discharged from the dispenser 20.
[0035] Turning to FIGS. 4-6, the illustrated flexible pouch 24
includes a pair of opposite flexible pouch panels 90 that
cooperatively define the interior chamber 88. Because the
illustrated panels 90 are substantially identically shaped, the
panel features described herein refer to both panels 90.
[0036] Each panel 90 preferably presents end edges 92,94 and side
edges 96,98 that extend longitudinally between the end edges 92,94.
The panels 90 also preferably present end margins 102,104 and side
margins 106,108. The end margins 102,104 extend inwardly from the
end edges 92,94, and the side margins 106,108 extend inwardly from
the side edges 96,98. As will be discussed, the panels 90 are
preferably sealed along the side margins 106,108 and the end
margins 102,104.
[0037] Turning to FIG. 4, the illustrated side margins 106
preferably include segments 106a,b,c,d arranged end-to-end.
Similarly, side margins 108 preferably include segments 108a,b,c,d
arranged end-to-end. In the downstream direction D, the segments
106b,c,d and segments 108b,c,d preferably extend inboard relative
to a longitudinal axis A so that a width dimension PW of the panel
90 tapers in the downstream direction D. For instance, the segment
106b is sharply angled relative to the longitudinal axis A to
define a sharp cross-sectional transition 110 along which the width
dimension PW abruptly decreases. Preferably, the width dimension PW
tapers along the transition 110 to a greater degree than any other
location along the panel 90.
[0038] The width dimension PW is preferably at a maximum value
adjacent the upstream reservoir end 84 and at a minimum value
adjacent the downstream dispensing end 86. The transition 110 is
preferably spaced between the reservoir and dispensing ends
84,86.
[0039] Adjacent pairs of segments 106,108 preferably meet to
cooperatively define angle locations 112 (see FIG. 4). Also, the
segments 106b,c cooperatively define an upstream recess 114, and
segments 108b,c cooperatively define a downstream recess 116. The
recesses 114,116 are preferably formed in part by the angle of the
corresponding angle locations 112. In the illustrated embodiment,
the angles associated with the recesses are preferably obtuse
angles. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention
where the recesses 114,116 are alternatively formed. For instance,
such recesses could be formed by joining pouch panels that are not
superimposed with one another and/or joining pouch panels that are
not identically shaped. Yet further, such recesses could be formed
by other processes (e.g., by plastically deforming at least one of
the panels).
[0040] The segments 106c,108b,c preferably comprise convex segments
that form convex portions of the side edges 96,98. The segments
106d,108d preferably comprise concave segments that form concave
portions of the side edges 96,98. As will be discussed, the side
margins 106,108 cooperatively define portions of the flexible pouch
24 and permit the flexible pouch 24 to be conveniently positioned
and deformed during use.
[0041] Each panel 90 preferably includes a synthetic resin
material. More preferably, each panel 90 includes a polymer
material, such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene, but could
include one or more alternative materials without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0042] Again, the illustrated panels 90 are preferably
substantially identical to one another. However, it is within the
ambit of the present invention where the panels 90 have shapes that
are different from one another. For instance, it may be beneficial
to have differently shaped panels 90 so that the flexible pouch 24
assumes a predetermined three-dimensional shape when filled with
confectionary.
[0043] Turning to FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, the panels 90 cooperate so
that the flexible pouch 24 is convenient for a user to hold and
deform. When joined together, the illustrated panels 90 are
preferably superimposed and are in substantial registration with
one another so that corresponding side margins 106,108 and end
margins 102,104 can be joined together. The panels 90 are
preferably joined together along the side margins 106,108 and end
margins 102,104 using a conventional heat seal process. However,
the panels 90 could be alternatively joined (e.g., by adhering the
panels 90 to one another with an adhesive) without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0044] Preferably, the flexible pouch 24 includes a pair of panels
90. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention
where the flexible pouch 24 includes more than two panels that
cooperatively define the chamber 88. Yet further, the flexible
pouch 24 could be formed by a single panel without departing from
the scope of the present invention. For instance, the single panel
could comprise a flexible piece of tubular material that is formed
with or without a longitudinal seam extending between the end
margins 102,104. If desired, the panels 90 could be formed
end-to-end on a single sheet such that only the side margins
require sealing connection (the ends would already be integrally
joined) and the pouch 24 is filled through the fitment 22.
[0045] Turning to FIGS. 4-6, the illustrated panels 90 are
preferably shaped and joined so that the flexible pouch 24 includes
a reservoir portion 118, a funnel portion 120, and a dispensing
portion 122. The chamber 88 preferably extends continuously between
the portions 118,120,122.
[0046] The end margins 102,104 are selectively joined by heat
sealing to close the reservoir end 84 of the reservoir portion 118.
Thus, the reservoir end 84 can be closed after the internal chamber
88 is filled with confectionary.
[0047] The funnel portion 120 preferably includes upstream and
downstream sections 124,126 separated by the angle location
associated with downstream recess 116 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The
funnel portion 120 is operable to receive confectionary and be
grasped within a user's hand H so that the user can squeeze,
compress, twist, or otherwise deform the funnel portion 120. For
instance, by simply squeezing the funnel section 120 within the
user's hand H, the user can force confectionary from the funnel
portion 120, through the dispensing portion 122, and through the
fitment 22 while maintaining precise control of the confectionary
stream.
[0048] As will be discussed, the dispensing portion 122 provides
the end margins 104 for sealing the pouch 24 to the fitment 22. The
dispensing portion 122 also serves as a transitional region of the
pouch 24 between the funnel portion 120 and the fitment 22. Thus,
the dispensing portion 122 preferably presents a relatively short
longitudinal length dimension L (see FIG. 4). More preferably, the
length dimension L of the dispensing portion 122 preferably has a
maximum value of about two inches (2''). However, the dispensing
portion 122 could be alternatively configured without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0049] Turning to FIGS. 2 and 4, the dispensing portion 122 and
funnel portion 120 meet along a lateral junction 128. The lateral
junction 128 is preferably adjacent to the location where the
concave segments 106c,108c meet the corresponding convex segments
106d,108d of the side margins 106,108.
[0050] The reservoir portion 118 is designed to contain a reserve
of confectionary that can be selectively moved from the reservoir
portion 118 to the funnel portion 120. Preferably, the reservoir
portion 118 is operable to be selectively grasped by the user's
hand H to squeeze, compress, twist, or otherwise deform the
reservoir portion 118. Thus, the reservoir portion 118 is
configured to replenish the funnel portion 120 with confectionary
when the reservoir portion 118 is selectively compressed or
otherwise deformed.
[0051] The funnel portion 120 and the reservoir portion 118 meet
along a lateral junction 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the
lateral junction 130 is preferably adjacent the angle location 112
associated with the upstream recess 114.
[0052] The width dimension PW of the pouch 24 generally tapers in
the downstream direction D along most of the length of the pouch
24. Preferably, the reservoir portion 118 includes a constant area
section 132 along which the pouch 24 does not taper. Along the
funnel portion 120, the pouch 24 preferably tapers in the
downstream direction D. Preferably, the upstream section 124 of the
funnel portion 120 tapers at a greater rate than the downstream
section 126 of the funnel portion 120. Preferably, the pouch 24
also tapers in the downstream direction D along the dispensing
portion 122. More preferably, the pouch 24 tapers along the
dispensing portion 122 at a substantially even rate. However, it is
within the ambit of the present invention where the pouch 24 has an
alternative tapering arrangement.
[0053] As a result, when the pouch 24 is in a completely expanded
condition (see FIG. 6) the interior chamber 88 presents a
cross-sectional area C that is preferably at its greatest along the
reservoir portion 118 and at its smallest along the dispensing
portion 122. The reservoir portion 118 preferably has a greater
interior chamber volume than the funnel portion 120. Similarly, the
funnel portion 120 preferably has a greater interior chamber volume
than the dispensing portion 122.
[0054] Along the constant area section 132, the cross-sectional
area C is generally constant. Also, along the sharp cross-sectional
transition 110, the cross-sectional area C preferably abruptly
decreases in the downstream direction D when the pouch 24 is in the
expanded condition. Preferably, the pouch 24 tapers along the
transition 110 to a greater degree than any other location along
the pouch 24. The cross-sectional area C progressively decreases
along the dispensing portion 122 toward the dispensing end 86.
[0055] The outer surface 82 preferably presents the upstream recess
114 within the reservoir 118 and funnel portions 120 and the
downstream recess 116 within at least the funnel portion 120.
Preferably, the upstream and downstream sections 124,126 of the
funnel portion 120 cooperatively define the downstream recess 116.
The upstream recess 114 preferably faces in a direction opposite to
the direction in which the downstream recess 116 faces. Also, the
upstream and downstream recesses 114,116 are preferably spaced
longitudinally along the pouch 24.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 114,116 are
located to allow the user's hand H to be positioned with the thumb
along the recess 116 and at least one of the three middle fingers
along the recess 114 (see FIG. 2). However, it will be appreciated
that the pouch 24 can be grasped within the user's hand H in
alternative orientations without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Furthermore, the upstream and downstream
recesses 114,116 could be alternatively positioned and/or
configured without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0057] The transition 110 is preferably defined within the
reservoir portion 118 immediately adjacent the funnel portion 120.
More preferably, the transition 110 is defined at or adjacent the
lateral junction 130 between the reservoir portion 118 and the
funnel portion 120. The illustrated transition 110 is preferably
configured to facilitate bending of the pouch 24 between the
reservoir and funnel portions 118,120. However, it is within the
ambit of the present invention where the transition 110 is
alternatively configured and/or positioned along the length of the
pouch 24. Furthermore, the pouch 24 could include more than one
transition to provide for suitable operation of the dispenser
20.
[0058] It has been surprisingly found that bending of the pouch 24
along the transition 110 reduces the risk of undesired backflow of
confectionary from the funnel portion 120 to the reservoir portion
118. Furthermore, bending of the pouch 24 along the transition 110
facilitates resting of the reservoir portion 118 on the wrist and
forearm of the user in a manner that is comfortable, balanced, and
controllable for the user (e.g., when the funnel portion 120 is
grasped by the user as shown in FIG. 1). Finally, such bending of
the pouch 24 has also been found to restrict unintended flow of
confectionary from the reservoir portion 118 to the funnel portion
120.
[0059] Again, the dispensing portion 122 preferably provides the
end margins 104 for sealing the pouch 24 to the fitment 22. In
particular, the sealing surfaces 74 are configured to be positioned
in sealing engagement with the pouch 24 along the end margins 104.
The end margins 104 are fitted around the seal body 38, with the
end edges 92,94 positioned adjacent to the flange 40. In this
position, the dispensing portion 122 can be heat sealed to the seal
body 38 to form an airtight joint between the pouch 24 and the
fitment 22. Thus, with the pouch 24 and fitment 22 sealed to one
another, the dispenser 20 can be filled with confectionary.
[0060] Subsequently, the reservoir end 84 can be heat sealed
closed. In this manner, the dispenser 20 can be prefilled with
confectionary and sealed for later sale, storage, transportation,
and use as the sealed prefilled dispenser 20'.
[0061] However, it is also within the ambit of the present
invention where the dispenser 20 is not sealed and prefilled prior
to dispensing confectionary. Rather, it is within the ambit of the
present invention where the dispenser 20 is filled with
confectionary and the dispenser 20 is then used to dispense the
confectionary without sealing the reservoir end 84.
[0062] In using the dispenser 20 to provide the sealed prefilled
dispenser 20', the panels 90 are cut and located in superimposed
relationship with one another. The panels 90 are then heat sealed
along the side margins 106,108 to form the pouch 24. The seal body
38 of the fitment 22 is then inserted into the dispensing end 86 of
the pouch 24 so that the pouch 24 and fitment 22 can be heat sealed
to one another.
[0063] With the fitment 22 and pouch 24 sealed to one another, the
chamber 88 of the dispenser 20 can be filled with confectionary.
The reservoir end 84 of the filled dispenser 20 can then be sealed
for subsequent sale, storage, transportation, and use of the sealed
prefilled dispenser 20'. As previously noted, the side margins
106,108 and reservoir end 84 could alternatively be first sealed
such that the pouch 24 is filled through the dispensing end 86.
[0064] In using sealed prefilled dispenser 20', the decorating
nozzle 26 can be secured onto the fitment 22 with the coupler ring
28 so that the decorating nozzle 26 is in fluid communication with
the passage 44 of the fitment 22 and the chamber 88.
[0065] The dispenser 20 can be held by the user by positioning the
funnel portion 120 within the user's hand H. In one suitable
arrangement, the funnel portion 120 is held with the user's thumb
and pinkie on one side of the funnel portion 120 and the middle
three fingers on the opposite side of the funnel portion 120 (see
FIG. 1). The pouch 24 can then be folded about the transition 110
so that the reservoir portion 118 rests on the user's hand H,
wrist, and forearm. In this manner, the user can comfortably
support the reservoir portion 118 while simultaneously squeezing
the funnel portion 120 to dispense confectionary. In other words,
this configuration permits one handed manipulation of the dispenser
20. The user may, however, conveniently squeeze the reservoir
portion 118 with the opposite (free) hand when it is necessary to
replenish the funnel portion 120 with confectionary.
[0066] As the confectionary is squeezed out of the funnel portion
120, this arrangement permits confectionary in the reservoir
portion 118 to fall into the funnel portion 120. However, the user
can conveniently use his or her other hand (not shown) to
selectively squeeze the reservoir portion 118 to force
confectionary to move from the reservoir portion 118 to the funnel
portion 120.
[0067] Although the above description presents features of
preferred embodiments of the present invention, other preferred
embodiments may also be created in keeping with the principles of
the invention. Such other preferred embodiments may, for instance,
be provided with features drawn from one or more of the embodiments
described above. Yet further, such other preferred embodiments may
include features from multiple embodiments described above,
particularly where such features are compatible for use together
despite having been presented independently as part of separate
embodiments in the above description.
[0068] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to
be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a
limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention.
Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove
set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0069] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the
Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair
scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not
materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the
invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *