Handheld condiment dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser includes a container including a containment portion and a handle portion; and a pump assembly received in the containment portion. The assembly includes a rod including a first knife blade receptacle, a cylinder including a second knife blade, a piston movable within the cylinder having a first knife blade and a valve having second knife blade receptacle. When the valve is open, the first knife blade engages with the first knife blade receptacle, and when the valve is closed the second knife blade engages with the second knife blade receptacle.

1 . A pump comprising: 
 a rod including a first knife blade receptacle, a cylinder including a second knife blade receptacle and a second knife blade, a piston movable within the cylinder having a first knife blade and a valve having a second knife blade receptacle, wherein when the valve is open the first knife blade engages with the first knife blade receptacle and when the valve is closed the second knife blade engages with the second knife blade receptacle.    
   
   
       2 . A dispenser comprising: 
 a container including a containment portion and a handle portion; and    a pump assembly received in the containment portion, the assembly including a rod including a first knife blade receptacle, a cylinder including a second knife blade receptacle, a piston movable within the cylinder having a first knife blade and a valve having second knife blade, wherein when the valve is open the first knife blade engages with the first knife blade receptacle and when the valve is closed the second knife blade engages with the second knife blade receptacle.    
   
   
       3 . The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein the container further includes a wing portion configured to engage a wing receptacle of a dispenser support.  
   
   
       4 . The dispenser of  claim 2  further comprising a removable cap including at least one opening.  
   
   
       5 . The dispenser of  claim 4  wherein the removable cap comprises at least one single filer configured to lead at least one opening.  
   
   
       6 . The dispenser of  claim 2  further comprising a trigger configured to actuate the pump assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the trigger includes a stop block configured to control the amount of product dispensed with a single pump actuation.  
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the stop block is spring loaded.  
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein engagement of the first knife blade with the first knife blade receptacle creates a seal.  
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein engagement of the second knife blade with the second knife blade receptacle creates a seal.  
   
   
       11 . A method for dispensing particulate condiment, the method comprising: 
 filling a pump cylinder with particulate condiment to a primed volume;    compressing particulates within the particulate condiment to provide a cylinder cap;    dispensing the particulate condiment from the filled pump cylinder; and    compressing particulates within the particulate condiment to provide a cylinder floor.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein cutting particulates within the particulate condiment to provide a cylinder cap comprises engaging a first knife blade with a first knife blade receptacle.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein providing a cylinder cap comprises engaging a piston with a cylinder.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein cutting particulates within the particulate condiment to provide a cylinder floor comprises engaging a second knife blade with a second knife blade receptacle.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein providing a cylinder floor comprises closing a valve.  
   
   
       16 . A method for dispensing particulate condiment, the method comprising: 
 engaging a wing portion of a dispenser with a wing receptacle formed in a dispenser support;    filling the dispenser with particulate condiment;    disengaging the wing portion from the receptacle;    compressing particulates in the particulate condiment while dispensing a predetermined condiment volume.    
   
   
       17 . A system for dispensing particulate condiment comprising: 
 a dispenser including a wing portion, the dispenser including a pump assembly having first and second blades to compress particulates within the particulate condiment; and    a dispenser support including a wing receptacle.    
   
   
       18 . A dispenser system comprising: 
 container means including a containment portion and a handle portion; and    pump means received in the containment portion, the means including means for compressing particulates disposed in a particulate condiment.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising means to adjust the amount of condiment dispensed by the pump means.  
   
   
       20 . A dispenser system comprising: 
 a roller assembly supporting a flexible bag, and a dispenser positioned below the flexible bag and positioned to be filled by the flexible bag, the dispenser including a pump assembly having first and second blades to compress particulates within a particulate condiment.