Product dispenser

Abstract

A product dispenser is used for compelling a flowable product from a package. The package is positioned within a container that may be coupled to a base member that slides in and out of a housing so that the container may function as a drawer. An extruder member compresses the package against the bottom wall to compel product therefrom. A retention device secures an end of the package in the container and prevents the package from becoming bunched up within the container. By doing so, the retention device helps ensure that the maximum amount of product is compelled from the package by the time the extruder member reaches its terminal position.

1 . A product dispenser for compelling a product from a package, comprising: 
 a container adapted to receive the package therein;    first and second axially aligned sockets mounted in said container;    a biasing member positioned within said first socket;    an elongated drive member having first and second ends, said first end cooperating with said biasing member to press said second end within said second socket so that said second end is releasably and rotatably coupled thereto; and    an extruder member coupled to said drive member and adapted to compress the package by traveling relative to said drive member between said sockets to compel the product therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . The product dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a motor coupled to said second socket to rotate said drive member so that said extruder member travels between said sockets to compel the product from the package.    
   
   
       3 . The product dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a housing; and    a base member having said container positioned thereon, said base member being slidingly coupled to said housing for movement from a closed position to an open position, wherein the package may be accessed.    
   
   
       4 . The product dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein said container further comprises: 
 opposed first and second end walls, each of said sockets being mounted in one of said end walls;    opposed first and second side walls; and    a bottom wall, said walls combining to define a drawer.    
   
   
       5 . The product dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a dispenser outlet in said container through which the product flows from the package.    
   
   
       6 . The product dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein after the product is compelled from the package, said first and second ends of said drive member are disengaged from said first and second sockets and re-engaged with said second and first sockets, respectively, so that said extruder member can be driven again between said sockets to compel product through said dispenser outlet.  
   
   
       7 . A product dispenser for compelling a product from a package having first and second ends, comprising: 
 a container adapted to receive the package therein;    a retention device mounted relative to said container and adapted to retain the second end of the package, thereby limiting movement of the package within said container;    an elongated drive member having first and second ends and mounted within said container; and    an extruder member coupled to said drive member and adapted to compress the package by traveling from proximate the second end of the package toward the first end to compel the product therefrom.    
   
   
       8 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a housing; and    a base member having said container and said retention device positioned thereon, said base member being slidingly coupled within said housing for movement from a closed position to an open position, wherein the package may be accessed.    
   
   
       9 . The product dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein said container includes a dispenser outlet adapted to receive the first end of the package, and wherein said retention device is coupled to said base member and spaced from said dispenser outlet so that said retention device engages the second end of the package to limit movement of the package in said container.  
   
   
       10 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein said retention device is positioned within said container, said retention device further comprising a plurality of teeth disposed about an opening so that the second end of the package is securely retained within said opening to limit movement of the package within said container.  
   
   
       11 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein said retention device further comprises first and second tabs that have respective first and second openings, said second tab being angled towards said first tab and extending through said first opening so that the second end of the package may be received in said first and said second openings.  
   
   
       12 . The product dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein said second tab further includes a flap that is angled away from said first tab and adapted to contact said extruder member so that said first tab and said second tab cooperate to retain the second end of the package as the extruder member travels towards the first end of the package.  
   
   
       13 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein said retention device deflects relative to said container to retain the second end of the package.  
   
   
       14 . The product dispenser of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 first and second axially aligned sockets, said first socket having a biasing member located therein, said first end of said drive member cooperating with said biasing member to press said second end within said second socket so that said second end is releasably and rotatably coupled thereto.    
   
   
       15 . The product dispenser of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a motor coupled to said second socket to rotate said drive member so that said extruder member travels from said second end of said drive member to said first end to compel the product from the package.    
   
   
       16 . A product dispenser for compelling a product from a package, comprising: 
 a container adapted to receive the package therein, said container having a first wall with a plurality of notches aligned in an axial direction; and    a roller positioned relative to said first wall to receive the package there between, said roller having a plurality of tips projecting outwardly in a radial direction, said tips being adapted to fit within said notches to securely retain the package within said container as said roller travels within said container along said notches to compel the product from the package.    
   
   
       17 . The product dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein said first wall includes first and second spaced rows of said notches and wherein said plurality of tips are adapted to fit securely within said first and second rows of said notches.  
   
   
       18 . The product dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein said roller further includes a rotatable handle projecting from said container and accessible to a user for moving said roller.  
   
   
       19 . The product dispenser of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a housing; and    a base member having said container positioned thereon, said base member being slidingly coupled to said housing for movement from a closed position to an open position, wherein the package may be accessed.    
   
   
       20 . The product dispenser of  claim 19 , further including a retention device coupled to said base member and being configured to engage the package received in said container to limit movement of the package in said container.  
   
   
       21 . A product dispenser for compelling a product from a package having first and second ends, comprising: 
 a container adapted to receive the package therein, said container having a first wall with a plurality of notches aligned in an axial direction;    a retention device mounted relative to said container and adapted to retain the second end of the package, thereby limiting movement of the package within said container;    first and second axially aligned sockets mounted in said container;    a biasing member positioned within said first socket;    an elongated drive member having first and second ends, said first end cooperating with said biasing member to press said second end within said second socket so that said second end is releasably and rotatably coupled thereto; and    a roller coupled to said drive member, said roller having a plurality of tips projecting outwardly in a radial direction, said tips being adapted to fit within said notches to securely retain the package within said container as said roller travels relative to said drive member to compel the product from the package.