Salad dressing product dispensed as a spray

Abstract

A salad dressing product in an easy to use spray bottle based on a non-aerosol mechanical pump is described. The spray bottle delivers a consistent amount of product in every spray, preferably amounting to an easily measurable about one Calorie per spray. Advantageously, less product may be applied to deliver the same organoleptic experience, and preferably, about one-quarter to about one-half the amount of conventional product is applied to the salad.

1 . A salad dressing product dispensed as a spray from a dispensing article based on a non-aerosol mechanical pump, said product comprising: 
 (A) a liquid salad dressing composition comprising at least about 5% liquid vegetable oil; and    (B) a hand-held spray dispensing article comprising: 
 a reservoir for receiving a liquid composition, the reservoir having a closed and an open end;  
 an operating unit for dispensing the spray at least partially positioned over the reservoir at the open end, whereby said operating unit is in fluid communication with said reservoir, the unit comprising a button positioned concentrically above a shroud and a discharge outlet downstream, the operating unit being downwardly movable toward the reservoir by hand pressure;  
 a closure attachable to said open end of said reservoir by suitable means; said closure extending upwardly from said open end and terminating in nozzle head;  
 a liquid pump assembly positioned at least partially below said operating unit; said pump assembly comprising a body having an upper end a a lower end of smaller cross-sectional diameter, and further having inner walls with vents formed therein and having an upper end surrounded by a collar and containing therein a piston movable in sliding engagement within the body, a gasket, and a piston base positioned at a lower end of said piston;  
 a spring system positioned below said piston base and atop a ball valve; said ball valve seated atop a tube at the inlet of the liquid pump which extends downward into said reservoir; said spring system functioning to return the liquid pump piston upward to an unactivated position; and  
 a liquid inlet at said tube;  
 an orifice cup in fluid communication with said reservoir, comprising a spray nozzle having a discharge orifice therein;  
 having a discharge volume is uniform and wherein the amount of said discharge per spray is selected in accordance with consumer preference.  
   
   
   
       2 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said composition is non-emulsified.  
   
   
       3 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said vegetable oil content in said composition is about 5% to about 70% by weight.  
   
   
       4 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said vegetable oil content in said composition is about 5% to about 25% by weight.  
   
   
       5 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said vegetable oil composition is substantially lecithin free.  
   
   
       6 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said vegetable oil composition consists essentially of less than about 70% vegetable oil by weight, water, and acidifier.  
   
   
       7 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein the operating unit is downwardly movable toward the reservoir by hand pressure, thereby forcing the piston, the gasket and the piston base to move downwardly, thereby pumping said liquid composition.  
   
   
       8 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein the spring system comprises a spring of cylindrical spiral configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein a liner device is inserted to concentrically surround said body at the bottom of said piston so as to restrict liquid composition flow through said vents and between said piston and said collar.  
   
   
       10 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said orifice cup is variable in size and shape.  
   
   
       11 . The article according to  claim 1  having a discharge volume of about 0.75 ml per spray.  
   
   
       12 . The product according to  claim 1  having a discharge volume equivalent to about one Calorie per spray.  
   
   
       13 . The product according to  claim 1  which, when applied to a salad in an amount of about one-quarter to about one-half relative to conventional salad dressing, delivers the same organoleptic quality.