Dispenser for viscous condiments

Abstract

A dispenser is provided for viscous condiments. The dispenser includes a tubular sidewall having opposite ends. One opposite end is open and can receive a plunger or piston therein for applying force to condiment contained within a compartment inside of the sidewall. The other end of the sidewall includes a dispenser valve assembly comprising a member secured to an inturned flange portion of the sidewall with the flange portion being generally normal to the sidewall. The dispenser valve assembly is suitably secured to the flange portion as by heat sealing to form a composite laminated structure that is resistant to the penetration of liquids from the condiments. A bead of hot melt can be provided to seal an exposed outer edge of the dispenser valve assembly and to seal the dispenser valve assembly to the sidewall. The dispenser valve assembly includes a valve plate having one or more selectively openable discharge openings formed therein that will open and close under the influence of pressure applied to the condiment within the dispenser.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a dispensing cartridge for viscous condiments, said method comprising:
 forming a generally tubular housing having a sidewall with opposite end portions;   forming a valve assembly having a support member and a perforate member with at least one dispensing opening;   aligning said valve assembly with a closure member in a web containing a plurality of closure members;   attaching said closure member to said valve assembly and severing the attached closure member from said web; and   securing said valve assembly to said tubular housing adjacent one of said opposite end positions.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of said housings and said valve assemblies are formed and wherein said plurality of valve assemblies are aligned with and attached to a plurality of closure members contained in said web and then secured to said housings. 
     
     
         13 - 19 . (canceled)