Dispenser for frangible food product

Abstract

A dispenser for a frangible food product and a method for operating the dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser has a hollow housing with an open end and a base, the base for receiving a release button, a cap retaining projection, the release button with a biasing means for moving a pawl from a locked position to an open position, and a cap with a retaining slot and a tooth, the retaining slot cooperating with the cap retaining projection for retaining the cap over the open end, and the tooth cooperating with the pawl in the locked position for locking the cap to the base.

1 . A dispenser, comprising:
 a hollow housing with an open end and a base, the base for receiving a release button;   a cap retaining projection;   the release button with a biasing means for moving a pawl from a locked position to an open position; and   a cap with a retaining slot and a tooth, the retaining slot cooperating with the cap retaining projection for retaining the cap over the open end, and the tooth cooperating with the pawl in the locked position for locking the cap to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the hollow housing with a longitudinal slot and a dispensing projection;   a sleeve with a helical slot and a detent, the sleeve rotatably mounted on the hollow housing, and the detent for cooperating with the dispensing projection;   a shuttle for holding a dispensed item, the shuttle operatively connected to the longitudinal slot and the helical slot for raising the shuttle within the hollow base and the dispensed item by a discrete amount by rotating the sleeve so the dispensing projection engages the detent.   
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein, the tooth and pawl in the locked position prevent rotational motion of the cap. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein, the tooth and the pawl cooperate to provide an audible sound for user feedback. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein, the retaining slot has a vertical portion connected to a perpendicular horizontal portion. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein, the cap retaining projection is on the base. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein, the discrete amount corresponds with a single portion of the dispensed item. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein, the sleeve comprises at least 2 or more detents. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein, the detents are evenly spaced around the circumference of the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the detent and the dispensing projection cooperate to provide an audible sound, a haptic response, or both for user feedback. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising, a flexible shield extending from the open end of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein, the flexible shield is for preventing contact with the dispensed item. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein, the dispensed item is frangible, and the flexible shield cooperates with the frangible dispensed item for dispensing a single portion. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , further comprising: a visual indicator for indicating the number of portions of the product remaining to be dispensed, or, for indicating the number of portions of the product dispensed. 
     
     
         16 . A method for operating a dispenser, comprising the steps of:
 removing a safety cap that is releasably secured over a sleeve, a hollow housing, or both.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 rotating the sleeve by a discrete amount for dispensing a portion of a frangible product;   dispensing the portion of the frangible product.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of removing further comprises:
 simultaneously pressing a release button and rotating the safety cap for removing the releasably secured safety cap.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of rotating further comprises:
 rotating the sleeve for raising a shuttle, the shuttle supporting the frangible product, and the shuttle for urging the frangible product towards an open end of the housing; and   rotating the sleeve until a detent on the sleeve engages a dispensing projection on the housing for indicating that the portion of the frangible product has been urged outside the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of dispensing further comprises:
 pressing a flexible shield, the shield extending from an open end of the housing or the sleeve, for breaking off the portion of the frangible product without directly touching the portion or the frangible product.   
     
     
         21 . A kit comprising:
 a dispenser of  claim 1 ; and   a frangible product for use with the dispenser.