Condiment dispensing apparatus, system, and methods of use
In one aspect, a condiment dispenser is provided including a pump having an inlet, and outlet, and a movable wall forming at least a portion of a pumping chamber such that moving the movable wall adjusts a volume of the pumping chamber to pump fluid from the inlet toward the outlet. A spout is connected to the outlet of the pump and has a channel extending to a dispensing opening. A bellows is disposed along at least a portion of the channel. A piston is connected to the movable wall of the pump and movable between a first position and a second position to move the movable wall of the pumping chamber to pump fluid toward the dispensing opening of the spout. Movement of the piston between the first and second positions also compresses and releases the bellows.
1 . A condiment dispenser comprising:
a pump having an inlet, and outlet, and a movable wall forming at least a portion of a pumping chamber such that moving the movable wall adjusts a volume of the pumping chamber to pump fluid from the inlet toward the outlet;
a spout connected to the outlet of the pump and having a channel extending to a dispensing opening;
a bellows disposed along at least a portion of the channel; and
a piston connected to the movable wall of the pump and movable between a first position and a second position to move the movable wall of the pumping chamber to pump fluid toward the dispensing opening of the spout, the piston including a roller that moves along a side of the spout including the bellows as the piston is moved between the first position and second position, wherein the roller engages the bellows when the piston is in the second position and disengages the bellows when the piston is in the first position.
2 . The condiment dispenser of claim 1 wherein moving the piston from the first position toward the second position forces fluid from the pumping chamber toward the dispensing opening and compresses the bellows to force fluid in the spout toward the dispensing opening.
3 . The condiment dispenser of claim 1 wherein moving the piston from the second position toward the first position draws fluid from the inlet toward the pumping chamber and releases the bellows to draw fluid in the spout from the dispensing opening.
4 . The condiment dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a motor operable to rotate a driving gear, the piston includes a linear gear interfacing with the driving gear such that operation of the motor causes the piston to move between the first position and second position.
5 . The condiment dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a pumping handle configured to pivot relative to the piston and to engage the piston to move the piston between the first position and second position.
6 . A condiment dispenser comprising:
a pump having an inlet, and outlet, and a movable wall forming at least a portion of a pumping chamber such that moving the movable wall adjusts a volume of the pumping chamber to pump fluid from the inlet toward the outlet;
a spout connected to the outlet of the pump and having a channel extending to a dispensing opening;
a bellows disposed along at least a portion of the channel;
a piston connected to the movable wall of the pump and movable between a first position and a second position to move the movable wall of the pumping chamber to pump fluid toward the dispensing opening of the spout, wherein moving the piston between the first and second positions compresses and releases the bellows; and
a pumping handle configured to pivot relative to the piston and to engage the piston to move the piston between the first position and the second position,
wherein at least one of the piston and the pumping handle includes a roller engaging a surface of the other of the piston and the pumping handle, the roller permitting the piston and the pumping handle to move relative to one another as the pumping handle pivots relative to the piston.
7 . The condiment dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a guide track, the piston engaging the guide track such that the piston travels along the guide track as the piston moves between the first position and second position.
8 . The condiment dispenser of claim 1 wherein the spout includes a removable panel to permit access to the channel.