Apparatus and method for storing, measuring and dispensing semi-solid food substances

A method for measuring, and dispensing a portion of semi-solid food substance stored in an apparatus, the steps including:

• i) procuring the specific apparatus comprising a) a rigid circular piston having an upper portion with a first outside diameter and a predetermined height, the rigid circular piston further having a flared base;
• b) a rigid-wall sleeve open at both ends and having an inside diameter such that the rigid-wall sleeve is in sliding contact with the periphery of the rigid circular piston, and wherein at least a portion of the rigid-wall sleeve is transparent;
• and have a releasable device for retarding slippage c) an elongated graduated measuring bar slidingly engaged to an outer wall of the rigid-wall cylinder adjacent the transparent wall portion, the measuring bar having a zero pointer at one end, and typical food volume marks along the length above the zero pointer;
• and d) a lid detachably covering an end of the rigid-wall cylinder at an upper rim;
• ii) Removing the detachable lid, then raising the rigid-wall sleeve above the circular piston sufficiently to create a storage volume of at least 600 cc between the piston top surface and the upper rim;
• iii) Filling the storage volume with a volume semi-solid food substance up to the upper rim of the;
• iv) Replacing the detachable lid or proceeding to measuring a desired portion of semi-solid food substance;
• v) Sliding the graduated measuring bar until the zero pointer is even with a visible top surface of the circular piston, then;
• vi) With the base of the rigid circular piston on a flat stable surface, release any device for retarding slippage then press down on the circular sleeve until the top surface of the piston is even with a mark corresponding to the desired portion of semi-solid food substance;
• vii) Using a thin flipper or knife scrape or cut off the measured portion at the upper rim of the circular sleeve and place into one of a bowl or container;
• and, viii) Returning the lid to the upper rim of the sleeve and tightening, thus leaving no air space above the food substance.