System and method for refilling condiment bottles
OwnerChristal Steeninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Condiment containers that can be refilled from the bottom are disclosed. Spouts for dispensing condiments, which have mechanisms to open and close them, are also disclosed. A method of refilling condiment containers includes the steps of connecting a spout to a bulk condiment bag and to a conduit in the bottom of a condiment container. Once the spout is connected to the bag and the condiment container, the spout is activated by moving it from a closed to an open position. When the spout is in the open position, the condiment can travel from the bulk condiment bag, through the spout, and into the condiment container. Condiment container crates and condiment container caps are also disclosed.
Claims20
A method of dispensing a condiment from a condiment storage container into a condiment dispensing container, comprising the steps of:
- connecting a spout with an open position and a closed position to the condiment storage container;
- connecting the spout to an opening in a bottom of the condiment dispensing container;
- and
- activating the spout to dispense the condiment from the condiment storage container into the bottom of the condiment dispensing container through a conduit;
- wherein the spout is separate from the condiment dispensing container, as well as the condiment storage container.
A refillable condiment dispensing container, wherein a bottom of the condiment dispensing container comprises a plug mechanism comprising:
- a) a malleable diaphragm comprising a donut-shaped portion that forms a seal in an interior of the condiment dispensing container and a diaphragm bottom section comprising at least two slitted openings, wherein the donut-shaped portion faces towards a top of the condiment dispensing container and the diaphragm bottom section forms a base of the diaphragm within the condiment dispensing container;
- b) a conduit comprising a shoulder and a main body, wherein the main body comprises interior threads and the shoulder is shaped to fit into an interior of the diaphragm through the donut-shaped portion such that the main body extends towards a bottom exterior of the condiment dispensing container;
- and
- c) a cap comprising a cap main body comprising an outer portion comprising a key mating portion and exterior threads that mate with the interior threads of the conduit;
- wherein the diaphragm and the shoulder of the conduit have a diameter sized to fit into an interior portion of the bottom of the condiment dispensing container;
- wherein the cap has a diameter sized to fit into an interior portion of the conduit such that the conduit is flush with the bottom of the condiment dispensing container or recessed into the bottom of the condiment dispensing container.
A spout for dispensing a condiment into a condiment container, comprising:
- a nozzle section that fits into the condiment container;
- a receiving section comprising an end that receives fresh condiment from a fresh condiment source;
- and
- a control section connecting the nozzle section to the receiving section, comprising an activating mechanism for controlling flow of the condiment from the receiving section into the nozzle section;
- wherein the activating mechanism comprises an activator, a pin, and a spring that control a door that blocks flow of the condiment from the receiving section into the nozzle section when the activator is not activated by a user;
- wherein, when the activator is acted upon by the user, the pin and spring move the door to a position that permits flow of the condiment from the receiving section, through the control section and into the nozzle section.
A condiment refilling system, comprising:
- a) a plurality of condiment dispensing containers, wherein each condiment dispensing container comprises a plug mechanism at a bottom of the conduit container into which fresh condiment can be dispensed, wherein the plug mechanism comprises a removable cap with a key mating portion;
- b) a spout comprising a nozzle section that fits into a condiment dispensing container, a receiving section comprising an end that receives fresh condiment from a fresh condiment source, and a control section connecting the nozzle section to the receiving section, wherein the control section comprises an activating mechanism for controlling flow of the condiment from the receiving section into the nozzle section;
- and
- c) a key that mates with the key mating portion of the removable cap to remove the cap from the condiment container;
- wherein the key is attached to the spout.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.