Syrup Dispenser Having Pivotal Dispenser Cap and Methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cap for a dispenser and a dispenser for a food product that can flow at room temperature such as syrup, honey, chocolate sauce, butterscotch sauce, cream and the like. The dispenser features a dispenser cap removably connected to a container. The dispenser cap has a first piece and a second piece. The first piece compliments to the second piece so that the two pieces fit together but may also be easily separated for cleaning. The present invention includes methods of assembling and disassembling the cap.

1 . A dispenser cap comprising:
 first and second pieces and a biasing mechanism; the first and second pieces being pivotally connectable; the first piece having:
 a top portion; 
 at least one catch protruding downwardly from the top portion; 
 a stopper extending outwardly from the top portion; and 
 a lever that actuates pivotal movement of the stopper between first and second positions when the first piece is pivotally connected to the second piece and force is applied to the lever; and 
   the second piece having:
 a plate having a product aperture; 
 a side wall extending upwardly around the plate; and 
 a spout channel; wherein when the stopper is in the first position the stopper blocks the spout channel; wherein the spout channel is generally unobstructed by the stopper when the stopper is in the second position; wherein the biasing mechanism is positioned such that it creates a force biasing the stopper toward the second position; and wherein the first piece is removably securable to the second piece. 
   
   
   
       2 . The dispenser cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a foot attached to each catch. 
   
   
       3 . The dispenser cap of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner wall extending downwardly from the top; wherein the inner wall is sized and configured to fit snuggly within the side wall such that a seal is formed between the top of the first piece and the side wall. 
   
   
       4 . The dispenser cap of  claim 1 , wherein the plate has an air inlet. 
   
   
       5 . The dispenser cap of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a recess sized and configured to receive the lever when the lever is depressed. 
   
   
       6 . The dispenser cap of  claim 1 , wherein the second piece further includes a dividing wall that extends across the surface of the plate. 
   
   
       7 . The dispenser cap of  claim 6 , further including at least one securing member extending downwardly from the top of the first piece. 
   
   
       8 . The dispenser cap of  claim 7 , wherein the securing member has a ridge; wherein the dividing member can pivot within the ridge when the lever is depressed. 
   
   
       9 . The dispenser cap of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring. 
   
   
       10 . The dispenser cap of  claim 9 , further including a post, wherein the spring circles the post such that the post reinforces the spring. 
   
   
       11 . The dispenser cap of  claim 1 , wherein the first piece further includes at least one pivot and the second piece further includes at least one groove; wherein the pivot rotates within the groove when the lever is depressed. 
   
   
       12 . A dispenser comprising:
 a cap including:   first and second pieces and a biasing mechanism; the first and second pieces being pivotally connectable; the first piece having:
 a top portion; 
 at least one catch protruding downwardly from the top portion; 
 a stopper extending outwardly from the top portion; and 
 a lever that actuates pivotal movement of the stopper between first and second positions when the first piece is pivotally connected to the second piece and force is applied to the lever; 
   the second piece having:
 a plate having a product aperture; 
 a side wall extending upwardly around the plate; and 
 a spout channel; wherein the stopper is in the first position when the stopper blocks the spout channel; wherein the spout channel is generally unobstructed by the stopper when the stopper is in the second position; wherein the biasing mechanism is positioned such that it creates a force biasing the stopper toward the second position; and wherein the first piece is removably securable to the second piece; and 
   a container operatively connectable to the cap.   
   
   
       13 . The dispenser of  claim 12 , further comprising a foot attached to each catch. 
   
   
       14 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , further comprising an inner wall extending downwardly from the top; wherein the inner wall is sized and configured to fit snuggly within the side wall such that a seal is formed between the top of the first piece and the side wall. 
   
   
       15 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the plate has an air inlet. 
   
   
       16 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the handle has a recess sized and configured to receive the lever when the lever is depressed. 
   
   
       17 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the second piece further includes a dividing wall that extends across the surface of the plate. 
   
   
       18 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , further including at least one securing member extending downwardly from the top of the first piece. 
   
   
       19 . The dispenser of  claim 18 , wherein the securing member has a ridge, wherein the dividing member can pivot within the ridge when the lever is depressed. 
   
   
       20 . The dispenser of  claim 20 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring. 
   
   
       21 . The dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein the first piece further includes at least one pivot and the second piece further includes at least one corresponding groove; wherein the pivot rotates within the groove when the lever is depressed. 
   
   
       22 . A method of disassembling a dispenser cap; the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a dispenser cap having a first piece and a second piece; wherein the first piece is removably connected to the second piece; wherein the first piece has a top and at least one catch protruding down from the top; each catch having a foot; wherein the second piece includes a base having a generally hollow interior and a plate within the interior of the base; the plate having a catch aperture for each catch; wherein the catch foot extends through the catch aperture and loosely grips the plate;   grasping the base; and   pushing the first piece until the catch foot travels through the catch aperture such that the first piece is disengaged from the second piece.   
   
   
       23 . A method of assembling a dispenser cap; the method comprising the step of:
 providing a first piece having a top, at least one catch protruding down from the top, each catch having a foot, the first piece further including a first and second pivot;   providing a second piece having a base having a generally hollow interior and a plate within the interior of the base; the plate including a catch aperture sized to receive one of the catch feet and a first and second groove sized and arranged to receive the first and second pivot;   aligning each catch foot with at least one catch aperture; and   pressing the first piece towards the second piece until each catch foot passes through the corresponding catch aperture and the pivots rest within the corresponding first and second grooves.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of pressing further includes pressing the first piece towards the second piece until each catch foot grips the plate.