Patent ID: 6082596
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A47G,A47J

Abstract:
In a solid-foods dispenser adapted to receive a stick of solid edible material and dispense the material in at least one ribbon of desired thickness, said solid-foods dispenser comprising an elongate housing having structural walls defining a chamber bounded by terminal ends, said chamber having an internal configuration generally corresponding to the configuration of the stick of material to be dispensed, a first closure means associated with a loading end of said solid-foods dispenser and adapted to be removingly engaged from open terminal end of said housing, a second closure means carried by said housing, said second closure means having an internal face facing toward said chamber, a plunger means positioned in said housing and movable from a position spaced from said second closure means along the longitudinal axis of said dispenser to a position adjacent said second closure means, said plunger means having a mating face configured to mate with said internal face, advancing means associated with said first closure means, said housing and said plunger means operable to move said plunger means through said housing in the direction of said second closure means, the improvement wherein said second closure means is positioned substantially adjacent the discharge end of said dispenser, has a portion thereof fixed to said housing adapted to receive removable die means, said portion fixed to an inside surface of said housing providing a buttress to support said structural walls of said discharge end, said die means defining a clearance between a discharge edge thereon and a bottom wall of said chamber and wherein said plunger means comprises a piston, a shaft and a retaining means, said piston being integral with one end of said shaft and said retaining means comprising a head being integral with the other end of said shaft.