Abstract:
A fluent material dispensing system comprising: a bottle, a plunger engaged inside the bottle, and a dispensing mechanism having a lever for operation of the plunger for fluid expulsion. The plunger may frictionally engage the bottle to a degree sufficient for holding the plunger in place against a force applied due to return motion of the lever. The dispensing mechanism may comprise a cap for attachment to an end of the bottle opposite a fluid outlet and a handle attached to the cap, the lever pivotally coupled to the cap, the lever and the handle aligned with the bottle. The dispensing mechanism may comprise a portioning mechanism configured to limit distance travelled by the lever from the rest position to the engaged position to a defined amount, thereby limiting expulsion of the fluid to a corresponding defined portion.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates in the general field of fluent material dispensers and more specifically to a dispensing system with ergonomic inline actuation integrated with portion measuring and modular attributes that contribute to food safety, ease of use and storage efficiency. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Quick Service Restaurants often require a means to dispense various sauces &amp; condiments (fluent materials) onto food in a controllable, foodsafe, and efficient manner. Fluent materials include foodstuffs ranging from oils and vinegars, viscous sauces like mayonnaise, and from smooth to chunky sauces containing particles such as chopped onion or chili seeds. Prior art sauce dispensers are often based on known devices such as caulking guns or cake-icing dispensers to dispense fluent materials, but because they evolved from devices used for a different purpose, they often do not perform as well for the purpose at hand. 
     Fluent material dispensers styled after caulking guns are not ergonomic to use because their means of dispensing, their handle/trigger mechanism, is ninety degrees from the direction of fluent material discharge. To dispense accurately with a gun styled dispenser, the user is forced to use two hands to stabilize the dispenser because its weight is extended away from the handle. When dispensing with one hand, the user&#39;s wrist fatigues and accuracy is reduced. Using both hands to dispense increases the liability of inadvertent user contact with the food, as well as with other food preparers in confined spaces and contributes to lowered efficiency and increased preparation times. 
     Dispensers with gun-like or side projecting handle/triggers often obstruct a clear view of the dispensing target when used, thereby causing wasted food, lost efficiency and higher cost to the consumer. For the same reason, dispensers with a handle/trigger that projects away from the sides of its fluent material container require a lot of room to store because their handle interferes with adjacent dispensers. This can be problematic as sauces are often stored on a preparation rack and/or in a refrigerator. 
     Most prior art dispensers are a single unit, dispensing mechanism and fluent material storage container. This requires the purchase of redundant dispensing mechanisms and their storage with each dispenser, thus adding to cost, clutter, increased handling and washing, and the like. 
     A number of prior art designs of fluent material dispensers stand upright on their non-dispensing end leaving their dispensing end exposed to contamination, as well as causing their contents to flow to the non-dispensing end. This deficiency requires that the user attempt to reverse the direction of the fluent material in order to dispense by shaking, jerking and hitting the dispenser. This requirement is inefficient, unsafe and a poor design. 
     Prior art designs dispense fluent materials with pistons that rely on a perfect seal with the inside wall of the dispensing container. This creates the unnecessary requirement that the user fills the dispensing container extremely accurately or an air pocket will be formed between the piston and the foodstuff when the piston is pushed into the dispensing container. The result is that sauce is spilled onto countertops or the floor, instead of dispensed onto the target food, and fouls the dispenser as well as creates a messy work environment. Without a means to expel any air between the fluent material and the container&#39;s piston, foodstuffs will be wasted which will require more rigorous cleaning of dispensers and added expense. Also, current designs have many extraneous and complex parts that are often hard to clean, which is an important factor when food safety and product maintenance is an issue. 
     Another requirement in a Quick Service Restaurant environment is the repeatable and accurate dispensing of fluent materials. Common prior art sauce dispensers have limited means to adjust accurate dispensing volumes, requiring much skill to dispense a known quantity and are often wasteful. Anyone who has ever used a traditional caulking gun knows the disaster that occurs when one squeezes the trigger mechanism too hard. With less viscous materials however, the need to dispense accurately is necessary, but present devices do not have easy or efficient means to adjust the dispenser to produce different dispensing volumes as needed for different foodstuffs. At best, a means to arrest the range of motion is available in some prior art, but the mechanism must be manually adjusted each time one wants to dispense different volumes, which often requires laborious disassembly of the dispenser or requires special tools. 
     Therefore there is a need for a fluent material dispensing system that is not subject to one or more limitations of the prior art. 
     This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a fluent material dispensing system. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluent material dispensing system comprising: a bottle configured for holding the fluent material; a plunger configured for sliding engagement with inner sidewalls of the bottle, the plunger further configured to exert a compressive force on the fluent material when travelling through the bottle interior in a first direction, thereby facilitating expulsion of the fluent material through an outlet of the bottle; and a dispensing mechanism comprising a lever operable between a rest position and an engaged position, the dispensing mechanism configured to cause the plunger to travel in the first direction as the lever moves from the rest position to the engaged position; wherein the plunger is configured to frictionally engage the inner sidewalls of the bottle to a degree sufficient for holding the plunger substantially in place against a force oriented opposite the first direction, the force applied by the dispensing mechanism due to return motion of the lever from the engaged position to the rest position. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluent material dispensing system comprising: a bottle configured for holding the fluent material; a plunger configured for sliding engagement with inner sidewalls of the bottle, the plunger further configured to exert a compressive force on the fluent material when travelling through the bottle interior in a first direction, thereby facilitating expulsion of the fluent material through an outlet of the bottle; and a dispensing mechanism comprising a lever operable between a rest position and an engaged position, the dispensing mechanism configured to cause the plunger to travel in the first direction as the lever moves from the rest position to the engaged position; wherein the dispensing mechanism further comprises: a cap for attachment to an end of the bottle opposite the outlet; and a handle attached to the cap, the lever pivotally coupled to the cap, the lever and the handle extending away from the bottle along an axis which is aligned with the first direction and which passes substantially through a center of the bottle. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluent material dispensing system comprising: a bottle configured for holding the fluent material; a plunger configured for sliding engagement with inner sidewalls of the bottle, the plunger further configured to exert a compressive force on the fluent material when travelling through the bottle interior in a first direction, thereby facilitating expulsion of the fluent material through an outlet of the bottle; and a dispensing mechanism comprising a lever operable between a rest position and an engaged position, the dispensing mechanism configured to cause the plunger to travel in the first direction as the lever moves from the rest position to the engaged position, wherein a distance travelled of the plunger in the first direction increases with a distance travelled by the lever from the rest position to the engaged position; wherein the dispensing mechanism further comprises a portioning mechanism configured to limit the distance travelled by the lever from the rest position to the engaged position to a defined amount, thereby limiting the distance travelled by the plunger to limit an expelled amount of the fluent material to a corresponding defined portion. 
     Embodiments of the Ergonomic Portion Measuring Fluent Material Dispensing System (hereafter abbreviated as a “Dispenser”) are designed to provide an integration of needed design and functional elements that allow accurate, versatile and repeatable fluent material dispensing with a form factor that allows ergonomic use, compliance with foodsafe standards, and efficient operation, cleaning and storage options. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed Dispenser permit one handed ergonomic operation which reduces user fatigue, improves productivity, food safety, and dispensing accuracy. The handle orientation of the Dispenser permits efficient use of storage space, and its modular design permits efficient deployment of only those dispensing mechanisms necessary, thereby improving logistics. As is readily apparent from the description and figures, the handle is located and oriented along an axis of the bottle and the rod which operates the plunger. The handle and lever are formed around the rod. This orientation provides for ergonomic benefits and a vertical footprint for efficient use of storage space. The Dispenser is designed with fewer and simpler parts than some prior art solutions, which produce a more robust design when operated and cleaned repeatedly. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a means to accurately dispense known fluent material volumes and for the user to easily adjust dispensing volumes is provided. Also a means to safely and fully encapsulate fluent materials for optimal storage. While the Dispenser can be used for edible condiments in a foodsafe environment, it can also be employed for use with any flowable or liquid non-edible fluent materials, such as adhesives, cements, gels, etc. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide for one or more of the following features, among other features as described herein. A means for one handed ergonomic operation of a fluent material dispenser for the food service industry, as well as in similar environments. A design that permits the efficient and compact storage of filled fluent material containers. A system which permits fluent material containers to be filled and stored separately, and dispensing mechanisms to be fitted to the containers when needed for dispensing operations. A means to safely and fully encapsulate fluent materials in their storage container and employ a small number of easy to clean parts. A means to accurately dispense known fluent material volumes and for the user to easily adjust dispensing volumes is needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a , is an Isometric exploded view of basic Dispenser elements, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1   b , is an Isometric semi-exploded view of Dispenser elements, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   a , is an Isometric view of an Adjustable Portion Ring, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   b , is an Isometric view of a Handle Cap, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   c , is an Isometric view of a Lever, Plate &amp; Spring, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3   a , is an Isometric closeup view of a Plunger, Bottle, Valve &amp; Cap, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3   b , is a Side Cutaway closeup view of a Cartridge (see  FIG. 3   a ), in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4   a / 4   b / 4   c / 4   d , are Side Cutaway closeup views of the Dispenser in its Start, Locked, Dispensed, and New Start positions, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5   a / 5   b / 5   c , are Side Cutaway views of Dispensers with a Full, Half-Full, and Empty Cartridges, respectively, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   a , is a Top &amp; partial cutaway view of Lever positioned above a 
       Portion Stop of an Adjustable Portion Ring, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   b , is a Closeup view of circled area in  FIG. 6   a , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   c , is a Side Cutaway view of Adjustable Portion Ring, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7   a , is a Side Cutaway Closeup view of Handle Cap, Lever, Adjustable Portion Ring &amp; Rod, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7   b , is an Isometric view of an Adjustable Portion Ring and Side cutaway views of each portion stop shown by corresponding number above, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8   a / 8   b / 8   c / 8   d , are Side Cutaway view of Ringless Handle Cap employing Portion Levers with different travel ranges, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9   a / 9   b , are Isometric and Side cutaway views of Rod and Plunger, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10   a / 10   b / 10   c , are Top &amp; two Side views of Dispenser, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an Isometric closeup view of a Handle Cap exposing a Ledge space permitting necessary rotational motion of the Stop Shelf, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Invention elements will now be disclosed by reference to drawing figures. Elements will then be described in detail, and functional interactions between invention elements as well as groups of invention elements will then be described. 
       FIG. 1   a , shows an isometric exploded view of the basic Dispenser  10  elements, namely a rod  12  with a rod cap  56 , a plate  16 , spring  18 , handle  20 , handle cap  22 , plunger  26 , bottle  28 , outlet valve  30 , and discharge cap  32 . Also shown are a portion ring  78 , a ledge  96 , and a lever  14  with its rod port  102 . (Note: a handle cap  22  is a cap that fits onto the top of a bottle  28  with a handle  20  as part of, and integrated with, its essential structure. While the handle  20  cannot be physically separated from the handle cap  22  in at least some embodiments, it can be logically identified as a sub element of its parent structure.)  FIG. 1  b shows an isometric semi-exploded view of the dispenser  10  elements separated into two modular halves, namely the dispensing mechanism  100  and its fluent material containing cartridge  24 . The dispensing mechanism  100  is comprised of the rod  12  with a rod cap  56  inserting through a plate  16 , spring  18 , handle  20 , and handle cap  22  with its portion ring  78  and lever  14 . The cartridge  24  is comprised of the plunger  26  inserted into the top of a bottle  28  with an outlet valve  30  secured into a discharge cap  32  threaded into the bottom. Although an outlet valve is preferred, it is contemplated that vacuum pressure or other means may be used in place of a mechanically opening and closing valve to keep fluid materials of adequate viscosity within the bottle, for example resisting gravity, until the plunger is actuated. A valve in this case may therefore simply refer to an adequately small aperture which causes fluid retention within the bottle until plunger actuation. Various appropriate designs of pressure-actuated valves, such as flexible silicone valves, may be used as would be readily understood to a worker skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 2   a , shows an isometric view of an adjustable portion ring  78  with its stop shelf  80  comprising a number of portion stops  44  of graduating heights. Also shown are portion indicators  106  and finger catches  110 .  FIG. 2   b , shows an isometric view of a handle cap  22 , handle  20 , rod support  58 , pin slots  38 , lever trench  40 , ring detent  76 , shoulder  84 , finger indents  108 , and a bead  82 .  FIG. 2   c , shows an isometric view of a standard lever  14  with a rod port  102  through the center of its lever arm  34 , lever pins  36  and a tooth  42 . Grouped with the lever  14  is a plate  16  with its bushing  50 , and a spring  18 . 
       FIG. 3   a , shows an isometric closeup view of the elements of a cartridge  24 , namely a plunger  26  with one or more flanges  66  and multiplicity of socket stays  88 , inserting into a bottle  28  with its vent channels  64 , bayonet pin  60 , fill zone  68 , and enclosed by threading  70  a discharge cap  32  with its outlet valve  30  inserted into its valve seat  86 , and supported upright by each foot  90 .  FIG. 3   b , shows a side cutaway view of a cartridge  24  assembly of the elements listed in  FIG. 3   a . Also shown in  FIG. 3   a  is a rod socket  54  in the center of the plunger  26 . 
       FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c , &amp;  4   d , show side cutaway closeup views of the top half of a Dispenser  10  with a ringless handle cap  74 , with its handle  20 , lever  14 , tooth  42 , rod  12 , plate  16 , spring  18 , and plunger  26  in their Start, Locked, Dispensing, and New Start positions, respectively.  FIG. 4   c , illustrates how the tooth  42  of the lever  14  is arrested by the portion stop  44  of a ringless handle cap  74 . A ringless handle cap  74  is an alternate embodiment which incorporates a non-adjustable portion ring  78  into the base of the handle cap  22 . The portion stop  44  may be integrated with the portion ring or into another non-ring-shaped member for attachment to the dispenser. 
       FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , show side cutaway views of Dispensers  10  with Full, Half-Full, and Empty Cartridges, respectively. (fluent material illustrated by square halftone pattern)  FIG. 5   c , also illustrates how the bottom of the plunger  26  is designed to extrude the maximum amount of fluent material  94  from each cartridge  24 . 
       FIG. 6   a , shows a top &amp; partial cutaway view of the tooth  42  of a lever  14  positioned above one of several portion stops  44  on the top of a stop shelf  80  protruding from the inside of a portion ring  78 .  FIG. 6   b , shows a closeup view of circled area in  FIG. 6   a .  FIG. 6   c , shows a side cutaway view of portion ring  78  with the stop shelf  80  and its graduated portion stops  44 . Also shown are four divots  92  that interface with the corresponding bead  82  shown in  FIG. 2   b.    
       FIG. 7   a , shows a side cutaway closeup view of the dispensing mechanism  100 , with its handle cap  22 , handle  20 , lever  14  with rod port  102 , portion ring  78  and rod  12  showing a rod clip  52 . The rod clip  52  may comprise a ball end of the rod, a notch or groove formed within the rod and extending partway or fully around the cylindrical rod, or the like. Internal elements include rod supports  58  in the handle  20 , plate  16 , spring  18 , and spring boss  48 . Also shown is how the tooth  42  of the lever  14  is arrested by means of the portion stop  44 .  FIG. 7   b , shows an isometric view of the portion ring  78  and related side cutaway views of each portion stop  44  as the portion ring  78  and the stop shelf  80  is rotated (shown by corresponding numbers). 
       FIG. 8   a , shows a side cutaway view of a ringless handle cap  74  employing removeable portion levers  98  which each have different travel ranges  46  determined by the size of the tooth  42  at the end of each lever  98 .  FIG. 8   a , shows the dispensing mechanism  100  in operation in which the lever is  98  squeezed against the handle  20 , which causes the plate  16  and rod  12  to be displaced an equal amount downwards.  FIGS. 8   b ,  8   c ,  8   d , show portion levers  98  with successively smaller travel ranges  46 , and also more clearly show the nature of the rod port  102 . 
       FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b , show isometric and side cutaway views of the rod  12  inserted into the rod socket  54  of the plunger  26 . Also shown are the socket stays  88 , flange(s)  66  and the rod cap  56 . 
       FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c , show a top &amp; two side views ( 90  degrees apart) of the Dispenser  10 , respectively. Dispenser  10  elements are shown as part of the dispenser mechanism  100  or the cartridge  24 .  FIG. 10  also shows a taper  72  in the shape design of the bottle  28 .  FIG. 10  elements are listed in figures above, except for finger indents  108  and catches  110  found on the handle cap  22  to portion ring  78  interface. 
       FIG. 11  shows an isometric view of the Ledge  96  in a handle cap  22  that accommodates the stop shelf  80  used with an adjustable portion ring  78  (See  FIG. 2   a ). Also shown is the ring indent  76 , the shoulder  84 , and the bead  82  that interfaces with the divots  92  inside an adjustable portion ring  78 . 
     Dispenser  10  elements will now be described in detail as part of functional groups, namely as elements relating to the Handle Cap  22 , Portion Ring  78 , Lever  14 , Rod  12 , Plunger  26 , and the Cartridge  24 . 
     Handle Cap elements may include the Handle Cap  22 , Handle  20 , Ring Detent  76 , Bead  82 , Shoulder  84 , Ledge  96 , Indents  108 , Lever Trench  40 , Spring Boss  48 , Pin Slot  38 , and the optional Ringless Handle Cap  74 . The standard Handle Cap  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   b , &amp;  11 , is the handle  20  formed together with a cap that threads onto the top of a cartridge  24 , as shown in  FIG. 10   c . As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the spring  18  is inserted into the lever trench  40  and is fitted onto the spring boss  48 . The plate  16  is then fitted over the top of the spring  18 , and then the lever  14  is inserted into the lever trench  40  until its lever pins  36  are fully fitted into their respective pin slots  38 . A standard handle cap  22  would then require either an adjustable portion ring  78 , or a stationary portion ring. The adjustable portion ring  78  as seen in  FIG. 2   a , slides over the handle  20 , and is oriented so that its stop shelf  80  is over the ledge  96  (see  FIG. 11 ) on the handle  20  side of the handle cap  22 , is snapped over the ring detent  76 , and is now able to rotate on the shoulder  84 . A bayonet thread  62  is on the inside wall of the handle cap  22  and is used to thread the dispensing mechanism  100  onto the top of the cartridge  24  by means of its bayonet pin(s)  60 . (see  FIG. 3   a ) 
     Portion Ring elements include the Portion Ring  78 , Stop Shelf  80 , Portion Stop  44 , Portion Marks  108 , Catches  110 , and more than one internal divot  92 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , the adjustable portion ring  78  provides an adjustable means to stop the travel of the tooth  42  of a lever  14 , by rotating the ring  78  to orient the stop shelf  80  to present the required portion stop  44  to dispense a specific volume of fluent material  94 . In order to ensure the portion ring  78  moves in controllable increments, hemi-spherical divots  92  in its inner wall may be fitted into a conversely shaped bead in a corresponding location on the handle cap  22 . (see  FIGS. 2   b , &amp;  6   c ) A stationary portion ring (a simpler version not shown), is a non-rotating portion ring with only one portion stop  44 , and snaps onto the handle cap  22  as with the standard version. Removal of any portion ring ( 44  or stationary) is effected by inserting fingertips into the indents  108  and tugging upwards on the protruding catches  110  until the portion ring  44  is freed from the body of the handle cap  22 . (See  FIGS. 2   a , &amp;  2   b ) Also shown in  FIGS. 2   a/b , is the index mark  104  on the handle cap  22  which interfaces with various portion marks  106  on the (adjustable) portion ring  44  in order to indicate the portion volume selected for dispensing. 
     Lever elements include the Lever  14 , Lever Arm  34 , Rod Port  102 , Lever Pin  36 , Tooth  42 , Plate  16 , Bushing  50 , and Spring  18 . When the lever  14  is compressed against the handle  20 , the lever arm  34  pivots downwards around the lever pins  36  until the tooth  42  is stopped by a portion stop  44 . The plate  16  is shaped to fit into the lever trench  40  and has a reinforced bushing  50  (see  FIG. 2   c ) through which the rod  12  can be inserted. In an alternate embodiment (see  FIG. 8 ), a number of Portion Levers  98  can be used with a stationary portion ring wherein each lever&#39;s  98  tooth  42  has a different travel range  46  so that each lever  98  pivots to a different depth. 
     Rod elements include the Rod  12 , Rod clip  52 , Rod Cap  56 , and Rod Support(s)  58 . As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the rod  12  is inserted into the assembled handle cap  22  (described above) along the rod supports  58  in the handle  20 , through the rod port  102  in the lever arm  34 , then through the bushing  50 , spring  18  and spring boss  48 , and out of the bottom of the handle cap  22 . In one embodiment, rod clips such as spherical ball ends  52  are formed at each end of the rod  12  to both secure the rod cap  56  ( FIG. 9   a ) and the plunger  26  ( FIG. 9   b ). 
     Plunger elements include the Plunger  26 , Flange(s)  66 , Socket Stays  88 , and the Rod Socket  54 . The plunger  26  is a rigid cylinder with flexible flange(s)  66  that pushes the fluent material  94  down the bottle  28  and out the discharge cap  32  by means of the incremental downward motion of the rod  12  attached to the plunger&#39;s  26  rod socket  54 . ( FIGS. 9   a , &amp;  5   a - c ) The rod socket  54  is reinforced by means of socket stays  88  formed as part of the inside of the plunger  26 . Note that there are two plunger  26  designs illustrated (see  FIGS. 3   a , &amp;  9   a ), and both function in a nominally equivalent fashion. 
     In embodiments of the present invention, and as is readily apparent from the Figures and from construction and operation of the device as described herein, the Plunger  26  and the inner sidewalls of the Bottle  28  are configured for frictional engagement with each other. The amount of frictional engagement is configured, via configuration of the Plunger and Bottle, and in conjunction with configuration of the lever/plate/spring actuation mechanism, such that, when the rod exerts downward pressure on the plunger due to squeezing the lever, the plunger moves with the rod, but when the lever is released, friction between the plunger and bottle sidewalls tends to hold the plunger in place. 
     Configuration of the Plunger and Bottle may be via one or more of: 
     sizing, material selection, shaping, and the like. For example, the size of the plunger determines the amount of plunger surface in contact with the bottle, which may contribute to the amount of friction. The tolerance or “tightness of fit” of the plunger within the bottle interior, due to small differences in their diameters, also contributes to the amount of friction. Use of certain plastic materials also defines a particular frictional coefficient. The flexibility, elasticity and/or rigidity of the plunger at least in part determines the amount of force exerted by the plunger against the sidewalls if it is deformed to fit within the bottle. 
     In some embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 9   a , and  9   b , the plunger comprises an upper flange  67  which engages the bottle sidewall and which is disposed to make an acute angle with the rod. In this configuration, and as is readily apparent from the Figures, the upper flange may be more compliant to downward force (exerted by the rod when the lever is squeezed) than it is to upward force (potentially exerted by the rod as the lever is released). This contributes to allowing the plunger to be moved by the rod when squeezing the lever, while also allowing the plunger to stay in place by frictional engagement when the lever is released. The angled upper flange may thus engage the bottle sidewalls with a predetermined configurable amount of friction, and assist in impeding the plunger from upward movement during release of the lever. 
     The socket stays  88  may be configured, for example via their height, so as to add a predetermined level of reinforcement to the flange  67 , thereby adjusting the force exerted thereby. The frictional engagement between the plunger and the bottle sidewalls provides a means for impeding upward movement of the plunger during lever release, said means moving with the plunger during use. 
     In addition, the distance between the top flange and the bottom flange may be configured in order to provide distal points of contact with the bottle sidewalls, thereby inhibiting the plunger from tilting within the bottle. 
     The bottom flange may be configured to be as flat as possible, in order that substantially all fluid can be ejected from the bottle. Additionally, while the flanges may deform during motion, a sealing engagement with the bottle sidewalls is maintained. 
     In some embodiments, the plunger is configured to engage the bottle sidewalls to a sufficient degree to resist an upward force applied to the rod by the bushing during lever release, thereby maintaining the plunger in place against such a force. The mechanics of the bushing-rod engagement are described below. 
     Squeezing of the lever  14  causes engagement and downward motion of one edge of the plate  16 . This in turn results in a slight (possibly imperceptible) pivoting of the plate  16  and the bushing  50 , and a corresponding binding of the bushing to the rod. As used herein, “downward” corresponds to the direction of motion of the plunger which would cause compression of the fluid, while “upward” corresponds to the opposite direction. The rod resists further pivoting once engaged, and further squeezing of the lever causes compression of the spring and imparts a downward force and motion on the plate, bushing and rod. This downward force is configured to be strong enough to overcome the frictional engagement between the plunger and bottle sidewalls, so that the plunger moves substantially downward through the bottle. 
     As the lever is released, the plate and bushing are biased by the spring  18  to move in an upward direction, and the binding between bushing and rod is relaxed. The spring  18  is configured to provide sufficient force to ultimately unbind the bushing from the rod. However, some binding may still exist during at least part of the lever release, and this may result in the bushing applying a relatively upward force to the rod. This upward force is resisted by the frictional engagement between the plunger and bottle sidewalls, so that the plunger remains in place. The various components: plunger, bottle, bushing, spring, plate, and the like, may be co-configured so that the plunger moves downward when the lever is squeezed, but resists upward motion when the lever is released. 
     In some embodiments, a relief mechanism is provided by which the binding between the bushing and the rod can be broken (e.g. allowing the rod to slip even though the lever is currently being squeezed) more easily by applying relative downward force to the rod than by applying relative upward force to the rod. This facilitates the substantially one-way (downward) motion of the plunger. Specifically, the bushing-rod engagement is strengthened during squeezing of lever, allowing the plunger-bottle frictional engagement to be overcome, and the bushing-rod engagement is weakened during lever release, allowing the plunger-bottle frictional engagement to overcome the bushing-rod engagement. In some embodiments, this relief mechanism may be used in combination with the feature that the upper flange is more compliant to downward force than it is to upward force. 
     The relief mechanism is described as follows, and will be readily apparent from the Figures and the description herein. As the lever is squeezed, the lever  14  engages the topside of the plate  16 , for example as shown in  FIGS. 4   c , and  8   a . Due to this engagement, the lever, backstopped by a user&#39;s hand, inhibits upward force on the plate from being translated into clockwise pivoting (the clockwise direction refers to that illustrated in  FIGS. 4   c , and  8   a ). Note that it is clockwise pivoting that would be required to unbind the bushing from the rod; counterclockwise pivoting is still allowed, yet pivoting in this direction simply increases the binding action. Thus, when the lever is fully or partially actuated, relative upward force applied by the rod against the bushing sidewalls (for example due to plunger friction and/or fluid resistance during compressive motion of the plunger) is robustly opposed. 
     On the other hand, relative downward force applied by the rod against the bushing sidewalls (for example due to plunger friction during lever release and spring-actuated plate movement), causes a relatively unimpeded clockwise motion of the plate and bushing, since the floating end of the plate (opposite the plate location engaged with the lever) can move downward with the rod. This is so as long as the spring boss does not engage the plate too strongly; the spring itself opposes the clockwise pivot but this force is relatively easy to overcome. This clockwise motion tends to unbind the bushing from the rod and allow downward sliding of the rod. 
     It is also noted that the rod  12  is maintained in a vertical orientation via at least one of: contact with the rod support  58 , connection with the plunger  26 , and contact within the spring boss  48 . Since the rod orientation is maintained along a single axis, the relative angle between the rod and the bushing can substantially only be changed by pivoting the bushing and plate. The bushing may be located between the rod support and the spring boss, which allows the rod to be held vertically against pressure applied by the tilting plate and bushing, thereby facilitating binding of the rod and the bushing. The rod support is configured to engage the rod on at least one side, said side selected so as to maintain the rod vertically against pressure applied by the bushing when the lever is squeezed. The rod support need not support the rod on a side opposite the at least one side. 
     Cartridge elements may include the Cartridge  24 , Bottle  28 , Outlet Valve  30 , Discharge Cap  32 , Bayonet Pin  60 , Vent Channel  64 , Fill Zone  68 , Threading  70 , Taper  72 , Foot  90 , and Valve Seat  86 . The cartridge  24  holds the fluent material  94  when attached to the dispensing mechanism  100 , or it can be stored separately.  FIG. 3   a , demonstrates how to assemble the cartridge  24 , but filling and inserting the plunger  26  will be discussed below. The bottle  28  is manufactured from translucent material in order to ensure that the level of fluent material  94  is within the fill zone  68  and also so as to compare fluent material  94  volume with any capacity markings (not shown) on the bottle  28 . The outlet valve  30  may be a removable pliant normally closed orifice that opens to permit the dispensing of fluent material  94  when the plunger  26  advances material towards the discharge cap  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 10   b/c, , the body of the bottle  28  has a pronounced taper  72 . This feature may be configured to prevent the bottom lip of one bottle  28  from catching on the upper lip of the discharge cap  32  of an adjacent bottle  28  when one bottle  28  is removed from a number of bottles  28  that are closely stacked together. 
     A preferred embodiment of the ergonomic portion measuring fluent material dispensing system  10  will now be described in detail, including dispenser&#39;s  10  assembly, preparation, and operation. The preferred embodiment described herein employs an adjustable portion ring  78  ( FIG. 2   a ) with a standard lever  14  (with a consistent tooth  42  size) and a standard plunger  26  configuration ( FIG. 1   a ). The use of stationary portion rings, ringless handle caps or portion levers will be discussed as alternate embodiments below. 
     Assembly: 
     Cartridge Assembly:
         1. Outlet valve  30  is fitted into the valve seat  86  of the discharge cap  32 .   2. Discharge cap  32  is screwed on to the bottle  28  at threading  70 .   3. Bottle  28  is filled with a fluent material  94 .   4. Plunger  26  is inserted into the top of the bottle  28 .       

     Dispensing Mechanism Assembly
         1. Spring  18  is pushed onto the spring boss  48  inside the lever trench  40  of the handle cap  22 .   2. Plate  16  is placed on top of the spring  18 .   3. Lever  14  is inserted into the handle cap  22  by snapping lever pins  36  into pin slots  38 .   4. Portion ring  78  is placed over the handle  20  and lever  14 , onto the handle cap  22  with its stop shelf  80  over the corresponding ledge  96 .   5. Portion ring  78  is snapped over the ring detent  76  and onto the shoulder  84  of the handle cap  22 .   6. Portion ring  78  is rotated to select dispensing volume by aligning the appropriate portion mark  106  with the index mark  104 .       

     Dispenser Assembly:
         1. By means of the bayonet thread underneath the handle cap  22 , dispensing mechanism  100  screws onto the bayonet pins at top of the Cartridge  24 .   2. Rod  12  (with rod cap  56  installed) is inserted through the dispensing mechanism  100  assembly and is snapped into the rod socket  54  of the plunger  26 . The rod clip  52  is configured to mate with the rod socket, for example by protrusions of the rod socket gripping a notch or groove of the rod clip. In one embodiment, the notch or groove may be associated with a ball end of the rod. In another embodiment, the notch or groove may be formed at an appropriate location along the cylindrical rod without requiring a ball end.       

     Preparation: 
     Cartridge Filling Procedure
         1. At the top of the bottle  28  are vent channels  64  and on the outside of the bottle  28  a fill zone  68  is indicated.   2. A bottle  28  assembled with an outlet valve  30  and discharge cap  32  is filled from the top with fluent material  94  to a level within the fill zone  68 .   3. The plunger  26  is inserted into the bottle  28  until the top surface of the plunger  26  is flush with the top surface of the bottle  28 .   4. The cartridge  24  may then be assembled with a dispensing mechanism  100  as described above, or stored or refrigerated for future use.       

     Operation: 
     The volume of fluent material  94  dispensed is directly related to the vertical movement of the plunger  26 . 
     
         
         
           
             1. Start Position:
           Dispenser mechanism  100  threaded onto filled cartridge  24 , rod  12  inserted and seated into the rod socket  54 . (see  FIGS. 4   a/b/c/d )   
         
             2. Locked Position:
           Lever  14  is incrementally squeezed against the handle  20 , causing the lever arm  34  to pivot downwards, until pressure on the top of the plate  16  causes the rod  12  passing through the plate  16  to bind on its bushing  50 . This position, wherein the lever  14  now has control over the rod  12  by means of the plate  16  is known as the locked position.   
         
             3. Dispensing Position:
           As the lever  14  is squeezed, further compressing the spring  18 , the locked plate  16  forces the rod  12  and plunger  26  down into the bottle  28 , thereby dispensing a quantity of fluent material  94 .   
         
             4. New Start Position:
           When the lever  14  is released, the compressed spring  18  forces the plate  16  to return to its new horizontal starting position, which unbinds it from the rod  12 . The plunger  26  and rod  12  remain in their new position, thereby ensuring a continuous seal over the top of the fluent material  94  in the cartridge  24 .   
         
           
         
       
    
     Plunger/Vent Channel Operation: 
     The plunger  26  is designed to make a continuous double seal with the bottle  28  while at the same time acting (in concert with vent channels  64 ) as a one way valve when inserted into a properly filled bottle  28 . Vent channels  64  allow air to escape from the top of the bottle  28  as the plunger  26  is inserted into a bottle  28  filled to the level of the fill zone  68 . The vent channels  64  prevent any fluent material  94  from being inadvertently dispensed through the outlet valve  30  at the bottom of cartridge  24  when the plunger  26  is fully inserted into top of the bottle  28 . Vent channels  64  eliminate any airspace between the plunger  26  and the fluent material  94  by allowing air to escape as the plunger  26  is inserted. Repeatable undamped plunger  26  movement is ensured which provides accurate dispensing of fluent material  94  through the outlet valve  30  and leakage prevention. Eliminating any air between the plunger  26  and the fluent material  94  ensures that the last portion is dispensed in exactly the same manner as the first. 
     As with many prior art designs, if air is present between the plunger  26  and the fluent material  94  then the final dispensed volume(s) will be a mixture of fluent material  94  and air. The air present between the plunger  26  and fluent material  94  is of a lower density and is subject to compression during dispensing. The resulting pressure will equalize over time causing fluent material to escape uncontrollably. This results in unpredictable end of bottle dispensing volumes and inadvertent fluent material  94  splattering which will affect the flavor profile and/or the appearance of the food being produced. The height and operation of the vent channels  64  is such that when the plunger  26  has been correctly inserted there is a complete seal between the bottle  28  and the plunger  26 . By this means, cartridges  24  of fluent material  94  may be safely stored with a much lowered risk of leakage or product contamination. 
     Portion Ring Operation: 
     In at least some embodiments, a feature of the ergonomic portion measuring fluent material dispensing system  10  is its ability to both control and vary the output of the dispenser  10  as required. Travel range  46  (see  FIG. 8 ) is the distance a lever  14  can advance the rod  12  and plunger  26  during the dispensing operation. Travel range  46  can be adjusted by either varying the size of the tooth  42  at the end of a lever  14  (see alternate embodiments), or by varying the portion stop  44  height. In this preferred embodiment, the latter is achieved by means of an adjustable portion ring  78  with a stop shelf  80  comprised of a number portion stops  44  of different heights. The portion ring  78  is rotated to a selected position, as indicated by aligning the appropriate portion mark  106  with the index mark  108 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7   b , a portion stop  44  of the selected height arrests the travel of the lever&#39;s  14  tooth  42  and the advance of the rod  12  and plunger  26 , and this results in a precise quantity of fluent material  94  being dispensed. In this way, portion dispensing volumes can be adjusted during use without disassembly of the dispenser  10  by simple rotation of the adjustable portion ring  78 . 
     In order to facilitate that the portion ring  78  securely rotates into each selected position, a bead  82  protrudes from the handle cap as shown on  FIG. 2   b . As shown in  FIG. 6   c , a number of divots  92  (equal to the number of portion stops  44 ) wherein the bead  82  fits, thereby creating stable and adjustable portion ring  78  positioning. Beads  82  and divots  92  are one complimentary détente mechanism and method whereby the portion ring  78  can be rotated incrementally so that the appropriate portion stop  44  is in line with the tooth  42  of the lever  14  ( FIGS. 6   a/b ), but other means to achieve the same results may be employed. 
     Alternate embodiments of the dispensing system  10  will now be described in detail, including the use of portion levers  98 , stationary portion rings and ringless handle caps  74 . 
     Portion Levers: 
     In one implementation of the dispensing system  10  portion adjustment is achieved by selecting different portion levers  98  which dispense a selected portion volume depending on the travel range  46  provided by the size of the tooth  42  at the end of each portion lever  98 . ( FIGS. 8   a/b/c/d ) In this embodiment, adjustable portion rings are redundant, therefore a ringless handle cap  74  can be used which is a handle cap  22  which has one embedded portion stop at the height required to permit the similar travel ranges as when using adjustable portion rings. For example, the portion levers  98  shown from left to right in  FIGS. 8   a - d , dispense volumes of 1 oz., ½ oz., ⅓ oz., and ¼ oz., respectively. If other dispensing volumes are required, as long as their travel range  46  can allow the plate  16  to be depressed the required distance for the needed fluent material  94  output volume, portion levers  98  can be designed to dispense a multiplicity of output volumes. 
     Dispensing Mechanism Assembly (Portion Lever)
         1. Spring  18  is pushed onto the spring boss  48  inside the lever trench  40  of the handle cap  22 .   2. Plate  16  is placed on top of the spring  18 .   3. Portion lever  98  is inserted into a ringless handle cap  74  by snapping lever pins  36  into pin slots  38 .       

     Stationary Portion Rings: 
     A stationary portion ring is a non-adjustable portion ring that has portion stop  44  with only one height. If a user only needs a few selected portion volumes for each dispensing mechanism  100 , they would be able to adjust the portions by swapping stationary portion rings appropriately. By this means, assembly of the dispensing mechanism  100  is simplified. 
     The preferred materials for constructing the dispensing system  10  will now be described. Levers, rings, and handle caps are made from polypropylene. The bottle is made from translucent polypropylene. Rod caps and discharge caps are made from high-density polyethylene. Plates are made from glass filled Nylon, while its bushing and the rod are made from stainless steel. The spring is made from corrosion resistant spring steel. The plunger is made from a hybrid of mainly low-density polyethylene and polyoxymethylene. The outlet valve is made from pliant vulcanized silicone. If necessary, o-rings and pliant seals may be employed to ensure cartridge integrity. 
     In some embodiments, a combination of interchangeable levers and interchangeable and/or rotatable portion rings can be employed to provide a range of portioning options. For example, interchanging levers can provide for coarse adjustment of the portion, while interchanging or adjusting a portion ring can provide for fine adjustment. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred apparatus and method of operation should be considered as illustrative only, and not limiting. Other embodiments are not ruled out or similar methods leading to the same result. Other forming techniques and other materials may be employed towards similar ends. Various changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the true scope of the invention as demonstrated in the present disclosure and as described in the following claims. 
     Drawing Elements: 
     
         
           10  Ergonomic Portion Measuring Fluent Material Dispensing System 
           12  Rod 
           14  Lever 
           16  Plate 
           18  Spring 
           20  Handle 
           22  Handle Cap 
           24  Cartridge 
           26  Plunger 
           28  Bottle 
           30  Outlet Valve 
           32  Discharge Cap 
           34  Lever Arm 
           36  Lever Pin 
           38  Pin Slot 
           40  Lever Trench 
           42  Tooth 
           44  Portion Stop 
           46  Travel Range 
           48  Spring Boss 
           50  Bushing 
           52  Rod Clip 
           54  Rod Socket 
           56  Rod Cap 
           58  Rod Support 
           60  Bayonet Pin 
           62  Bayonet thread 
           64  Vent Channel 
           66  Flange 
           67  Upper Flange 
           68  Fill Zone 
           70  Threading 
           72  Taper 
           74  Ringless Handle Cap 
           76  Ring Detent 
           78  Portion Ring 
           80  Stop Shelf 
           82  Bead 
           84  Shoulder 
           86  Valve Seat 
           88  Socket Stay 
           90  Foot 
           92  Divot 
           94  Fluent Material 
           96  Ledge 
           98  Portion Lever 
           100  Dispensing Mechanism 
           102  Rod Port 
           104  Index Mark 
           106  Portion Lever 
           108  Finger Indent