Patent ID: 8678236

Claim:
A dispenser for dispensing a food product, the dispenser comprising: a first compartment portion; a second compartment portion hingedly connected to the first compartment portion to enable the second compartment to move between an open and a closed position; wherein the first compartment portion includes a backing surface and a bag holding member operable to releasably attach a product bag to the first compartment portion adjacent the backing surface, the bag holding member positioned at a top portion of the first compartment, the bag holding member designed to releaseably engage a non-dispensing end of the product bag and prevent the product bag from moving downwardly relative to the first compartment, the first compartment including a shelf, the shelf is connected to a bottom portion of the first compartment, the shelf is spaced downwardly from the bag holding member, the shelf includes a shelf opening designed to receive a dispensing end of the product bag when the product bag is secured to the first compartment by the bag holding member; wherein the second compartment portion includes a squeeze member mounted for travel in an upward direction and a downward direction, the squeeze member being arranged to contact the product bag attached by the bag holding member when the second compartment portion is the closed position, movement of the squeeze member in the downward direction causing product in the product bag to be dispensed out from the dispensing end of the product bag when the product bag is secured to the first compartment by the bag holding member and the second compartment is in the closed position, the squeeze member designed to disengage from the product bag when the second compartment is in the open position; and an actuating lever mechanically connected to the squeeze member and pivotally connected to the second compartment, wherein the actuating lever is operable by a user by pivoting the actuating lever downwardly relative to the second compartment to advance the squeeze member in the downward direction.