METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPARTING A PREDETERMINED SHAPE TO PRODUCT OF DOUGH-LIKE CONSISTENCY

摘要

: A manually operable, self-contained dispensing apparatus is described for imparting a predetermined shape to discrete units of product of dough-like consistency dispensed therefrom. The apparatus comprises a rigid bowl embodying a predetermined shape, a resiliently deformable diaphragm substantially conforming to and disposed within the bowl releasably secured in sealed relationship thereto about its periphery. A substantially rigid neck portion is integrally formed with and secured to the exterior of the rigid bowl and an elongated, resiliently deformable handle portion is formed therewith and secured to the substantially rigid neck portion. The resiliently deformable handle portion comprises a resiliently deformable fluid-containing chamber having a wall of lesser thickness than the neck portion in fluid communication with the area intermediate the rigid bowl and the unsecured portion of the resiliently deformable diaphragm through the neck portion. The chamber contains a volume of fluid sufficient to substantially invert the unsecured portion of the diaphragm from the bowl when the resiliently deformable handle portion is squeezed, thereby discharging the product without substantially altering its shape and without need for manual intervention to remove the product from the apparatus.