CN105934230B

CN105934230B - Dispenser

Info

Publication number: CN105934230B
Application number: CN201480069993.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱莉-安妮·迈耶; 格伦·迈耶; 艾伦·詹姆斯·霍沃思; 迈克尔·爱德华·菲利普·拉塞尔
Original assignee: J & G Mia Ltd
Current assignee: J & G Mia Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-22
Filing date: 2014-10-22
Publication date: 2020-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-22
Also published as: CA2928217A1; EP3060191C0; AU2020200780B2; CN105934230A; AU2014339751A1; AU2020200780A1; CA2928217C; EP3060191A1; WO2015058244A1; EP3060191A4; EP3060191B1

Abstract

A kit of parts for a feeder (1) having a body (2) and a plug (8) slidable within the body (2). The periphery of the plug (8) may form a sliding seal between it and the inner side wall of the tubular body (2). The base cap (11) has a perforation (12) therethrough and is mountable on the lower end (4) of the body (2) to substantially block the lower end (4) and allow airflow through the perforation (12) into the body (2) when the plug (8) is moved away from the lower end (4) of the body (2). The kit of parts has: a nipple piece (9) for liquid food; a mouthpiece (41) for thick food and a mouthpiece (51) for mashing food and a pump attachment (61). The pump attachment (61) has a pump and a scoop (63). The pump has a pump plug (72) which reciprocates within the body (2) and forms a sliding seal with the inside wall of the body (2). The valve (77) allows food to flow out of the feeder (1) but prevents food from flowing into the feeder (1). A feeder (1) is also disclosed.

Description

Dispenser

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from australian provisional patent application No. 2013904071 entitled "dispenser" filed in the name of JAG Mayer Pty Ltd on day 10, month 22, 2013 and australian innovation patent No. 2013101385 entitled "dispenser" filed in the name of JAG Mayer Pty Ltd on day 10, month 22, 2013, and their description is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference and for all purposes.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to bottles and similar containers suitable for use as feeders. It is particularly suitable for feeding infants and people with disabilities such as those recovering from facial or dental surgery and the elderly who are incapacitated, however, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this application. For example, embodiments of the present invention are also suitable for use as dispensers of materials other than food.

Background

A common problem in infant feeding time is the formation of mess, wasted food and the time spent cleaning up. There is a need for a reusable feeding dispenser that is spill free, easy to fill, and easy to clean. Parents also need a container that they can provide to toddlers so that they can feed themselves independently.

Single-use packaging for preparing food for infants is accordingly a popular choice for parents today. The progression along the path of the baby/toddler on the supermarket will be confirmed only by the commercial label and different types of food are provided in these packages. Yogurt, smoothies, jellies, congee, meat paste, chicken, and vegetable purees are just some of the ready-to-eat meals and snacks that are provided in these single-use packages.

Recently, reusable squeezable silicon containers have entered the market for parents to offer their children a choice of family meals in transportable feeding dispensers. The solutions provided by these dispensers are however deficient in themselves. The inability to empty the entire contents outside of these containers is frustrating and wasteful. Furthermore toddlers may form a mess when pushing food too far out onto themselves and in their environment, such as the floor, wall, car seat, etc.

It is an object of embodiments described herein to overcome or reduce at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages in related art systems or at least to provide a useful alternative in relation to related art systems.

Disclosure of Invention

In contrast to any of the related art or prior art identified herein, in one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a kit of parts for a material dispenser, comprising:

a tubular body having a substantially constant internal cross-sectional shape;

a stopper, the stopper:

adapted to slide within the tubular body; and having an outer periphery adapted to form a sliding seal between it and the inner side wall of the tubular body;

and

a base cover having a perforation therethrough, the base cover adapted to:

a first end mounted to the tubular body so as to substantially occlude said first end; and allowing airflow through the perforations when the plug is moved in a direction away from the first end of the tubular body

Into the tubular body.

Preferably the material is a food or beverage.

It is preferred that the kit of parts further comprises at least one mouthpiece attachment adapted to be readily removably mounted to the second end of the tubular body.

Preferably, the kit of parts further comprises a pump attachment, the pump attachment comprising a pump, the pump being adapted to be easily removably mounted to the second end of the tubular body, and the pump being adapted to pump material to the exterior of the tubular body.

Preferably the pump attachment further comprises a scoop mounted on the pump attachment and adapted to contain material pumped by the pump to the exterior of the tubular body.

It is preferred that the kit further comprises a cap mountable to the dispenser to cover at least one of the mouthpiece attachment and the pump attachment.

Preferably, the kit of parts further comprises a valve mountable in the dispenser to allow gas flow only in a direction from the exterior of the tubular body to the interior of the tubular body.

Preferably, the kit of parts further comprises a valve mountable at the second end of the tubular body so as to allow material to flow only in a direction from the interior of the tubular body to the exterior of the tubular body.

Preferably, the valve that allows material to flow only in a direction away from the interior of the tubular body is weaker than the valve that allows airflow only in a direction away from the exterior of the tubular body.

It is preferred that the internal cross-section of the tubular body is substantially circular.

It is preferred that the perimeter adapted to form a sliding seal comprises at least one of:

a radially extending circumferential seal;

radially extending scraping and sealing blades; and

a radially extending positioning and alignment ring positioned between the radially extending circumferential seal and the radially extending positioning and alignment ring.

It is preferred that the radially extending circumferential seal is formed solely by the plug.

It is preferred that at least one of the radially extending wiper and seal blades and the radially extending locating and aligning ring is integrally formed with the plug.

Preferably, the base cover is adapted to act as a mounting for the top cover so as not to substantially obstruct airflow through the perforations into the tubular body.

It is preferable that the base cover includes:

an intermediate body carrying a longitudinally extending channel at its periphery; and

an outer peripheral skirt surrounding a periphery of the intermediate body,

the base cover is adapted to receive the outer peripheral edge of the top cover between the longitudinally extending channel and the outer peripheral skirt.

Preferably, the at least one mouthpiece attachment is one of the following mouthpieces:

a nipple member adapted to allow liquid to flow therethrough;

a mouthpiece adapted to allow a thick material to flow therethrough; and

a nozzle member adapted to allow the mashed material to flow therethrough.

Preferably, the mouthpiece comprises a body having a blunt end, said body being pierced by a slit in the blunt end.

Preferably, the body of the mouthpiece is substantially oval in cross-section.

Preferably, the nozzle member includes:

a base;

an open-ended nozzle extending from the base; and

a valve in the base that allows the material to flow into the nozzle.

Preferably, the pump comprises:

a pump plug, which:

adapted to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body; and having a periphery adapted to form a sliding seal between it and the inner side wall of the tubular body;

a valve adapted to allow material to flow out of the interior of the tubular body when the pump plug is moved into the pump body, but to prevent material from flowing into the interior of the tubular body when the pump plug is moved outside the pump body; and

a biasing means for biasing the pump plug to move in a direction external to the pump body.

Preferably, the biasing means comprises a coil spring.

Preferably, a coil spring is installed in the housing, the coil spring including:

a spring stop relative to which the pump plug is longitudinally movable; and

a spring top cap relative to which the pump plug is fixed; and the spring top cap is reciprocally movable within the spring stop.

Preferably, the pump attachment further comprises a pump tube adapted to convey material from an outlet of the valve, said valve being adapted to allow material to flow from the interior of the tubular body to the scoop.

Preferably, the spring stop is mounted substantially coaxially with the spring top cover around the pump tube.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a dispenser for dispensing material, the dispenser being assembled from the kit of parts described above.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a pump attachment for a material dispenser comprising a pump adapted to be mounted to the dispenser, the dispenser comprising a tubular body, the pump attachment being adapted to pump material to the exterior of the dispenser.

Preferably, the pump attachment further comprises a scoop mounted on the pump attachment and adapted to contain material pumped by the pump to the exterior of the dispenser.

Preferably, the pump comprises:

a pump plug, which:

adapted for reciprocal movement along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body; and is

Having a perimeter adapted to form a sliding seal between the perimeter and an inner sidewall of the tubular body;

a valve adapted to allow material to flow out of the interior of the tubular body when the pump plug is moved into the tubular body, but to prevent material from moving into the interior of the tubular body when the pump plug is moved outside the tubular body; and

a biasing means for biasing the pump plug to move in a direction out of the tubular body.

Preferably the biasing means comprises a coil spring.

a spring stop relative to which the pump plug is longitudinally movable; and

a spring top cap, the pump plug being fixed relative to the spring top cap, and the spring top cap being reciprocally movable within a spring stop.

It is preferred that the pump attachment further comprises a pump tube adapted to convey material from an outlet of the valve, said valve being adapted to allow material to flow from the interior of the tubular body to the scoop.

It can thus be seen that embodiments of the present invention provide a non-squeezing reusable feeding dispenser which provides the same benefits as a squeezable dispenser and a solution to the problem of general waste, such as: toddlers excessively squeeze the contents from the flexible dispenser, failing to get all of the contents to bump outside the dispenser and spoon and/or bowl on the ground.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and of how it may be carried into effect, embodiments thereof are shown by way of non-limiting example only in the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is an elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 1C and 1E are elevational views of a preferred form of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1F is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1G is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1H is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is an elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 3C and 3E are elevational views of a preferred form of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 3F is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3G is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A;

FIGS. 4C and 4E are elevational views of a preferred form of the embodiment of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4C;

FIG. 4F is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4G is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 5C and 5E are elevational views of a preferred form of the embodiment of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5C;

FIG. 5F is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5G is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating aspects of the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 7A is an elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A; and

fig. 7D is a top view of the embodiment of fig. 7A.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the feeder 1 shown in fig. 1A to 1G includes: a base cap 11, a valve carrier 14, a removable plug 8, a tube 2, a nipple 9 and an upper collar 19.

Although the cross-section of the tube 2 of fig. 1A to 1F is circular, the tube 2 may have any cross-section as long as the cross-section is substantially constant throughout its entire length. The pipe 2 has an upper open end 3 and a lower open end 4 and carries threads 6 and 7 near the upper and lower open ends. Although threads 6 and 7 of fig. 1A to 1G are external to pipe 2, these threads may also be internal to pipe 2. The overmold 5 surrounds a substantial portion of the outer surface of the tube 2 between the upper thread 6 and the lower thread 7. The lower end of the upper thread 6 terminates in a thread stop 20 to assist in orienting the component mounted on this thread.

The pipe 2 of fig. 1A to 1F is symmetrical in the sense that the threads 6 and 7 are identical. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown in the drawings, the feeder 1 is configured so as to be asymmetric in this sense, so that the user can identify different "top" and "bottom" ends. The identification of the different "top" and "bottom" ends of tube 2 is useful in this case, where tube 2 is marked with a scale to indicate the volume of the contents of feeder 1.

The movable plug 8 is longitudinally movable within the tube 2 and comprises a top 22, an upper vane 23, an intermediate vane 24 and a lower vane 26. Each of the

vanes

23, 24 and 26 extends around the periphery of the plug 8 and radially out from the plug 8. The clearance between the moveable plug 8 and the inner surface of the tube 2 is such that a sliding seal is formed between the moveable plug 8 and the tube 2. The movable plug 8 is preferably constructed of a plastic polymer with rubber overmolding to form a seal and provide friction with the tube 2. This friction assists in supporting the moveable plug 8 against downward movement. The top 22 of the movable stopper 8 is substantially shaped to complement the underside of the teat element 9. This helps to reduce the amount of content remaining in the tube 2 when the moveable plug 8 reaches the top of the tube 2 and abuts up against the bottom of the mouthpiece 9. When the movable plug 8 is moved towards the mouthpiece 9, the

blades

23, 24 and 26 around the movable plug 8 scrape along the inner wall of the tube 2, leaving virtually no contents.

The base cap 11 is mounted on the lower open end 4 of the tube 2 and prevents the plug 8 from moving outside the lower open end. For this purpose, the base cover 11 carries an internal thread 18 which cooperates with the external thread 7 of the tube 2. The base cover 1 is penetrated by the vent hole 12.

The base cap 11 also holds the valve carrier 14 in place over the lower open end 4 of the tube 2. The valve carrier 14 has a peripheral region 15, a valve 16, and a pull tab 10. Preferred forms of the valve 16 include "dome valves" and "globe valves". As shown in the figures, a dome valve (such as the valve 16 shown in the figures) includes a dome portion with a periphery that abuts a cylindrical portion. The ball valve is not shown in the drawings, but comprises a portion substantially greater than half of the hollow ball, the periphery of which adjoins the cylindrical portion. Dome valves have a correspondingly shallower shape than ball valves. The functional difference between the two valves is that the ball valve is significantly stronger in back pressure than the dome valve.

The valve 16 is aligned with the vent hole 12 in the base cover 11. Which allows air to flow easily from the outside of the tube 2 into the inside of this tube and substantially prevents air from flowing in the opposite direction. Air is then trapped in the tube 2 by the one-way valve 16 to hold the plug 8 in place by not allowing the plug 8 to fall downwards. The pull tab 10 enables easy removal of the valve carrier 14, such as for cleaning. As shown in fig. 1H, the base cover 11 includes an outer peripheral skirt 25 around the periphery of the intermediate body 30. The periphery of the intermediate body 30 is formed in the longitudinally extending channel 17.

The upper collar 19 has an internal thread 21 matching the external thread 6 of the tube 2. The upper collar 19 holds the nipple element 9 in position over the upper open end 3 of the tube 2. The mouthpiece 9 has a teat 27 projecting outwardly from a mouthpiece base 28 and a peripheral region of the base 28 is clamped between the tube 2 and the upper collar 19. The teat 27 is pierced or slit in a known manner for a teat of a baby feeding bottle.

As shown in fig. 1C, 1D and 1E, it is preferred to provide a lid 31 that may be disposed over the nipple member 9 for protection and to assist in preventing spillage. A substantially cylindrical projection 32 depends from the inner upper surface of the lid 31 to retain the upper end region of the teat 27. The cylindrical protrusion 32 seals around the nipple to reduce the risk of material escaping from the nipple. The lid 31 is removably held in place by an interference fit fitting over the upper collar 19. As shown in fig. 1E, the cap 31 may be stored near the lower end 4 of the tube 2 by being held between the outer skirt 25 and the intermediate body 30 of the base cap 11. The channels 17 in the intermediate body 30 allow air to flow away from the outside around the edge of the lid 31 and into the tube 2 through the vent holes 12.

As shown in fig. 2A to 2C, it is preferred that a funnel 34 is provided to assist in loading material into the feeder 1. The funnel 34 has a handle 36 projecting from the upper periphery of the funnel. Preferably, the trunk 37 of the funnel fits snugly within the upper open end 3 of the tube 2.

The embodiment of the invention shown in figures 3A to 3G differs from that of figures 1A to 1G in that the mouthpiece 9 is replaced by a mouthpiece 41. The nozzle piece 41 is hollow and includes a base 42, a nozzle body 43 extending from the base 42, the nozzle body 43 being generally oval in cross-section and terminating in a blunt end 44. The blunt end 44 is pierced by a slit 46 extending across the axis of the blunt end and operates in the same manner as a nipple for a baby feeding bottle.

The embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 4A to 4G differs from the embodiment of fig. 1A to 1G in that the mouthpiece 9 has been replaced by a nozzle piece 51. The nozzle member 51 includes an open-ended nozzle 53 extending upwardly from a base 52. A valve 54 in the base 52 allows one-way flow of material from the tube 2 into the nozzle 53. The purpose of the valve 54 is to prevent the contents of the feeder 1 from spilling when the feeder is on its side or upside down. This valve is designed to be weaker than the one-way air valve 16 located in the movable stopper 8 to allow the contents of the feeder 1 to be dispensed smoothly.

The embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 5A to 5G differs from the embodiment of fig. 1A to 1G in that the nipple piece 9 has been replaced by a spoon pump attachment 61.

The spoon pump attachment 61 allows parents to feed their infants with one hand while also promoting instrumental education of the infant.

The scoop pump attachment 61 comprises a scoop 63 and a pump. The pump is sized to dispense only enough contents to fill the spoon 63. The scoop 63 includes a scoop head 68 and a scoop tube 64 such that the scoop head 68 is in communication with the hollow interior of the scoop tube 64. The scoop trigger 67 projects substantially radially from the scoop tube 64. The pump includes a top cap pump set 68, a coil spring 71, a pump plug 72 and a pump check valve 77. The structure and function of the various components of the scoop pump attachment are as follows.

Spoon top cover 62

The spoon top cover 62 is a snap fit on the feeder 1 to protect the spoon 63 when it is not in use. Also the scoop top cover 62 may be clamped in the base cover 11 during use.

Spoon 63

The scoop 63 is clamped onto the top cap pump set 68. The scoop has a tube 64 that fits in a pump plug 72 and leads to a scoop head 66. The contents of the feeder 1 will advance through the tube 64 onto the spoon head 66. A scoop trigger 67 is below the tube 64 at the rear of the scoop head 66 where the user applies pressure to engage the pump mechanism.

Top cover pump set 68

The top cap pump set 68 is fitted to the pump plug 72 by quick release bayonet fitting. The bayonet fitting includes a bayonet slot in the pump plunger tube 73 and a corresponding protrusion 60 within the top cap pump stack 68. The top head pump stack 68 together with the spring stop 69 houses a spring 71. The top of the pump plug 72 and the scoop tube 64 extend through the top cap pump set 68, the spring 71 and the middle of the spring stop 69.

Spring 71

The coil spring 71 is fitted in the spring stopper 69 and accommodated in the top head pump group 68. The purpose of this is to return the scoop 63, the top cap pump set 68 and the pump plug 72 to their initial positions.

Spring stop 69

The spring stop 69 is fastened to the supply pipe 2 by means of a spring collar 68. The purpose is to accommodate the spring 71 and attach the pump mechanism to the tube 2.

Pump collar 78

A threaded pump collar 78 secures the spoon pump attachment 61 to the pipe 2. It has an extended collar reaching the base of the scoop attachment 61 above the top cap pump set 68 to protect the user from pinching the skin when pumping the scoop attachment 61.

Pump plug 72

On top of the pump plug 72 is a tube 73 that attaches to the top head pump set 68. The scoop tube 64 fits into a tube 73 at the top of the pump plug 72. A pump check valve 77 is clamped in the base of the pump plug tube 73. The pump plug 72 includes a body 75 that houses a radially extending circumferential seal 76. The outer periphery of the seal 76 forms a sliding seal with the inner wall of the tube 2. A radially extending positioning/alignment ring 79 is integrally formed with body 75 below peripheral seal 76 and radially extending scraper/seal blades 80 are integrally formed with body 75 below positioning/alignment ring 79. The circumferential seal 76, the locating/aligning ring 79 and the scraper/sealing blades 80 cause the pump plug 72 to fit tightly in the pipe 2 and seal the pipe 2.

When downward pressure is applied to the scoop trigger 67, the pump plug 72 will move downward inside the supply tube 2. The contents will be forced through the pump check valve 77, through the scoop tube 64 and onto the outer scoop head 66.

Pump check valve 77

A pump check valve 77 is clamped into the base of the pump tube 73. The pump one-way valve 77 allows the contents of the feeder 2 to be squeezed out onto the scoop 63, but does not allow the contents to be sucked back into the tube 2. The pump check valve 77 is designed to be weaker than the check valve 16 fitted at the bottom of the feeder. This will allow a smoother supply of the contents for dispensing rather than spraying.

The embodiment of the invention shown in figures 7A to 7D differs from that of figures 1A to 1G in that the mouthpiece 9 is replaced by a reservoir cap 81. Storage cap 81 fits over the top of tube 2 and is held in place by upper collar 19. The storage lid 81 is intended for use on top of a back-up feeder and for storing the feeder during travel or in a refrigerator or in a cooler.

Different mouthpieces are designed to accommodate different material constructions. The nipple piece 9 contains liquids such as milk, water and juice. The mouthpiece 41 contains a slurry such as thick-paste vegetables, fruits, grains, smoothies and yoghurt. The nozzle member 51 contains paste such as vegetables, fruits, proteins, and thick soup.

The spoon pump attachment is designed to allow parents to feed their infants with one hand while also promoting instrumental education for infants. The spring loaded pump is adjusted to just dispense enough contents for filling the attached scoop.

The presently described embodiments of the invention are fabricated from any suitable materials by any suitable process, but particularly preferred materials and processes for the various components are set forth in the following table.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, this description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. The specific embodiments are therefore to be understood as being illustrative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be practiced. In the claims that follow, any specific means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in australia. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that any description of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. Further, the description throughout this specification comes about based on the recognition by the inventors and/or the recognition by the inventors of certain related art problems. Further, any discussion of material, such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge, in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor's knowledge and experience, and accordingly, no admission is made that any such discussion forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in australia, or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

The use of the term "inventor" in the singular throughout this specification can be considered to refer to either the inventor(s) of the present invention or more than one inventor(s).

Throughout this specification, the terms "comprises," comprising, "" includes "including," contain, "have" and "including," specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

In the claims, each dependent claim is to be considered as being within the scope of its parent claim or claims if such claim is not to be construed as to be insofar as such claim is not to be construed as to be inclusive.

Claims

1. A kit of parts for a dispenser for food, comprising:

a tubular body having a constant internal cross-sectional shape;

a stopper, the stopper:

adapted to slide within the tubular body; and is

Having an outer periphery adapted to form a sliding seal between the outer periphery and an inner sidewall of the tubular body, wherein the outer periphery comprises a radially extending circumferential seal and radially extending scraping and sealing blades; and

a base cover having a perforation therethrough, the base cover adapted to:

a first end mounted on the tubular body so as to block the first end; and is

A first valve mountable in the dispenser to allow, in use, airflow only in a direction from the exterior of the tubular body to the interior of the tubular body, when the plug is moved in a direction away from the first end of the tubular body to allow airflow through the perforations into the tubular body.

2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising at least one mouthpiece attachment adapted to be readily removably mounted to the second end of the tubular body.

3. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a pump attachment comprising a pump adapted to be easily removably mounted to the second end of the tubular body and adapted to pump food to the exterior of the tubular body.

4. The kit of claim 3, wherein the pump attachment further comprises a scoop mounted thereon and adapted to contain food pumped by the pump to the exterior of the tubular body.

5. The kit of parts according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a cap mountable to the dispenser to cover at least one of a mouthpiece attachment and a pump attachment.

6. The kit of claim 2 or 3, further comprising a second valve mountable at the second end of the tubular body so as to allow food to flow only in a direction from the interior of the tubular body to the exterior of the tubular body.

7. The kit of claim 6, wherein the second valve that allows food to flow only in a direction out of the interior of the tubular body is weaker than the first valve that allows airflow only in a direction in which it enters from the exterior of the tubular body.

8. The kit of parts according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner cross-section of the tubular body is circular.

9. The kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein the radially extending circumferential seal is formed separately from the plug.

10. The kit of claim 1, wherein the radially extending scraping and sealing blades are integrally formed with the plug.

11. The kit of parts according to claim 5, wherein the base cover is adapted to act as a mounting for a top cover so as not to obstruct airflow through the perforations into the tubular body.

12. The kit of parts according to claim 11, wherein the base cover comprises:

an outer peripheral skirt surrounding the periphery of the intermediate body,

13. The kit of parts according to claim 2, wherein the at least one mouthpiece attachment is one of the following mouthpieces:

a nipple member adapted to allow liquid to flow therethrough;

a mouthpiece adapted to allow thick food to flow through it; and

a nozzle member adapted to allow mashed food to flow therethrough.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the mouthpiece includes a body having a blunt end, the body being pierced by a slit in the blunt end.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the body of the mouthpiece is elliptical in cross-section.

16. The kit of parts according to claim 13, wherein the nozzle piece comprises:

a base;

an open-ended nozzle extending from the base; and

a second valve in the base that allows food to flow into the nozzle.

17. The kit of parts according to claim 4, wherein the pump comprises:

a pump plug, which:

adapted to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body; and is

Having a perimeter adapted to form a sliding seal between the perimeter and an inner sidewall of the tubular body; a second valve adapted to allow food to flow out of the interior of the tubular body when the pump plug is moved into the tubular body, but prevent food from flowing into the interior of the tubular body when the pump plug is moved outside the tubular body; and

a biasing device for biasing the pump plug to move in a direction external to the tubular body.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the biasing device comprises a coil spring.

19. The kit of parts according to claim 18, wherein the coil spring comprises:

a spring stop relative to which the pump plug is longitudinally movable; and

a spring top cap, the pump plug being fixed relative to the spring top cap, and the spring top cap being reciprocally movable within the spring stop.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the pump attachment further comprises a pump tube adapted to convey food from an outlet of the second valve, the second valve adapted to allow food to flow from the interior of the tubular body to the scoop.

21. The kit of parts according to claim 20, wherein the spring stop is mounted coaxially with the spring top cap around the pump tube.

22. A food dispenser assembled from a kit of parts according to any one of claims 1 to 21.