Abstract: In one aspect, a cartridge for containing condiment is provided. The cartridge includes a body having an inner substantially cylindrical surface for containing a fluid. The body has a first end defining an opening. The cartridge includes a plunger disposed within the body that is configured to slide axially within the body and to force fluid within the body toward the opening of the body. The cartridge includes a valve within the opening sealing the fluid within the body and permitting the fluid to exit the body.

Abstract: In one aspect, a condiment dispenser is provided including a pump having an inlet, and outlet, and a movable wall forming at least a portion of a pumping chamber such that moving the movable wall adjusts a volume of the pumping chamber to pump fluid from the inlet toward the outlet. A spout is connected to the outlet of the pump and has a channel extending to a dispensing opening. A bellows is disposed along at least a portion of the channel. A piston is connected to the movable wall of the pump and movable between a first position and a second position to move the movable wall of the pumping chamber to pump fluid toward the dispensing opening of the spout. Movement of the piston between the first and second positions also compresses and releases the bellows.

Abstract: A condiment packaging apparatus is provided for dispensing condiment containers. The condiment packaging apparatus includes a condiment receiver for receiving a condiment, a cup dispenser, a ramp, a receptacle, and a turntable. The turntable has a cup receiving portion that receives a cup from the cup dispenser when the cup receiving portion is at the cup dispenser. The turntable is rotatable to transfer the cup to a dispensing outlet where the condiment is dispensed into the cup. The turntable is rotatable to direct the filled cup to the ramp along which the cup slides to the receptacle.

Abstract: A piece of furniture comprises a seat, a backrest and a base. At least the seat and the base are movably coupled for reversible relative adjustment in a direction from a first configuration for sitting upright to a second configuration for sitting reclined. One or more support surfaces and a lever are operably coupled to support the seat on the base. The lever rotates about an axis transverse to the seating direction and moves being coupled with the one or more support surfaces at a first support portion defining first lever arm about the axis and a second, different, support portion defining a second, different, lever arm about the axis. The one or more support surfaces define a curved, noncircular path about the axis, such that relative displacement of the support surface and the axis in the seating direction is associated with rotation of the lever about the axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing defining an interior adapted to contain rolled sheet material and a dispensing opening for allowing sheet material to be dispensed from the interior of the housing. The apparatus further includes a nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a mobile roll support system adapted to support a roll of sheet material within the housing wherein the roll of sheet material rotates to dispense sheet material and further wherein the mobile roll support system and the roll of sheet material move toward the nip as sheet material is dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing defining an interior adapted to contain rolled sheet material and a dispensing opening for allowing sheet material to be dispensed from the interior of the housing. The apparatus further includes a nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a mobile roll support system adapted to support a roll of sheet material within the housing wherein the roll of sheet material rotates to dispense sheet material and further wherein the mobile roll support system and the roll of sheet material move toward the nip as sheet material is dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet material, the apparatus including a housing defining an interior adapted to rotatably support rolled sheet material and having a dispensing opening sized to allow sheet material to be dispensed therefrom. The apparatus further includes a nip within the housing such as, for example, may be formed by first and second rollers. In addition, the apparatus includes a sheet material dispensing surface proximate the dispensing opening, the sheet material dispensing surface comprising at least one protrusion.