Dispensing – With discharge assistant – Movable or conveyer-type trap chamber
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2001-11-13
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
Movable or conveyer-type trap chamber
C222S359000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315170
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Dispensing devices positioned beneath hoppers are known. Such devices have been designed to dispense solid material in powder or granular form, including coffee, sugar, salt and similar materials. Use of a sliding plate, which fills with material in a first position, and which dispenses material in a second position, is also known.
Such dispensing devices have been generally successful within the scope for which their structural design was intended. They have, however, generally failed to provide the combination of structures and associated functionality required to result in widespread adoption.
The prior art has failed to disclose the combination of structures required for one-handed operation. One-handed operation is extremely advantageous for a dispenser used with baby formula; since one of the user's hands is typically required to carry the baby only one hand is available for operation of the dispenser.
The prior art has also failed to show the combination of structures required for automatic return of the apparatus to the starting position. In prior art applications, where a slide must be moved between a first and second position, it is typically the case that such movement is best done in a two-handed manner. Particularly where a spring is compressed, it is generally the case that one hand is required to stabilize the dispenser while a second hand is required to operate the dispenser.
The prior art has also failed to adequately disclose the structures required for attachment of a replaceable bulk container in a manner which results in orientation of the bulk container in-line with the body of the dispenser, but which results in delivery of the powdered material contained in the bulk container to a location that is off-center with respect to the body of the dispenser.
The prior art has also failed to show the adjustable structures required to properly center baby bottles or similar containers of differing sizes under the dispenser in a manner that results in the mouth of the container being properly positioned. Due to the number of differently sized containers, it is commonly the case that the user must rely on manual dexterity and coordination to properly position the container.
The prior art has also failed to show the adjustable structures required to deliver the material from the dispenser into containers of differing heights without resulting in spillage. Due to the difference in the height of containers to be filled, it is commonly the case that the user may desire to lift the container to an appropriate location. However, this movement is in conflict with the inability of prior art dispensers to operate in a one-handed manner.
What is needed is a device for dispensing granular material which is easily operated in a one-handed manner. The dispensing device should provide for automatic return of all components to the starting position. The dispensing device should also provide structures for attachment of a bulk container and diversion of the material from an in-line to an off-center orientation; structures for centering a container to be filled under the dispenser, and structures for compensating for the differing heights of different containers to be filled.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the above needs. A novel device for dispensing granular material is disclosed, which provides some or all of the following structures.
(A) A base is generally disk-shaped, having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical canister of granular material.
(B) A stop is adjustably carried by the upper surface of the base. When a container to be filled is placed on the base, it is moved against the stop, thereby correctly positioning the container to be filled underneath the dispensing funnel. A preferred stop provides left and right fences, and is attached to the base by fasteners allowing the stop to be positioned in a location required by the shape and size of the container to be filled.
(C) A body portion is carried by the base, and provides a sidewall which defines an interior cavity within which the container to be filled may be located. The body portion includes a top which defines an off-enter hole through which the granular material passes.
(D) A slide is supported on the upper surface of the top of the body portion. The slide includes a body through which a hole defining a cavity sized to contain a measured amount of granular material to be dispensed. The slide is movable against the bias of a spring between a stressed loading position and a relaxed dispensing position. In the stressed loading position, the slide is manually held in a location wherein the cavity is in-line with the hole at the base of the input funnel, allowing granular material to fill the cavity. The slide is then released, allowing the spring to return the slide to the relaxed dispensing position, wherein the cavity is located above the hole defined in the top, allowing granular material to pass into a dispensing funnel.
(E) A slide enclosure is attached to the upper rim of the body portion. A top cover of the slide enclosure supports the input funnel, while a lower rim is supported by the upper rim of the body.
(F) An input funnel provides an upper circular rim which is generally concentric with the sidewall of the body when viewed on end. The lower circular rim of the input funnel is carried by the rim of the centrally located hole defined in the upper surface of the slide enclosure.
(G) Short or long dispensing funnels may be attached to a collar extending from the rim of the off-center hole in the top of the body. A short dispensing funnel may be preferred where the container to be filled is tall; a long dispensing funnel may be preferred where the container to be filled is short.
(H) A canister containing powdered or granular material, such as baby formula, coffee, coffee creamer, sugar or other food or non-food material, may be inverted and attached to the upper rim of the input funnel.
It is therefore a primary advantage of the present invention to provide a novel device for dispensing granular material that is easily operated in a one-handed manner, dispenses a pre-measured quantity and which automatically returns to a starting position when released by the user. Such operation is advantageous for parents using one hand to support a baby, or the elderly or others having arthritis or similar conditions which makes difficult the opening and closing of conventional canisters.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel device for dispensing granular material from a container that prevents contamination, degradation or evaporation of chemical components of the granular material by maintaining a seal with the container and by eliminating the need to touch the granular material with a scoop during the dispensing process.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel device for dispensing granular material that provides structures for centering a container to be filled under the dispenser.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel device for dispensing granular material that provides structures for compensating for the differing heights of different containers to be filled in a manner which prevents spillage and which therefore provides more accurate measurement of the granular material.
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Bendio Jeffrey L
Thomson Susan A
Cartagena Melvin A.
Shaver Kevin
Thompson David S.
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