Dispensing – With casing or support – Bracket or suspension supported
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-01-30
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Dispensing
With casing or support
Bracket or suspension supported
C222S548000, C141S346000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179167
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing material, such as detergent powder or the like from a container, to an assembly comprising such a device and to a method for dispensing material such as powder detergent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variable quantity dispensing device for granular material is known for example from the U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,092. An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative dispensing device, in particular for dispensing powder detergent from a container.
DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for dispensing material such as detergent powder or the like from a material container, said device comprising a dispensing chamber arrangeable on the material container, said dispensing chamber comprising:
an open distal end wherethrough powder is introducible into the device from the material container,
a proximal end provided with one or more material release openings, wherethrough powder is dispensable from the device,
a cover mounted over the proximal end of the dispensing chamber, said cover provided with one or more material release openings, and
displaceable securing means for displaceably securing the cover to the dosing chamber in such a way that the cover and chamber are mutually displaceable between a dispensing arrangement, wherein the dispensing chamber openings are alignable with the cover openings, and a non-dispensing arrangement, wherein the dispensing arranging openings are non-alignable with the cover openings.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising this dispensing device and a material receptacle, for powder detergent or the like, said receptacle being couplable with the cover for receiving dispensed material.
Preferably, the assembly of the present invention further comprises a material container to which the dispensing device is releasably attachable.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dispensing material, such as powder detergent or the like, using an assembly or device according to the invention, said method comprising the steps of manually, rotatably displacing the cover around the dispensing chamber in order to align the cover and dispensing chamber openings wherethrough material is dispensed into the receptacle, until the material reaches a predetermined level in the receptacle, at which level further dispensing of material from the device is prevented.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Desirably the device according to the present invention comprises displacement limiting means for limiting the mutual displacement of the cover and the chamber from the non-dispensing arrangement to the dispensing arrangement. These displacement limiting means effectively comprise one or more baffle-like elements arranged on the inside wall of the cover and one or more corresponding baffle-like elements arranged on the outer wall of the dispensing chamber.
Furthermore, the device of the invention preferably comprises automatic re-positioning means for automatically repositioning the cover and chamber in the non-dispensing arrangement from the dispensing arrangement. These re-positioning means effectively comprise a spring arrangeable between a rest state, wherein the device occupies its non-dispensing arrangement, and a tensioned state, wherein the device occupies its dispensing arrangement. The spring is preferably mounted on the dispensing chamber.
The device of the invention preferably further comprises fixed position spring locking means for fixably locking a first spring end to the device and displaceable spring locking means for displaceably locking a second end of the spring to the device. Effectively, the first spring end is locked to the dispensing chamber, whereas the second spring end is desirably locked to the cover.
The tip of the proximal end of the cover effectively comprises a locking opening, which is preferably in the form of a slot, wherein the displaceable securing means are preferably fixably locked. These displaceable securing means desirably rotatably extend through a circular locking opening in a tip of a proximal end of the dispensing chamber.
Good results were obtained when the displaceable securing means comprise a post-like member comprising a proximal securing part, extending through the circular locking opening of the chamber to fixably lock in the cover slot and a distal member having a length substantially equal to or greater than the height of the dispensing chamber. In order to secure a good flow of material through the dispensing chamber, the securing post-like member effectively comprises one or more stirring elements arranged thereon for stirring the material when this flows into the device from the material container.
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Boot Ricardo Leon
Bunschoten Gerrit Klaas
Verheul Rudolf Cornelis
Diversey Lever Inc.
Douglas Steven O.
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