Dispensing – Supply containers with traps – With trap chamber cutoffs
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2001-09-04
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Supply containers with traps
With trap chamber cutoffs
C222S426000, C222S370000, C222S548000, C222S482000, C222S483000, C222S142900, C222S430000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283339
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This patent relates to a device for dispensing powdered or granular product. More particularly, this patent relates to a two-piece device that can dispense a pre-calibrated amount of powdered or granular product by twisting or rotating one piece with respect to the other piece.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many powdered or granular products are sold in paperboard containers having metal or plastic bottoms and removable metal or plastic lids. Typically the powdered or granular product is removed from the container with a spoon or scoop after the lid has been entirely or partly removed. Many scoops have been designed to hold a predetermined volume of material to allow the consumer to use the proper amount of product. Often the scoop is stored inside the container.
A disadvantage of such containers is that the lid has to be at least partly removed, which exposes the product to ambient air, which can cause the product to deteriorate. While many such containers are equipped with an inner seal to prevent exposure during shipping and handling, the inner seal is removed before the first use and not replaced.
Moreover, removing the lid can cause contaminates to fall into the product from the air. Contaminates can also be introduced into the product from the consumer's fingers while “searching” for the scoop buried under the product.
Another disadvantage of such containers is that product can be spilled while using the scoop to transfer the product from the container to a vessel for use. Multiple transfers, such as might be required when using several teaspoons of product, increase the chances of spillage.
Other containers for products such as salt, pepper or spices usually do not incorporate any means of dispensing a premeasured amount of the product. Instead, the product is usually poured, sifted or removed with a spoon. In each case a secondary device must be used to measure the desired amount. Again, transferring the product can cause spillage.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can dispense a pre-calibrated amount of powdered or granular product from a container by twisting or rotating one part of the device with respect to the container.
Another object of the invention is to provide a container for dispensing product in which the lid need not be removed.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container that does not require a scoop or other measuring device to remove product.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device that attaches to the bottom of a container.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device for a container that dispenses product without inverting the container.
Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a two-part dispenser for use with an open bottom container for dispensing a precalibrated amount of powdered or granular product from the container by twisting or rotating one part of the dispenser with respect to the part of the dispenser fixedly attached to the container. The dispenser comprises a generally cup-shaped member adapted to engage the bottom of the container in fixed relationship therewith and a chambered member that fits within the cup-shaped member and can be rotated with respect to the cup-shaped member to dispense product.
The cup-shaped member is so-named because it resembles an inverted cup, having a substantially planar top and a sidewall extending downward from the periphery of the planar top. The planar top becomes the bottom of the container when the cup-shaped member is installed. The cup-shaped member has one dispensing opening located in the sidewall and a number of fill openings located in the planar top, the number of fill openings corresponding to the number of chambers located in the chambered member.
The chambered member has a top, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the top and bottom, all of which define a cavity. Preferably the cavity is divided into at least two chambers by internal walls, each chamber having a defined volume, such as a teaspoon or tablespoon. Each chamber has a fill opening in the chambered member top corresponding to an opening in the cup-shaped member such that when the chambered member fill openings are aligned with the cup-shaped member fill openings product is transferred from the container to the chambers.
Each chamber also has an outlet opening in the chambered member sidewall. The chamber outlet openings are arranged such that when any one chamber outlet opening is aligned with the cup-shaped member outlet opening the fill openings are not aligned. This arrangement allows for the controlled dispensing of powdered product located in the desired chamber. Preferably, the chambered member has a recessed handle integrally formed with the chambered member bottom for easy rotation of the chambered member.
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Bullwinkel Partners, Ltd
Kaufman Joseph A.
Nicolas F.
Sonoco Development Inc.
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