US20130037576A1 - Formula dispenser - Google Patents
Formula dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130037576A1 US20130037576A1 US13/136,722 US201113136722A US2013037576A1 US 20130037576 A1 US20130037576 A1 US 20130037576A1 US 201113136722 A US201113136722 A US 201113136722A US 2013037576 A1 US2013037576 A1 US 2013037576A1
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- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- powdered material
- dispenser
- formula
- housing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/10—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation
- G01F11/12—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation of the valve type, i.e. the separating being effected by fluid-tight or powder-tight movements
- G01F11/14—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation of the valve type, i.e. the separating being effected by fluid-tight or powder-tight movements wherein the measuring chamber reciprocates
- G01F11/18—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation of the valve type, i.e. the separating being effected by fluid-tight or powder-tight movements wherein the measuring chamber reciprocates for fluent solid material
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G19/00—Table service
- A47G19/30—Other containers or devices used as table equipment
- A47G19/32—Food containers with dispensing devices for bread, rolls, sugar, or the like; Food containers with movable covers
- A47G19/34—Food containers with dispensing devices for bread, rolls, sugar, or the like; Food containers with movable covers dispensing a certain quantity of powdered or granulated foodstuffs, e.g. sugar
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/28—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement
- G01F11/30—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement with supply and discharge valves of the lift or plug-lift type
- G01F11/34—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement with supply and discharge valves of the lift or plug-lift type for fluent solid material
Abstract
An improved dispenser for dispensing metered amounts of powdered material, such as baby formula, from a powdered material container having a removable cap that can be quickly and easily interconnected with the dispenser. The dispenser can accommodate formula bottles of various sizes and includes a dispensing plunger that provides an oscillating action to prevent compaction of the formula and functions to ensure even dispensing of the formula into the formula bottle. Uniquely, the improved dispenser includes a strategically positioned vibration motor that controllably vibrates the powdered material container in a manner to also prevent compaction and clumping of the powdered material contained within the powdered material container.
Description
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to substance dispensers. More particularly, the invention concerns an improved apparatus for dispensing metered amounts of powered material, such as infant formula, nutritional supplements and the like.
- 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
- A wide variety of dispensers for dispensing a number of different kinds of substances have been suggested in the past. More particularly, the prior art substance dispensers include dispensers for dispensing metered amounts of particulate materials, including granular and powdered materials such as condiments, powdered flavor concentrate, chemical reagents and nutritional supplements.
- By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,396 issued to Russillo, et al., discloses a dispenser apparatus for dispensing various types of condiments including salt, pepper, tea, coffee, spices, garlic and sugar. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,537 issued to Beers, et al., concerns a single dosage substance dispenser for dispensing powdered chemical reagents used in photometric analysis. The Beers, et al. dispenser includes a housing having a chamber formed therein for holding the substance to be dispensed and a discharge port that communicates with the chamber. A plunger is slidably mounted to the housing for extending through the chamber and into the discharge port. A spring is provided for urging the plunger to retract so that the seal portion of the plunger engages the discharge port and a receptacle portion is maintained in the chamber to collect the single dosage therefrom.
- The patent to Robbins, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,615, concerns a condiment dispenser with variable quality control. The Robbins dispenser has the plunger which is pressed downwardly by the user to dispense condiments such as salt, pepper, sugar, spices, etc. An adjusting device can be set to determine a predetermined amount be dispensed by each stroke of the plunger.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,749 ('749), which was issued to the present inventor illustrates and describes the earlier form of dispenser unit, the improvement of which is described in the present application. This earlier form of dispenser unit has proven to be quite satisfactory, but exhibits a drawback that the improved dispenser of the present invention has uniquely corrected. More particularly, in the operation of the earlier form of the dispenser unit, certain of the powdered materials as, for example, powdered baby formula being dispensed by the unit would occasionally tend to become overly compacted, or to clump, thereby resulting in the uneven dispensing of the material. As will be discussed more fully in the paragraphs which follow, the improved dispenser of the present invention overcomes this deficiency by providing strategically located vibration motors that tend to mitigate against clumping of the powdered materials and function, along with the plunger of the device, to mitigate against compaction of the material and to ensure smooth and uniform dispensing of the materials into the powder-receiving container.
- Another significant improvement to the dispenser of the '749 Patent resides in the provision of a material-receiving container of novel operation and design that takes the place of the powdered material-containing
cartridge 34 illustrated and described in the '749 Patent. The construction and operation of this novel material-receiving container will be discussed in the paragraphs that follow. - Because of the pertinence, Applicant's earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,749 is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
- While the improved dispenser of the present invention is usable for dispensing a number of different types of powdered materials, it is especially useful for dispensing powdered baby formula. In this regard, a number of different types of infant formulas are readily commercially available in the United States and throughout the world. Because it is generally less expensive, infant formula in powdered form has become quite popular in recent years. Feeding with infant formula is practiced for a number of reasons, including the inability of the mother to produce sufficient breast milk, situations where the mother is taking medication that may adversely affect the quality of her breast milk and when the mother simply chooses not to breast-feed.
- Powdered infant formula is generally sold in bulk and when used is typically removed from the bulk container in measured amounts and then mixed with specified amounts of water. The exact proportions specified on the product label must be used. Under-diluted formula can result in problems with the infant's digestive system and over-diluted formula will not provide adequate nutrition for the infant. It is this problem, among others, that the apparatus of the present invention seeks to overcome by providing an easy-to-use, highly reliable dispensing apparatus that automatically dispenses into the baby bottle precise quantities of infant formula.
- The unique design of the dispenser of the present invention permits the user to load into the apparatus, baby bottles of various sizes and then to accurately dispense formula into the baby bottle without spillage. The plunger of the device, which can be operated with one hand if necessary, has an oscillating action that along with the vibration motors mitigates against compaction of the formula and prevents uneven dispensing of formula. Further, the plunger action builds negative pressure internally of the dispensing chamber during the down stroke to assist with the evacuation of formula from the dispensing cartridge of the device. As the internal volume in the dispensing chamber increases during the plunger down stroke, the resulting lowered internal pressure helps to uniformly draw formula from the dispensing cartridge.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for dispensing metered amounts of various types of materials, including baby formula, that is compact, easy-to-use and of an attractive design.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the aforementioned character which can accommodate formula bottles of various sizes and in such a manner as to ensure that the formula bottle is directly integrated with the dispenser outlet so as to avoid spillage.
- Another highly important object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the character described which includes strategically located vibration motors that tend to mitigate against compaction and clumping of the powdered materials during the dispensing operation.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser as described in the preceding paragraphs that includes a dispensing plunger that provides an oscillating action which, along with the vibration motor, prevents compaction of the formula and ensures even dispensing of the formula into the formula bottle.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the character described in the preceding paragraphs in which the action of the dispensing plunger creates a negative pressure internally of the dispensing chamber of the dispenser so as to assist in the uniform withdrawal of formula from the pre-filled cartridge.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a substance dispenser that dispenses powdered material, such as baby formula, from a pre-filled dispenser unit, or soft cartridge, that can be quickly and easily inserted into the material-receiving component of the dispenser.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a substance dispenser of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the pre-filled dispenser unit, or soft cartridge, can be quickly and easily opened after it has been positioned within the material-receiving component of the dispenser so as to effectively preclude contamination of the formula contained within the cartridge.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a substance dispenser in which the material-receiving component of the dispenser is provided with a removable top so that, if desired, the removable top can be removed and powdered material such as baby formula from a bulk container can be quickly and easily poured, ladled or otherwise removed from the bulk container and deposited into the material-receiving component of the dispenser.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser as described in the preceding paragraphs in which a single, measured portion of powdered formula is dispensed each time the dispensing plunger is actuated.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser as described in the preceding paragraph that includes a volume control subassembly that enables a predetermined volume of powdered formula to be dispensed into the formula bottle.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type described in which the parts can be easily assembled and disassembled for ease of washing.
- The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized by the dispenser apparatus of the invention as more fully described in the paragraphs which follow.
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FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the dispenser apparatus of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a generally perspective view of one form of a material-containing cartridge usable with the dispenser apparatus of the invention. -
FIG. 3A is a generally perspective, exploded view of the material-containing cartridge shown inFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view of the plunger sub-assembly of the apparatus of the invention. -
FIG. 5 is an exploded, generally perspective, diagrammatic view, similar toFIG. 4 , illustrating the operation of the plunger sub-assembly. -
FIG. 5A is an exploded, generally perspective view, similar toFIGS. 4 and 5 , but showing the plunger sub-assembly in a material-dispensing position. -
FIG. 5B is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken alonglines 5B-5B ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view of the area designated inFIG. 6 as 7-7 showing in solid lines the upper portion of the dispenser housing illustrating the positioning of the vibration motors of the apparatus. -
FIG. 8 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the volume control subassembly of an alternate form of dispenser apparatus of the invention for precisely controlling the volume of formula that is to be dispensed into the formula bottle. -
FIG. 8A is a fragmentary view of the alternate form of dispenser apparatus of the invention within which the volume control subassembly shown inFIG. 8 is mounted. - Referring to the drawings and particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , one form of the improved dispenser apparatus of the present invention for dispensing powered material into a container, such as a formula bottle “B” is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 30. The dispenser apparatus here comprises ahousing 32 having abase portion 32 a and anupper portion 32 b.Upper portion 32 b includes aclosure wall 34 having at least one locatingprotuberance 35 and an opening 36, the purpose of which will presently be described (see alsoFIG. 6 ). - As best seen by referring to
FIG. 6 , acontainer support base 38 is connected tohousing 32 for supporting the container, or formula bottle “B”. The support base is movable through a distance “D” between a first position shown by the dotted lines inFIG. 6 and a second position shown by the solid lines inFIG. 6 . Biasing means shown here as a coil spring 40 that is housed internally ofhousing 32, functions to continuously urge thecontainer support base 38 toward the first position shown by the dotted lines inFIG. 6 . In the present form of the invention, theupper end 40 a of the spring is interconnected with the vibration motor support 41 and the lower end 40 b of the spring is interconnected with the connector portion 38 a ofsupport base 38. In operation, the support base moves telescopically along aguide rod 42 that is housed within thehousing 32. With the construction thus described, formula bottles of various sizes can readily be operably interconnected with the dispenser in the manner indicated in the drawings. - Removably connected to the
upper portion 32 b ofhousing 32 in the manner best seen inFIG. 6 of the drawings is a material-receivingcontainer 44 for receiving, in various forms, the powdered material to be dispensed. In the preferred form of the invention,container 44 comprises abottom wall 44 a, a side wall 44 b having amaterial dispensing opening 45, and aremovable cap 44 c that is removably connected to the upper portion of side wall 44 b. As illustrated inFIG. 2 , after removal ofcap 44 c, a soft cartridge “SC” containing a predetermined amount of powdered material can be conveniently inserted into theinternal chamber 44 d of thecontainer 44. Soft cartridge “SC” is provided with a side opening “O” (FIG. 3A ) that is sealed by a sealing tab “T” that can be removed after the cartridge is in position withininternal chamber 44 d. - It is to be understood that rather than using soft cartridge “SC”, the powdered material to be dispensed can be obtained from a bulk package and, once the
cap 44 c is removed, can be poured, ladled, or otherwise deposited into theinternal chamber 44 d of the container in whatever quantity that may be desired by the user. - As indicated in
FIGS. 6 and 7 , to correctly position the material-receivingcontainer 44 relative tohousing 32,bottom wall 44 a is provided with at least one opening 44 o that receives the previously identifiedprotuberance 35 and a connector protuberance 49 that is constructed and arranged to be received within the previously identified opening 36 formed in thetop wall 34 ofhousing 32. As indicated in the drawings, when the material-receivingcontainer 44 is correctly positioned relative tohousing 32, theoutlet 45 of the container is indexedly aligned with the inlet of the novel material-dispensingassembly 54 of the invention, the character of which will presently be described. As shown inFIG. 7 , a lockingplate assembly 55, which is carried onwall 34, releasably receives protuberance 49. The locking plate assembly, which is similar to that described in incorporated-by-reference U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,749, is constructed and arranged so that by sliding the locking plate 55 a of the locking plate assembly from a first position to a second release position, the protuberance 49 will be released and the material-receiving container can be separated from thehousing 32 for cleaning or replacement. - Referring particularly to
FIG. 6 , the important powdered material-dispensingassembly 54 here comprises a dispensinghousing 56 having a powdered material chamber 57 having an inlet 57 a that is in communication withcontainer outlet 45. As shown inFIG. 6 , powdered material chamber 57 has an outlet 57 b that is in communication with the inlet “I” of the formula bottle “B”. - Forming a highly novel feature of the apparatus of the present invention is a material dispensing plunger sub-assembly, which is generally designated in the drawings by the numeral 58.
Plunger sub-assembly 58, which is interconnected with the dispensinghousing 56, comprises anelongated shaft 60 having anupper portion 60 a and a lower portion 60 b. By pushing downwardly on the finger engaginghead portion 61,shaft 60 can be moved within the powderedmaterial holding chamber 58 from the first position shown by the dotted lines inFIG. 5A to the second position shown by the solid lines inFIG. 5A . - Affixed proximate the lower portion 60 b of the
shaft 60 is a uniquely configured, powdered material-dispensingcomponent 64. In a manner presently to be described, material-dispensingcomponent 64 functions to accurately dispense metered amounts of powdered material from powdered material chamber 57 into the formula bottle “B”. - Forming another highly novel feature of the present invention is oscillating means for oscillating the powdered material contained within powdered material chamber 57 as the material is dispensed into the formula bottle. This novel oscillating means functions to agitate the powdered material contained within chamber 57 and to release the powdered material from the chamber in an evenly distributed circular pattern into the formula bottle.
- Referring particularly to
FIGS. 4 , 5 and 5A, this important oscillating means here comprises, in addition toshaft 60 andmaterial dispensing component 64, a collar 6 that is affixed to elongatedshaft 60 proximate theupper portion 60 a thereof. As best seen inFIGS. 5 and 5A ,collar 66 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed guide pins 68 that extend outwardly therefrom. Guide pins 68 are closely received within generally serpentine-shapedguide channels 70 a formed in a pair of oppositely disposedguide members 70 that are connected tohousing 32 proximate the upper portion thereof. For a purpose presently to be described, acoil spring 72 circumscribes the intermediate portion ofelongated shaft 60 so that the coil spring is disposed betweencollar 66 and the powderedmaterial dispensing component 64. With this construction, as theshaft 60 is pushed downwardly in the direction of the arrow 67 ofFIG. 5 against the urging of thecoil spring 72, the guide pins 66 will travel along theserpentine guide channels 70 a thereby causing an oscillating, generally circular-shaped motion to be imparted to the powdered material-dispensingcomponent 64 as indicated by thearrows 69 and 71 ofFIGS. 5 and 5A . - In using the dispenser apparatus, the powdered material-containing soft cartridge SC is first inserted into chamber 44 b of the material-receiving
container 44 in the manner illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 6 of the drawings. - With the formula bottle “B” in position on the
support base 38 in the manner illustrated inFIG. 6 and with the soft cartridge “SC” in position within chamber 44 b ofcontainer 44, the user can move the sealing tab “T” upwardly by gripping the upper margin “T−1” of the sealing tab (seeFIGS. 2 and 3A ). With the sealing tab removed, the powdered medicament can flow through outlet “O”, into chamber 44 b and outwardly of opening 45 intochamber 58 of the powdered material-dispensingassembly 54. - To dispense a predetermined amount of formula into the formula bottle, the user need only push downwardly on the palm-engaging
head portion 61 of theshaft 60. This downward movement of the shaft from the position shown by the dotted lines inFIG. 5A to the position shown by the solid lines inFIG. 5A will result in an oscillating movement of the powdered material-dispensingcomponent 64 within the lower portion of chamber 57 in the manner previously described, which will cause the powdered material to flow evenly into the formula bottle. - Additionally, as previously mentioned, the downward movement of the dispensing plunger creates a negative pressure internally of the dispensing chamber of the dispenser so as to assist in the uniform withdrawal of formula from the pre-filled cartridge. More particularly, as shown in
FIG. 5B of the drawings, palm-engaginghead 61 includes apassageway 61 a that communicates with a reduced diameter passageway 60 c formed in the upper portion ofshaft 60. Passageway 60 c, in turn, communicates with a cross-bore 60 d formed in the upper portion of the shaft. With this construction, the downward movement of the shaft will result in a decrease in pressure which assists in drawing the powdered material from the soft cartridge viaoutlet 45. However, when the user removes his or her palm from the palm-engaging head portion,passageway 61 a will be open to atmosphere, permitting pressure equalization to occur via the cross-bore 60 d and the reduced diameter passageway 60 c. - An extremely important feature of the improved dispenser of the present invention resides in the provision of first and
second vibration motors 80 and 81 that are connected to the lower surface oftop wall 34 ofhousing 32 in the manner illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings. As previously mentioned, these vibration motors are strategically locatedproximate outlet 45 so as to impart a controlled vibration tointernal chamber 44 d of material-receivingcontainer 44 in a manner to mitigate against compaction and clumping of the powdered materials as the materials flow throughoutlet 45. While the vibration motors can take various forms,vibration motors 80 and 81 are battery-operated and are operably interconnected with abattery 84 by means ofwires 80 a and 81 a respectively (seeFIG. 6 ).Battery 84, which is of a character well understood by those skilled in the art and is readily commercially available, is disposed within the lower portion ofhousing 32. - The novel and
important vibration motors 80 and 81 of the present invention are of a character well understood by those skilled in the art and are readily commercially available from several sources, but vibration motors that are sold by Shenzhen Kinmore Motor Co, Ltd. of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China have proven to be quite satisfactory for the intended purpose. - After filling the bottle “B”, the bottle can be removed from
base 38 and the contents thereof then intermixed with water or other liquid. - When the soft cartridge “SC is empty, it can be easily removed from the
container 44 and, if desired, container 40 can be disconnected fromhousing 32 for cleaning. - Referring next to
FIGS. 8 and 8A , an alternate form of the improved dispenser apparatus of the present invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 87. This form of the improved dispenser apparatus is similar in many respects to that illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 7 and like numerals are used inFIGS. 8 and 8A to identify like components. Unlike the earlier described embodiments of the invention,dispenser apparatus 88 includes a novel portion control assembly that can be used to dispense a precise, predetermined volume of the powdered material into a container, such as the formula bottle “B”. Thedispenser apparatus 87 here comprises ahousing 88 that is similar in construction to the earlier describedhousing 32 and includes anupper portion 88 a having a closure wall 90. Closure wall 90 is provided with at least one locating protuberance 92 and an opening 94, the purpose of which will presently be described. As before,housing 88 supports the container, or formula bottle “B”, which, as in the earlier described embodiments, is movable between a lower position and an upper position. With this construction formula, bottles of various sizes can readily be operably interconnected with the dispenser. - Removably connected to the
upper portion 88 a ofhousing 88, in the manner best seen inFIG. 8A of the drawings, is a material-receivingcontainer 44 for receiving the powdered material to be dispensed. Material-receivingcontainer 44 is substantially identical in construction and operation to that previously described herein and includes abottom wall 44 a, a side wall 44 b having amaterial dispensing opening 45, and a removable cap (not shown inFIG. 8A ) that is removably connected to the upper portion of side wall 44 b. - In using the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, the powdered material to be dispensed is obtained from a bulk package and, once the closure cap is removed, can be poured, ladled, or otherwise deposited into the
internal chamber 44 d of the container in whatever quantity that may be desired by the user. - To correctly position the material-receiving
container 44 relative tohousing 88,bottom wall 44 a is provided with at least one opening that receives the previously identifiedprotuberance 35 and a connector protuberance 49 that is constructed and arranged to be received within the previously identified opening 94 formed in the top wall 90 ofhousing 88. As indicated in the drawings, when the material-receivingcontainer 44 is correctly positioned relative tohousing 88, theoutlet 45 of the container is indexedly aligned with the inlet of the novel material-dispensing assembly 100 of the invention, the character of which will presently be described. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, a locking plate assembly releasably receives protuberance 49. The locking plate assembly is constructed and arranged so that by sliding the locking plate of the locking plate assembly from a first position to a second release position, the protuberance 49 will be released and the material-receiving container can be separated from thehousing 88 for cleaning or replacement. - Referring particularly to
FIG. 8A , the important powdered material-dispensing assembly 100 here comprises a dispensinghousing 102 having a powdered material chamber 104 having aninlet 104 a that is in communication withcontainer outlet 45. As shown inFIG. 8A , powdered material holding chamber 104 has an outlet 104 b (FIG. 8A ) that is in communication with the inlet “I” of the formula bottle “B”. - Forming a highly novel feature of the apparatus of this latest form of the invention is a material-dispensing plunger sub-assembly, which is generally designated in the drawings by the numeral 108.
Plunger sub-assembly 108, which is interconnected with the dispensinghousing 102, comprises anelongated shaft 110 having anupper portion 110 a and alower portion 110 b. By pushing downwardly on the finger engaginghead portion 111,shaft 110 can be moved within the powdered material holding chamber 104 against the urging of acoil spring 113, which circumscribesshaft 110, from the first upper position to the second lower position. - Affixed proximate the
lower portion 110 b of theshaft 110 is a uniquely configured, powdered material-dispensing andportion control assembly 114. In a manner presently to be described,assembly 114 functions to accurately dispense a predetermined volume of powdered material from powdered material holding chamber 104 into the formula bottle “B”. Powdered material-dispensing andportion control assembly 114 includes ahousing 116 having atop portion 116 a, a threaded bottom portion 116 b and aside portion 116 c that interconnects the top and bottom portions. Top, bottom, andside portions FIG. 8 ). Connected totop portion 116 a is a disk-like pusher member 118 that is also connected to the bottom portion ofshaft 110. Threadably interconnected with bottom portion 116 b of thehousing 116 is aclosure cap 120 that closes the lower portion of the internal chamber. Removably receivable within internal chamber 119 through an opening 119 a is a plurality of generally cylindrically-shaped chamber volume determining inserts, each being of a known volume. In the drawings, two chambervolume determining inserts - In using the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, the user must first determine the desired portion of formula that is to be dispensed into the bottle “B”. As previously mentioned, the portion of formula that is to be dispensed can be varied by varying the number of volume determining inserts that are disposed within chamber 119. In the configuration shown in
FIG. 8A of the drawings, after removingclosure cap 120, two inserts, namely inserts 122 and 124, have been inserted into chamber 119 through opening 119 a. With the inserts in position within chamber 119, the volume remaining within the chamber is the cylindrically-shaped volume identified inFIG. 8A as “V−1”. During the bottle filling operation, the formula contained within material-receivingcontainer 44 will flow into volume “V−1” viaoutlet 45 andinlet 104 a of material chamber 104. Next, as theshaft 110 is pushed downwardly against the urging of thecoil spring 113 by a force exerted on finger engaginghead portion 111, thehousing 116 will be moved downwardly into the bottle and the formula contained within chamber “V−1” will flow evenly into the bottle through the circumferentially spaced apart outlets formed in the side portion of the housing. - If the user desires to dispense a larger volume of formula into the bottle,
closure cover 120 can be removed and one or both of the inserts can be removed, thereby controllably varying the volume remaining within chamber 119 that can accept formula flowing from the material-receiving container 104. - As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, this latest embodiment includes the important first and
second vibration motors 80 and 81 that are connected to the lower surface of top wall 90 ofhousing 88 in the manner illustrated inFIG. 8A of the drawings. - Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statues, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (12)
1-15. (canceled)
16. An improved powder dispenser apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of powdered material, the dispenser comprising:
a chamber configured to house a quantity of powdered material therewithin, the chamber comprising an opening for permitting the user to release a measured quantity of the powdered material that may be stored within the chamber as desired;
a housing configured to support the chamber in a secure but releasable manner, permitting the user to exchange one chamber with another chamber; and
means for directing vibrational forces to the chamber, the directing means supported by the housing in a manner such that the vibrational forces facilitate the flow of powdered material from within the chamber as it is being released.
17. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13, wherein the directing means comprises a vibration motor.
18. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13, further comprising means for controlling measured amounts of powdered material released from the chamber when the user wishes to dispense powdered material, the controlling means comprising a plunger that defines a space having a volume into which powdered material may flow.
19. The improved powder dispenser of claim 15, wherein the controlling means comprises an adjustment mechanism for changing the volume of the space of the controlling means.
20. The improved powder dispenser of claim 16 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an insert configured to fit within a portion of the space defined by the plunger.
21. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises an adjustable support for supporting an external container, the housing configured to permit a user to transfer released powdered material from the chamber into the container by using the controlling means.
22. An improved powder dispenser apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of powdered material, the dispenser comprising:
a chamber configured to house a quantity of powdered material therewithin, the chamber comprising an opening for permitting the user to release a measured quantity of the powdered material that may be stored within the chamber as desired;
a housing configured to support the chamber in a secure but releasable manner, permitting the user to exchange one chamber with another chamber; and
means for controlling measured amounts of powdered material released from the chamber when the user wishes to dispense powdered material, the controlling means comprising a plunger that defines a space having a volume into which powdered material may flow, wherein the controlling means comprises an adjustment mechanism for changing the volume of the space of the controlling means.
23. The improved powder dispenser of claim 19 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an insert configured to fit within a portion of the space defined by the plunger.
24. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13, further comprising means for directing vibrational forces to the chamber, the directing means supported by the housing in a manner such that the vibrational forces facilitate the flow of powdered material from within the chamber as it is being released.
25. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13, wherein the directing means comprises a vibration motor.
26. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises an adjustable support for supporting an external container, the housing configured to permit a user to transfer released powdered material from the chamber into the container by using the controlling means.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/136,722 US20130037576A1 (en) | 2011-08-08 | 2011-08-08 | Formula dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/136,722 US20130037576A1 (en) | 2011-08-08 | 2011-08-08 | Formula dispenser |
Publications (1)
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US20130037576A1 true US20130037576A1 (en) | 2013-02-14 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/136,722 Abandoned US20130037576A1 (en) | 2011-08-08 | 2011-08-08 | Formula dispenser |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11027963B1 (en) * | 2018-09-20 | 2021-06-08 | Perry A. Dupuis | Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids from containers |
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US4974754A (en) * | 1987-11-30 | 1990-12-04 | Alphasem Ag | Metering apparatus for metering and delivering fluid or pasty substances and use of said metering apparatus |
US4854353A (en) * | 1988-03-09 | 1989-08-08 | Container Corporation Of America | Bulk container filling apparatus |
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US8191587B2 (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2012-06-05 | Mettler-Toledo Ag | Dosage-dispensing device with a tapping mechanism |
US20080223877A1 (en) * | 2007-03-14 | 2008-09-18 | Artin Gevorgian | Dispenser |
US7861749B2 (en) * | 2007-03-14 | 2011-01-04 | Artin Gevorgian | Dispenser |
US8028645B2 (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2011-10-04 | Jakks Pacific, Inc. | Dispenser apparatus with a forward moving rotatable platform |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11027963B1 (en) * | 2018-09-20 | 2021-06-08 | Perry A. Dupuis | Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids from containers |
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