REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a first-filed invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to dispensers, and more particularly, to a dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing flowable solid materials.
Devices are known for filling receptacles with granular, particulate, and/or powdered materials that are transported from a storage container into a receptacle. Dispensing mechanisms for these devices range from open containers with scoops to coin operated machines. Granular matter, such as sand, can be provided in various colors and can be dispensed from storage containers to produce a decorative art form in a transparent receptacle. Likewise, granular food products, such as powdered candy, can also be dispensed to produce a decorative art form in a receptacle with the added attraction of being edible. However, granular or powdered food products need special care to avoid contamination.
Thus, there is a need for granular food dispensing system that allows for the controlled dispense of the materials and will also avoid contamination between the dispensing mechanism and the receptacles that receive it. In addition, it is desirable to have mechanisms in food dispensing systems that are compact and efficient in stirring and propelling the material being dispensed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a powder dispenser apparatus.
In one aspect of the present invention, the dispenser apparatus comprises a replaceable container for holding a powdered material, a dispensing assembly, a powder receptacle to receive the powder and means to activate the valve assembly, and a removable cover for the dispensing assembly. The replaceable container and the dispensing assembly cover minimize the ambient powder material during dispensing.
In another aspect of the present invention, the dispensing assembly comprises a sealing feature and a valve actuator rotationally biased by a spring. User operation rotates the valve actuator against it's spring bias, thereby moving the valve and opening the sealing feature, allowing powder to dispense.
The above invention aspects will be made clear in the drawings and detailed description of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus.
FIG. 1B is another perspective view from a different viewing angle of the dispensing apparatus.
FIG. 2A is a perspective exploded view of the dispensing apparatus.
FIG. 2B is another perspective exploded view from a different viewing angle of the dispensing apparatus.
FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view focusing on the valve assembly with front cover removed.
FIG. 3B is another partial perspective view from a different viewing angle, focusing on the dispensing assembly with front cover removed.
FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of the components of the dispensing assembly in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4B is a perspective exploded view of the components of the dispensing assembly in FIG. 3B.
FIG. 5A is a perspective exploded view of the valve assembly.
FIG. 5B is another perspective exploded view from a different viewing angle of the valve assembly.
FIG. 6A is a perspective exploded view of the dispensing control assembly.
FIG. 6B is another perspective exploded view from a different viewing angle of the dispensing control assembly.
In the drawings, the reference numerals are listed below:
10 Powder Dispensing apparatus
11 Replaceable Container
12 Opening
13 Lower End
15 Removable Cover
16 Open Upper End
17 Opening
18 Powder Receptacle
18
a opening
18
b Annular Flange
19 Slot (in channel)
21 Stop Lug
22 Limiting Slot (of Lever)
22
a Front of slot
25 Dispensing assembly
26 Channel
28 Open lower end
34 Valve Actuator
34
a Stop
35 Linking Shaft
36 Actuator Arms
37 Back Frame
37
a back frame stop feature
38 Spring attachment
39 Holes for valve actuator
40 Holes
42 Cylindrical Ends
44 Receptacle holder
45 Mount lugs
47 Mount areas (for springs)
48 Arcuate Slot
49 Control Arms
50 Activation Arm Spring
51 Control Arm Flange
52 Lock Pin
53 Main Spring
54 Lever
55 Lever Flanges
56 Mount Holes
57 Activation member
58 Stop feature
61 Valve assembly
64 Valve member
64
a Sealing feature
64
b Notch
69 Connecting rod
71 Funnel structure
74 Dispensing control assembly
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these are specific embodiments, and that the present invention may be practiced also in different ways that embody the characterizing features of the invention as described herein.
An embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1A-6B, is a powder dispensing apparatus 10 comprising a replaceable container 11 for holding a powdered material, such as sand or powdered candy. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the container 11 has an opening 12 in a lower end 13 through which the powder flows from the container 11. The apparatus 10 further comprises a powder receptacle 18 having an open upper end 18a for receiving the powder and an annular flange 18b for insertion into arcuate slot 48 to activate the dispensing assembly 25 (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) thereby allowing powder to flow from the container 11 to the receptacle 18. The powder dispensing apparatus 10 further comprises a removable cover 15 for the dispensing assembly 25. The cover 15 further comprises an opening 17 for receiving the powder receptacle 18.
As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, the dispensing assembly 25 comprises a back frame 37, a valve assembly 61, and a dispensing control assembly 74. The dispensing control assembly 74 comprises a receptacle holder 44, a pair of flanges 55 connected by a linking rod 69, a pair of control arms 49 linked by a spring 50, a valve actuator 34, and a pair of main spring 53 (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B).
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the back frame 37 comprises a pair of holes 39 (one on each side), a second pair of holes 40 (one on each side), a pair of back frame stop features 37a, and a pair of limiting slots 22 (one on each side).
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the valve assembly 61 comprises a funnel structure 71, a valve member 64, a spring 66, and a spring holder 67. The funnel structure 71 comprises an open upper end 16 for receiving the lower end 13 of the container 11, a channel 26 for guiding the material being dispensed, an open lower end 28, and a slot 19 in the channel 26. The valve member 64 comprises a notch feature 64b and a sealing feature 64a.
Referencing FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6A, the dispensing control assembly 74 further comprises a valve actuator 34 whereas the valve actuator 34 comprises a linking shaft 35, a pair of actuator arms 36, and a pair of cylindrical ends 42 having outside diameters slightly smaller than holes 39 of the back frame 37, and a stop 34a. Referencing FIGS. 3A and 3B, the valve actuator 34 is connected to the back frame 37 with cylindrical ends 42 loosely penetrating holes 39 of the back frame 37.
Referencing FIGS. 5A and 5B, the valve member 64 is axially positioned within channel 26. When assembled, the notch feature 64b aligns with the slot 19 of channel 26. The linking shaft 35 of the valve actuator 34 (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) pierce through the slot 19 of channel 26 and the notch feature 64b. Therefore, the vertical position of valve member 64 within the channel 26 is controlled by the rotational position of valve actuator 34. When the apparatus is not being operated by the user, the sealing feature 64a obstructs the open upper end of channel 26 thereby preventing flow of powdered material through the channel 26.
Referencing FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6A, and 6B the dispensing control assembly 74 further comprises a receptacle holder 44, whereas the receptacle holder 44 comprises a slot structure 44a, pair of stop lugs 21 (one on each side), a pair of pivotal mount lugs 45 (one on each side), with outside diameters slightly smaller than holes 40 of back frame 37. Referencing FIGS. 3A and 3B, the receptacle holder 44 further comprises a pair of spring mount areas 47 (shown in FIGS. 4B and 6B), one on each side, and arcuate slot 48 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 6A) for accepting the powder receptacle 18.
Referencing FIGS. 6A and 6B, the control arms 49 each has a flange 51 (control arm flange), a first end 49a, and a second end 49b. The first ends 49a of the control arms 49 are biased toward each other by an activation arm spring 50. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second ends 49b of the control arms 49 is pivotally attached within the arcuate slot 48 with the lock pins 52. Referencing FIGS. 3A and 3B, the receptacle holder 44 is axially connected to the back frame 37 with a pair of lugs 45 (one on each side), penetrating holes 40 of the back frame 37. Referencing FIGS. 4A and 4B, the receptacle holder 44 is rotationally biased clockwise (as viewed from right side) by a pair of springs 53 until lugs 21 contact stop feature 37a of back frame 37.
Referencing FIGS. 6A and 6B, the dispensing control assembly 74 further comprises a lever 54 whereas the lever 54 comprises a pair of lever flanges 55 (one on each side) and a connecting rod 69 connecting the lever flanges 55. The flanges comprise a pair of mount holes 56 (one on each side), a pair of activation members 57 (one on each flange) on the inside surfaces, and a pair of stop features 58 (one on each side) on the outside surfaces. The lever 54 is axially connected to the receptacle holder 44 with the mount lugs 45 of the receptacle holder loosely penetrating through mount holes 56. The activation members 57 contact the bottom of the actuator arms 36 of the valve actuator 34 and therefore is also biased clockwise (as viewed from right side) reference FIGS. 4A, 4B, and. 6A, until the stop features 58 contact face 22a of the limiting slots 22 of the back frame 37.
Referencing FIGS. 1A-4B, 6A and 6B, in operation, the operator inserts the flange 18b of the receptacle 18 through opening 17 of the front cover 15, and into slot 48 of the receptacle holder 44. This forces the control arms 49 to pivot outward, overcoming the force of the activation arm spring 50. With the control arms pivoted outward, control arm flange 51 extends beyond slot 48 and engages lever flanges 55 of lever 54. The user continues to push the receptacle 18 further inward causing the receptacle holder 44, and the lever 54, because the lever flanges 55 of lever 54 are engaged with control arm flanges 51, to rotate counterclockwise (as seen from right side). With this motion, the activation members 57 of the lever flanges 55 lift the actuator arms 36 of the valve actuator 34 causing the valve actuator 34 and the linking shaft 35 to rotate clockwise (as seen from right side). Being that the linking shaft 35 pierces through the slot 44a of the receptacle holder 44, the slot 19 of the funnel channel 27, and the notch feature 64b of the valve member 64, the valve member 64 moves vertically upward within the channel 26, causing the sealing feature 30 of the valve 29 to no longer interfere with the open upper end 27 of the channel 26, thereby allowing the powdered material to flow out of the replaceable container 11 through the channel 26 and into the powder receptacle 18.
In addition, if an operator uses an object other than the powder receptacle (i.e. finger) to press the receptacle holder 44 inward, the control arms 49 do not pivot outward, therefore the control arm flange 51 does not engage with lever flanges 55 of the lever 54, therefore the activation members 57 of lever 54 does not lift the actuator arms 36 of the actuator 34, therefore the actuator 34 and linking shaft do not rotate clockwise (as seen from right side), therefore the valve 29 does not move vertically upward within the channel 26, thereby the sealing feature 30 of valve 29 continues to interfere with open upper end 27 of the channel 26, therefore the powdered material within the replaceable container 11 does not flow out and through the channel 26 into the powder receptacle 18.
The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred or example embodiments, and modes of assembly and operation, of the invention; however, the invention is not, and shall not be construed as being exclusive or limited to the specific or particular embodiments set forth hereinabove.
Patent Application
20190352083
