Patents Represented by Attorney John A. T'Toole
  • Patent number: 5826754
    Abstract: A bulk dispenser (10) having particular application for dispensing ready-to-eat cereals is disclosed generally including a stand (12), a dispenser unit (14) and a storage bin (16). A door assembly (74) is pivotally mounted to the dispenser unit (14) and includes a counterweight (80) fixed to and for biasing a door (76) to its closed position closing the discharge opening of the dispenser unit (14). The door (76) is moved from its closed position by pushing against the arcuate portion (92) of a pusher tongue (88). The free end of the pusher tongue (88) moves through an arcuate groove (98) formed in the base (94) of the stand (12) when the door (76) pivots about its axis. The bottom (22) of the storage bin (16) has a curvilinear shape to prevent bridging of the cereal over its lower aperture (26) preventing passage of the cereal into the dispensing unit (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Romeo M. Ishaya, Steven J. Danemayer