MULTIPLE PROTEIN DISPENSER AND CONTAINER

Abstract

A hygienic powdered protein delivery system includes a pouch having a lightweight flexible material. One end of the pouch is tapered to form a funnel shape and is sealed before it is filled with protein powder. The pouch of protein powder is clamped at the bottom of a cupboard a corresponding receptacle. The tapered end of the pouch of protein powder is sliced and held in place by two pressure compression/clappers. The pressure clamps have a non-permanent adhesive that allows the tapered pouch to be pulled apart allowing the protein powder to flow out into a collector that contains a receiving container. The hygienic powdered protein delivery system has a number of slots that will support several pouches of protein powder. Each pouch can be rotated into the dispensing position. The dispenser enables a number of different types of protein to be dispensed in a hygienic manner never before achieved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to delivery systems and, more particularly, to a hygienic powdered protein delivery system that provides variety and convenience.

Traditional protein dispensers/containers have wide cardboard or plastic envelope containers with internal coatings to preserve and protect the powder protein. The protein in the large containers is usually delivered by a scoop or spoon, exposing the remaining protein to human or environmental contamination. Once opened, protein must be kept in a dry environment to prevent water vapor from reacting with the powder and reducing its solubility. Obtaining a reasonable price per serving often requires a user buy a large quantity of powder protein, creating an excessive volume of mater that will be contaminated and consumed. Due to the price of these large volume containers, individuals often completely utilize their contents prior to purchasing an additional container. This packaging and resulting utilization practice reduces consumption.

Protein can also come in individual plastic pouches with sufficient protein powder for one individual serving. These individual serving containers address the water vapor, human and environmental contamination issues, but limit the user to a single serving. Many users require multiple servings when making cooking recipes or making additional servings.

As can be seen, there is a need for a hygienic powdered protein delivery system that provides variety and convenience having a pouch formed of a lightweight, flexible material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a powder dispensing device comprises a dispensing device body; a plurality of drawers opening outward from the dispensing device body; a slicing element disposed in each of the plurality of drawers; and first and second clapper elements disposed in a bottom portion of each of the plurality of drawers, the clapper elements disposed in a closed V-shape in a closed configuration and in an open V-shape in an opened configuration, the opened configuration permitting powder in a bag, cut by the slicing element and disposed in one of the plurality of drawers, to flow therethrough and into a dispensing area of the power dispensing device.

In another aspect of the present invention, a powder dispensing device comprises a dispensing device body rotatably on a base; a plurality of drawers opening outward from the dispensing device body, wherein one of the plurality of drawers align with a dispensing area in the base; a slicing element disposed in each of the plurality of drawers; first and second clapper elements disposed in a bottom portion of each of the plurality of drawers, the clapper elements disposed in a closed V-shape in a closed configuration and in an open V-shape in an opened configuration, the opened configuration permitting powder in a bag, cut by the slicing element and disposed in one of the plurality of drawers, to flow therethrough and into the dispensing area of the power dispensing device; and a gripper surface on at least one of the first and second clapper elements.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a powder dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the powder dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the powder dispenser of FIG. 1, omitting multiple components for illustrative clarity;

FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of the powder dispenser of FIG. 1, showing placement of a bag into a drawer;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detailed view of the power dispenser of FIG. 1, showing operation of a knob and clapper clamps;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a blade handle and blade of the powder dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2, illustrating the blade handle in a non-retracted configuration;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2, illustrating the blade handle in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 9 is a front detailed view of the knob of the powder dispenser of FIG. 1, illustrating a pre-clap functionality; and

FIG. 10 is a front detailed view of the knob of the powder dispenser of FIG. 1, illustrating a post-clap functionality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hygienic powdered protein delivery system that provides variety and convenience. The package and resulting delivery system includes a pouch having a light weight flexible material. One end of the pouch is tapered to form a funnel shape and is sealed before it is filled with protein powder. The pouch of protein powder is clamped at the bottom of a cupboard a corresponding receptacle. The tapered end of the pouch of protein powder is sliced and held in place by two pressure compression/clappers. The pressure clamps have a non-permanent adhesive that allows the tapered pouch to be pulled apart allowing the protein powder to flow out into a collector that contains a receiving container. The hygienic powdered protein delivery system has a number of slots that will support several pouches of protein powder. Each pouch can be rotated into the dispensing position. The dispenser enables a number of different types of protein to be dispensed in a hygienic manner never before achieved.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 10, the powder dispenser of the present invention includes a base 10 supporting a body 12, where the body has a plurality of drawers 16 operable to contain a powder pouch 38 therein.

The powder dispenser can be made of a wide variety of materials including plastic, glass, metal, ceramics, or the like, or a combination thereof. The powder dispenser can use a large single bulk container much like a self-contained coffee maker that starts with whole coffee beans, grinds them, and dispenses them to a brewing element. The challenge in existing dispensers is the lack of variety. One type of coffee per chamber or, in the case of protein, a single flavor per envelope or multi serving cartons. The present invention solves the problems of variety and hygiene by the use of several self-contained powder pouches 38 that are held within a single dispenser device.

The sanitary self-contained powder pouches 38 can be made of a wide variety of materials including plastic, paper, thin metal foil, or the like, or a combination thereof. The sanitary self-contained powder pouches are made much like those used in making a wide number of food products. Some food or beverages require the container to be sealed to prevent the loss of key elements or to withstand high pressures, such as carbonated beverages to prevent the loss of carbon dioxide as carbonic acid decays. The present invention can use uncoated plastic pouches to contain the powder as well as the other materials, either coated or uncoated.

Non-permanent self-adhesives are common and commercially available. These commercially available non-permanent self-adhesives are used on a number of products such as 3M's post it notes to the Schticky. The ability to clean the non-permanent self-adhesives keeping is sterile and effective is an important aspect of the present invention. Classic polymer/epoxy based non-permanent self-adhesives do not allow for multiple uses with gradual or substantial loss of the adhesives functionality. However, silicone gel based adhesives can be rinsed off with water and when dry becomes an effective adhesive. This allows the silicone gel based adhesive to be recycled/cleaned in the powder dispenser and be effective. These gels are available on rubber matting that has a permanent adhesive on the opposite side to the gel. The permanent adhesive allows the silicone gel/rubber matting to be applied to most materials including metals, plastics, ceramics, glass (coated or coated) or the like.

A compression/clapper element 22, 24 can be made of a wide variety of materials including plastic, glass, metal, ceramics or the like, or a combination thereof. These elements 22, 24 have multiple purposes—they act as a guide for the pouch, a mechanical clamp to prevent the flow of powder and vibrating device to facilitate the flow of the powder held in the sanitary self-contained powder pouch 38.

A slicing element can be made of a wide variety of materials including plastic, glass, metal, ceramics or the like, or a combination thereof. The slicing element includes a guide, blade 28 and a blade holder 26. The blade 28 can travel along a slit, guided across the length of the blade holder 26 and slicing through the sanitary self-contained powder pouch 38. The slicing element can be placed anywhere on the compression/clapper element, however placing the slicing element above the end of the before or in the middle of the non-permanent self-adhesives may induce fowling.

A mechanical element can be made of a wide variety of materials including plastic, glass, metal, ceramics, or the like, or a combination thereof. The mechanical element is used to open and closed the compression/clapper element. This can be accomplished by a number of methods including springs, gears, actuator, motor, or sprockets. The mechanical motion can be generated by an external power source. In the case of coffee grinder, it can be either bio mechanical (human) or electrical that drive the gears to both grind the bean and deliver the powder to the brewing a cup assembly. To reduce cost and complication, bio mechanical (human) is typically used to deliver energy to the powder container assembly. The mechanical assembly takes the external energy/motion and converts it to motion that opens and closes the compression/clapper element delivering the powder to a container.

The present invention provides a novel delivery system for the distribution powdered protein supplements. The powder delivery device provides space for at least two powders. In some embodiments, this powder is a protein powder. In some embodiments, an injection molded plastic can be used for the powder dispenser. The powder distribution and delivery device shown in the Figures has six drawers to hold up to six different protein powders. The powder dispensing device enables the safe delivery of a variety of powder.

The pouches 38 can be made of, for example, a transparent or colored material. The pouch can either be a flexible or ridged material. The drawer 16 provides a hygienic space/cupboard to hold a pouch of protein powder or other powder. One end of the cylinder/pouch 38 is tapered to form a funnel shape. The pouch 38 is sealed before filled with protein or other powder. The tapered end is inserted first into the opened protein/powder pouch holder. The pouch 38 is made from a plastic commonly used in the food industry. The drawer 16 has a pair of clappers 22, 24 on either side at the bottom of the space.

The compression/clappers 22, 24 can be made of a wide number of materials including but not limited to metals, plastics, glass or ceramics. In some embodiments, an injection molded plastic can be used for the clappers 22, 24. The clappers 22, 24 can include a gripper surface 42, such as a silicone material/gel applied to them through the use of an adhesive. Silicone gels have a unique property in that they are extremely sticky when dry and not sticky when wet. The placement of the gripper surface 42 on a rubber backing to mechanically attach the pouch 38 to the clappers 22, 24 and properly vibrate the pouch 38 but not impeded the flow of powder. The clappers 22, 24 can modulated/vibrate the pouch 38. The clappers 22, 24 act as both a compressing mechanism to contain the protein powder and pouch vibrating element. The clappers 22, 24 are design as to not block the powder flow when vibrating the pouch 38. The clappers 22, 24 include the gripper surface 42, such as non-permanent adhesive composed of a silicone gel on a rubber matting where the rubber matting has a permanent adhesive on the side opposite to the silicone gel. The permanent adhesive attaches the silicone gel/rubber mat to the clapper. The permanent adhesive is not water soluble to prevent the silicone gel from being removed from the clapper during cleaning. The non-permanent adhesive attaches the pouch to the clappers, modulating the pouch as the clappers are compressed and expanded. Once the pouch is sliced, mechanical vibration supplied from clappers allows the powder to flow down due to gravitational forces.

Slicing the pouch is accomplished by a slicing element/blade 28. The pouch is sliced open, allowing the protein powder to flow into a measuring receptacle when the mechanical clappers 22, 24 are vibrating. The slicing element is activated by pulling the slicing handle 26 outward from the powder container. Typically, the slicing element is be below the non-permanent self-adhesives element (gripper surface 42) on one of the compression/clapper elements. The placement of the slicing element here prevents contamination and fowling of the non-permanent self-adhesives. As the handle is pulled back, a sharp cutting element travels along a guide and protrudes out the blade external port. The slicing blade the tapered end of the package simultaneously a two opposing compression clapper elements are applied to protein container just above the slicer.

The minimum volume dispensed is typically about 1/16 of a cup. The powder is dispensed when an external knob 14 is rotated clockwise, turning an internal gear 30. The internal gear 30 modulates the clappers 22, 24 back and forth to create an opening 40 where the blade 28 had previously cut the pouch 38. The clappers 22, 24 can be returned to their original (pouch closed) position by a spring element 18 until the gear 30 pushes the clappers 22, 24 apart. The powder passes between the clappers 22, 24 and into the holding element or cup (not shown, typically placed in a dispensing area 36). The body 12 of the powder dispenser can rotate relative to its base 10, aligning different drawers 16 with the dispensing area 36. A lazy Susan-type mechanism 20 can be used to permit this rotation.

As the compression force is relaxed, the lightly glued elements (gripper surface 42) pull the tapered plastic funnel portion of the protein pouch 38 apart, allowing the protein powder to flow into the dispensing area 36 of the device. Once the protein powdered metered into the retention section of the container is rotated to dispense the protein powder into an exterior receptacle. In some embodiments, the retention chamber/section of the container is designed to be a 1/16 cup size. Protein powder drinks and recipes often utilize ¼ cup size incremental measurements. The collector chamber/section can be designed to be different measurement sizes however the most useful collector chamber/section ¼ cup size due to the broad utility of the measurement portion used in cooking.

The powder dispenser provides for a minimum of two different types of protein powder. This minimum is driven by the need of most users to have a diverse number of protein flavors such as strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. Large containers of protein are generally completely consumed before opening an additional container to change flavors.

Additional protein powder drawers 16 can be added to the body 12 to provide more selection, higher volume containment and hygienic storage.

To use the powder dispenser, an individual simply places plastic containers of protein powder into the drawer, closes the drawer, automatically slicing and compressing the protein powder pouch/container. Once the protein cupboard is closed, the operator rotates the carousel to dispense the desired protein powder. Rotating the retention chamber/section of the container is designed to deliver a 1/16 cup size of protein powder to the dispensing area 36.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A powder dispensing device comprising:

a dispensing device body;

a plurality of drawers opening outward from the dispensing device body;

a slicing element disposed in each of the plurality of drawers; and

first and second clapper elements disposed in a bottom portion of each of the plurality of drawers, the clapper elements disposed in a closed V-shape in a closed configuration and in an open V-shape in an opened configuration, the opened configuration permitting powder in a bag, cut by the slicing element and disposed in one of the plurality of drawers, to flow therethrough and into a dispensing area of the power dispensing device.

2. The powder dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a gripper surface on at least one of the first and second clapper elements.

3. The powder dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the gripper surface is formed of a silicone material.

4. The powder dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the gripper surface is disposed on both of the first and second clapper elements.

5. The powder dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the slicing element includes a blade retractable and extendable into a slicing handle.

6. The powder dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the slicing element is disposed below the gripper surfaces on the first and second clapper elements.

7. The powder dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a clapper gear operable to resiliently move the first and second clapper elements into the open configuration and provide vibration to the bag when the first and second clapper elements resiliently move back into the closed configuration.

8. The powder dispensing device of claim 7, further comprising a knob operable to turn the clapper gear.

9. The powder dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the body is operable to rotate on a base, aligning one of the plurality of drawers with the dispensing area.

10. A powder dispensing device comprising:

a dispensing device body rotatably on a base;

a plurality of drawers opening outward from the dispensing device body, wherein one of the plurality of drawers align with a dispensing area in the base;

a slicing element disposed in each of the plurality of drawers;

first and second clapper elements disposed in a bottom portion of each of the plurality of drawers, the clapper elements disposed in a closed V-shape in a closed configuration and in an open V-shape in an opened configuration, the opened configuration permitting powder in a bag, cut by the slicing element and disposed in one of the plurality of drawers, to flow therethrough and into the dispensing area of the power dispensing device; and

a gripper surface on at least one of the first and second clapper elements.

11. The powder dispensing device of claim 10, wherein the gripper surface is formed of a silicone material.

12. The powder dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the gripper surface is disposed on both of the first and second clapper elements.

13. The powder dispensing device of claim 10, wherein the slicing element includes a blade retractable and extendable into a slicing handle.

14. The powder dispensing device of claim 13, wherein the slicing element is disposed below the gripper surfaces on the first and second clapper elements.

15. The powder dispensing device of claim 10, further comprising a clapper gear operable to resiliently move the first and second clapper elements into the open configuration and provide vibration to the bag when the first and second clapper elements resiliently move back into the closed configuration.

16. The powder dispensing device of claim 15, further comprising a knob operable to turn the clapper gear.