Flow Controlled Powder Dispensing Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a powder dispenser apparatus with valve operation. The dispenser apparatus comprises a replaceable container for holding a powdered material, a dispensing assembly, and a powder receptacle to receive the powder and to activate the valve assembly, and a removable cover for the valve assembly. The dispensing assembly comprises a sealing feature and a valve actuator rotationally biased by a spring. User operation rotates the valve actuator against its spring bias, thereby moving the valve and opening the sealing feature, allowing powder to dispense.

Description

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

18a opening

18b Annular Flange

19 Slot (in channel)

21 Stop Lug

22 Limiting Slot (of Lever)

22a Front of slot

25 Dispensing assembly

26 Channel

28 Open lower end

34 Valve Actuator

34a Stop

35 Linking Shaft

36 Actuator Arms

37 Back Frame

37a 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

64a Sealing feature

64b 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.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a material, comprising:

a main frame comprising a first pair of holes and a pair of stop features;

a removable container for holding the material to be dispensed, the container comprising an opening in the lower end;

a receptacle for receiving the material being dispensed, the receptacle comprising a flange;

a funnel for receiving the material being dispensed from the removable container and guiding the material being dispensed to the receptacle, the funnel comprising an open upper end and a channel;

a valve configured to be moved vertically in the funnel, the valve comprising a sealing structure, wherein the sealing feature obstructs the upper opening of the channel of the funnel when the dispensing apparatus is not being operated by a user;

a receptacle holder for holding the receptacle, the receptacle holder comprising a pair of actuating slots to receive the flange of the receptacle, a pair of mount lugs pivotally mount the receptacle holder to the main frame through the first pair of holes of the main frame, and a pair of stop lugs protruding from the receptacle holder;

one or more main frame springs, each spring having one end connected to the receptacle holder and the other end connected to the main frame, the springs tilting the receptacle holder away from the main frame until the stop lugs of the receptacle holder contact the stop features of the main frame; and

a lifting means that moves the sealing feature of valve structure vertically upward, allowing the material being dispensed to flow out of the replaceable container through the channel of the funnel into the powder receptacle, the lifting means comprising a lever comprising a load end, a pressure input end, and a pivot, a load coupling means that mechanically couples the load end of the lever to the valve to lift the sealing feature of the valve structure, and a pressure coupling means that mechanically couples the pressure input end of the lever to the receptacle holder, so that when the receptacle is pushed into the receptacle holder with the flange of the receptacle received into the actuating slots of the receptacle holder, the pressure input end of the lever will receive pressure to pivot the lever.

2. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure input end of the lever comprises:

a pair of lever flanges, each lever flange comprising a flat lever flange member, a mount hole in the flat lever flange member allowing one of the mount lugs of the receptacle loosely fitting into the mount hole, and an activation member protruding from the main flange member; and

a connecting rod rigidly connecting the main flange members to each other.

3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure coupling means comprises:

a pair of control arms, each control arm having a first end, a second end, and a flange between the first end and the second end;

a linking spring connecting the first ends of the pair of control arms; and

a pair of locking pins;

wherein the second ends of the control arms are pivotally attached within the actuating slots with the lock pins; and when the when the receptacle is pushed into the receptacle holder with the flange of the receptacle received into the actuating slots of the receptacle holder, the pair of the control arms are pivoted outward, and the flanges of the control arms extend beyond the actuating slots and engage the activation members of the lever flanges.

4. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the main frame comprises a second pair of holes, and the load end of the lever comprises a valve actuator, the valve actuator comprising:

pair of actuator arms, the underside of the actuator arms contacting the activation members of the lever flanges;

an elongated member rigidly connecting the actuator arms; and

a pair of cylindrical ends that fit into the second pair of holes in the main frame, allowing the valve actuator to pivot;

wherein the valve actuator can be pushed to pivot by the contact between the actuator arms and the activation members of the lever flanges when the lever flanges pivot.

5. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the load coupling means comprises:

a linking shaft fixed on the valve actuator and can pivot with the valve actuator;

a slot in the channel for guiding the material being dispensed; and

a notch in the valve;

wherein the linking shaft pierces through the slot of the channel into the notch of the valve, so that the linking shaft can push the valve upward when it pivots.

6. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the valve actuator further comprises a stop feature protruding from the elongated member, the stop feature limiting the pivoting range of the valve actuator by contacting the main frame when the limit of the pivoting range is reached.

7. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the main frame further comprises a pair of limiting slots, and each lever flange further comprises a protruding stop features, wherein the stop features fit through the limiting slots and the limit slots limit the pivoting range of the lever flanges.

8. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a removable cover to limit ambient powder material during dispensing.