ADJUSTABLETRAPCHAMBERHAVINGSTRAIGHTLINEMOTION _.

TECHNICAL FIELE OF INVENTION This invention generally relates to dispensing apparatus for repeatedly dispensing a flo able particulate material from a container in measured quantities.

BACKGROUND ART Apparatus for dispensing particulate and other material, such as foodstuffs, laundry and soap powders, animal feeds, etc., are commercially available. Examples of such apparatus '-:ay be found in U.S. Patents 502,124; 1,004,-855; 1,270,262; 1,631,430; 1,913,767; 2,097,813; 2,227,706; 2,405,155; 2,503,886; 2,597,083; 2,709,543; 2,852,170; 2,778,529; 2,873,050; 3,756,497; 3,828,973 and 3,938,639. A problem with hygroscopic materials such as spray and freeze dried instant coffees, teas, soups, cold drink bases, non dairy creamers, sweeteners, etc., is that they are extremely susceptible to deterioration when exposed to the ambient atmosphere, particularly the moisture therein. Dispensing of desired predetermined quantities of such foodstuff can only be effected by coping with the moisture problem. For example, some of the exemplified dispensers require a supplemental heat source to create a heated, dry environment, at the dis- penser outlet port to prevent moisture from adversely affecting the contents of a dispenser container, i.e. to prevent agglomeration of the material.

It will be appreciated, therefore, unless an environment free from the effects of the ambient atmosphere is provided a high degree of measurement accuracy cannot be obtained, making it impossible to dispense predetermined selected fixed quantities of a product from a dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With, the foregoing in mind we provide in accordance with the invention apparatus for repeatedly- dispensing a flowable, particulate material from a container in measured quantities, while isolating the remainder of said material within said container from the ambient atmosphere, said apparatus being character¬ ized by funnel means having an inlet, below said container, and an outlet and also a surface between said inlet and outlet for intercepting particulate material passing from said inlet toward said outlet, metering means disposed within the funnel means adjacent its outlet and mounted for reciprocating movement away from and toward said surface of the funnel means for respectively enabling charging of particulate matter fro ^" said container onto that portion of the funnel means adjacent said outlet and for separating a predetermined amount of said particulate material from the material supplied from said container, selectively operable closure means movable into and out of sealing engagement with said outlet to respectively prevent and permit said separated predetermined amount of particulate material to pass through said outlet, and movable means for moving said closure means from said outlet while substantially simultaneously main¬ taining said metering means in engagement with said funnel surface to permit only said predetermined quantity of particulate material to pass through the outlet for dispensing from the apparatus, thereby simultaneously preventing ambient atmosphere from entering into the container.

Advantageously, we provide means for adjustably positioning the metering means relative to the surface of the funnel means to permit adjustment of the quantity of material dispersed from the apparatus.

In the form of the invention herein disclosed the adjustable means comprises a sleeve-cam arrangement

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which, on rotary movement of the funnel means, cooperates with a pin extending from an elongate rod to adjustably position said metering means relative to said surface of the funnel means thereby enabling discharge of variable predetermined quantities of particulate material from said container.

In operation, when the metering means is in its charging position, particulate material is enabled to flow into the surface of the funnel means adjacent the outlet until the material reaches its angle of repose. When the metering means is. in its closed position rela¬ tive to the funnel means, a predetermined quantity of material is trapped in a chamber of the metering means and is dispensed on movement of the closure means from the outlet. The closure means keeps the outlet closed except when material is to be dispensed through the outlet at which time the metering means is in its closed . position, thereby precluding moisture in the ambient atmosphere from entering the container and adversely affecting its contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and attendant advantages of the invention will be appararent from the following disclo¬ sure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2A is another enlarged partially exploded perspective view of the portion of the apparatus shwon in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is a reduced sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 5

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Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the apparatus prior to a dispensing operation.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, similar to that of Fig. 5, showing the apparatus as it measures out a quantity of material for dispensing;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, similar to that of Fig. 6, but showing the apparatus dispensing the measured quantity of particulate material; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8, but laid flat;

Fig. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of the top portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1Q, BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the instant invention is shown at 20 in Fig. 1. The apparatus 20 dispenses flow- able particulate materials, in particular hygroscopic particulate materials such as spray-dried and freeze- dried instant coffees, tea, soup mix, cold drink mix etc., in precisely measured quantities, by isolating the material from the ambient atmosphere.

The apparatus basically consists of dispensing unit 22 which is a two part device. The first, part which will be described in greater detail hereafter, includes a funnel and metering unit, and is designed in the preferred embodiment for use with the container in which the particular product is sold. The second part of the apparatus is in the form of a mounted receiver housing assembly, also to be described in greater detail later, which when coupled to the funnel and metering unit

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during the dispensing cycle substantially prevents exposure of the product in the container to the ambient atmosphere.

The dispensing unit of the Instant invention can be used with various conventional type merchandizing containers, e.g., 70 mm wide mouth, screw thread jars, four (4) inch (lOmm) cans, bowl seal jars of the type sold by Anchor Hocking Glass Corp., etc.,. by use of a suitable adapter (to be described later) to accommodate the mouth jDf the particular container used.

In the embodiment of Figs, 1-9, the container shown is a 70 mm wide mouth jar 24. Preparatory to use of the container with the dispensing apparatus of the • invention, the lid of the jar container is first unscrewed and then the protective vapor seal is removed , whereafter the container with its contents 26 (Fig. 5) is secured to the funnel portion . of the dispensing unit 22 by means of a suitable configured adapter welded to the funnel portion. The funnel and container are so assembled as to permit the contents of the container to fall under gravity into the funnel portion. When the assembly is inserted into the receiver housing assembly the dis¬ penser unit 22 is ready for use. The container is always disposed above the dispensing unit but the apparatus itself may be positioned as desired e.g. on a horizontal or a vertical surface. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the apparatus 20 Is shown mounted on a wall or bulkhead 34 by a bracket assembly 30 (Fig. 1). The assembly 30 includes a mounting plate

32 which abuts the wall and Is secured thereto via screws 36. The top 38 of the mounting plate has a semi-circular recess 40 in the front edge thereof configured to receive the dispensing unit's housing (to be described later). A pair of holes 42 in the top 38 receive a pair of threaded mounting fasteners 44 which extend Into the dispensing unit's housing to hold it in place, A lowe

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portion of the mounting plate is provided with a vertical flange 46 onto which an L-shaped shelf 48 is mounted, via a pair of threaded fasteners 50. The bottom end of the shelf serves as the support for a cup or like item into which the particulate material is dispensed. By means of the pairs of mounting holes 52 in the back part of the shelf, the fasteners 50 and the threaded holes 54 in the flange 46,adjustment for various size receiving cups may be made. As seen in Fig. 5, the dispensing unit 22 broadly comprises a receiver housing assembly 56 in which the funnel unit 58 is disposed to receive the flow of particulate material from the container. The funnel unit has an outlet and metering means 60 for trapping a predetermined quantity of material in its dispensing chamber. A closure means 62 selectively opens and closes the outlet. When the outlet Is open material within the dispensing chamber is dispensed through the outlet while the metering means closes on the funnel downwardly and inwardly inclined surface. This is ensured by an actuator assembly 64 which is coupled to the metering means 60 and the closure means 62. A flow control-adapter assembly 66 between the container and the funnel unit ensures a uniform flow of particulate material from the container to the funnel assembly, irrespective of the head of material in the container.

The flow control-adapter assembly 66 in the illustrated embodiment carries the adapter in the form of ring 68 which enables connection of the container to the dispenser of this invention. The adapter assembly includes a flow control disc 70. The ring 68 is provided with a threaded inner wall 72 for engagement with the threads of the mouth 28 of the container 24, The bottom of the inner wall 72 terminates in an inwardly extending horizontal ledge portion 74 (see Fig. 7). The flow control disc 70 includes a conically shaped portion 76 which slopes downward and outward from its apex. The _^ ^~ ^ f O

apex includes an opening 78 through which a portion of the actuator assembly 64 passes. The conical portion 76 terminates at its bottom edge in a flange 80 formed with a plurality of arcuate slots 82 (Figs. 2 and .3). The peripheral edge 84 of the flange 80 extends horizontally and is disposed on the ledge 74 of the adapter ring 68. A flat sealing gasket 86 is disposed on the horizontal flange portion 84. The gasket and underlying flange portion are tightly engaged between the container ^l s mouth and the adapter ring's ledge when the container is screwed into the adapter. This action seals the interior of the container from the ambient atmosphere, while also securing the flow control disc in place.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, the bottom ^" of the adapter ring 68 includes a downwardly projecting tapered cylindrical side wall 87. The funnel unit 58 as seen in Fig. 2 basically comprises a funnel shaped portion having an inclined upper side wall section 88 which merges with a lower side wall section.90. The lower section is inclined at a 55° angle to the vertical axis. The lowermost portion of the lower side wall section 90 includes a central opening or outlet 92. A tubular extension or neck 94 projects downward from the underside 96 of the side wall section 90 and surrounds the outlet 92, As seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the end 98 of the funnel neck 94 includes a pair of diametrically aligned vertical guide slots 100 which receive a cam follower means of the actuator assembly. The cam follower means, described in greater detail hereinafter, coacts with cam means in the housing to enable selection of varying quantities of material to be dispensed.

As seen in Fig. 5, the upper section 88 of the funnel unit is formed with a horizontally extending flange 104; the peripheral end of which defines a lip 106. The mouth of the funnel, denoted by the reference numeral 103 (see Fig. 2), is configured to receive the

downwardly extending side wall 87 of the adapter ring. The ring is frictionally fit and welded therein to firmly secure the adapter ring 68 to the funnel unit 58. The horizontal flange portion 104 of the funnel unit includes a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate locking slots 108 having the same radius. Each slot includes an enlarged entrance or clearance portion 110 contiguous with the front edge 112 of the slot and a peripheral ledge 114 of thickness smaller than the thickness of the flange portion 104 and extends into the slot along the outside edge thereof from the enlarged clearance portion 110 rearward to the back edge 116 of the slot.

As will hereinafter be described in greater detail, the slots 108 coact with locking lugs 208, of the receiver housing assembly 56, to adjustably secure the funnel unit to the housing assembly for rotation relative thereto about the vertical axis. As will be seen from the disclosure to follow, it is the rotation of the funne unit relative to the housing which causes the cam followe to coact with the cam means to enable selection of pre¬ determined quantities of material to be dispensed during the dispensing operation.

The metering means 60 as seen In Fig. 5 comprises a bell-shaped member having a conical top section 118 and a gradually flared lower section 120. The peripheral edge 122 of the lower section 120 is bevelled to form a knife-like edge. An opening 124 is provided at the apex of the metering bell. The uppermost portion of the top section contiguous with the opening

124 and referred to by the reference numeral 126 is flat. A tubular projection 128 extends downward on the inside of the metering bell concentric with the opening 124. The bottom surface 130 of the tubular projection is flat and forms a stop surface (to be described later) .

The metering bell is arranged to be recipro¬ cated by the actuator assembly 64 between a closed

position (shown in Fig. 5) wherein the peripheral edge 122 of the bell abuts the lower section 90 of the funnel unit and a charging position,wherein the peripheral edge 122 is located a predetermined, adjustable distance, from the funnel unit surface. In its closed position the metering bell encompasses the portion of the funnel which is contiguous with the outlet 92 and defines therewith a dispensing chamber 132. The dispensing chamber fills with a predetermined quantity of particulate material, depending upon the height of the metering bell in its charging position. Thus, when the metering bell is moved to a charging position, e.g., like that shown in Fig. 6, above the funnel unit surface,- particulate material 26 flows from the container 24 under force of gravity through the slots 82 in the flow control disc 70 and into the mouth 103 of the funnel unit. The material flows through the space between the peripheral edge 122 of the metering bell and the inside surface of the funnel unit to the space about the outlet 92. The material fills that space until the material reaches its "angle of repose". The "angle of repose" is the maximum inclination which particulate material will assume, without sliding movement, and is a substantially constant value, for a given particulate material. Hence, each time the metering bell is raised to a given position above the funnel unit, a predetermined passageway results for the material and thus the same quantity of material will be supplied to the lower section of the funnel unit adjacent its outlet. On movement of the metering bell to its closed position, its knife-like peripheral edge 122 cuts through the material adjacent the outlet to confine a precise quantity of material within the dis¬ pensing chamber 132.

As noted briefly heretofore, the dispensing unit includes cam means within the receiver housing assembly 56 which cooperate with the actuator assembly

to adjst the height of the metering bell 60 in its charging position to thereby enable selection of pre¬ determined quantities of material to be dispensed. In addition, as will be described later, the actuator assembly functions to raise the metering bell 60 to the exact same charging position as in the immediately preceding dispensing operation, unless adjusted other¬ wise. This feature ensures repeated dispensing of a predetermined quantity, e.g., a teaspoon, of material, without necessitating the resetting or adjustment of the unit for the same quantity to be dispensed

The maximum height that the metering bell may be set to is Illustrated in phantom lines in Fig. 6. The actuator assembly 64 is best seen in Fig. 5 and comprises an elongated actuator rod 134 which extends vertically through the funnel unit 58, the flow control-adapter assembly 66 and into the mouth of the container. The metering bell 60 and the closure 62 are mounted on the actuator rod 134. Features and operation of the actuator assembly 64 are set forth hereinafter. Suffice it to say for the present that the actuator rod 134 Is arranged to be reciprocated, up and down, between a charging position and a discharge position or release position, thereby similarly moving the metering means 60 and the closure means 62. To that end the upward movement of the actuator rod causes upward movement of the metering bell 60 from the funnel unit, to its charging position. The extent of upward travel of the actuator rod is adjustable as a function of interaction between the cam follower means. and the cam means as described in detail later.

The plunger 62 is mounted for relative move¬ ment with regard to the actuator rod 134 such that the plunger 62 remains seated within the outlet 92 as the metering bell 60 is carried upward from its closed position to its charging position and vice versa. This

actIon precludes the premature dispensing of particulate material from the unit while also acting as a seal against the Ingress of ambient atmosphere into the unit. Substantially, simultaneously, further downward movement of the actuator rod 134 causes the plunger or closure 62 to move from the outlet 92 to permit the particulate material to flow through the outlet into a cup Cnot shown) or other means disposed on the shelf 48 beneath the dispensing unit 22. The metering means 60, like the closure means, is mounted for relative movement with respect- to the actuator rod 134 such that the metering means remains In its closed position as the closure means is moved away from the outlet to Its discharge position and vice versa. This action precludes filling of the dispensing chamber 132, i.e., until the closure is reseated within the outlet 92 thereby preventing moisture from reaching the container contents.

As will be described in detail later, latc means are provided within the receiver housing to inhibit certain functions including the raising of the metering means when the funnel unit is rotated about its axis preparatory to filling the dispensing chamber 132, at any particular setting. The effect of such inhibition is that the.plunger 62 remains in Its normally closed position in the funnel outlet 92, and the metering means 60 remains in its normally closed position within the funnel as a result of the bias produced by springs, to be described in detail later, forming a part of the actuator assembly. This ensures maintenance of a double seal thereby preventing the ingress of humidity.

The plunger is best seen in Fig. 5 and com¬ prises a cylindrical plunger 62 having an enlarged cap- portion 138 of slightly larger outside diameter than the diameter of the outlet 92 and an elongated shaft portion 140... _; The top surface 142 of the cap 138 is conical. The

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plunger includes a central passageway 144 through whic the actuator rod 134 passes. The passageway 144 includ a large diameter bottom bore 146 and a smaller diameter top bore 148. The interface of the bores 146 and 148 5 forms a ledge 150. A plurality of small nibs or pro¬ jections 152 are swaged on the actuator rod at an intermediate portion thereon and extend outward beyond the radius of the top bore 148. The nibs 152 preclude the plunger 62 from moving up the actuator rod past the

10 nibs. A helical,compression spring 154 is disposed within the bore 146 and around the actuator od The spring is held in place between the ledge 15Q and a retaining ring 156 mounted within an annular recess 158 in the rod.

15 The upper portion 160 of the actuator rod extends through the opening 78 in the flow control disc 70. A helical compression spring 162 is disposed aroun the rod portion 160 and also extends through, the openin 78. The springl62 is interposed between the planar top

20 126 of the metering bell 60 and a stop wasKer 164. The washer 164 is releasahly secured to tϊie actuator rod by a cotter pin 166 which, is in turn releasably secured in a hole 168 extending through- the rod. The releasable securement of the cotter pin and washer is important to

25 facilitate hand disassembly, cleaning and the substitut of metering bells of different diameters.

A carrier pin 170 extends through- an openin 172 in an intermediate portion of the actuator rod 134 and above the nibs 152. A cam follower in the form of

^' 30 an elongated pin 174 extends through opening 176 at the lower end portion of the actuator rod. Each end of the pin 174 extends through the diametrically opposed buide slots 100 in the funnel neck 94.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in

35 the art, as the actuator rod is carried down to the release position from the point at which the metering ^

bell 60 makes contact with the funnel unit, i.e., its closed position, the nibs 152 on the actuator rod make contact with the top of the closure plunger 62 contiguous with the bore 148 to carry the plunger downward. The compression spring 162 takes up the downward travel of the actuator rod as it moves to Its release position since the peripheral edge 122 of the metering bell Is in contact with the funnel and cannot be carried any lower by downward movement of the actuator ^' rod. The compression spring 162 In consequence provides a sufficient downward force onto the metering bell to insure that its peripheral edge 122 makes good contact with the funnel unit when the metering bell is in Its closed position, thereby ensuring proper isolation of the metered quantity of material in the dispensing chamber by preventing ingress of moisture Into the dispensing unit.

Upward movement of the actuator rod causes the carrier pin 170 to push upon the end surface 130 of the tubular projection 128 within the metering bell to carry the bell upward to Its charging position against the bias of spring 154, causing Its compression. The spring 154 also acts to provide an ever Increasing upward force on the ledge 150 of the plunger to insure that the conical surface 142 of the cap of the plunger makes good contact with the periphery of the outlet 92, except of course when the actuator rod is In Its release position, thereby providing an additional seal against the ingress of moisture into the dispensing unit.

The receiver housing assembly 56 basically comprises a housing shell 180 of generally conical shape having an upper side wall section 182 which joins flange section 183 extending at a slight acute angle to the horizontal, where it joins a lower side wall section 184. The bottom of the lower side wall section includes a peripheral ledge 186 projecting inward and terminating in an upstanding lip 188. The top of the

upper side wall section 182 is in the form of a horizontally extending flange 190 terminating In a lip 192 extending downward at an acute angle thereto. A shallow annular recess 194 Is formed In the upper surface of the lip 192 and extends for a substantial portion of the width thereof except for the outermost edge. A tri¬ angular projection 196 (Fig. 2) is located within the shallow recess 194 contiguous with the edge of the lip 192. An indicia-bearing band 198 (Fig. 2) in the form of a truncated conical ring is located within the recess 194. The band includes a notch 200 in its lower edge corresponding in size and shape to the triangular projection 196 to correctly position the band within the recess. The band includes plural indicia along its top and bottom edges calibrated to indicate the quantity of material dispensed at any particular setting. To that end as can be seen in Fig. 2, the upper portion of the band includes a graduated scale In fractions of teaspoons, while the lower section include a scale graduated in milliliters. The notch 200 is aligned with the zero setting of both the scales of the band 198.

A pair of mounting holes 202 extend vertical¬ ly downward through the horizontal flange portion 190 of the shell. The holes 2Q2 are arranged to receive threaded inserts 203 Csee Fig. 11), which accomodate the threaded fasteners 44 therethrough to secure the housing to the bracket 30, via holes 42 therein.

As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 5, a circular annular groove 204 is cut into the top surface of the horizontal flange 190 of the housing. A resilient 0-ring 206 is located within the groove.

The housing shell 180 Is configured to receive the funnel unit 58 therein, with the horizontal flange 104 and the angularly extending lip 1Q6 of the funnel unit just overlying the corresponding flange 19Q of the housing shell and with the 0-ring 206 interposed snugly between flanges 104 and 190.

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As noted earlier, the funnel unit Is disposed within the housing shell and is arranged to be rotated with respect thereto about the axis of the actuator rod 134. This action, as more fully hereinafter described, establishes the height of metering bell 60 in the charging position, the arrangement being such that with continued counterclockwise rotation of the funnel unit the metering bell distance from the funnel unit is increased to its maximum setting shown by phantom lines In Fig. 6.

The 0-ring 206, though snugly Interposed between the flange 104 and the flange 190 acts as a slip clutch to permit the funnel unit 58 to. be rotated with respect to the shell while also serving as a seal against the ingress of moisture to the interior of the housing,

A pair of locking lugs 208 project upward from the top surface of the horizontal flange 190. Each lug includes a horizontal locking- tab 21Q at the top thereof. Each lug is arranged to extend through an associated enlarged entrance portion 110 of the arcuate slot 1Q8 in the horizontal flange 104 of the funnel unit. When the funnel unit is rotated counterclockwise with regard to the housing shell, thereby setting the quantity of materials to be dispensed, the lugs slide down the slots 108 from the entrance portion such that each of their horizontal tabs 210 overlies the ledge portion 114 of the slots 108, thereby locking the funnel unit to the housing. In Fig. 3 there is shown the funnel unit 58 rotated approximately 45° counterclockwise to lock the funnel unit to the housing and to establish the setting for a desired quantity of material to be dispensed.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of this invention, the entire funnel unit is formed of a transparent plastic such that the scales on the band 198 can be read through the downwardly extending lip 106.

To that end the angularly extending lip 1Q6 includes an

indicator line 207 etched thereon and aligned with the enlarged entrance 110 of one slot 108. The line 207 serves as the pointer for the scales of the band 198 to indicate the quantity of the material to be dispensed by operation of the unit at that setting. In this regard, when the funnel unit is disposed within the housing shell with its locking tabs 210 extending into the enlarged entrance portion 110 of the slots, the marker line 207 directly overlies the projection 196 and hence the zero (0) mark on the scales of the band 198. The counter-clockwise rotation of the funnel unit which causes the metering bell to rise to establish- the quantit of material to be dispensed, causes the line 207 to move to the position over the scales of the band 198 which indicates the quantity of material which will be dispense at that setting.

An opening 212 is provided within the upper side wall section 182 of the housing shell and located on the front thereof when the housing is mounted on the support bracket. The opening 212 is provided to receive a portion of a trigger 214 (to be described in detail later) which, until actuated, keeps the metering bell and the closure plunger In contact with the funnel unit so as to provide a double seal against the ingress of ambient moisture Into the container 24.

A sleeve-cam assembly 218 is also mounted within the housing shell. The assembly 218 comprises a sleeve element 220 and a cam element 222. The sleeve 220 is a cylindrical member through which the tubular extension 94 of the funnel unit extends. The upper end of the sleeve 220 includes a flange 224, The flange extends at a slight acute angle to horizontal. The mouth of the sleeve, denoted by the reference numeral 226 tapers downward to accommodate the under surface of the funnel unit. A helical compression spring 228 is disposed about the sleeve 220 and is Interposed between the ledge 186 of the housing shell and the underside of the flange 224. A pair of diametrically opposed slots,

lowermost portion of each of the cam surfaces 242 are diametrically opposed, as are the uppermost points of the cam surfaces.

As can be seen in Figs, 2 and 5, the interior surface of the sleeve element 220 includes a dump ring which is in the form of a projection 246. The dump ring 246 extends about the inner circumference of the sleeve 220 except for two opposed vertical slots 248. The upper surface of the projection 246 tapers downward in an inward radial direction. The ring 246, as will be described in detail later, cooperates with the actuator assembly to move the plunger 62 from the funnel outlet to effect the dispensing of particulate materials from the dispensing chamber. When the sleeve element 220 and the cam element 222 are secured together, the top sur face 224 of the side wall 234 in the cam element just underlies the bottom of the ring 246, with each slot 248 being located directly over the lowermost portion of a respective cam track 242. The ring 246, as will be described. In detail later, coacts with the actuator assembly to effect movement of the closure 62 from the outlet. The sloped surface of the dump ring acts as a particle deflector to deflect random material which may get into the sleeve through the funnel slots 100. As can be seen in Fig. 7, the trigger 214 is an angularly shaped member which is preferably formed as an integral unit of a highly resilient material such as DELRIN. The trigger basically comprises an actuating lever section 260 which extends through the opening 212 in the housing shell, a latching section 262 extending through the opening and downward at an acute angle to the actuating lever and an elongated spring finger 264 extending vertically downward from the end 266 of the latching section. The flexibility of the spring finger 264 is such that the trigger may be removed and, if necessary, reinstalled, depending on the dispenser application. o.Y-

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As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 7, the flange 224 of the sleeve-cam assembly includes a radially extending notch 268 in its periphery. The notch is located halfway between the two slots 230 such that it is axially aligned with the latching section 262 of the trigger. The depth of the notch 268 is less than the width of the flange 224 and the depth of the end 266 of the latching section of the trigger. When the trigger is free, that is, not operated by the user, its finger 264 makes contact with the inside wall 270 of the lower section 184 of the housing to cause the end 266 of the latching section to extend inward so that it overlies the flange portion contiguous with the bottom of the notch 268. Accordingly, the end of the latching section 266 acts as a stop preventing the upward travel of the sleeve beyond the height of the trigger as shown by the pahntom lines in Fig. 7.

The assembly of the dispensing unit 22 is as follows: The housing shell 180 and the sleeve-cam assembly 218 are assembled by first inserting the latching section 262 of the trigger 214 through the opening 212 in the housing shell 180. The latching section passes through the opening 212 and extends downward at an acute angle to the actuating lever, with its elongated spring finger 264 extending vertically downward so that the tip of the finger rests against the inside wall 270 of the lower section 184 of the housing shell 180.

The sleeve-cam assembly 218 is assembled with- in the housing shell 180 by seating the compression spring 288 on the ledge 186 in the lower housing shell, The sleeve 220 is then inserted i the spring and housing shell such that each of the sleeve slots 230 receives a respective guide fin 232, and the radially extending trigger notch 268 receives the trigger latching section 262 of the installed trigger 214. The cam element 222

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is then secured to the sleeve element 220 by aligning the key slot in the free end 240 of the sleeve element, with the complimentary key projection within the circular channel 238 in the cam element and then welding the two components together. The indicia-bearing band 198 is fitted to the housing shell 180 so that its notch 200 fits the pointer 196 and thereby properly locating the band in recess 194 of the housing shell. The 0-ring 206 is inserted in the annular groove 204 of the flange 190 of the housing shell.

The funnel 58 incorporating the actuator ^• assembly 64 with the metering bell 60, and closure plunger 62 mounted thereon, are so disposed on the actuator rod 134 within the funnel that the metering bell and the closure plunger are held closed within the funnel as heretofore described by the diametrically opposed bias of their springs on the actuator assembly 64, thereby creating a double seal against the ingress of ambient atmosphere once the assembled funnel unit is secured to the container 24.

To complete the assembly of the dispensing unit 22, the container 24 and assembled funnel unit are Inserted In the mounted receiver housing assembly 56 so that the indicator 207 of the funnel unit 58 is essentially In line with the pointer 196, and hence, the zero (0) mark on the indicia-bearing band 198. As the assembled funnel unit progressively enters the receiver housing assembly 56, the opposed ends of cam follower pin 174, which extend out of the vertical slots 100 of the funnel neck 94, pass through the dump slots 248 of the dump ring 246 to the bottom of the cam tracks 242, simultaneoulsy allowing the locking tabs 210 of the housing shell 180 to extend through the enlarged entrance portions 110 of slots 108 of the assembled funnel as shown in Fig. 5.

Provided the sleeve-cam assembly 218 is not

secured in the latched position by trigger 214, the rotation of the funnel unit 58 counterclockwise about its longitudinal axis to lock the funnel unit to the housing shell 180 causes the ends of the cam follower pin 174 to ride up the ramp-like cam tracks 242. This action causes the actuator rod 134 to rise vertically within the funnel. The more the funnel unit is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the housing, the greater the upward travel of the actuator rod and therefore the metering bell 60.

Operation of.the dispensing unit 22 described heretofore is as follows :

The particulate material 26 flows through the slots 82 in the flow control disc 70 into the mouth of the funnel unit 58 and around the metering bell 60 as shown in Fig. 5. At this time the metering bell is in the closed position such that the material is isolated from the dispensing chamber 132 and thus the outlet 92. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the " flow control disc 70 intercepts the random weight of material 26 within the container 24 in such a manner as to create, what can be called, a secondary reservoir of constant weight material about the metering bell 60, irrespective of the changing level and weight of the material in the container. This stable weight of flowable, dry, particulate material about the metering bell insures the accuracy and repeatability of the dis¬ pensing operation of the dispensing unit 22.

The funnel unit 58 may be rotated counter- clockwise (in the view shown in Fig. 3) to raise the metering bell from the position shown in Fig. 5 to an elevation above the bottom of the funnel unit, i.e., the charging position. In Fig. 6 the metering bell 60 is shown in full lines at one exemplary charging position elevation. As mentioned earlier, the rotation of the funnel unit about its longitudinal axis with respect to

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the housing causes the actuator rod to be raised vertically. This action causes the carrier pin 170 to make contact with the underside surface 13 ^Q of the metering bell to carry the bell upward with the actuator rod 134. When the funnel unit has been rotated to the appropriate rotational position to dispense a desired quantity of material, its position Is indicated by the marker line 207 on the funnel unit lip 106 overlying the associated scale marking on the band 198. The raising of the metering bell 60 to the charging position enables the particulate material within the secondary reservoir, ^' 1.e.,-surrounding the bell, to flow around the bell between Its peripheral edge 122 and the underlying surface 90 of the funnel unit to fill the space above the outlet 92 to the angle of repose of the material. Since the pressure of the material about the metering bell Is maintained constant by virtue of the action of the flow control disc 70, the raising of. the bell precisely the same amount in each dispensing cycle allows precisely the same amount of material to flow at precisely the same rate Into the bottom of the funnel unit and under the metering bell.

The height setting of the metering bell when the cam follower pin 174 is at the top of the cam surface 242 is shown by the phantom line In Fig. 6 and Is referred to as the maximum charging position. When the metering bell is at the maximum charging position the dispensing unit is set to dispense the maximum quantity of material for that size metering bell. It should be pointed out at this juncture that the apparatus 20 of the instant Invention can be utilized to dispense greater or lesser quantities of material by the mere substltuttion of a larger or smaller sized metering bell for that shown in the drawings herein. For example, in order to dispense tablespoon size quantities, a larger diameter bell would be used and a corresponding

indicator band 198 would be used for those components shown herein.

The spring 228 disposed about the sleeve 220 is sufficiently preloaded to overcome the combined weights of the material 26 being measured, the plunger 62, the actuator assembly 64, the sleeve and cam assembly 218, the metering ball spring 162, and the load of the plunger closure spring 144 up to and Including the load experienced when the metering bell Is at the maximum charging position.

It should be pointed out at this juncture that when the metering bell is carried upward from the closed position to any charging position, Its flared side wall section disturbs the surrounding particulate material 26 such that the material flows more readily around and under the bell to fill the space above the outlet of the funnel unit. The extending cotter pin 166 mounted at the top of the actuator rod and within the container 24 performs a similar function on the material within the container.

Once the metering means has been raised to a predetermined charging setting, the apparatus is then in condition to actually meter out such quantity of material and thereafter dispense it. The metering action and the dispensing action are effected by the downward movement of the actuator assembly under the control of the user.

The downward movement, or downstroke, of the actuator assembly 64 to which the metering bell 60 is coupled is accomplished by pulling down on the flared skirt 236 of the sleeve-cam assembly 218,. thereby overcoming the load on the sleeve-cam spring 228. This action in turn allows the closure spring 154, which is under compression, and coupled to the actuator assembly, to cause the metering bell to move downward until it reaches the closed position, wherein its

edge 122 makes contact with the inside surface 90 of the funnel unit like that shown in Fig. 7. The sharp edge of the metering bell facilitates the movement of the bell through the underlying material 26 and into contact with the funnel unit.

Substantially simultaneously, with continued

- downward movement of the cam-sleeve assembly, the underside surface of the dump ring 246 abuts the ends of the cam follower pin 174, thereby carrying the pin and the connected actuator rod 134 downward, simul¬ taneously compressing metering bell spring 162. Since the nibs 152 on the actuator rod are in contact with the surface of the closure plunger 62 contiguous with its bore 148, the continued downward movement of the actuator rod carries the plunger downward and out of the outlet 92 from the phantom line position shown in Fig. 7 to the extended or release position shown therein. Substantially simultaneously the metering bell moves into contact with the funnel unit 40 to prevent moisture from invading the container contents. The downward movement is completed when sleeve flange 224 bottoms out on flange 183 of the housing shell 180, thus preventing overtravel of sleeve-cam assembly 218 and damage to cam follower pin 174 of actuator assembly 64. Once the seal between the top surface 142 of the closure plunger 62 and the outlet 92 has been broken, the particulate material 26 is free to drop out of the outlet, through the funnel neck 94 and out of the dispensing unit. The reaching of the release position as described immediately above marks the end of the downstroke of the dispensing unit.

The sealing of the outlet 92 and the re- establishment of the-metering bell in any charging position, be it the same charging position or a differ- ent one, is accomplished substantially simultaneously by the upward movement of the actuator assembly 64.

^ ~

The upward movement, or upstroke, of the actuator assembly occurs In two separate and distinct steps. The first step, which concludes one operating cycle of the dispensing unit, occurs automatically upon release of the skirt 236 of the sleeve-cam assembly 218 after the material has been dispensed and is characterized by the actuator assembly carrying the closure plunger 62 back into the funnel outlet 92 to seal It while the metering bell 60 remains In closed position. The second step or portion of the upstroke marks the initiation of another cycle of operation and, as such, requires user initia¬ tion.

The second step Is characterized by the actuator assembly carrying the metering bell 60 from the closed position shown in Fig. 7 up to he charging position, such as shown in Fig. 6, which has been established by the rotation of the funnel unit as described heretofore.

Operation of the first step of the upstroke is as follows:

The release of the skirt 236 of the sleeve- cam assembly by the user enables the sleeve compression spring 228, along with the bell spring 162 Cwhich had been compressed during the downstroke as shown In Fig. 7) to apply a simultaneous upward force to the flange 224 of the sleeve-cam assembly and the stop washer 164 linked to the actuator assembly by the cotter pin 166. This combined action causes the sleeve-cam assembly, and the actuator assembly, to move upward. The upward movement of the actuator rod 134 Is coupled to the closure plunger 62, via closure plunger spring 154 which Is linked to the actuator rod by retaining ring 156, whereupon the plunger moves upward until Its conical top surface 142 makes contact with the portion of the funnel unit 58 contiguous with the outlet 92 (as shown by phantom lines in Fig. 7), thereby effectively sealing the outlet.

Continued upward movement of the sleeve-cam assembly, and hence the actuator assembly and metering bell mounted thereon, Is precluded by the automatic operation of the trigger 214 as it intercepts the upward moving sleeve-cam assembly. This action marks the end of one complete cycle of the operation of the dispensing unit.

As noted heretofore, when the trigger inter¬ cepts the upward movement of the sleeve-cam assembly, the dispensing unit will have completed one cycle of operation. Since the closure plunger is now seated within the outlet, and since the metering bell is also closed, that is, in contact with the funnel, a double seal against the ingress of moisture Is created so that the apparatus will maintain the freshness of the product within the jar for an extended period of time.

An additional advantage of the interruption of the travel of the sleeve-cam assembly by the trigger 214 is the fact that the funnel unit may be left at its previous setting to recharge the cavity 132 with an identical amount of material when the trigger is tripped, or it can be turned clockwise to reduce the volume of the succeeding portion, or counterclockwise to increase the volume of the succeeding portion, all before the initiation of the next cycle of operation. To initiate the new cycle of operation, the user merely applies a slight upward force to the end of the actuating lever 260 of the trigger. This action pivots the latching section 262 of the trigger about the portion of the housing sidewall contiguous with the opening 212 against the bias of the spring finger ^' 264 until the end 266 of the latching section fully enters the notch 268 in the sleeve's flange 224. Once this occurs the sleeve is released, whereupon the compression spring 228 moves the sleeve-cam assembly upward, there- by carrying the actuator assembly mounted metering bell

60 to the charging position as described heretofore.

It is important to note that the interception--. r ^ ^~~ \J of the upward movement of the sleeve-cam assembly by _O

the trigger pacifies the receiver housing assembly, which is to say the assembly no longer acts in any way on the funnel unit, or the assemblies disposed therein. The funnel unit may be turned to zero CO) and removed from the receiver housing assembly or alternately, it may be turned to any setting position through its 90° range without being acted upon by the receiver housing except insofar as the locking tabs 210 secure the funnel unit 58 within the receiver. As will be seen from the phantom lines in Fig. 7 showing the hatch d' sleeve-cam assembly, the dump ring 246 has moved upward to a point where movement of the cam follower 174 of the actuator assembly is restrained, with the bell spring 162 having lifted the actuator assembly and consequently the closure plunger 62 thereon up into funnel outlet 92 where it is secured by the spring bias of the actuator assembly 64 as described heretofore. Accordingly, the opposing ends of the cam follower 174 will not be acted upon by the cam tracks 242 of the sleeve-cam assembly 218 until such time as the trigger 214 Is tripped. At that time, the sleeve-cam assembly moves upward and the cam tracks intercept the cam follower, thereby raising the actuator assembly 64, and the metering bell disposed thereon within the funnel unit to a height consistent with cam setting. The maximum upward travel of the sleeve-cam assembly is reached when the cam skirt 236 contacts the housing shell flange 186.

In Figs. 10 and 11, there is shown a dis¬ pensing unit 22 of the Instant Invention but with an alternative embodiment of a flow control-adapter assembly 272 for use with a seal-bowl type storage vessel 274 like that sold by Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. As can be seen, the bowl 274 is in the form of a cylindrical glass container having a mouth 276. The mouth, is formed of a cylindrical side wall 278 whose inside surface 280 is smooth and whose outside surface 282 terminates in a

peripheral lip 284. The assembly 272 comprises a flow control disc 286 and an adapter ring 288. The flow control disc 286 is identical In construction to the flow control disc 70 described heretofore, except that the disc 286 does not include any horizontal peripheral flange projecting from the edge of the angularly extending flange portion 80.

The adapter ring 288 is made up of two elements, namely, an outer seal ring 290 and an inner ring 292. The outer seal ring 290 is hollow and is arranged for insertion within the mouth 276 of the bowl 274. The outside diameter of the ring is at least as large as the inside diameter of the mouth and the ring is formed of a resilient, food grade, plastic material such that when inserted within the mouth of the bowl its outside surface 294 frictionally engages the inside surface 280 of the bowl's mouth. The Inside surface 296 of the outer seal ring 29Q Includes an annular groove 298 extending about the entire ring and disposed closely adjacent to the top edge thereof.

The groove is formed between a pair of ribs 300 and 302. The rib 300 projects radially inward and extends about the entire periphery of the inner ring 292. The lower rib 302 also extends fully about the ring and projects inward radially.

The inner ring 292, like the outer seal ring, is a hollow member. The top peripheral edge of the inner ring is in the form of an outward angularly extending flange 304 which is located and secured within the groove 298 of the outer seal ring. The peripheral edge of the flange 80 of the flow control disc 286 is connected to the top edge of the inner ring 292 and is located within the groove 298. The upper rib 300 of the outer seal ring overhangs the top peripheral edge of the flow control disc flange 80 to insure that the flow control disc Is held firmly In place.

The bottom of the inner ring Is in the form of an offset cylindrical wall portion 3Q6 which is identical in construction to the corresponding portion 87 of the adapter ring 68 described heretofore and Is arranged to be frictionally secured and welded within the mouth of the funnel unit 58 to firmly connect the adapter ring 288 and the bowl 274 secured thereto onto the dispenser unit 22.

As should be appreciated from the foregoing, the dispenser unit of the instant invention can be fixed or portable, can be manually operated, or, without modification, be electromechanlcally operated. The dispensing device provides a practical means of accurately predetermining the volume of particulate material to be dispensed. The accuracy of the dispensing operation is achieved irrespective of the amount of material stored within the device, by intercepting the bulk of the material with a flow control disc at a point that permits adjustable control of the angle of repose of the downstream material flowing within the dispensing unit. The ability to precisely adjust the quantities of the material to be dispensed by the apparatus is of considerable importance since it enables the user to select the setting most desirable for his or her taste and without requiring electrical or electro¬ mechanical programming. In addition, there is no need for special skills to set and maintain or reset the quantity adjustment.

Furthermore, the construction of the dis- pensing unit facilitates its ready assembly and dis¬ assembly for cleaning or repair.

In addition, by the mere selection of a suitable adapter the dispenser can be utilized to dispense particulate material from the various types of containers in which such materials are sold, e.g., 70mm glass jars, 4 inch diameter cans, or 4 inch diameter glass bowls for

table use, or any other container In which such materials are sold.

Maximum protection from the eff cts of humidit is a benefit inherent in the operation of the dispensing device since the trigger and latching means insures that the metering bell remains in the closed position automatically after the dispensing operation and the closure plunger is returned to the ^" funnel dispensing outlet. This feature is of considerable importance for while some traditional prior art systems leave the product committed to the next cycle exposed to the atmosphere at the dispenser outlet, the dispensing by the instant apparatus provides two humidity barriers, namely, the closure plunger and the closed metering bell.

It should be pointed out at this juncture that while the apparatus 20 shown herein represents the first practical apparatus for in-home use It can, without modification, be used in commercial, institu- tional and vending configurations, conf rring benefits to each heretofore unrealized by prior art.

For those applications where fast product turnover is anticipated, and where rapid delivery of servings of constant volume is important, as in fast food systems, the trigger 214 may be removed from the receiver housing assembly 56, and the dispensing unit 22 will automatically recharge to the previous constant setting, at the end of each cycle.

The trigger 214 Is removed from the receiver housing assembly 56 by pulling downward on the skirt 236 of the cam element 222 until sleeve-flange 224 bottoms out on shell housing flange 183, and holding it there. Pressing down on lever section 260 of the trigger 214 causes the trigger latching section 262 and spring finger 264 associated therewith to arc upward and inward toward the housing central axis and thereby release the

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spring finger tip from sleeve trigger notch 268, where¬ upon the trigger can be threaded outward through- trigger opening 212 in wall 182 of housing shell 180, The life¬ time flexibility of molded DELRIN spring finger 264 is such that the trigger 214 may be simply replaced by reversing the procedure noted herein while guiding the spring finger tip back into the aperture provided by sleeve trigger notch..268 and the housing inner wall 270 adjacent to flange 183. Where supplementary warm dry air environments are provided according to existing art for commercial applications it will be readily seen that apparatus 20 may have 'adapted* to it, a 4 inch tubular sleeve and lid thereon, to form a canister typical of applications where a prerred embodiment of the said invention requires product first In, to be product first out on a continuity basis.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying the current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

INDUSTRIAL- APPLICABILITY The dispenser apparatus herein described and claimed may be used in a home environment or in a commercial food serving establishment.