| WO1995005582A1 | 1995-02-23 |
| GB1383900A | 1974-02-12 | |||
| GB2067516A | 1981-07-30 | |||
| EP0004198A1 | 1979-09-19 | |||
| US4779521A | 1988-10-25 | |||
| US3940033A | 1976-02-24 | |||
| AU4361489A | 1990-06-21 |
| 1. | A holder for storing and delivering a measured quantity of substance, said holder comprising a bulk container, and a measuring mechanism with an associated measuring compartment situated to be fed from the bulk container, said measuring mechanism on activation being capable of receiving into the measuring compartment a measured quantity of substance from said bulk container, said mechanism delivering on activation the measured quantity of substance to a cup positioned under an outlet of said measuring compartment; said holder being capable of supporting an opened unstructured or structured packaging form. |
| 2. | A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bulk container is shaped and mounted relative to a surface and in which holder, a structured or unstructured packaging form is slidingly engaged. |
| 3. | A holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said holder is constructed as a series of adjacent compartments. |
| 4. | A holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a plurality of similar holders interlock together in a bank, each said similar holder being constructed so that a different substance is held and dispensed therefrom. |
| 5. | A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder further includes a level view window made of a suitable transparent material. |
| 6. | A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder is constructed from a suitable rigid material. |
| 7. | A holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said holder further includes a lid dimensioned to cover the top opening of said bulk container or each said compartment of said holder. |
| 8. | A holder as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein said bulk container is tapered such that empty holders may be stacked one on top of the other, wherein an adjacent holder rests inside the bulk container of the corresponding lower holder. |
This invention relates to an improved holder for use in storing and delivering substances from structured and unstructured packaging forms and more particularly, to holding and delivering a quantity of substances such as powders or liquids from a bulk container. '
An object of this invention is to provide a holder for structured or unstructured packaging of powder or liquid substances, whereby a structured holder delivers a measured quantity expeditiously and without waste.
According to the first aspect of this invention the holder for storing and delivering a measured quantity of substance comprises a bulk container, and a measuring mechanism with an associated measuring compartment situated to be fed from the bulk container, said measuring mechanism on activation being capable of receiving into the measuring compartment a measured quantity of substance from the bulk container, said mechanism delivering on activation the measured quantity of substance to a cup positioned under an outlet of the measuring compartment; said holder being capable of supporting an opened unstructured or structured packaging form.
Preferably the holder includes a shaped bulk container which is mounted relative to a surface, and in which holder, a structured or unstructured packaging form is slidingly engaged.
The measuring mechanism and associated measuring compartment may be constructed to suit operation with a powder or liquid substance.
Preferably, the holder is constructed as a single unit or in a series of compartments alongside each other. Alternatively a plurality of similar holders may
interlock together in a bank. Each holder is constructed so that a different substance is held and dispensed therefrom.
By way of example only, a holder for delivering a measured quantity of powder or liquid substance from the bulk container to a reciprocating cup will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the invention is carried into effect and wherein:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one example of the holder; (shown with unstructured packaging form.)
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of another example of a holder according to this invention, (also with an unstructured form.)
The holder in figures 1 and 2 may be provided with a level view window for quick visual reference as to the amount of substance held. The holder in figures 1 and 2 may also be provided with a bracket or other fixtures not shown by which the holder may be attached to a wall or other support.
The holder in figures 1 and 2 may also be provided with a lid hinged or
unhinged.
The holder in figures 1 and 2 may comprise of one or more units that connect together to form a series of units or a bank in which different products of either powder or liquid or a combination of both can be stored for easy access.
Situated at the bottom of the holder in figures 1 and 2 is a cup which receives the powder or liquid that is dispensed from the holder. The contents of the cup can be then unloaded into, for example, a washing machine, and then the cup is replaced into the holder unit to receive the next measure of powder or liquid.
The holder for structured or unstructured packaging forms of powder or liquid may be constructed from a suitable rigid plastics material. Other suitable materials such as suitable metals, suitable fibreglass may be used in one or other parts of the holder.
The examples shown in figure 1 and 2 may be moulded, fabricated, cast or manufactured from a clear, transparent or opaque plastics materials of different colours.
The external shape of the holder may be of any shape, for example, as shown in figure 1 and figure 2 the holder is shown to have a shape capable of supporting an unstructured or structured form. The shape of the holder may be chosen to stack for transportation or storage.
The lower edge of the holder in figure 1 and figure 2 may be shaped to have slidingly engaged therein a cup as shown which is used to collect the dispensed powder or liquid.
Particular examples of this invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope thereof.