METHOD FOR MEASURING GRANULAR AND OTHER PARTICULATE MATERIALS AND CONTAINER FOR MEASURING SUCH MATERIALS

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a method for measur¬ ing granular and other particulate materials, which is suited to be used for measuring a predetermined quanti¬ ty of granular and other particulate materials such as detergents, bleaching agents, bath salts, etc. The invention also relates to a container for measuring such materials.

BACKGROUND ART

As well known, pulverized detergents for home use are contained in a container, which is comprised of a container body with a closed bottom and a cover, to¬ gether with a measuring spoon and placed in that condi¬ tion on the market. When in use, the container body is held by one hand and the cover is opened by the other hand so that a predetermined quantity of detergents are measured by with the measuring spoon.

The above conventional container has the fol¬ lowing shortcomings. The cover must be opened and then

the contents must be measured with the measuring spoon each time during use as mentioned above, therefore troublesome work is accompanied. In case the measuring spoon is embedded in the detergents, it is necessary for the user to put his/her finger into the detergents to pick up the measuring spoon. This is, indeed, undesirable because the finger directly touches the detergents .

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide for a novel method for measuring granular and other particulate materials and a contain¬ er for measuring such materials, in which the trouble¬ some work involved in opening and closing the cover, as conventionally experienced, is no longer required, and a predetermined quantity of the granular and other par¬ ticulate materials can easily be measured without the need of direct contact of the user's finger to the materials .

The invention achieves the above object by providing for a method for measuring granular and other particulate materials comprising the steps of putting granular and other particulate materials into a con¬ tainer body having a valve body disposed on a surface

portion thereof, urging the valve body from outside with a projected portion formed on a measuring device in order to open the valve body to introduce the granu¬ lar and other particulate materials into the measuring device, and measuring the granular and other particu¬ late materials.

The invention further provides for a method for measuring granular and other particulate materials, in which the granular and other particulate materials are filled into a bag made of film and then put into the container body.

The invention further provides for a container suited to be used for carrying out a method of measur¬ ing granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention. The container for measuring granular and other particulate materials comprises a container body for containing granular and other par¬ ticulate materials, and a measuring device for measur¬ ing the granular and other particulate materials by introducing the granular and other particulate materi¬ als contained in the container body into the measuring device. The container body is provided on a surface portion thereof with a valve body adapted to cut off a communication between an interior and an exterior of the container body. The measuring device is provided

with a projected portion for urging the valve body to be opened.

The invention also provides for a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials, wherein the valve body includes a resilient opening and closing member having a slit, and a resilient expansi¬ ble member disposed on a back surface side thereof such that the length of the slit is reduced. The resilient expansible member is disposed such that the slit is re¬ stored to a closed state from an open state.

The invention further provides for a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials, wherein the valve body is removably attached to the container body.

In the container according to the present invention, the valve body and the measuring device are preferably brought into engagement with each other when the valve body is urged to be opened by the projected portion.

In the container according to the present invention, the valve body is preferably disposed on a bottom surface portion of the container body.

In the method for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present inven¬ tion, there are provided the steps of putting granular

and other particulate materials into a container body having a valve body disposed on a surface portion thereof, urging the valve body from outside with a projected portion formed on a measuring device in order to open the valve body to introduce the granular and other particulate materials into the measuring device, and measuring the granular and other particulate mate¬ rials. Accordingly, the work involved in opening and closing the cover, as conventionally experienced, is no longer required at the time for measurement.

In the method for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention, the granular and other particulate materials are filled into a bag made of film and then put into the container body. Accordingly, moisture permeability can be further enhanced before use.

In a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, granu¬ lar and other particulate materials are preliminarily put into a container body, and the granular and other particulate materials contained in the container body can be introduced into the measuring device by urging for opening the valve body provided on a surface por¬ tion of the container body with the projected portion of the measuring device. Accordingly, the work for

opening and closing the cover, as conventionally ex¬ perienced, is no longer required and the granular and other particulate materials can easily be measured.

In a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, the length of the slit on the back surface side of the resilient opening and closing member is reduced by the resilient expansible member. Accordingly, the intro¬ duction quantity of granular and other particulate materials can be restricted to an appropriate value while suppressing the pressure required for flexing the resilient opening and closing member. Further, when the pressure is removed after the slit is brought into the open state by pressure applied to the opening and closing resilient member from its front surface side, the slit is immediately returned to the closed state by the resilient returning force of the resilient expansi¬ ble member.

In the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, the valve body is attached to the container body. Accordingly, when the granular and other particulate materials have been used up, the valve body and the measuring device can be re-used by replacing the con¬ tainer body with a new one filled with granular and

other particulate materials.

In a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, the valve body and the measuring device are brought into engagement with each other when the valve body is urged to be opened by the projected portion. Accordingly, a stable opening state of the slit can be maintained.

In a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present inven¬ tion, the valve body is disposed on a bottom surface portion of the container body. Accordingly, when the valve body is opened by pressure of the projected portion of the measuring device applied from under the valve body, the granular and other particulate materi¬ als are introduced into the measuring device by dead weight thereof. As a consequence, the granular and other particulate materials can be easily measured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specified terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes

all technical equivalents.

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying draw¬ ings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of an outer appearance showing a first embodiment of a container for measuring granu¬ lar and other particulate materials according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of a main portion showing a construction of a valve body of the device for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a main portion of the form of a slit formed in the valve body in the contain¬ er for measuring granular and other particulate materi¬ als according to the first embodiment;

Figs. 4(a) and 4(b)are respectively a side view and a plan view showing a measuring device of the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which a seal for covering the valve body is adhered

in the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the first embodi¬ ment ;

Fig. 6 is a side sectional view showing a second embodiment of a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the pres¬ ent invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the second embodi¬ ment is exploded;

Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) are respectively a partly exploded side sectional view and a plan view showing a construction of a valve body in the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the second embodiment;

Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) are respectively a plan view and a side view showing a construction of a meas¬ uring device in the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the second embodiment ;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a main part showing another form of a slit formed in a valve body in the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a view of an outer appearance show¬ ing another embodiment of a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention; and

Figs. 12(a) and 12(b) are respectively a plan view and a bottom surface view showing other embodi¬ ments of a resilient opening and closing member and the resilient expansible member in the container for meas¬ uring granular and other particulate materials accord¬ ing to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figs. 1 through 5 show a first embodiment of a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention. In these Figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a granular and other particulate materials measuring container; 2, a container body; and 3, a measuring device 3, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 1, the measuring container 1 includes the container body 2 for containing granular and other particulate materials and the measuring device 3 for introducing therein the granular and other

particulate materials contained in the container body 2. The container body 2 is provided on a bottom sur¬ face portion 20 thereof with a valve body 4 adapted to cut off communication between an interior and an exte¬ rior of the container body 2. The measuring device 3 is provided with a projected portion 5 for urging the valve body 4 to be opened.

The granular and other particulate materials measuring container 1 will now be described in more detail. The container body 2 is chiefly comprised of a vertically elongated hexagonal carton container which is formed by bending and bonding a piece of plate-like material which is made of a coated board (350 g/m ) . A circular hole 20a is formed in a generally central area of the bottom surface portion 20 of the container body 2. The valve body 4 is disposed in such a manner as to block up the circular hole 20a. A wall hanger means (not shown) is provided on a back surface of a body surface portion of the container body 2. This wall hanger means is constructed such that a fastener tape (for example, "MAGIC TAPE" which is a registered trade¬ mark, or the like) having a fastener on its front surface is bonded to the back surface of the body surface portion. By bonding a similar fastener tape to the wall, both the fasteners can be adhered to each

other so that the container body 2 can be fixedly hung on a wall. The container body 2 is dimensioned such that its volume is from about 50 to 1000 ml so that the container body 2 can be carried with one hand.

As shown in Fig. 2, the valve body 4 is a plate-like valve body having a three layer construction comprising a flexible plate 40 made of polyethylene and having a thickness of 400 μm, and films 41, 42 consti¬ tuted of two layers of ONY (oriented nylon) 15 μm/L- LDPE 150 μm which are bonded one on a top surface and the other on a bottom surface of the flexible plate 40. The valve body 4 has generally the same area as the bottom surface portion 20 and is bonded to the bottom surface portion 20.

A vertical through-hole 40a is formed in a central portion of the plate 40. The films 41, 42 are provided respectively with three slits 41a, 42a extend¬ ing, in a plan view, in three peripheral directions from a generally central position in the through-hole 40a of the plate 40 and generally at equal angles. The three slits 41a, 42a are formed in the same position in a plan view (see Fig. 3). In a normal state, communi¬ cation between the interior and the exterior of the container body 2 is cut off so that moisture is not allowed to permeate. When the valve body 4 is urged

upwardly by the projected portion 5 of the measuring device 3 as later described, the plate 40 and the films 41, 42 are resiliently deformed upwardly and as a consequence, the granular and other particulate materi¬ als are introduced downwardly through gaps formed therebetween. When the projected portion 5 is with¬ drawn, part of the granular and other particulate materials (fine powder) can be stored in the vertical through-hole 40a of the plate 40.

As shown in Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), the measuring device 3 is chiefly comprised of a transparent or translucent cup 30 having a circular opening portion 30a, in a plan view, which is opened upwardly. The projected portion 5 is formed, in its erected posture, on a generally central area of the bottom surface portion of the cup 30.

An inner diameter of the opening portion 30a of the cup 30 is larger than a diameter of the hole 20a formed in the bottom surface portion 20 of the contain¬ er body 2. The height of a peripheral wall 30b of the cup 30 is set to be higher than a top portion (not shown) of the granular and other particulate materials, which top is formed by the introduced granular and other particulate materials.

The projected portion 5 is higher at a distal

end portion thereof than the opening portion 30a of the cup 30 and has a hollow interior. The projected por¬ tion 5 is provided at an upper end portion thereof with a through-hole 5a leading to the hollow interior. A plurality of cut-out portions 5c extending in a verti¬ cal direction are formed in a lower part of the periph¬ eral wall portion 5b. When the valve body 4 is urged upwardly, in addition to introduction of the granular and other particulate materials through the gaps, the granular and other particulate materials can be intro¬ duced into the measuring device 3 through the through- hole 5a. Owing to the foregoing arrangement, a smooth introduction of the granular and other particulate materials into the measuring device 3 from the contain¬ er body 2 is ensured.

In the granular and other particulate materials measuring container 1, it is preferred that a seal 6 for covering the valve body 4 is attached, as shown in Fig. 5, in order to obtain a virginhood before use and protect the valve body 4 before use.

One procedure of a method for measuring granu¬ lar and other particulate materials according to the present invention will now be described. The method to be described is carried out utilizing the granular and other particulate materials measuring container 1

according to the first embodiment described.

The granular and other particulate materials are stored directly in the container body 2 of the measuring container 1 and fixedly hung on a wall or the like by a wall hanger means not shown.

Then, the valve body 4 is urged upwardly by the projected portion 5 of the measuring device 3 to bring the circular opening portion 30a of the cup 30 into abutment with the bottom surface portion 20 of the container body 2, and the plate 40 and the films 41, 42 are resiliently deformed to open the valve body 4. Subsequently, the granular and other particulate mate¬ rials are introduced into the cup 30 of the measuring device 3 through the gaps between the projected portion 5 and the valve body 4 and through the hollow interior of the projected portion 5. After it is confirmed that a predetermined quantity of granular and other particu¬ late materials are introduced into the cup 30, the projected portion 5 is withdrawn downwardly from the valve body 4. In this way, the measuring procedure of the granular and other particulate materials is fin¬ ished.

As described above, according to the granular and other particulate materials measuring container 1 and the method for measuring granular and other par-

ticulate materials utilizing the measuring container 1, there is no need of work for opening and closing the cover as required in the conventional container, and a predetermined quantity of granular and other particu¬ late materials can easily be measured without the need of direct contact of the user's finger to the materi¬ als.

In the granular and other particulate materials measuring container 1, the container body 2 is provided at the bottom surface portion 20 with the valve body 4 and at the body surface portion with the wall hanger means. Accordingly, the granular and other particulate materials can easily be measured with one hand simply by urging the valve body 4, which is hang on the wall or the like with the wall hanger means, by the project¬ ed portion 5 of the measuring device 3 from under the valve body 4.

Figs. 6 through 9 show a second embodiment of a container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention. In these Figures, reference numeral 1' denotes a granular and other particulate materials measuring container.

As shown in Fig. 6, the measuring container 1' includes a container body 2', and a measuring device 3' for introducing therein the granular and other particu-

late materials contained in the container body 2' and measuring the materials.

As shown in Fig. 7, the container body 2' is chiefly comprised of a vertically elongated hexagonal carton container which is formed by bending and bonding a piece of plate-like material which is made of a coated board (350 g/m ) . A circular hole 21a' is formed in a generally central area of an upper surface portion 21' of the container body 2' . A valve body 4' is removably disposed in such a manner as to block up the circular hole 20a' . The container body 2' can be carried with one hand as in the case with the container body 2 of the first embodiment.

As shown in Figs. 8(a) and 8(b), the valve body 4' includes a resilient opening and closing member 43' having a slit 43a', a resilient expansible member 44' for bringing the slit 43a' from its open state to its closed state by its resilient restoring force, and a base member 45' for fixedly supporting the resilient opening and closing member 43' and resilient expansible member 44' in a predetermined position.

The resilient opening and closing member 43' is constituted of a plate-like material made of silicon rubber having resilient properties with a linear slit 43a' formed in a generally central area of the plate-

like material. When a pressure is applied to a surface of the plate-like material including the slit 43a', the plate-like material is flexed to open the slit 43a' .

The resilient expansible member 44' is consti¬ tuted of a thin member made of rubber with a circular hole 44a' formed in a generally central area of the thin member. The circular hole 44a' has a diameter smaller than a width of the slit 43a' . The resilient expansible member 44' is bonded to a back surface of the resilient opening and closing member 43' . Owing to the foregoing arrangement, when the pressure applied to the resilient opening and closing member 43' from the front surface side is removed after the slit 43a' is brought into its open state by the pressure, the slit 43a' is returned immediately to the closed state by the resilient returning force of the resilient expansible member 44' . In the resilient expansible member 44', a diameter of the hole 44a' is smaller than the length of the slit 43a' . Since the length of the slit 43a' on the back surface side of the resilient opening and closing member 43' is reduced, an introduction quantity of the granular and other particulate materials can be restricted to an appropriate value while suppressing the pressure required for flexing the resilient opening and closing member 43' . It should be noted that the

resilient expansible member can be made of any other material and can take any other form as long as such material and form serve to return the slit into the closed state from the open state.

The base member 45' is an integrally molded product, comprising a base plate 45b' having a hole 45a' corresponding to the hole 21a' formed in the upper surface 21' of the container body 2', and a cylindrical wall portion 45c' disposed on the base plate 45b' in such a manner as to surround the hole 45a' . The base member 45' is detachably attached to an upper surface portion of the container body by an adhesive tape. An engagement groove 45d' corresponding to an engagement projection, as later described, of the measuring device 3' is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical wall portion 45c' . A flange facing inward¬ ly and adapted to fixedly bonding a peripheral edge portion of the resilient opening and closing member 43' is formed on a distal end portion of the cylindrical wall portion 45c' .

As shown in Fig. 6 and Figs. 9(a) and 9(b), the measuring device 3' is chiefly comprised of a transpar¬ ent or translucent cup 30' having a circular opening portion 30a', in a plan view, and opening upwardly.

A body portion 31' of the measuring device 3'

is enlarged in diameter at an upper portion thereof with respect to an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. On an inner surface of the enlarged upper portion, an engagement projection 31a' for engaging the engagement groove 45d' is formed. Similarly, the body portion 31' is provided on an inner surface of its lower portion having a reduced diameter with an inter¬ nal thread 31b'. The measuring device 3' is provided on a bottom surface portion 32' thereof with a plate¬ like member threadedly attached to a lower part of the body portion 31' . A groove 32a' is formed in a lower surface portion of the bottom surface portion 32' . A quantity of the granular and other particulate materi¬ als to be introduced into the measuring device 3' can be adjusted by turning the bottom surface portion 32' after a coin is engaged at an edge thereof in the groove 32a' . A sleeve-like member 33' is threadedly attached to an upper part of the bottom surface portion 32' . The sleeve-like member 33' is gradually reduced in diameter upwardly. A projection 5' for urging the resilient opening and closing member 43' of the valve body 4' is formed by the sleeve-like member 33' . While not shown, the body portion 31' of the measuring device 3' is provided with gradations showing predetermined measuring numbers, respectively.

Procedures for measuring the granular and other particulate materials with the use of the measuring container 1' according to the above-mentioned embodi¬ ment will now be described.

Granular and other particulate materials are first put into the container body 2' of the measuring container 1' . Then, valve body 4' is attached to the container body 2' . The bottom surface portion 32' of the measuring device 3' is brought to a position coin¬ cident with a desired gradation value.

Subsequently, the resilient opening and closing member 43' of the valve body 4' is urged by the pro¬ jected portion 5' of the measuring device 3' from its front side, so that the projected portion 5' is insert¬ ed into the slit 43a' to keep the slit 43' open. Then, the engagement projection 31a' of the measuring device 3' is brought into engagement with an engagement groove 4d' of the valve body 4' for locking. In that state, when the container body 2' is made upside down, a predetermined quantity of the granular and other par¬ ticulate materials are introduced into the measuring device 3' . After the completion of introduction of the predetermined quantity of granular and other particu¬ late materials, when the projected portion 5' is with¬ drawn from the slit 43a' by removing the locked state

between engagement groove 4d' and the engagement pro¬ jection 31a' , the slit 43a' is returned immediately into its closed state by the resilient returning force of the resilient expansible member 44' . Accordingly, the granular and other particulate materials are pre¬ vented from being overly introduced into the measuring device 3 ' .

As described above, according to the measuring container 1' of the second embodiment, there is no need of work for opening and closing the cover which is required in the conventional container and a predeter¬ mined quantity of granular and other particulate mate¬ rials can easily be measured without the need of direct touch of the user's finger with the materials as in the case with the measuring container 1 of the first em¬ bodiment.

Since the valve body 4' is brought into engage¬ ment with the measuring device 3' when the latter is urged to be opened by the projected portion 5, a stable open state of the slit 43a' can be maintained.

Further, the valve body 4' is comprised of the resilient opening and closing member 43' having the slit 43a' and an resilient expansible member 44' dis¬ posed in such a manner as to reduce the length of the slit 43a' on the back surface side of the resilient

opening and closing member 43' , and the resilient expansible member 44' is arranged in such a manner as to return the slit 43a' to its closed state from its open state. Accordingly, the introduction quantity of granular and other particulate materials can be re¬ stricted to an appropriate value while suppressing the pressure required for flexing the resilient opening and closing member 43' to a low level. In addition, when the pressure applied to the resilient opening and closing member 43' from the front surface side is removed after the slit 43a' is brought into its open state by the pressure, the slit 43a' can be returned immediately to the closed state by the resilient re¬ turning force of the resilient expansible member 44'.

Further, since the valve body 4' is removably attached to the container body 2', when the granular and other particulate materials have been used up, the valve body 4' and the measuring device 3' can be re¬ used by replacing the container body 2' with a new one filled with granular and other particulate materials.

A container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present inven¬ tion is not limited to the containers for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the embodiments hereinbefore described. The dimen-

sions, sizes, shapes and the like of the container body, valve body, measuring device, etc. can properly be changed without departing from the object of the present invention.

For example, in the containers for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the embodiments hereinbefore described, the container body of the present invention has an hexagonal shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the container body of the present inven¬ tion may have a body surface portion which has, in a horizontal sectional view, a circular shape, a triangu¬ lar shape, or any other polygonal shapes. The material of the container body is not particularly limited, either. Aside from the container body made of paper such as coated board employed in the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the embodiments hereinbefore described, a container body made of plastic or the like may be used.

In the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, the valve body is preferably of a three layer construc¬ tion comprising the plate 40 and the films 41, 42, one disposed on a top surface and the other on a bottom surface of the plate 40 as in the case with the valve

body 4 in the measuring container 1 of the first em¬ bodiment. However, the valve body may be of a single layer construction depending on the quantity and parti¬ cle sides of the granular and other particulate materi¬ als to be contained in the container body, without a provision of the plate and the upper film, or it may be of a double layers construction comprising only the films and without a provision of the plate. The mate¬ rial and the thickness of the plate are not particular¬ ly limited. However, it is preferred in actual use that the plate is made of material such as polyethy¬ lene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or the like as in the case with the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the embodi¬ ments hereinbefore described, and the plate has a thickness of from about 0.1 to 1.0 mm. Also, the material and the thickness of the films are not par¬ ticularly limited. However, it is preferred in actual use that the films are made of material such as ONY/L- LDPE, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or the like as in the embodiments hereinbefore described and they have a thickness of from about 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

In the measuring container 1 according to the first embodiment, in the valve body 4, the plates 41, 42 are provided with slits extending in three direc-

tions. It should be noted, however, that the number of the slits is not limited to three directions but it may be four or even more. Locations of the slits 41a, 42a formed in the plates 41, 42 may be displaced as shown, for example, in Fig. 10.

In the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention, it is preferred that there is a provision of a wall hanger means as in the case with the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the first embodiment. However, the wall hanger means may be eliminated in accordance with necessity. In case the wall hanger means is eliminat¬ ed, it is preferred that a downwardly extending wall portion 21'' is formed on a peripheral edge portion of the container body 2' as in the case with another embodiment shown in Fig. 11, for example. Owing to this arrangement, when the container body 2' is set in place after opening, the valve body 4' can be prevented from being accidentally opened irrespective of flatness of the place where the container body 2' is set.

With respect to the form of the projected portion formed on the measuring device in the present invention, it is preferred that the projected portion has a hollow interior and is provided at a lower part

thereof with the cut-out portions 5c as in the case with the projected portion 5 of the measuring container 1 according to the first embodiment. However, it may take any other form such as a solid interior and with an acute distal end portion, as long as it can urge the valve body to be opened.

In the measuring container 1' according to the second embodiment, the valve body 4' is provided with a linear slit 43a' . However, this slit may be replaced by the slits 41a extending in three directions as in the measuring container 1 according to the first em¬ bodiment, or the slits may extend in four or more directions .

In the measuring container 1 or 1' of the above embodiments, the valve body 4 or 4' is disposed on the bottom surface portion 20 or the upper surface portion 21' of the container body 2. However, the places for the arrangement of the valve body are not limited to those places in the present invention. For example, they may be disposed on the body surface portion of the container body. It is preferred that the hole formed in the surface portion is circular as in the case with the holes in the embodiments hereinbefore described. However, it may take an elliptical shape, a triangular shape or even any other polygonal shapes.

In the measuring container 1' according to the second embodiment, the resilient opening and closing member 43' constituting the valve body 4' is made of silicon rubber. However, it may be made of elastomer such as ethylene-propylene rubber or the like. It is preferred that this resilient opening and closing member is integrally provided as in the case with the second embodiment. For example, however, an arrange¬ ment is also acceptable that a pair of plate springs 43c' made of metal or plastic are bonded to the front surface of the resilient member 43b' made of urethane sponge, silicon rubber or the like and having a slit 43a, in combination with the slit 43a' and a resilient expansible member 44' is bonded to the back surface as shown in a resilient opening and closing member 43' of an embodiment shown in Figs. 12(a) and 12(b).

In the measuring container 1' according to the second embodiment, the measuring device 3' is provided with the engagement projection 31a' and the valve body 4' is provided with the engagement groove 45d' such that the measuring device 3' and the valve body 4' are engaged with each other by a so-called twist lock. However, both the measuring device and the valve body may be provided with threaded portions so that they can be threadedly engaged with each other.

In the measuring container 1' according to the second embodiment, the bottom surface portion of the measuring device 3' is threadedly engaged with the body portion so that the bottom surface portion can move upwardly and downwardly. However, an arrangement is also possible that the bottom surface portion is formed in a sleeve-like member having a closed bottom and the bottom surface portion and the body portion are provid¬ ed respectively with an engagement projection and an engagement groove as in the case with the measuring device 3' and the valve body 4', so that the bottom surface portion can move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the body portion.

The method for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present inven¬ tion is not limited as being carried out by the measur¬ ing container 1 of the first embodiment. In carrying out the method of the present invention by the measur¬ ing container 1 of the first embodiment, the granular and other particulate materials are directly put into the container body 2 and the materials are measured by urging the valve body 4 with the projected portion 5 of the measuring device 3. It is also possible that the granular and other particulate materials are filled in a bag made of synthetic resin such as polyethylene,

ONY, polyplopyrene or the like and having a thickness of, for example, from 50 to 200 μm and the materials contained in the bag are altogether stored in the container body 2 so that the valve body 4 is urged by the projected portion 5 of the measuring device to break the bag under pressure, thereby introducing the materials into the measuring body. When this arrange¬ ment is employed, the moisture permeability can be enhanced before use. In this way, when the granular and other particulate materials contained in the bag are stored in the container body, the upper portion of the projected portion of the measuring device is de¬ signed sharp enough to break the bag under pressure.

The materials used in the method and apparatus for measuring granular and other particulate materials according to the present invention are not particularly limited as long as they are granular and other particu¬ late materials. It should be noted, however, that the invented method and apparatus are suited to be used for measuring such granular and other particulate materials as detergents, bleaching agents, bath salts, and the like, whose particle diameter is from about 0.1 to 2 mm.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to a method for measuring granular and other particulate materials and a container for measuring such materials of the present invention, there can be, obtained the following effects.

In the method for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, the work for opening and closing the cover, as convention¬ ally experienced, is no longer required, and a prede¬ termined quantity of granular and other particulate materials can easily be measured without the need of direct touch of the finger to the materials.

According to a further feature of the method for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the method described above, moisture permeability can be enhanced before use.

The container of the present invention for measuring granular and other particulate materials is suited to be used for carrying out the method for measuring granular and other particulate materials, which exhibits the above-mentioned effects.

In the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, in addition to the effect described above, the length of the slit on the back surface side of the resilient

opening and closing member is reduced by the resilient expansible member. Accordingly, the introduction quantity of granular and other particulate materials can be restricted to an appropriate value while sup¬ pressing the pressure required for flexing the resil¬ ient opening and closing member. Moreover, when the pressure is removed after the slit is brought into the open state by pressure applied to the opening and closing resilient member from its front surface side, the slit can immediately be returned to the closed state by the resilient returning force of the resilient expansible member.

According to a further feature of the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, in addition to the effects described above, when the granular and other particu¬ late materials have been used up, the valve body and the measuring device can be re-used by replacing the container body with a new one filled with granular and other particulate materials.

In the container for measuring granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, the valve body and the measuring device are brought into engagement with each other when the valve body is urged to be opened by the projected portion. Accord-

ingly, in addition to the effects described above, a stable opening state of the slit can be maintained.

According to a further feature of the container for measuring, granular and other particulate materials of the present invention, the valve body is disposed on a bottom surface portion of the container body. Accordingly, when the valve body is opened by pressure of the projected portion of the measuring device applied from under the valve body, the granular and other particulate materials are introduced into the measuring device by dead weight thereof. As a consequence, in addition to the effects described above, the granular and other particulate materials can be easily measured.

Obviously numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventions may be practiced otherwise than as specifically de¬ scribed herein.