U.S. patent application number 10/833189 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for device for discharging substance.
This patent application is currently assigned to EASTERN SOURCES HOUSEWARES (HONG KONG) LIMITED. Invention is credited to Lai, Wai Hing, Lau, Wing Chung Joseph.
Application Number | 20050269355 10/833189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34930900 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050269355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lai, Wai Hing ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
Device for discharging substance
Abstract
A device for discharging at least one substance therefrom,
comprising a container having a body member with substantially a
vertical wall and a closure member, the body member is provided
with an upper opening via which the substance is received and a
lower opening closable by the closure member, wherein the body
member and said closure member together define a cavity for
containing the substance and wherein the body member and the
closure member is movable relative to each other for discharging
the substance.
Inventors: |
Lai, Wai Hing; (Hong Kong,
CN) ; Lau, Wing Chung Joseph; (Hong Kong,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PC
(INCLUDING BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS)
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
EASTERN SOURCES HOUSEWARES (HONG
KONG) LIMITED
Hong Kong
CN
|
Family ID: |
34930900 |
Appl. No.: |
10/833189 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/01 20130101;
G01F 11/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/094 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00; B65D
035/22 |
Claims
1. A device for discharging at least one substance therefrom,
comprising a container having a body member with a substantially
vertical wall and a closure member, said body member is provided
with an upper opening via which the substance is received and a
lower opening closable by said closure member, wherein said body
member and said closure member together define a cavity for
containing the substance and wherein said body member and said
closure member are movable relative to each other for discharging
the substance.
2. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said closure member is
provided with a cutout region.
3. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said body member is
rotatable between a first position in which the substance is
contained in said cavity and in a second position in which the
substance is dischargeable from said cavity via said cutout
region.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein in said second position
the substance is dischargeable or discharged from said cavity by
gravity.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body member is
detachable from said device.
6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closure member is
fixedly mounted therein.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is
provided with two or more said cavities of equal capacity.
8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is
provided with two or more said cavities of unequal capacity.
9. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cam mechanism
adapted to drive movement of said body member in relation to said
closure means.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cam mechanism is
adapted to drive rotation of said body member in one direction
only.
11. A device as claimed in claim 9, comprising a triggering means
adapted to operate said cam mechanism.
12. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is provided
with a handle means.
13. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said device is provided
with means for holding said device and/or triggering said cam
mechanism.
14. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is
adapted to contain or discharge a powdered substance.
15. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is
adapted to contain or discharge a semi-fluid substance.
16. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a housing within
which said body member is fittable and/or movable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for discharging
one or more substances (e.g. cooking ingredients) therefrom. In
particular, the device may preferably be used with a mixing
apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In many cooking exercises, it is very common that different
ingredients are to be mixed together. One very common type of
mixing requires adding one or more ingredients (e.g. solutes),
which may be in the form of powder (e.g. flour), to a liquid base
(e.g. water) and allowing them to dissolve in the liquid base
and/or mixing them together to form a preferably smooth fluid
mixture (e.g. batter).
[0003] One particular type of mixing requires adding a nutrient
powder, which for example may contain a high protein content and
other essential vitamins, to water, and blending them together to
form a nutrient sports drink (e.g. "smoothie") for athletes. Since
such nutrient sports drink (or blended fluid mixture) is often
relatively thick and is for direct consumption by users, the
requirement on the texture of the blended mixture is often very
high. In particular, the nutrient powder should preferably be
thoroughly mixed with the water such that the resultant blended
fluid mixture should be as smooth as possible. If the nutrient
powder were not thoroughly mixed with the water, there would be
clumps in the mixture and consumption thereof would be unpleasant.
There are also beliefs that if there were clumps in the blended
fluid mixture, effective absorption of the nutrients in the drink
would be hindered. Thus, a smooth and thoroughly blended fluid
mixture without any clumps is much more desired and preferred by
athletes. Yet, thoroughly mixing a powdered ingredient with a
liquid base to produce a smooth blended fluid mixture with minimal
or no clumps at all is often very difficult.
[0004] It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a
solution to mitigate the above problem, or at least to provide an
alternative to the public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENITON
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a device for discharging at least one substance
therefrom, comprising a container having a body member with a
substantially vertical wall and a closure member, the body member
is provided with an upper opening via which the substance is
received and a lower opening closable by the closure member,
wherein the body member and the closure member together define a
cavity for containing the substance and wherein the body member and
the closure member are movable (or rotatable) relative to each
other for discharging the substance. The device may be used
independently or as an accessory for use with a mixing apparatus
(e.g. blender).
[0006] Preferably, the closure member may be provided with a cutout
region. The body may be rotatable in relation to the closure member
between a first position in which the substance is contained in the
cavity and in a second position in which the substance is
dischargeable from the cavity via the cutout region. The closure
member may be fixedly mounted in the device. Alternatively, the
body member may be stationary and the closure member may be movable
or rotatable in the device. It is to be noted that in the second
position the substance may be discharged (or dischargeable) from
the cavity of the container by gravity.
[0007] Preferably, the body member may be detachable from the
device. This detachable feature is convenient for cleaning thereof
after use.
[0008] The container may be provided with two or more of the
cavities of equal or unequal capacity. Preferably, the container
may be provided with measuring marks on its wall(s) for providing
indication to users the amount of substances container or received
therein. The container may also be provided with a receiving means
for receiving substance added to the container and distributing the
substance to the cavity/cavities.
[0009] The device may advantageously comprise a cam mechanism
adapted to drive movement of the body in relation to the closure
means. In particular, the cam mechanism may be adapted to drive
rotation of the body member in one direction only. The device may
comprise a triggering means adapted to operate the cam mechanism
for driving the movement of the body member.
[0010] The device may be provided with a handle means for users to
conveniently hold the device. The device may also be provided with
means for holding the device and/or operating the cam
mechanism.
[0011] Preferably, the container may be adapted to at least contain
or discharge a powdered substance, and preferably be adapted to
contain or discharge a semi-fluid substance, or even a liquid
substance. In the case that the container contains a liquid
substance, the rim defining the lower opening closable by the
closure member is required to abut the closure member sufficiently
tightly to prevent leakage and yet rotation of the container is not
prevented.
[0012] The device may also comprise a housing within which the body
member is fittable and/or moveable.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will now be illustrated by way of
example, with reference to the following figures, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for discharging a
substance according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a body member of the device
shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1
but without the body member shown in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the device
shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portion shown in FIG. 5
but without a closure member;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portion shown in FIG. 5
but without a cam mechanism; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the device shown
in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0022] With reference to the drawings and in particular firstly to
FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, a device for discharging an ingredient, generally
designated as 2, according to an embodiment of the present
invention essentially comprises a generally cylindrical housing 4
with a handle 6 attached thereto on a side thereof and a base
8.
[0023] A hollow interior 10 is defined by the housing 4 of the
device 2. The housing 4 is provided with an upper opening 14 and a
lower opening 16, as shown in FIG. 4. The device 2 comprises a body
18, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 8, and a plate 32 which together
with the body 18 define a cavity for containing one or more
ingredients. The body 18 is sized and shaped to fit and rotate
within the hollow interior 10 of the housing 4. The body 18 or its
cavity is divided into five chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 by
substantially vertical walls. As shown in FIG. 2, while the shape
of the chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 are not identical, their
capacities for containing ingredients are identical in this
embodiment. Although not shown in the figures, the chambers 20, 22,
24, 26 and 28 are provided with marks on their walls for indicating
the quantity of ingredient(s) contained or received therein. Each
of the five chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 has an upper opening,
and the upper openings of the body are communicable with the upper
opening 14 of the housing 4. Each of the five chambers 20, 22, 24,
26 and 28 of the body 18 has a lower opening, and the lower
openings are communicable with the lower opening 16 of the housing
4. The body 18 is provided with a small protrusion 30 in the upper
middle center thereof as shown in FIG. 3.
[0024] The housing 4 of the device 2 is provided with the generally
circular horizontal plate 32 in the lower portion in the interior
thereof, as shown in FIG. 5. The plate 32 is fixedly mounted above
the base 8 of the housing 4. The plate 32 is provided with a cutout
region 34 adjacent to the handle 6, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. The
lower opening 5 of the chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 are closable
by the plate 32 such that they are not communicable with the lower
opening 16 of the housing 4. FIG. 5 also shows a portion of a cam
mechanism 36 for controlling the movement of the body 18. The
portion of the cam mechanism 36 extends from below the plate 32 via
the center thereof. The device 2 is designed in such a way that
when the body 18 is fitted within the housing 4 as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, the lower end or rim of the chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28
abuts the upper surface of the plate 32 and thus the lower openings
thereof are closed by the plate 32. In this configuration, the
chambers 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 are ready to receive and an
ingredient and contain it therein and the ingredient is not
dischargeable via the opening 16.
[0025] FIG. 6 shows a portion of the device 2 with the plate 32
removed. FIGS. 6 and 8 show various components of the cam mechanism
36 and a triggering mechanism 38 for controlling the operation of
the cam mechanism 36. The cam mechanism 36 comprises an upper cam
member 40 engagable with a lower end of the body 18, a lower cam
member 42 engagable with a lower end of the upper cam member 40,
and a coil spring 44 fitted below the lower cam member 42 for
upwardly biasing the cam members 40, 42.
[0026] The triggering means 38 comprises a lever 48 pivotably
attached to the handle 6, a bar 46 connecting the lever 48 and the
lower cam member 42 and a leaf spring 50 for biasing the lever 48
to a default position. The design of the cam mechanism 36 is such
that the cam members 40, 42 are actuable to rotate in a clockwise
direction on pressing the lever 48. As the cam members 40, 42 are
caused to rotate, the body 18 engaged therewith is also caused to
rotate in the same direction. On release of the lever 48, due to
the particular configuration of the cam members 40, 42, teeth on
the lower cam member 42 become out of engagement with teeth on the
upper cam member 40 and the lower cam member 40 in itself will
return to its default position and rotation of the lower cam member
in anti-clockwise direction when returning to the default position
does not cause any rotation of the upper cam member 40 or the body
18. It is to be understood that the construction and the operation
of the cam mechanism 36 described above is understood by a skilled
person in the field.
[0027] In use, the body 18 is fitted within the housing 4 in a
configuration as shown in FIG. 1 in that the triangle mark on the
handle 6 of the housing 4 matches the triangle mark on the body 18.
This configuration is the configuration for filling the body 18
with an ingredient in that the lower openings of all the chambers
are closed by the plate 32. The ingredient is then poured at the
protrusion 30 of the body 18. Due to the particular shape and
curvature of the protrusion 30, the ingredient is distributed to
the five chambers essentially in equal portions. As described
above, the body 18 is provided with marks for indicating the
quantity of ingredient received in the body 18. Once the desired
quantity of the ingredient is received in the body 18, the device 2
is, for example, placed over the opening of a blender filled with a
liquid base (e.g. water). The lever 48 is then depressed and the
body 18 is caused to rotate to a pre-determined extend such that
the lower opening of the first chamber 26 matches with the cutout
region 34 of the plate 32. In this configuration, a first lot of
the ingredient in the first chamber is discharged via its opening
and then the lower opening 16 by gravity into the blender which is
blended with water therein. After the ingredient is thoroughly
mixed with and/or dissolved with water in the blender, the lever 48
is depressed again and a second lot of the ingredient in the second
chamber 24 is discharged in a similar fashion. After all the
ingredient in the body 18 is alternately discharged and mixed with
and/or dissolved with water, the mixture in the blender is ready
for consumption. Since the ingredient is added to the water in the
blender in lots and each lot is of relatively small quantity and
thoroughly mixed with the water before the next lot is added, the
device 2 is able to assist the production of a much more smoother
drink for consumption.
[0028] It can be envisaged that each chamber of the body 18 may be
sized and shaped differently so that they may have different
capacities for containing different types of ingredient and/or
different amount of ingredient.
* * * * *