U.S. patent application number 16/054557 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-29 for powder dispensing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Product Spring, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Hartdesign! Ltd., Product Spring, LLC, Taylored Concepts, LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher P. DOOLEY, Mark E. HARTELIUS, Loren T. TAYLOR.
Application Number | 20180339897 16/054557 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48902012 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180339897 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DOOLEY; Christopher P. ; et
al. |
November 29, 2018 |
POWDER DISPENSING APPARATUS
Abstract
A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either
with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a
base, dispenser, and tower. The base is adapted for receiving a
container. The dispenser includes a rotatable or slidable carriage.
The carriage includes at least one compartment horizontally
disposed above an optional funnel. The carriage is rotatable about
a central axis or translatable parallel to and below the hopper. A
hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less
than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately
dispensing a powder from the hopper into the funnel and thereafter
into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed
between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the
dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby
formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food
and drink for children and adults.
Inventors: |
DOOLEY; Christopher P.; (New
Canaan, CT) ; TAYLOR; Loren T.; (Chatham, NJ)
; HARTELIUS; Mark E.; (Chicago, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Taylored Concepts, LLC
Product Spring, LLC
Hartdesign! Ltd. |
Chatham
New Canaan
Chicago |
NJ
CT
IL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Product Spring, LLC
Taylored Concepts, LLC
Hartdesign! Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
48902012 |
Appl. No.: |
16/054557 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13832552 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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16054557 |
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13521929 |
Jul 12, 2012 |
8584901 |
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PCT/US11/46436 |
Aug 3, 2011 |
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13832552 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/06 20130101;
A47J 31/401 20130101; B65D 88/68 20130101; B67D 7/78 20130101; B65D
47/286 20130101; A47J 31/404 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B67D 7/78 20060101
B67D007/78; A47J 31/40 20060101 A47J031/40; B65D 83/06 20060101
B65D083/06; B65D 88/68 20060101 B65D088/68; B65D 47/28 20060101
B65D047/28 |
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. An apparatus for preparing a food product from a powder,
comprising: (a) a base adapted for receiving a container; (b) a
dispenser including a rotatable carriage disposed over a support
element with an opening, said rotatable carriage including a
plurality of compartments, said rotatable carriage rotatable about
a central axis, said compartments being sequentially disposed over
said opening as said carriage is rotated, (c) a hopper disposed
above said rotatable carriage; (d) a cover interposed between said
carriage and said hopper, said cover being sized and shaped to
substantially limit communication between said hopper and at least
one of said compartments, when said compartment is disposed over
said opening; (e) a tower disposed between and attached to said
base and said dispenser; (f) a funnel removably engageable to said
tower below said support element opposite said opening, said funnel
having an outlet aligned with said container, said funnel further
having at least one tangentially aligned fluid inlet port
configured to direct(s) a fluid into said funnel to generate a
vortex therein as the fluid flows from said inlet to said outlet;
(g) a funnel sensor configured to detect a presence of the
removable funnel; (h) a reservoir attached to said powder
dispensing apparatus and adapted to store a liquid; (i) a pump
communicating with said reservoir and said fluid inlet port of said
funnel; (j) a motor attached to said powder dispensing apparatus,
and configured to rotate said rotatable carriage; and (k) a
controller operatively coupled to said pump and said motor, said
controller being configured to operate said pump and said motor to
dispense said liquid and said powder into said funnel for mixing
therein according to a specific ratio, said controller being
further coupled to said funnel sensor and preventing operation of
said pump and said motor if the funnel is not detected.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a sensor
configured to detect the rotation of said carriage, said sensor
being coupled to said controller.
26. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a control panel
disposed along an exterior surface of said powder dispensing
apparatus and configured to electrically communicate with said
controller.
27. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: a heating
element disposed within said powder dispensing apparatus and
configured to heat said liquid prior to mixing with said
powder.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a temperature
sensor coupled to said controller, said temperature sensor being
configured to detect a temperature of said liquid, said controller
being configured to operate said heating element to obtain a
desired temperature of the fluid.
29. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a level sensor
disposed within said reservoir and coupled to said controller, said
controller being further configured to prevent operability of said
motor when said liquid within said reservoir is below a
predetermined level.
30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said reservoir is removably
attached to said powder dispensing apparatus.
31. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a wand coupled to
said rotatable carriage, said wand being disposed above said
carriage and within said hopper.
32. An apparatus for preparing a food product from a powder,
comprising: (a) a base adapted for receiving a container; (b) a
dispenser including a rotatable carriage disposed over a support
element with a support element opening, said rotatable carriage
including a portion adjacent said support element and having a
plurality of carriage openings therein, said rotatable carriage
rotatable about a central axis, said carriage openings being
sequentially disposed over said support element opening as said
carriage is rotated, (c) a hopper disposed above said rotatable
carriage; (d) a cover interposed between said carriage and said
hopper, said cover being sized and shaped to substantially limit
communication between said hopper and at least one of said carriage
openings, when said carriage opening is disposed over said support
element opening; (e) a funnel provided below said support element
opposite said opening, said funnel having an outlet aligned with
said container; said funnel further having at least one
tangentially aligned fluid inlet port configured to direct(s) a
fluid into said funnel to generate a vortex therein as the fluid
flows from said inlet to said outlet; (f) a reservoir attached to
said powder dispensing apparatus and adapted to store a liquid; (g)
a pump communicating with said reservoir and said fluid inlet port
of said funnel; (h) a motor attached to said powder dispensing
apparatus, and configured to rotate said rotatable carriage; and
(i) a controller operatively coupled to said pump and said motor,
said controller being configured to operate said pump and said
motor to dispense said liquid and said powder into said funnel for
mixing therein according to a specific ratio.
33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a funnel sensor
configured to detect a presence of the removable funnel; and the
controller being further coupled to said funnel sensor and
preventing operation of said pump and said motor if the funnel is
not detected.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said controller is coupled
to said funnel sensor, and wherein said controller prevents
operation of said pump and said motor if the funnel is not detected
by the funnel sensor.
35. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a sensor
configured to detect the rotation of said carriage, said sensor
being coupled to said controller.
36. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a control panel
disposed along an exterior surface of said powder dispensing
apparatus, and configured to electrically communicate with said
controller.
37. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising: a heating
element disposed within said powder dispensing apparatus and
configured to heat said liquid prior to mixing with said
powder.
38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a temperature
sensor coupled to said controller, said temperature sensor being
configured to detect a temperature of said liquid, said controller
being configured to operate said heating element to obtain a
desired temperature of the fluid.
39. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a level sensor
disposed within said reservoir and coupled to said controller, said
controller being further configured to prevent operability of said
motor when said liquid within said reservoir is below a
predetermined level.
40. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said reservoir is removably
attached to said powder dispensing apparatus.
41. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a wand coupled to
said rotatable carriage, said wand being disposed above said
carriage and within said hopper.
42. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising a tower disposed
between and attached to said base and said dispenser; wherein said
funnel is removably engageable to said tower below said support
element and opposite said opening.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/521,929 filed Jul. 12,
2012 which is a national phase application of Patent Cooperation
Treaty Application No. PCT/US2011/046436 filed Aug. 3, 2011, both
entitled Powder Dispensing Apparatus, which are hereby incorporated
in their entirety by reference thereto.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present device generally relates to a powder dispensing
apparatus. Specifically, the dispensing apparatus includes a base
and a dispenser attached at opposite ends of a vertically disposed
tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser
includes a slidable or rotatable carriage with one or more
compartments. The slidable or rotatable carriage is either manually
operable or motorized. Each compartment is capable of separately
dispensing a predetermined quantity of powder into a funnel either
without or with a liquid before delivery into the container resting
on the base.
2. Background
[0004] A variety of powder dispensers are known within the beverage
arts. Several exemplary devices are noteworthy.
[0005] Cheong describes an apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 7,316,249 for
dispensing infant formula, and in particular an apparatus that is
able to contain and mix temperature controlled water with milk
powder based on the amount of infant formula desired and ideally is
also capable of sterilizing bottles prior to dispensing.
[0006] Haven et al. describes an apparatus in U.S. Pat. No.
6,829,431 for automatically dispensing the proper amounts of dry
baby formula and heated water to make liquid infant formula. The
baby bottle is held in place in a pivoting transfer arm with a clip
that fastens around the neck of the bottle. After the powdered
formula is dispensed, the transfer arm swings the bottle to the
water dispensing station. Water heated to the desired temperature
is added to the bottle, and the formula is ready to be mixed and
served.
[0007] Harrison et al. describes a dispensing apparatus in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,711,990 including a base housing having side and bottom
walls, and also having an open top, and further having container
assembly support members disposed therein. The apparatus also
includes a container assembly including a container, and also
including a hood being securely and conventionally attached about
the container, and further including a bottle support member being
securely and conventionally attached to the container, and also
including bottle retaining members being securely and
conventionally attached to the bottle support member; and further
includes a cover being removably disposed over the open top of the
container; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being
securely fastened attached to the container assembly; and further
includes a baby formula preparation and dispensing assembly for
preparing baby formula and for dispensing the baby formula to
bottles.
[0008] Brice describes an automated baby formula bottle filler in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,527 for providing formula for a baby's bottle
from powdered formula. The automated baby formula bottle filler
includes a housing having an interior space for holding water. A
motor compartment coupled to the housing is positioned in the
interior space. A first funnel assembly is positioned in the
interior space for dispensing baby formula powder. A second funnel
assembly is positioned in the interior space for dispensing water.
A control panel is coupled to the housing. The control panel
includes a powdered formula dispenser control and a water dispenser
control.
[0009] Clubb describes a heated beverage machine in U.S. Pat. No.
6,173,117 for use in making heated beverages, such as baby formula
and cocoa, from heated water and a powdered drink mix that includes
a housing having contained therein water dispensing assembly, a
powdered drink mix dispensing assembly, and a control circuit. The
water dispensing assembly includes a water reservoir, a water
reservoir level sensor, a water temperature sensor, three fluid
volume select input buttons, a warm/hot select switch, a water
dispensing valve in connection between the water reservoir and a
mixing nozzle, resistance heating element, a water temperature
display gauge, a water level display gauge, a warm temperature
select indicator light, and a hot temperature select indicator
light. The powdered drink mix dispensing assembly includes a
powdered drink mix reservoir, a dispensing auger positioned within
a dispensing pipe in connection between the mixing nozzle and the
powdered drink mix reservoir, a dispensing auger position sensor, a
shaker assembly positioned within the powdered drink mix reservoir,
and a dispensing auger motor. The control circuit has inputs in
electrical connection with a water reservoir level sensor, a water
temperature sensor, a dispensing auger position sensor, three fluid
volume select input buttons, a warm/hot select switch, and on/off
switch, a start mix switch, and outputs in connection with a water
dispensing valve, a resistance heating element, a water temperature
display gauge, a water level display gauge, a dispensing auger
motor, a warm temperature select indicator light, and a hot
temperature select indicator light. The control circuit operates
the dispenser auger motor and the water dispensing valve such that
the volume of powdered drink mix and water dispensed corresponds
with the volume of the fluid volume select input button selected in
response to activation of the start mix switch. The control circuit
operates the resistance heating element to heat dispensed water
exiting the water dispensing valve to the temperature corresponding
to the position of the warm/hot select switch before the dispensed
water reaches the mixing nozzle. The mixing nozzle is positioned
outside of the housing and includes a dispensing opening for
dispensing a mixture of the dispensed water and powdered beverage
mix.
[0010] Rothley describes an electronic baby formula preparation and
storage device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,313 including a housing for
securely receiving and supporting a baby-feeding bottle. A
reservoir is mounted on the housing for storing a measured volume
of water and is in fluid communication with the bottle. A timer
means releases the volume of water into the bottle at a preselected
time during a baby-feeding cycle. Simultaneously with the release
of the water from the reservoir, a mixing means, operatively
associated with the bottle, is activated to agitate the water with
a volume of formula that was previously inserted into the bottle. A
heating means, under the control of a temperature sensor, warms the
formula mixture to a desired temperature and maintains the formula
mixture at that temperature for a preselected period of time.
[0011] Roberson describes a free-standing apparatus in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,671,325 that stores and heats a supply of water in a
reservoir to a temperature desirable for instant consumption by an
infant. The apparatus is portable and especially adapted to
dispense warm water into a standard baby bottle that is then mixed
with powdered baby formula for instant feeding. The apparatus
includes controls for ensuring that water in the reservoir does not
exceed or overshoot a maximum safe temperature for feeding formula
to an infant. Visual indicator that the temperature of the water is
in a safe range is provided to reassure the caregiver of proper
temperature. The size of the reservoir is limited to prevent
stagnation of water while providing sufficient volume to a hold a
supply of water for one night of feedings.
[0012] LaBarbera, Jr. describes a device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,816
used for making and combining warm sterile water with dry baby
formula. Device must contain a source of water, enough to fill at
least one bottle to desired amount and to properly combine with
formula. A heating device is contained in order to sterilize water
by boiling it. A cooling device within the unit brings down the
temperature of the water to recommended mixing temperature with dry
formula. Enough dry formula is contained to produce at least one
bottle. A releasing device is provided to release recommended
amounts of both water and dry formula directly into a bottle.
[0013] Jensen describes a baby milk warmer in U.S. Pat. No.
5,397,031 including a housing for supporting a bottle of water and
a heater for heating selected amounts of water. A flexible tube is
provided for interconnecting the bottle and the heater and a
metering valve is disposed between the bottle and the heater,
allowing one of the selected amounts of water to enter the heater.
A sensor is provided and disposed within the flexible tube upstream
from the metering valve for sensing the temperature of water
entering the metering valve. A control system, responsive to a
manual switch for designating one of the selected amounts of water,
is provided for running the heater for a sufficient time to warm
one of the selected amounts of water to a selected temperature.
[0014] Herring describes a sanitary device in U.S. Pat. No.
3,352,460 for storing components of a liquid infant formula in
which at least one of the liquid components is refrigerated and all
of the components are jointly dispensed to a baby's bottle.
[0015] Biderman et al. describes devices in U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,184
and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/499,690 for preparing a
fluid food at a desired consumption temperature on demand,
comprising two reservoirs of water, a container containing a
formula, a data processor and a controller for dispensing water of
the correct temperature from each of the reservoirs and the formula
from the container into a vessel.
[0016] Thaler et al. describes an apparatus in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/821,506 for quickly and easily preparing a
bottle of infant formula from powdered formula and water. The
device warms the water contained in a baby bottle placed therein to
a temperature substantially in a range around body temperature and
keeps the water warmed to that temperature. The device further
contains a dispensing mechanism allowing the quick and accurate
dispensing of the required amount of formula into the baby bottle.
Such apparatus succeeds in substantially reducing the time and
effort associated with baby formula preparation. This device would
be ideal for late night situations so the user is not required to
partake in multiple time consuming tasks to prepare a baby
bottle.
[0017] As is readily apparent from the discussions above, the
related arts do not include a powder dispenser capable of
dispensing a predetermined amount of a powdered food or the like in
a convenient, controllable and efficient manner either without or
with a liquid.
[0018] Therefore, what is required is a dispensing apparatus
capable of conveniently, controllably and efficiently dispensing a
food item in powder form into a container either without or with a
liquid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] An object of the present invention is to provide a
dispensing apparatus capable of conveniently, controllably and
efficiently dispensing a consumable in powder form into a container
either without or with a liquid.
[0020] In accordance with some embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus includes a base, a dispenser, and a tower. The base is
adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a
slidable carriage horizontally disposed above an optional funnel
and linearly slidable within a track. The slidable carriage further
includes one or more compartments capable of separately dispensing
a predetermined quantity of powder through the funnel into the
container. The tower is disposed between and attached to the base
and the dispenser. The powder dispensing apparatus could further
include a reservoir and a pump. The reservoir could be attached to
the apparatus and adapted to store a liquid. The pump could
communicate with reservoir and move the liquid from the reservoir
to the funnel.
[0021] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a handle attached and rotatable
with respect to the dispenser. The handle communicates with the
slidable carriage so that the carriage is operable.
[0022] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a motor disposed within and
attached to the apparatus and communicable with the slidable
carriage so that the carriage is operable via the motor.
[0023] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a control panel disposed along an
exterior surface of the apparatus. The control panel communicates
with and controls operability of the motor.
[0024] In accordance with other embodiments, the dispenser could
include a threaded shaft attached to and rotatable with respect to
the dispenser and a platen. The platen could push or feed the
powder toward and into one or more compartments when the threaded
shaft is rotated. The threaded shaft also includes a gear adjacent
to the slidable carriage which engages a ring adjacent to the
slidable or rotatable carriage so as to rotate a wand.
[0025] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a rotatable handle attached and
rotatable with respect to the dispenser. The rotatable handle
facilitates operability of the carriage and the platen.
[0026] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a motor disposed within and
attached to the apparatus. The motor facilitates operability of the
carriage and the platen.
[0027] In accordance with other embodiments, the hopper, the
slidable carriage, the threaded shaft, or the platen could be
removable from the dispenser.
[0028] In accordance with other embodiments, a wand is attached to
the slidable carriage and disposed within the hopper so as to
distribute powder into the slidable or rotatable carriage.
[0029] In accordance with other embodiments, the base could be
foldable with respect to the tower.
[0030] In accordance with other embodiments, the funnel could
include at least one port which facilitates injection of the liquid
into the funnel and cleaning of the funnel after the liquid and the
powder are mixed.
[0031] In accordance with other embodiments, the pump could
transport the liquid into the funnel when the slidable carriage
communicates the powder to the funnel, thereby mixing the liquid
and the powder within the funnel.
[0032] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a rotatable handle attached and
rotatable with respect to the dispenser to control the operability
of the slidable carriage and the pump.
[0033] In accordance with other embodiments, the rotatable handle
is further configured to dispense liquid and powder in a specific
ratio.
[0034] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a motor disposed within and
attached to the apparatus. The motor also communicates with the
slidable carriage and the pump so that each is operable via the
motor.
[0035] In accordance with other embodiments, a mechanical linkage
is attached to the motor and configured to dispense liquid and
powder in a specific ratio.
[0036] In accordance with other embodiments, the mechanical linkage
includes a paired arrangement of contacts configured to control the
quantity of liquid and powder dispensed into the container.
[0037] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a control panel disposed along an
exterior surface of the powder dispenser apparatus. The control
panel communicates with and controls operability of the motor.
[0038] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a heating element disposed within
the apparatus capable of heating the liquid prior to mixing with
the powder.
[0039] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a control panel which communicates
with and controls operability of the heating element.
[0040] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include at least one sensor disposed within
the apparatus to measure the temperature of the liquid so as to
allow control of the heating process.
[0041] In accordance with other embodiments, the reservoir could be
insulated.
[0042] In accordance with other embodiments, the powder dispensing
apparatus could further include a sensor disposed within the
reservoir that prevents operability of the motor when the liquid
within the reservoir is below a predetermined level.
[0043] In accordance with other embodiments, the reservoir is
separable from the powder dispensing apparatus.
[0044] Several advantages are offered by the described invention.
The powder dispensing apparatus is capable of dispensing a
predetermined quantity of a consumable powdered in a convenient,
controllable, precise, and efficient manner into a container either
without or with a liquid. The base is foldable with respect to the
tower allowing for more compact storage. The funnel within the
dispenser ensures efficient mixing of a powder and a liquid prior
to communication into a container. Arrangement of ports along the
funnel allows cleaning thereof after powder and liquid are properly
mixed. Other advantages are described throughout the
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the
invention will be understood and will become more readily apparent
when the invention is considered in the light of the following
description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating arrangement of
base, tower, and dispenser with funnel, handle and cover in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating elements along the
interior and exterior of a powder dispensing apparatus including
rotatable handle, rotatable carriage, pump, funnel, and reservoir
in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating elements along the
interior and exterior of a powder dispensing apparatus including
rotatable handle, rotatable carriage, pump, funnel, and reservoir
in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a right side view illustrating elements along the
interior and exterior of a powder dispensing apparatus including a
rotatable handle, rotatable carriage, pump, funnel, and reservoir
in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0050] FIG. 5a is a top view illustrating compartments within a
substantially circular and rotatable carriage in accordance with an
embodiment of the apparatus.
[0051] FIG. 5b is a top view illustrating cover which prevents
powder from entering a compartment in accordance with an embodiment
of the apparatus.
[0052] FIG. 6 is a top elevated view illustrating arrangement of
rotatable carriage and pump within a powder dispensing apparatus
with respect to a rotatable handle in accordance with an embodiment
of the apparatus.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a left side elevated view illustrating arrangement
of rotatable carriage and pump within a powder dispensing apparatus
with respect to a rotatable handle in accordance with an embodiment
of the apparatus.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a top elevated view illustrating rotatable
carriage with powder disposed in several compartments adjacent to
an opening communicating with a funnel in accordance with an
embodiment of the apparatus.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a partial section view illustrating hopper within
dispenser and dispensing of a powder from rotatable carriage to
container positioned within the base in accordance with an
embodiment of the apparatus.
[0056] FIG. 10a is a side view illustrating a plurality of first
nubs disposed along a bottom surface of a rotatable carriage and a
second nub disposed along the top surface of a planar element
within a dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0057] FIG. 10b is a side view showing interaction between first
and second nubs which push the rotatable carriage up and away from
the support element as further illustrated in FIG. 10a.
[0058] FIG. 10c is a side view showing relative position between
rotatable carriage and support element after interaction between
first and second nubs as further illustrated in FIGS. 10a and
10b.
[0059] FIG. 11a is a top view illustrating rotatable carriage with
a plurality of compartments each including a rotatable paddle in
the CLOSED position which rotates to release powder therefrom in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0060] FIG. 11b is a partial section view illustrating attachment
of rotatable paddle to the inner and outer walls of a compartment
with a gear attached at one end of the rotatable paddle adjacent to
the outer wall as further illustrated in FIG. 11a.
[0061] FIG. 12a is a schematic diagram illustrating interaction
between a gear disposed at one end of a rotatable paddle and an
actuation bracket attached to the support element of a dispenser
adjacent to an opening which causes the gear to rotate the
rotatable paddle in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0062] FIG. 12b is a schematic diagram illustrating arrangement
between adjacent rotatable paddles with respect to an opening and
actuation bracket which ensures that only one paddle is OPEN at a
time as further illustrated in FIG. 12a.
[0063] FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating a plurality of separate
compartments attached to a center ring which allows each
compartment to move independently from the remaining compartments
in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0064] FIG. 14 is a side exploded view illustrating arrangement of
first and second nubs which cause each compartment to separately
deflect upward and downward multiple times when aligned over an
opening to ensure release of powder from a compartment in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0065] FIG. 15a is a schematic view illustrating the side of a
compartment aligned with an opening when the first and second nubs
are complementary aligned in accordance with an optional embodiment
of the apparatus.
[0066] FIG. 15b is a schematic view illustrating the side of a
compartment as further illustrated in FIG. 15a when the first and
second nubs are aligned to raise the compartment above the support
element whereby the successive up and down motion of the
compartment causes the powder therein to fall from the
compartment.
[0067] FIG. 16a is a side perspective view illustrating funnel with
cup-shaped section with opening, handle, flange, and plurality of
ports which allow liquid to be injected into the cup-shaped section
in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0068] FIG. 16b is a bottom perspective view illustrating
cup-shaped section with opening, handle, flange, and plurality of
ports as further illustrated in FIG. 16a.
[0069] FIG. 16c is an enlarged partial section view illustrating
attachment of a port along the funnel with a connector port
disposed along the dispenser or tower in accordance with an
embodiment of the apparatus.
[0070] FIG. 16d is an enlarged partial section view illustrating
attachment of funnel to housing via a flange and channel
arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0071] FIG. 16e is an enlarged partial section view illustrating
interaction between flange and sensor disposed within the channel
as further shown in FIG. 16d.
[0072] FIG. 17a is a section view illustrating reservoir with
optional sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0073] FIG. 17b is a section view illustrating reservoir with
optional float sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0074] FIG. 17c is a section view illustrating reservoir with
optional heater in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0075] FIG. 17d is a section view illustrating removable reservoir
with spring actuated valve in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0076] FIG. 17e is a section view illustrating removable reservoir
with optional inline heater in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0077] FIG. 18a is a schematic diagram illustrating functionality
of a pump when rotatable handle is in the UP position in accordance
with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0078] FIG. 18b is a schematic diagram illustrating functionality
of a pump when rotatable handle is in the DOWN position in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with
an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0079] FIG. 19a is a perspective view with cutaway illustrating
hopper with shaft-driven platen which causes the platen to move
toward rotatable carriage causing powder to enter compartments not
aligned with an opening in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0080] FIG. 19b is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side
view of a mechanism enabling functionality of the threaded shaft
via a rotatable handle in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0081] FIG. 19c is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of a
mechanism enabling functionality of rotatable carriage and platen
via a rotatable handle as further described in FIG. 19b.
[0082] FIG. 19d is a diagram illustrating mechanism enabling
functionality of the pump via a rotatable handle in accordance with
an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0083] FIG. 19e is a diagram illustrating mechanism enabling
functionality of rotatable carriage and platen via a motor in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0084] FIG. 19f is a diagram illustrating a side elevation view of
a mechanism enabling functionality of wand and platen via a motor
as further illustrated in FIG. 19e.
[0085] FIG. 19g is a diagram illustrating a top view of a hopper
with a wand element attached to evenly distribute powder into
compartment(s) within a carriage in accordance with an embodiment
of the apparatus.
[0086] FIG. 20a is a side view with partial cutaway illustrating
powder dispensing apparatus with foldable base extended in the
upright position in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0087] FIG. 20b is a section view illustrating interaction between
bosses extending outward from the walls of the base and tracks
extending inward from the walls of the tower as further illustrated
in FIG. 20a.
[0088] FIG. 20c is a side view with partial cutaway view
illustrating powder dispensing apparatus with foldable base
retracted and folded with respect to the apparatus as further
illustrated in FIG. 20a.
[0089] FIG. 21 is a top view illustrating a control panel disposed
along an exterior surface of a powder dispensing apparatus in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0090] FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating communication
between control panel, controller circuit, motor, sensors and pump
elements within a powder dispensing apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the apparatus.
[0091] FIG. 23a is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side
view of a mechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and
platen via a rotatable handle while in a first position in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0092] FIG. 23b is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side
view of a mechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and
platen via a rotatable handle while in a second position in
accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0093] FIG. 23c is a top view illustrating a slidable carriage with
compartments configured in a side-by-side arrangement in accordance
with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0094] FIG. 23d is a top view illustrating a slidable carriage with
compartments configured in an end-to-end arrangement in accordance
with an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0095] FIG. 24a is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side
view of a mechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and
platen via a motor while in a first position in accordance with an
embodiment of the apparatus.
[0096] FIG. 24b is a diagram illustrating a partial cutaway side
view of a mechanism enabling functionality of slidable carriage and
platen via a motor while in a second position in accordance with an
embodiment of the apparatus.
[0097] FIG. 25a is a diagram illustrating a top view of a hopper
with a wand element attached to a slidable carriage for evenly
distributing powder into one or more compartments within the
slidable carriage in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
[0098] FIG. 25b is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of a hopper
with a wand element attached to a slidable carriage for evenly
distributing powder into one or more compartments within the
slidable carriage in accordance with an embodiment of the
apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0099] Reference will now be made in detail to several preferred
embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference
numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to
the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified
form and are not to precise scale. The words communicate, connect,
couple, link, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes
do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but
also include connections through intermediary elements or
devices.
[0100] While features of various embodiments are separately
described throughout, it is understood that two or more such
features could be combined into a single embodiment.
[0101] Referring now to FIG. 1, a powder dispenser apparatus 1 is
shown including a base 2 and a dispenser 4 attached at opposite
ends of a substantially vertically disposed tower 3.
[0102] The base 2 is a generally planar element adapted to receive
and hold a container 63, one non-limiting example being a baby
bottle, as further illustrated in FIG. 9. The base 2 includes a
housing 13 which could be fabricated of a polymer via injection
molding techniques understood in the art. The dimensional
properties of the base 2 should ensure proper support of the powder
dispenser apparatus 1 to avoid tip over. The base 2 could also
include a grate 10 which allows the base 2 to function as a spill
tray.
[0103] The tower 3 is a vertically disposed element which separates
the dispenser 4 from the base 2 and properly supports and aligns
the dispenser 4 above the base 2. The height of the tower 3 is
design dependent and dictated by the maximum height of a container
63 intended for use with the power dispensing apparatus 1. The
tower 3 includes a housing 12 which could include, but is not
limited to, a tube-like structure having a rectangular, square, or
circular cross section. The housing 12 could be fabricated of a
polymer via injection molding techniques understood in the art. The
tower 3 could be attached to the base 2 via techniques understood
in the art including, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners,
adhesive, or ultrasonic welds. In some embodiments, the tower 3
could include or function as a reservoir adapted to hold a liquid,
as described further herein. A button 9 could be provided along the
housing 12 facilitating ON and OFF functionality when the powder
dispensing apparatus 1 includes one or more electrically powered
elements.
[0104] The dispenser 4 includes a housing 11 also composed of a
polymer fabricated via techniques understood in the art. The
housing 11 could include an infinite number of aesthetically
pleasing designs. In some embodiments, a rotatable handle 14 could
be attached to the dispenser 4 at one end so as to be freely
rotatable above or at the top of the dispenser 4. The dispenser 4
could also include a hopper 60 and rotatable carriage 6 or a
slidable carriage 194, the latter two elements not shown, disposed
within the housing 11. The dispenser 4 could further include a
cover 7 attached or attachable to the housing 11 so as to allow
access to the area immediately above the rotatable carriage 6 or
slidable carriage 194 for the purpose of refilling the powder
dispensing apparatus 1 with powder and/or liquid. The cover 7 could
be completely removable from the housing 11 or attached to the
housing 11 in a hinged arrangement. The dispenser 4 could also
include a funnel 5 which is either removably attached to the
dispenser 4 or fixed thereto. The funnel 5 could be positioned
immediately below and adjacent to either the rotatable carriage 6
or the slidable carriage 194 to provide a pathway for powder 46
from the hopper 60 to a container. In alternate embodiments, the
dispenser 4 could further include a pump 8, the latter not shown.
The pump 8 could extend from the dispenser 4 so as to be insertable
into the tower 3 or a reservoir 18 immediately adjacent to the
tower 3. In other embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6 or slidable
carriage 194, cover 7, and/or hopper 60 could be attached to or
arranged in a stacked configuration within the powder dispensing
apparatus 1 so as to be removable for cleaning purposes.
[0105] The powder dispensing apparatus 1 could also include a
reservoir 18. The reservoir 18 could reside along the exterior of
the tower 3 as represented in FIG. 1 or be disposed within or
comprising the tower 3 as further described herein. The tower 3
could be fixed to the powder dispensing apparatus 1 or attached to
the powder dispensing apparatus 1 in a removable fashion.
[0106] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the powder dispensing apparatus
1 is shown without the exterior portion of the housing 11 forming
the dispenser 4. The interior of the housing 11 includes a
generally planar support element 16 disposed in a cantilever
arrangement above a reservoir 18. The reservoir 18 could be a
container-like structure mechanically fastened or adhesively bonded
to one side of the support element 16. The structure comprising the
reservoir 18 could be composed of one or more materials which form
a thermal short circuit thereby insulating the contents within the
reservoir 18 from the surrounding environment. In some embodiments,
the reservoir 18 could reside as a separate element insertable into
or onto the tower 3 or base 2. In yet other embodiments, the
reservoir 18 could form the tower 3, as represented in FIGS. 2-4.
In the latter embodiments, the base 2 could be directly attached
and fixed to the reservoir 18, as represented in FIG. 3.
[0107] In some embodiments, a fill tube 17 could communicate with
the reservoir 18 via the dispenser 4 enabling refill of the
reservoir 18 as required. The fill tube 17 could be accessible
after removal of the cover 7. In yet other embodiments, the
reservoir 18 could be accessible via a removable or rotatable cover
or cover with grate-like openings that allow a user to refill the
reservoir 18.
[0108] A pump 8 and a funnel 5 are likewise disposed along the same
side of the support element 16 with respect to the reservoir 18.
The pump 8 is attached and fixed to the support element 16 in a
substantially perpendicular arrangement. The pump 8 is positioned
along the support element 16 so as to extend into and communicate
with the reservoir 18. The funnel 5 is also attached to the support
element 16 in a substantially perpendicular arrangement residing
immediately adjacent to and along the exterior of the reservoir
18.
[0109] A rotatable carriage 6 contacts the support element 16 along
the side opposite from the reservoir 18, funnel 5, and pump 8. The
rotatable carriage 6 is a generally circular element could include
a plurality of generally wedge-shaped compartments 30 disposed
about a central opening 102, as illustrated in FIG. 5a. The size of
the compartments 30 could have the same or different. In preferred
embodiments, the compartments 30 are similarly sized and capable of
holding a specified quantity of powder 46.
[0110] The rotatable carriage 6 is assembled onto a spindle 19
which extends from the support element 16 in a perpendicular
arrangement. The spindle 19 could be directly molded onto the
support element 16. This arrangement allows the spindle 19 to
extend up and through the central opening 102. The central opening
102 is preferred to be dimensioned so as to allow at least a
clearance fit with the spindle 19 so that the rotatable carriage 6
freely rotates with respect to the spindle 19 about a central axis
20 extending through the center of the spindle 19 perpendicular to
the support element 16. The rotatable carriage 6 is positioned
along the support element 16 so that at least one compartment 30
along the rotatable carriage 6 is disposed above the funnel 5.
[0111] The support element 16 could include a pair of flanges 21
disposed along one end thereof and extending upward in a
perpendicular arrangement. The pairwise arrangement of arms 103
along a generally u-shaped handle 14 are each separately and
loosely attached to a flange 21 via a fastener 25 or 26, so as to
allow the handle 14 to rotate freely with respect to the flanges
21.
[0112] The pump 8 could include a piston 15 which is extendable
from and retractable into the pump 8. The upper end of the piston
15 could be tube shaped. A linkage 22 could be loosely attached at
one end to the end of the piston 15 via a fastener 24 and at a
second end to one arm 103 of the handle 14 via another fastener 23.
This arrangement allows the linkage 22 to freely rotate as the
handle 14 is rotated about the flanges 21 causing the piston 15 to
move upward and downward with respect to the vertically disposed
pump 8.
[0113] Referring now to FIG. 5a, the rotatable carriage 6 is shown
with a plurality of compartments 30 formed by an outer
circumferential wall 31 and an inner circumferential wall 32
attached via a plurality of side radial walls 33 disposed in a
spoke-like arrangement. In this embodiment, the rotatable carriage
6 is a single unitary element with open compartments 30. In other
embodiments, the outer circumferential wall 31 could be a
multi-sided element composed of a plurality of planar elements, as
represented in FIG. 6. The rotatable carriage 6 could be molded or
form a single unit via techniques understood in the art or be
assembled from separate components mechanically fastened,
adhesively bonded, or ultrasonically welded together to form the
desired shaped. Rubber gaskets could be removably attached or
co-molded to the top and bottom surfaces of the side radial walls
33 or compartments 30 to minimize or prevent powder leakage.
[0114] Referring now to FIG. 5b, the rotatable carriage 6 is shown
residing along and above a support element 16. The housing 11 could
include a wedge-shaped cover 34 attached and fixed to the housing
11 which contacts the rotatable carriage 6 parallel to and opposite
of the support element 16. The cover 34 is dimensioned so as to
completely cover at least one compartment 30. This arrangement
allows powder to communicate with at least less than all
compartments 30 as further described herein.
[0115] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6-8, the rotatable carriage 6
is disposed and rotatable about a spindle 19. The rotatable
carriage 6 is attached to the spindle 19 via a cap 105 which
contacts the inner circumferential wall 32 and is secured to the
spindle 19 via a fastener 106. The rotatable carriage 6 is
positioned along the support element 16 so that at least one
compartment 30 is aligned with an opening 35 disposed along and
through the support element 16. The opening 35 could include a
variety of shapes, preferably a shape that closely approximates the
cavity within the compartment 30.
[0116] The outer circumferential wall 31 of the rotatable carriage
6 includes a plurality of index tabs 42 attached thereto via
adhesive or mechanical fasteners. One index tab 42 is attached
immediately adjacent to the each compartment 30 so as to extend
radially outward therefrom. The support element 16 further includes
an index flange 41 attached thereto and oriented in a perpendicular
arrangement. The index flange 41 includes triangular-shaped teeth
189 positioned at a height above the support element 16 allowing
interaction between the index tab 42 along one compartment 30 and
the teeth 189. The teeth 189 are biased so as to allow the index
tab 42 to move along the teeth 189 in the rotational direction of
the rotatable carriage 6. The index tab 42 along one compartment 30
is seated along one of the teeth 189 when the rotatable carriage 6
stops rotating so as to align the respective compartment 30 with
the opening 35. This arrangement allows the powder 46 residing
within the compartment 30 aligned with the opening 35 to drop into
the funnel 5, as further illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0117] The rotatable carriage 6 is also indexed to align with the
opening 35 via an index arm 39 attached at one end to the support
element 16 via a pair of pins 45 fixed and attached to the support
element 16 via an adhesive or fasteners. This arrangement biases
the index arm 39 toward the rotatable carriage 6 in a spring-like
fashion. A second end along the index arm 39 could further include
a barb 101 which engages the vertical edge 61 extending from the
side radial wall 33 between two adjacent compartments 30. The
vertical edges 61 could be formed by either extending the side
radial walls 33 beyond the radius of the outer circumferential wall
31 or molding or attaching a thin polymer strip to the outer
circumferential wall 31 opposite of each side radial wall 33. When
the rotatable carriage 6 first begins to rotate, the index arm 39
is pushed outward by the rotatable carriage 6 so as to allow the
barb 101 to slide over the vertical edge 61. The index arm 39
continues to ride along the outer circumferential wall 31 thereby
allowing the barb 101 to engage the vertical edge 61 immediately
adjacent to the next paired arrangement of compartments 30.
[0118] In some embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6 is manually
operable via the handle 14. The handle 14 could include a flange 36
disposed between the pairwise arrangement of flanges 21. The flange
36 could further include an arm 37 which extends substantially
downward therefrom. One end of a linkage 28 could be loosely
mechanically attached via a fastener 43 to the arm 37 opposite of
the flange 36. A second end of the linkage 28 could be loosely
mechanically attached via a fastener 29 to one end of an arm 40
positioned along and parallel to the support element 16. The arm 40
is further positioned between the rotatable carriage 6 and a flange
27, the latter extending from and perpendicular to the support
element 16. The arm 40 is further loosely constrained in the
vertical direction by a flange 191 fixedly attached via a fastener
44 to a spacer 104 perpendicularly extending from the support
element 16. The described arrangement allows the arm 40 to freely
move forwards and backwards parallel to the support element 16
between the rotatable carriage 6 and flange 27. The arm 40 is
slightly curved toward the rotatable carriage 6 and includes a barb
100 at the end opposite attachment to the linkage 28. The curvature
of the arm 40 biases the barb 100 against the outer circumferential
wall 31. When the handle 14 is fully rotated upward, the arm 40
slides forward so as to allow the barb 100 to engage a vertical
edge 61. When the handle is fully rotated downward, the arm 40
slides backward thereby pulling on the vertical edge 61 and
rotating the rotatable carriage 6 so as to advance the next
compartment 30 into alignment with the opening 35. The arm 40,
linkage 28, and arm 37 should be sufficiently long so as to ensure
the desired functionality.
[0119] In other embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6 described
herein could translate rather than rotate with respect to the
hopper 60. Referring now to FIGS. 23a, 23b, 24a and 24b, the
slidable carriage 194 could be disposed in a slidable fashion
within a channel 195 or other similar structure thus allowing the
slidable carriage 194 to translate parallel to and below the hopper
60. The slidable carriage 194 could include at least one
compartment 30 having side walls 203 arranged to form a structure
similar to that shown in FIG. 5a, except preferably rectangular or
square shaped, and open at the top and bottom.
[0120] Referring again to FIGS. 23a and 24a, the slidable carriage
194 could align in a first position with the opening 208 along the
hopper 60 so as to allow powder 46 to fall into the compartment 30,
as otherwise described herein. Referring again to FIGS. 23b and
24b, the compartment 30 could align in a second position with
either a funnel 5 or a container 63 disposed below the channel 195.
The channel 195 could include a second opening 35 allowing the
powder 46 to fall from the compartment 30 when oriented in the
second position.
[0121] A movable cover 196 could be attached to a side wall 203
adjacent to the top of the compartment 30 and extend perpendicular
with respect thereto. The movable cover 196 could contact and slide
along the bottom outer surface of the hopper 60. The movable cover
196 could align with the opening 208 in the second position so as
to prevent powder 46 from further entering the compartment 30 of
the slidable carriage 194.
[0122] An arm 207 could extend perpendicular with respect to one
side wall 203 and extend through a channel wall in a slidable
arrangement. The slidable carriage 194 is generally operable via
the arm 207. The arm 207 and hopper 60 could be manually operable
via a handle 14 or mechanically operable via a motor 168, as
otherwise described herein with adaptations for linear
actuation.
[0123] Referring again to FIGS. 23a and 23b, the handle 14 is
attached at a pivot 142 so as to rotate about a rotational axis
159. The handle 14 could include a flange 143 which extends in a
substantially upright direction. The flange 143 is loosely attached
to one end of a linkage 145 via a pivot pin 144 or other similar
fastener. The linkage 145 is loosely attached at a second end to an
arm 207 via a pivot pin 146 or other similar fastener. The arm 207
is disposed in a horizontal arrangement with the slidable carriage
194 and parallel to hopper 60. The arm 207 is attached to a side
wall 203 at one end and further extends through one end of the
channel 195 in a slidable arrangement. The second end of the arm
207 includes a rack gear 202 oriented toward the hopper 60. The
rack gear 202 includes a plurality of teeth 198 disposed along one
side thereof which contact teeth along a spur gear 199. The spur
gear 199 is attached within the dispenser 4 so as to be rotatable.
In some embodiments, the spur gear 199 might also include a finger
201 fixed at one end so as to extend and contact the teeth of the
spur gear 199. This arrangement would allow the spur gear 199 to
rotate in one direction so that the platen 84 continuously feeds
powder 46 into the slidable carriage 194. In other embodiments,
molded teeth, such as elements 68 and 69 in FIGS. 15a-15b, could be
used to restrict rotation of the spur gear 199 in a preferred
direction.
[0124] The dispenser 4 further includes a hopper 60. A platen 84 is
disposed in an upright position, preferably substantially
traversing the width and height of the hopper 60. A threaded shaft
83 is further disposed horizontally along a portion of the hopper
60. One end of the threaded shaft 83 passes through a side wall 156
of the hopper 60. The other end of the threaded shaft 83 is
supported along a flange 155 attached to a bottom wall along the
hopper 60. The threaded shaft 83 also passes through the platen 84
which is adapted to move along the threaded shaft 83 in one
direction when the threaded shaft 83 is rotated clockwise and in
the opposite direction when the threaded shaft 83 is rotated
counter-clockwise. The threaded shaft 83 is freely rotatable at
contact points with the side wall 156, platen 84, and flange 155. A
worm gear 200 is attached and fixed to the end of the threaded
shaft 83 immediately adjacent to the side wall 156. The teeth along
the worm gear 200 contact and interact with the spur gear 199.
[0125] The slidable carriage 194 also includes at least four side
walls 203 arranged in a box-like fashion with an open top and
bottom, generally referred to as the compartment 30. It is likewise
possible for the side walls 203 to be configured to form one or
more compartments 30 each fillable, either separately or jointly,
with powder 46 and capable of dispensing, either separately or
jointly, powder 46 into a container 63. Compartments 30 may be
arranged side-by-side or end-to-end along the length of the
slidable carriage 194, as generally represented in FIGS. 23c and
23d, respectively. In some embodiments, the slidable carriage 194
could include compartments 30 arranged both side-by-side and
end-to-end. The side wall 203 attached to the arm 207 also includes
a movable cover 196. The movable cover 196 is attached to the side
wall 203 in a perpendicular arrangement so as to contact the bottom
of the hopper 60 in a slidable fashion. The side walls 203 of the
slidable carriage 194 move horizontally within a channel-like
element defined by the channel 195. The side walls 203 contact the
horizontal and vertical walls comprising the channel 195. For
example, the side walls 203 in FIGS. 23a and 23b contact and are
freely movable with respect to the horizontal wall 204. The channel
195 is fixed to the bottom of the hopper 60 thus containing the
movable elements of the slidable carriage 194 and properly
orienting such elements with respect to the other elements within
the dispenser 4. This arrangement ensures proper communication of
powder 46 from the hopper 60 into one or more compartments 30
within the slidable carriage 194 and from the one or more
compartments 30 into a container 63.
[0126] Movement of the handle 14 is communicated to the arm 207 via
the linkage 145 causing the rack gear 202 and side walls 203 to
move horizontally. Interaction between the spur gear 198 and teeth
198 along the rack gear 202 causes the worm gear 200 to rotate.
Rotation of the worm gear 200 is further communicated to the
threaded shaft 83 causing the platen 84 to move with respect to the
hopper 60 and the slidable carriage 194.
[0127] When the handle 14 is fully depressed, the side walls 203 of
the slidable carriage 194 move toward the left and stop when
contact is made with the channel structure 195, as represented in
FIG. 23b. In this position, at least one compartment 30 is
positioned above the opening 35 through the channel 195 allowing
the contents within the compartment(s) 30 to be dispensed. Also,
the movable cover 196 is positioned over the opening 208 so as to
prevent further release of powder 46 from the hopper 60 into the
slidable carriage 60.
[0128] A spring 209 is attached at one end to structure within the
dispenser 4 and at another end to the handle 14. When the handle 14
is released from the depressed position, the spring 209 pushes the
handle 14 back to its starting position, as represented in FIG.
23a. The side walls 203 now move to the right so that the side
walls 203 are once again disposed about the opening 208 along the
hopper 60. In this position, powder 46 within the hopper 60 is
released through the opening 208 and into the compartment(s)
30.
[0129] Referring again to FIGS. 24a and 24b, the dispenser 4
described in FIGS. 23a and 23b is now shown as a motorized
embodiment. The arm 207 now includes teeth 197 disposed along one
side thereof opposite of the teeth 198 comprising the rack gear
202. The teeth 197 are arranged to contact and interact with a spur
gear 176. This arrangement ensures that the arm 207 moves
horizontally when the spur gear 176 rotates. The spur gear 176 is
further attached to an arrangement of cluster gears 174 within a
gearbox 170, as otherwise described herein. A pinion 175 is
attached to a shaft along a reversible motor 168. One cluster gear
174 contacts the pinion 175 and another cluster gear 174 contacts
the spur gear 176. The cluster gears 174 communicate rotation of
the pinion 175 by the motor 168 to rotation of the spur gear 176
causing the arm 207 to move horizontally, thereby moving slidable
carriage 194 within the channel structure 195 as otherwise
described for FIGS. 23a and 23b. The resultant motion of the
slidable carriage 194 is dependent in part on gear design and
rotational capabilities of the motor 168. The cluster gears 174
also communicate rotation of the pinion 175 to the spur gear 176.
The spur gear 176 could further include sensors which enable proper
control of the motor and function of the slidable carriage 194.
Exemplary sensors include the contact 177, 178 as described
herein.
[0130] Referring now to FIGS. 25a and 25b, a shaft 192 could be
attached to the hopper 60 in a rotatable fashion so as to extend
vertically upward away from the slidable carriage 194. A wand 193
could be fixed in a perpendicular arrangement to an upper end of
the shaft 192 within the hopper 60. A portion of the shaft 192
could extend through the bottom wall 161 of the hopper 60 and
include a pinion 206 fixed at a lower end of the shaft 192. In this
arrangement, the wand 193 and shaft 192 rotate with the pinion 206.
The wand 193 could be positioned adjacent to the opening 208 within
the hopper 60 and communicable with the compartment(s) 30 of the
slidable carriage 194. The slidable carriage 194 could include a
rack gear 202 fixed thereto and positioned so as to contact and
interact with the pinion 206. Teeth 205 along the rack gear 202
could engage the pinion 206 so that the wand 193 rotates when the
slidable carriage 194 moves. Rotational motion of the wand 193
would allow the wand 193 to interact with the powder 46 within the
hopper 60. This functionality could facilitate distribution of
powder 46 from the hopper 60 into the compartment(s) 30. For
example, the motion of the wand 193 could move powder 46 toward the
opening 208 and/or cut, chop, or otherwise separate agglomerated
powder 46. The wand 193 could include various designs, non-limiting
examples including the three-arm arrangement in FIG. 19g and the
four arm arrangement in FIG. 25a.
[0131] Referring now to FIG. 9, the dispenser 4 is shown including
a hopper 60 disposed above and communicating with at least one
compartment 30 within the rotatable carriage 6. The hopper 60 is a
container-like structure adapted to hold a powder 46. The hopper 60
could include a cover 7. In some embodiments, it might be
advantageous for the hopper 60 to communicate with more than one
compartment, as represented in FIG. 5b. The walls 107 of the hopper
60 could be sloped or otherwise shaped to further ensure powder 46
slides down into the compartments 30. It is preferred for the
hopper 60 to not communicate with the compartment 30 immediately
above the opening 35 so as to avoid uncontrolled flow of powder 46
from the hopper 60 into the container 63. In other embodiments, a
motor 62 coupled to one or more motor-driven elements within the
powder dispensing apparatus 1 could be secured adjacent to the
hopper 60. In yet other embodiments, the rotatable carriage 6,
cover 7, and/or hopper 60 could be attached to the powder
dispensing apparatus 1 in a removable fashion to facilitate
cleaning.
[0132] Referring now to FIGS. 10a-10c, the rotatable carriage 6 is
shown disposed above the support element 16. The outer
circumferential wall 31 as otherwise described in FIG. 5a could
further include a ring 190 either molded or adhesively or
mechanically attached thereto so as to be disposed between the
rotatable carriage 6 and the support element 16. The ring 190 could
include a plurality of first nubs 50 projecting downward from a
lower surface 49. The first nubs 50 could be either molded onto or
adhesively bonded to the lower surface 49. The upper surface 48 of
the support element 16 could also include at least one second nub
51 adhesively bonded to or molded onto thereto. The first and
second nubs 50, 51 could be substantially curvaceous as represent
in FIGS. 10a-10c or any other shape which allows sliding motion
between rotatable carriage 6 and support element 16. In alternate
embodiments, the first nubs 50 could reside directly along the
lower edge of the outer circumferential wall 31.
[0133] The height of the first and second nubs 50, 51 are preferred
to be complementary spaced so as to allow the first nubs 50 to
contact the upper surface 48 when the second nub(s) 51 contact the
lower surface 49, as represented in FIGS. 10a and 10c; however, the
height of first and second nubs 50, 51 could differ in some
applications. As the rotatable carriage 6 rotates, the first nubs
50 slide up and over the second nub 51 as represented in FIGS. 10b
and 10c, respectively. This repeated interaction causes the
rotatable carriage 6 to move up and down thereby shaking the
rotatable carriage 6 and its contents. When a compartment 30 is
aligned over an opening 35, the shaking motion, in part or whole,
causes the powder 46 to fall into the container 63, as represented
in FIG. 9. This feature is particularly beneficial when the powder
46 is prone to clumping or agglomerations.
[0134] Referring now to FIGS. 11a and 11b, the rotatable carriage 6
could also include a plurality of compartments 30 disposed between
an outer circumferential wall 31, an inner circumferential wall 32,
and a pairwise arrangement of radial side walls 33. Each
compartment 30 could further include a horizontal wall 53,
substantially parallel to the support element 16, attached either
mechanically or adhesively to the four perimeter walls 31, 32, and
33 forming a cup-like structure closed at the bottom or lower end.
In this embodiment, the horizontal wall 53 has an opening 58
facilitating dispensing of powder 46 from the compartment 30. A
rotatable paddle 52 is further attached to the rotatable carriage 6
within each compartment 30. The rotatable paddle 52 includes a
plate 57 complementary shaped and disposed within the opening 58 to
prevent dispensing of the powder 46. The plate 57 is further
attached to a pair of shafts 55, 56 disposed along opposing ends of
the plate 57 and along a common axis that allows the plate 57 to
freely rotate. One shaft 55 passes through a complementary sized
hole through the inner circumferential wall 32. The other shaft 56
passes through a complementary sized hole through the outer
circumferential wall 31. Holes are preferred to be dimensioned with
at least a clearance fit so that the shafts 55, 56 freely rotate
therein. A gear 54 is attached and fixed to the end of the shaft 56
along the exterior of the outer circumferential wall 31 so that
gear 54, shafts 55, 56, and plate 57 rotate as a single unit.
[0135] Referring now to FIGS. 11b, 12a, and 12b, the upper surface
48 of the support element 16 could include an actuation bracket 59
extending above the upper surface 48 immediately adjacent to the
opening 35. The actuation bracket 59 could be mechanically attached
or adhesively bonded to the support element 16. In some
embodiments, the actuation bracket 59 and/or gears 54 could be
composed of a rubber or other material that grabs or sticks when
contacted. In other embodiments, the actuation bracket 59 and gear
54 could be textured or include complementary teeth-like
structures.
[0136] The gears 54 are dimensioned and position along the
rotatable carriage 6 so as to provide a gap between the gears 54
and upper surface 48, as represented in FIG. 12a. The actuation
bracket 59 extends above the support element 16 so as to allow
contact with a gear 54 immediately adjacent to the opening 35 as
the rotatable carriage 6 rotates. When the gear 54 contacts the
actuation bracket 59, the gear 54 rotates thus rotating the plate
57 within the opening 58 to an OPEN position so as to allow the
powder 46 therein to fall from the compartment 30 into the funnel
5. Rotation of the plate 57 further enhances dispensing
functionality by interacting with and agitating the powder 46. At
the end of the actuation bracket 59, the gear 54 is rotationally
positioned so that the plate 57 is in the CLOSED position, thus
closing the opening 58. This functionality allows the otherwise
empty compartment 30 to be refilled with powder 46. In other
embodiments, the actuation bracket 59 could be positioned so as to
contact and forcibly rotate the rotatable paddle 52 regardless of
the composition, texturing, and other features of the gears 54 and
actuation bracket 59.
[0137] Referring now to FIG. 13, the rotatable carriage 6 is shown
composed of a plurality of separate and independent compartments
30. Each compartment 30 includes an outer wall 64, inner wall 65,
and a pair of side radial walls 66 molded or otherwise formed into
a single, substantially wedge-shaped body. The outer and inner
walls 64, 65 could be arcuous so as to form a substantially
circular-shaped structure or planar to form a polygonal-shaped
structure. A plurality of compartments 30 is arranged about a
circular-shaped live hinge 67 so that the inner wall 65 of each
compartment 30 contacts the outer circumference of the live hinge
67. The live hinge 67 could be composed of a rubber or other
pliable and resilient material which readily deflects under a load,
yet recovers its original shape when a load is removed. Each inner
wall 65 is separately and either mechanically fixed or adhesively
bonded to the outer circumference of the live hinge 67 forming a
pie-shaped structure.
[0138] Referring now to FIG. 14, a lower edge of the outer wall 64
along each compartment 30 could include a plurality of first nubs
68 disposed in a generally downward arrangement. The support
element 16 could also include a plurality of second nubs 69
disposed upward and along a radial position immediately adjacent to
the opening 35. Both first nubs 68 and second nubs 69 are
positioned so as to overlay in a complementary arrangement when the
rotatable carriage 6 is seated onto the spindle 19 along the
support element 16.
[0139] Referring now to FIGS. 15a and 15b, the first and second
nubs 68, 69 interact when the rotatable carriage 6 rotates causing
the compartment 30 attached to the first nubs 68 to repeatedly lift
up and down relative to the support element 16. The up and down
motion of a compartment 30 is facilitated by deflection of the live
hinge 67. The compartments 30 adjacent to the immediate compartment
30 are isolated from this motion by virtue of the deflection and
damping properties of the live hinge 67. The resultant shaking or
vibrating motion agitates the powder 46 ensuring release from the
compartment 30 immediately aligned with an opening 35, as further
represented in FIG. 15b.
[0140] Referring now to FIGS. 16a-16d, the funnel 5 includes a
cup-shaped section 70 having wall 108 that is at least partially
sloped downward toward an opening 71. In some embodiments, the
funnel 5 could also include a handle 73 disposed along one end. In
other embodiments, at least one port 74 could be positioned along
the wall 108 with at least one port 74 positioned within the sloped
region 109. The ports 74 enable injection of a liquid 82 from a
reservoir 18 via a pump 8 as otherwise described herein and further
illustrated in FIG. 18b. Each port 74 aligns with a connector port
75 disposed along the tower 3, dispenser 4, or reservoir 18, thus
allowing for the uninterrupted flow of liquid 82 from the pump 8
into the funnel 5. In some embodiments, the funnel 5 functions to
direct only powder 46 from a compartment 30 into a container 63. In
other embodiments, the funnel 5 enables mixing of a powder 46 and
liquid 82 dispensed into the funnel 5 prior to directing the
mixture into a container 63. In latter embodiments, the ports 74
inject a liquid 82 into the funnel 5 causing the liquid 82 to swirl
along the interior of the cup-shaped section 70 in a
downward-directed spiraling fashion toward the opening 71. This
swirling action also facilitates cleaning within the cup-shaped
section 70 after proper mixing of the powder 46 and liquid 82.
[0141] In other embodiments, the wall 108 and sloped region 109 are
generally arranged as represented in FIG. 2 to allow at least one
port 74 to produce a downward tumbling vortex with the liquid 82.
The vortex is sustained by the pressure exerted by the ports 74 to
ensure proper mixing between powder 46 and liquid 82 within the
funnel 5.
[0142] In yet other embodiments, the funnel 5 could include a
flange 72 disposed along a port of the upper edge of the cup-shaped
section 70, as shown in FIG. 16a. The flange 72 could facilitate
attachment of the funnel 5 to the dispenser 4. For example, the
flange 72 in some embodiments could contact a channel 112 disposed
along the housing 11, as shown in FIG. 16d, which enables a user to
properly attach the funnel 5 to the powder dispensing apparatus 1.
The channel 112 could also include a sensor 113 in other
embodiments contacted by the flange 72, as illustrated in FIG. 16e.
For example, the sensor 113 could be a depression-type switch or
the like which indicates the funnel 5 is properly seated onto the
housing 11 when the switch is depressed.
[0143] Referring now to FIG. 17a, the reservoir 18 is shown with a
first probe 116 and a second probe 117 disposed along and attached
to opposing sides of the reservoir 18. It is likewise possible for
the first and second probes 116, 117 to be disposed along and
attached to one side or to two immediately adjacent sides. The
first and second probes 116, 117 extend into the reservoir 18 so as
to communicate with a liquid 82 therein. The interface between each
probe 116, 117 and the reservoir 18 could be sealed with a
waterproof adhesive or caulk or gasket to prevent leakage. In
preferred embodiments, the first and second probes 116, 117 are
disposed at the same height within the reservoir 18. Both probes
116, 117 are electrically connected to a continuity circuit and
thereafter electrically communicate with a control circuit. The
liquid 82 contacts the first and second probes 116, 117 when the
liquid 82 is at a first level 114, thus completing the continuity
circuit. The first level 114 could indicate sufficient liquid 82
within the reservoir 18 for operation of a pump 8. The liquid 82
would otherwise not contact one or both probes 116, 117 when the
liquid 82 is at a second level 115. The second level 115 could
indicate that either the reservoir 18 is empty or does not hold the
minimum quantity of liquid 82 required to prevent damage to the
pump 8 during its operation. In preferred embodiments, the first
level 114 is the minimum height of liquid 82 within the reservoir
18 required to contact both probes 116, 117 and the second level
115 is the minimum height at which the liquid 82 only contacts the
first probe 116 or second probe 117.
[0144] Referring now to FIG. 17b, the reservoir 18 is shown
including a float 119 disposed within a housing 118. The float 119
could be composed of a material with a density less than that of
the liquid 82. The housing 118 could be either molded or attached
to the reservoir mechanically or via an adhesive. In preferred
embodiments, the housing 118 includes a vertically disposed column
or channel, as represented in FIG. 17b. The lower end of the
housing 118 communicates with the reservoir 18 via an opening 138
so as to allow liquid 82 within the reservoir 18 to enter and exit
the housing 118. The float 119 freely moves up and down within the
housing 118 to a level corresponding to the overall level of liquid
82 within the reservoir 18. When the float 119 is positioned at or
near the top of the housing 118, the float 119 interacts with a
switch 120 mounted to the housing 118 or contacting the housing
118. When the liquid 82 is at a first level 114, the float 119
moves upward within the housing 118 so as to contact the switch
120. Activation of the switch 120 by the float 119 could indicate
sufficient liquid 82 within the reservoir 18 for operation of a
pump 8. When the liquid 82 is at a second level 115, the float 119
no longer interacts with the switch 120 thus indicating that the
reservoir 18 either is empty or does not hold the minimum quantity
of liquid 82 required to prevent damage to the pump 8. The
switching mechanism between float 119 and switch 120 could include,
but is not limited to, a magnet within the float 119 and reed
switch disposed along the housing 118 or a mechanical switch
adapted to the housing 118 to interact with a cam along the float
119. The switch 120 could be electrically connected to a control
circuit to activate a motor which drives a pump 8 or directly
attached to a self-contained, fully-functional pump 8.
[0145] Referring now to FIG. 17c, a heating element 124 is shown
attached at and fixed to the bottom of a reservoir 18, although the
heating element 124 could reside in other locations therein. In
some embodiments, the heating element 124 could be attached to the
reservoir 18 adjacent to a line 123. The heating element 124 could
be a resistive-type element adapted for use within a liquid 82. The
line 123 could be a tube or other element allowing a liquid 82 to
pass from the reservoir 18 to a pump 8. A probe 125 is also
attached to the reservoir 18, preferably at the bottom thereof, so
as to contact the liquid 82 within the reservoir 18. The probe 125
could be a thermistor or other element known within the art which
enables temperature monitoring of the liquid 82. The probe 125 and
heating element 124 could be electrically connected to a control
circuit which allows the heating element 124 to be turned ON or OFF
depending on temperature information from the probe 125. The
reservoir 18 could include an access panel 121 allowing for refill
thereof.
[0146] Referring now to FIG. 17d, the reservoir 18 is shown
including an optional probe 130 attached along one wall and
contacting liquid 82 within the reservoir 18 for purposes of
monitoring temperature thereof. A male connector 139 is disposed at
the bottom of the reservoir 18. A spring actuated valve 131 is
disposed within and attached to the male connector 139. A heating
element 124 is also attached to the reservoir 18 and electrically
connected to one or more contacts 133 disposed along the exterior
of the reservoir 18. Connectivity between heating element 124 and
contacts 133 could be via wires adapted to traverse the wall of the
reservoir 18 without leakage of the liquid 82.
[0147] A female connector 140 is provided along a housing 126 so as
to align with the male connector 139. The housing 126 could include
structure along or projecting from the tower 3 or base 2. Contacts
127 could be provided along and attached to the housing 126 so as
to align with the contacts 133. A contact 122 could be provided
along and attached to the housing 126 so as to align with a contact
133 electrically communicating with the probe 130.
[0148] The reservoir 18 is seated onto the housing 126 by inserting
the male connector 139 into the female connector 140. A seal ring
132 could be provided at the interface between male and female
connectors 139, 140 to prevent leakage. The female connector 140
could be further attached to a line 128. The spring actuated valve
131 is depressed or otherwise actuated thereby opening the
otherwise closed valve when male and female connectors 139, 140 are
properly coupled. This functionality prevents the liquid 82 from
freely flowing from the reservoir 18 when detached from the housing
126 but otherwise flowable from the reservoir 18 when seated onto
the housing 126. Liquid 82 from the reservoir 18 passes through the
male and female connectors 139, 140 into the line 128 thereafter
passing to the pump 8.
[0149] When male and female connectors 139, 140 are properly
connected, the contacts 133 from the heating element 124 contact
the contacts 127 along the housing 126 so as to allow power to the
heating element 124 and/or control commands from a control circuit.
Also, the contact 133 from the probe 130 contacts the contact 122
so as to communication voltage or other informational values from
the probe 130 to a control circuit or the like. In other
embodiments, a probe 129 could be attached to the line 128 so as to
monitor temperature of the liquid 82 after it exits the reservoir
18.
[0150] Referring now to FIG. 17e, a modified form of the removable
reservoir 18 in FIG. 17d is shown with a line 134 attached to and
communicating with the female connector 140 along the housing 126
at one end and a pump 135 at the other end. In some embodiments,
the pump 8 could be a fully-functional motorized component. The
pump 135 is further attached to and communicates with an external
heating element 136 via a line 141. The external heating element
136 is also attached to and communicates with the funnel 5
described herein via another line 137. In this embodiment, the
external heating element 136 could be an on-demand or hot-shot
heater which allows for rapid heating as the liquid 82 passes
through the heating element 136 prior to injection into the funnel
5. In some embodiments, the heating element 136 could be positioned
before the pump 135 rather than after the pump 135 as represented
in FIG. 17e.
[0151] Referring now to FIGS. 18a and 18b, the powder dispensing
apparatus 1 is shown including a pump 8 manually actuated via a
handle 14. The pump 8 includes a housing 80 defining an enclosure
adapted to receive, hold, and dispense a liquid 82. A portion of
the pump 8 extends into the reservoir 18. An optional inlet tube 78
could be attached to the lower end of the housing 80 so as to allow
the pump 8 to communicate with liquid 82 at the bottom of the
reservoir 18. An outlet tube 79 is also attached at one end to the
housing 80, preferably at the lower end thereof. The other end of
the outlet tube 79 is attached to the ports 74 along the funnel 5
directly or via connector ports 75, as described herein. The inlet
and outlet tubes 78, 79 could be either flexible or rigid tubing. A
piston 15 is slidably disposed within the housing 80 with a portion
extending therefrom. The piston 15 is attached to the handle 14 via
a linkage assembly 22, as otherwise described herein, so as to be
extendable from and retractable into the housing 80. The functional
description is also applicable to motorized embodiments with
appropriate substitutions and adaptations otherwise described
herein.
[0152] The piston 15 extends from the housing 80 when the handle 14
is rotated upward, as represented in FIG. 18a. As the piston 15 is
extended, it generates a vacuum within the housing 80 drawing
liquid 82 from the reservoir 18 into the housing 80. The lower end
of the housing 80 adjacent to the inlet tube 78 could include a
flapper 76 attached to the interior of the housing 80 via a
fastener 77. The flapper 76 could be composed of rubber or other
flexible material capable of deflecting away from the housing 80
when fluid enters the pump 8. It is also possible for the inlet
tube 78 or housing 80 to include a one-way valve which allows
liquid 82 to enter but not exit through the inlet tube 78. The
outlet tube 79 could further include a one-way valve 81 to prevent
air from entering the pump 8 when the piston 15 is extended.
[0153] The piston 15 retracts into the housing 80 when the handle
14 is rotated downward, as represented in FIG. 18b. As the piston
15 is retracted, it pressurizes the liquid 82 within the pump 8
causing the flapper 76 to cover the inlet tube 78 thereby directing
the liquid 82 into the outlet tube 79. The liquid 82 traverses the
outlet tube 79 and is injected into the funnel 5 via the ports 74.
The liquid 82 could pass through a heating element prior to
entering the funnel 5. Downward rotation of the handle 14 also
causes the rotatable carriage 6 to rotate or the slidable carriage
194 to move, as otherwise described herein, so as to dispense a
powder 46 as liquid 82 enters the funnel 5. In some embodiments,
the pump 8 could inject liquid 82 into the funnel 5 for a finite
time period after powder 46 and liquid 82 are properly mixed. This
functionality would allow the liquid 82 to rinse the interior of
the funnel 5, thus removing residue remaining after mixing.
[0154] Referring now to FIG. 19a, a dispenser 4 is shown including
a hopper 60 with a threaded shaft 83 passing through and rotatable
with respect to a wall 110. The threaded shaft 83 also passes
through a platen 84. The interface between threaded shaft 83 and
platen 84 enables the platen 84 to move toward and away from a
rotatable carriage 6 disposed below and at one end of the hopper
60. The threaded shaft 83 could be further supported within the
hopper 60 via one or more flanges. The end of the threaded shaft 83
could include a gear 85 which rotates with the threaded shaft 83.
The gear 85 could contact a ring 86 along the upper surface of the
rotatable carriage 6, thus allowing the gear 85 to rotate the
rotatable carriage 6 when the threaded shaft 83 rotates. In some
embodiments, the gear 85 and/or ring 86 could be composed of or
include a rubber or other material which grabs or sticks when
contacted. In other embodiments, the gear 85 and/or ring 86 could
be textured or include teeth providing a complementary engagement.
When the threaded shaft 83 is rotated in one direction, the platen
84 moves toward the rotatable carriage 6 pushing powder 46 within
the hopper 60 into compartments 30 not contacted by a cover 34.
When rotation of the threaded shaft 83 is reversed, the platen 84
moves away from the rotatable carriage 6 allowing a user to refill
the hopper 60 with powder 46. In other embodiments, the rotatable
carriage 6, cover 7, and/or hopper 60 could be attached to the
powder dispensing apparatus 1 in a removable fashion to facilitate
cleaning. In still other embodiments, the threaded shaft 83, platen
84, and ring 85 could be attached to the hopper 60 via a snap-fit
arrangement which facilitates disassembly for cleaning
purposes.
[0155] In some embodiments, the platen 84 could be attached to the
threaded shaft 83 in a removable fashion, one example being a snap
fit arrangement. A removable platen 84 would allow a user to
reposition and adjust the platen 84 after cleaning or when the
hopper 60 is refilled with powder 46. It is also possible for the
platen 84 to be molded of a material with one or more different
colors. A colored platen 84 could provide visual cues to a user as
to the quantity of powder 46 residing within the hopper 60. The
cover 7 described herein could be composed of a transparent
material and etched with lines, numbers or other visual cues that
correspond with the position of the platen 84 within the hopper 60.
These visual cues could be representative of the quantity of powder
46 residing within the hopper 60.
[0156] Referring now to FIGS. 19b and 19c, the handle 14 is
attached at a pivot 142, as otherwise described in FIGS. 2-4, so as
to rotate about a rotational axis 159. The handle 14 could include
a flange 143 which extends in a substantially upright direction.
The flange 143 is loosely attached to one end of a linkage 145 via
a pivot pin 144 or other similar fastener. The linkage 145 is
loosely attached at a second end to a rack gear 147 via a pivot pin
146 or other similar fastener. The rack gear 147 is disposed in a
horizontal arrangement parallel to the rotatable carriage 6 and
hopper 60. The rotatable carriage 6 includes a carriage pinion 148
extending perpendicular from the rotatable carriage 6 and toward
the rack gear 147. The carriage pinion 148 is fixed to the
rotatable carriage 6 so that both elements are rotatable as a
single body. The rack gear 147 further includes a plurality of
teeth 157 disposed along one side thereof which contact teeth 160
along the carriage pinion 148. The far end of the rack gear 147 is
attached to one end of a compression spring 152. The other end of
the compression spring 152 contacts a stop 151 attached and fixed
to the housing 11 within dispenser 4. The rack gear 147 also
includes a rack cam 149 adjacent to a housing cam 150, the latter
attached and fixed to the housing 11. In some embodiments, the
carriage pinion 148 could be designed as a clutch or slip gear so
as to eliminate the rack gear and cam 147, 148. The rotatable
carriage 6 might also include a finger 158 fixed at one end to the
rotatable carriage 6 so as to extend and contact the teeth 160.
This arrangement allows the carriage pinion 148 to rotate in one
direction only. In addition molded teeth used as shown by elements
68 and 69 on FIGS. 15a-15b could be shaped to eliminate the finger
158 allowing the carriage pinion 148 to rotate in one direction
only.
[0157] The dispenser 4 further includes a hopper 60. A platen 84 is
disposed in an upright position, preferably substantially
traversing the width and height of the hopper 60. A threaded shaft
83 is further disposed along a portion of the hopper 60. One end of
the threaded shaft 83 passes through a side wall 156 of the hopper
60. The other end of the threaded shaft 83 is supported along a
flange 155 attached to a bottom wall 161 along the hopper 60. The
threaded shaft 83 also passes through the platen 84 which is
adapted to move along the threaded shaft 83 in one direction when
the threaded shaft 83 is rotated clockwise and in the opposite
direction when the threaded shaft 83 is rotated counter-clockwise.
The threaded shaft 83 is freely rotatable at contact points with
the side wall 156 and flange 155. A spur gear 154 is attached and
fixed to the end of the threaded shaft 83 immediately adjacent to
the flange 155.
[0158] The rotatable carriage 6 is positioned below the hopper 60
as otherwise described herein. The ring 86 along the upper side of
the rotatable carriage 6 includes a crown gear 153. The teeth along
the crown gear 153 contact and interact with the spur gear 154.
[0159] Downward movement of the handle 14 is communicated to the
rack gear 147 via the linkage 145 causing the rack gear 147 to move
horizontally toward the carriage pinion 148 compressing the
compression spring 152 disposed between the rack gear 147 and stop
151. Interaction between the carriage pinion 148 and teeth 157
along the rack gear 147 causes the carriage pinion 148 and
rotatable carriage 6 to rotate. Rotation of the rotatable carriage
6 is further communicated to the threaded shaft 83 via the crown
gear 153 and spur gear 154 causing the platen 84 to move toward the
rotatable carriage 6. When the handle 14 is fully depressed, the
rack cam 149 engages the housing cam 150 allowing the rack gear 147
to disengage from the carriage pinion 148, thus allowing the
compression spring 152 to push the rack gear 147 back to its
starting position to reset the handle 14. Rotation of the rotatable
carriage 6 positions a compartment 30 for delivery of powder 46
into the funnel 5, as further described herein.
[0160] Referring now to FIGS. 19b and 19g, a shaft 192 could be
fixed to the rotatable carriage 6 so as to extend vertically upward
from the rotatable carriage 6 opposite of the carriage pinion 148.
A wand 193 could be fixed to the upper end of the shaft 192 within
the hopper 60. The wand 193 could be arranged perpendicular with
respect to the shaft 192 above the rotatable carriage 6. The wand
193 rotates with the rotatable carriage 6 and carriage pinion 148.
The wand 193 could include various shapes, one example being the
three-arm arrangement in FIG. 19g. The wand 193 is positioned
within the hopper 60 so as to evenly distribute powder 46 into the
compartments 30.
[0161] Referring now to FIG. 19d, the handle 14 is attached to a
pivot 142 at one end and includes a flange 162 extending
substantially downward. The flange 162 is rotatably attached to one
end of a linkage 163 via a pivot pin 164 or the like. The other end
of the linkage 163 is rotatably attached via a pivot pin 165 to a
piston 15 slidably disposed within a pump 8. The pump 8 receives a
liquid 82 from a reservoir 18 via an inlet line 166 and
communicates the liquid 82 to a funnel 5 via an outlet line 167, as
further described herein. Downward motion of the handle 14 causes
the piston 15 to move into the pump 8 causing the liquid 82 therein
to flow into the outlet line 167. Upward motion of the handle
causes the piston 15 to move out of the pump 8 drawing liquid 82
into the pump 8 via the inlet line 166. In some embodiments, it
might be advantageous to combine the features described in FIGS.
19b-19d allowing for manual operability of both a rotatable
carriage 6 and a pump 8. In other embodiments, it might be
advantageous to combine the features described in FIGS. 23a, 23b
and 19d allowing for manual operability of both a slidable carriage
194 and a pump 8. The travel distance of the handle 14 could be
indexed to the quantity of powder 46 within each rotatable carriage
6 or slidable carriage 194 and capacity of liquid 82 from the pump
8 to dispense the proper ratio of powder 46 and liquid 82.
[0162] Referring now to FIGS. 19e and 19f, the piston 15 along the
pump 8 shown in FIG. 19d is rotatably attached to one end of a
linkage 169 via a pivot pin 165. The other end of the linkage 169
is rotatably attached to a second linkage 171 via a pivot pin 164.
The other end of the second linkage 171 is attached and fixed to a
spur gear 172 via a pivot pin 173. This arrangement ensures the
linkage 171 rotates with the spur gear 172. The spur gear 172 is
further attached to an arrangement of cluster gears 174 within a
gearbox 170. A pinion 175 is further attached to a shaft along a
reversible motor 168. One cluster gear 174 contacts the pinion 175
and another cluster gear 174 contacts a second spur gear 176
partially extending into the gearbox 170. The cluster gears 174
communicate rotation of the pinion 175 by the motor 168 to rotation
of the spur gear 172 causing the piston 18 to move up or down
within the pump 8 dependent in part on gear design and direction of
rotation by the motor 168. The cluster gears 174 also communicate
rotation of the pinion 175 to the second spur gear 176. The inlet
line 166, outlet line 167, and/or pump 82 could include a one-way
valve and/or flap mechanism as otherwise described for FIGS.
18a-18b. In other embodiments, it might be advantageous to combine
the features described in FIGS. 23a, 23b, 12e, and 12f allowing for
motorized operability of both a slidable carriage 194 and a pump
8.
[0163] Referring again to FIG. 19f, a shaft 192 could be fixed to
ring 210 so as to extend vertically upward away a slidable carriage
194, the latter not shown. The ring 210 is rotatably disposed
within the hopper 60 above and adjacent to the slidable carriage
194. A wand 193 could be fixed to the upper end of the shaft 192
within the hopper 60. The wand 193 could be arranged perpendicular
with respect to the shaft 192 above the ring 210. This arrangement
ensures that the wand 193 rotates with the ring 210 and shaft 192.
The wand 193 could include various shapes, one non-limiting example
being the three-arm arrangement in FIG. 19g. The wand 193 is
positioned within the hopper 60 so as to move and distribute powder
46 into the compartments 30, as otherwise shown in FIGS. 24a and
24b. In some embodiments, the cluster gears 174, spur gear 176, and
motor 168 described in FIGS. 24a, 24b, and 19f could rotate the
ring 210 via contact between a spur gear 154 and a crown gear 153
along the top of the ring 210. The spur gear 154 and crown gear 153
could be driven directly by a motor 168 or indirectly via the
threaded shaft 83. For embodiments including a rotatable carriage
6, the rotatable carriage 6 could be fixed to the ring 210 and
rotate therewith.
[0164] The hopper 60 described in FIGS. 19c and 19d includes a
threaded shaft 83 which partially traverses the hopper 60. One end
of the threaded shaft 83 passes through and extends from the side
wall 156. The other end of the threaded shaft 83 is supported by a
flange 155 extending upright from the bottom wall 161. A spur gear
154 is attached and fixed to the threaded shaft 83 at one end. A
rotatable carriage 6 is disposed below and rotatable with respect
to the hopper 60. The spur gear 154 communicates with a crown gear
153 disposed along the ring 86 along the upper side of the
rotatable carriage 6. A threaded shaft 83 passes through a platen
84 which is adapted to move forward and backward along the threaded
shaft 83 depending on the rotational direction. The end of the
threaded shaft 83 extending beyond the side wall 156 is attached
and fixed to the spur gear 176. This arrangement allows the spur
gear 176 to rotate the shaft 83 which in turn rotates the rotatable
carriage 6 via the spur gear 154 and crown gear 153.
[0165] In some embodiments, the linkage mechanism between pump 8
and rotatable carriage 6 or slidable carriage 194 could include a
sensor mechanism for determining and controlling the quantity of
powder 46 and liquid 82 dispensed into a container 63. One
exemplary sensor mechanism could include a paired arrangement of
contacts 177, 178.
[0166] A spur gear 176 could include one or more contacts 177
indexed with the compartments 30 and/or flow rate from or quantity
of liquid 82 dispensed by the pump 8. A contact 178 could be
attached to the dispenser 4 or within the gearbox 170 and
positioned to touch or interact with the contacts 177 as the spur
gear 176 rotates. The contacts 177, 178 could be composed of a
conductive metal which makes and breaks a circuit so as to allow a
control circuit to determine the quantity of liquid 82 and powder
46 dispensed into a container 63. In one non-limiting example, a
single contact 177 could be disposed along a spur gear 176. The
contacts 177, 178 could touch once per complete revolution of the
spur gear 176 indicating that powder 46 from one compartment 30 is
dispensed into the funnel 5 and liquid 82 is injected into the
funnel 5 consistent with one fill/discharge cycle by the pump 8.
The control circuit could control the ON and OFF functionality of
the motor 168 to accurately control the quantity of powder 46 and
liquid 82 dispensed. Other designs are possible allowing for an
infinite number of powder-to-liquid ratios.
[0167] While FIGS. 19e, 19f, 24a and 24b describe a motorized
embodiment capable of driving both pump 8 and rotatable carriage 6
or slidable carriage 194, it is also possible for the motor 168 to
drive either only the pump 8 or only the rotatable carriage 6 or
slidable carriage 194.
[0168] Referring now to FIGS. 20a-20c, the powder dispensing
apparatus 1 is shown including a substantially L-shaped base 2
attached to a tower 3 and dispenser 4. The housing 13 along the
base 2 includes a pair of walls 180. The housing 12 along the tower
3 also includes a pair of walls 179. Each wall 180 includes a pair
of bosses 181, 182 which extend outward in a substantially
perpendicular fashion. Each boss 181, 182 could have a circular
cross section as illustrated in FIGS. 20a and 20c. Each wall 179
includes a pair of tracks 183, 184 which extend inward. The tracks
183, 184 are flange-like elements which extend from the inner
surface of each wall 179. The top most track 183 is preferred to be
U-shaped structure 185 opening downward. The bottom most track 184
includes a pair of intersecting U-shaped structures 186, 187 with
an L-shaped structure 188 extending from end one. In preferred
embodiments, the bosses 181, 182 extend toward and contact the
inner surface of the wall 179, yet remain slidable with respect
thereto. Also, a portion of one or both tracks 183, 184 could
extend toward and contact the outer surface of the wall 180, yet
slidable with respect thereto.
[0169] The base 2 is positioned and locked in an upright position
by positioning the boss 181 so that it resides within and contacts
the U-shaped structure 185 and the other boss 182 so that it
resides within and contacts the U-shaped structure 186, as
represented in FIGS. 20a and 20b. The base 2 in positioned and
locked in a folded position by pulling the base 2 downward to
release the bosses 181, 182 from the respective U-shaped structures
185, 186. Next, the base 2 is rotated counter-clockwise as
represented in FIG. 20c and pulled to the right so the boss 181 now
contacts the L-shaped structure 188 and the other boss 182 now
contacts the U-shaped structure 187. The base 2 is extended to the
upright position again by pushing the base 2 to the left and
rotating the base 2 clockwise so as to align the bosses 181, 182
with the respective U-shaped structures 185, 186. Next, the base 2
is pushed up into the tower 3 locking the bosses 181, 182 into the
respective U-shaped structures 185, 186. A molded spring detent or
compression spring with cap could be used to provide a firm stop
and an audio cue to the user signaling folded and upright
positions.
[0170] Referring now to FIG. 21, an exemplary control panel 88 is
shown for controlling electrically powered components within the
powder dispensing apparatus 1. The control panel 88 could be
mounted along an exterior surface 87 disposed along the base 2,
tower 3, or dispenser 4.
[0171] The control panel 88 could include a variety of options
which enable a user to select and deselect functionality of the
powder dispensing apparatus 1. In one example, temperature
selectors 89 could allow a user to select the temperature of liquid
82 dispensed into a container 63. In another example, a water
selector 90 could allow a user to select or deselect injection of a
liquid 82 from a reservoir 18 into the funnel 5. In yet another
example, quantity selectors 91 could allow a user to select the
amount of liquid 82 dispensed into a container 63. In still another
example, a start selector 92 could allow a user to power the powder
dispensing apparatus 1 and a stop selector 93 could allow a user to
terminate power to or interrupt functionality of the powder
dispensing apparatus 1. Selectors could include touch sensitive
buttons or switches with or without backlighting or light
indicators.
[0172] The control panel 88 could further include a variety of
indicator elements which communicate information to a user. In one
example, a water level indicator 94 could direct a user to add more
liquid 82 to a reservoir 18. In another example, a funnel indicator
95 could direct a user to attach a funnel 5 to the powder
dispensing apparatus 1 or check to determine whether a funnel 5 is
properly seated within the dispenser 4. Other indicators which
relate to safety and performance are likewise applicable to the
powder dispensing apparatus 1. Indicator elements could include a
polymer sheet with one or more symbols displayable when backlit by
a light element.
[0173] Referring now to FIG. 22, the control panel 88 could
electrically communicate with a control circuit 97. The control
circuit 97 could further communicate with electrically powered
elements within the powder dispensing apparatus 1. For example, the
control circuit 97 could communicate power and/or control commands
to a motor 96 for purposes of controlling functionality of the
rotatable carriage 6 and/or or slidable carriage 194 and/or pump 8.
In another example, the control circuit 97 could communicate power
and/or control commands directly to a motorized pump 98. In yet
another example, the control circuit 97 could communicate power
and/or control commands to a heater 111 for purposes of controlling
heating of a liquid 82. In still other examples, the control
circuit 97 could receive and process information from a variety of
sensors 99 including, but not limited to, a temperature sensor
communicating with a liquid 82, a water level sensor within a
reservoir 18, a sensor 113 within the dispenser 4 which determines
whether the funnel 5 is property seated therein, or the sensor
mechanism comprising the contacts 177, 178 shown in FIGS. 19e and
19d. Information from the temperature sensor could be used to
determine ON and OFF functionality of the heater 111. Information
from the water level sensor could be used to prevent the motor 96
or motorized pump 98 from functioning in order to control the
quality of the mixture dispensed into the container 63 or to avoid
damage to the powder dispensing apparatus 1 or component(s)
thereof. Information from the water level sensor could also be used
to actuate the water level indicator 94. Information from the
sensor 113 adjacent to the funnel 5 could be used to actuate the
funnel indicator 95. Information from the contacts 177, 178 could
be used to determine ON and OFF functionality of a motor 168.
[0174] As is evident from the explanation above, the described
invention provides a fully-integrated dispensing apparatus
applicable to food preparation. Accordingly, the described
invention is expected to be sold by retailers and the like to
shoppers who require the convenience of a powder dispenser examples
including, but not limited to, persons having a family member with
special feeding needs.
[0175] The description above indicates that a great degree of
flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although
systems and methods have been described in considerable detail with
reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are
possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims
should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions
contained herein.
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