GB2115785A - A device for dispensing coffee or the like material - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for dispensing coffee into a percolator comprises a container (2) for coffee having a base wall (4) in which there is provided a central opening (5). A flow control member or dosing element (6) sliding in touch with the wall (4) and being movable from a position wherein said opening is closed, to another position wherein said opening is opened and allows coffee to flow therethrough. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for dispensing coffee or the like material The present invention refers to a device for dosing or dispensing coffee or other blends and is especially provided for use with domestic coffeepots.

It is well known that coffee-pots are filled with coffee or other blend in a slow and empiric manner, i.e. by dosing the necessary quantity of coffee or blend by means of a coffee-spoon. This involves an expenditure of time and a substantial consumption of material since material can be lost from the spoon in transference and also continual opening of the container for removal of material causes a loss of aroma and a consequent reduction in the quality of coffee.

It is an object and purpose of the present invention to provide a dispensing device which is capable of eliminating or minimising the above mentioned drawbacks and furthermore to provide a practical, simple shape that facilitates filling of coffee-pots or the like. The device also makes it possible to save time in filling and to keep the material stored in the container in optimum condition for good preservation.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for dispensing coffee or like, comprising a container having a base in which there is provided an opening which can be obstructed by a flow control or dosing member which is pivotable into and out of the obstructing position in said opening by means of lever means outside of said container.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a dispensing device for coffee or other blends comprising a container in the base of which there is provided an opening obstructed by a control or dosing member which can be pivoted by means of a lever provided outside the container; said dosing member comprising a hollow part-spherical bowl or shell secured on a small shaft pivotally mounted on the container and being a component of said lever; and wherein circular slots concentric to said opening are provided at the base of said container.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view ofa dispensing device; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view from below of the base of the containel; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the container of Fig. 1.

A filler-doser or dispensing device for coffee or other flowable material is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The dispensing device 1 includes a cylindrical body 2 forming a container having an upper opening 3 for filling the device and a lid or cover 7 locatable so as to close the top of the container. A base 4 is provided in the centre of which an opening 5 is provided. On the lower face of base 4 concentric annular seats 6 are provided which allow the dispensing device to be placed on differently sized coffee-pots and centralised thereby.

The opening 5 can be opened or closed by manipulating flow control or dosing means 8. The dosing means 8 comprises a hollow, partspherical bowl 9 which almost completely fills the inner circumference of the container 2 and has at its top a small tube 10 in which there is inserted a shaft 11 which extends through interior of the container 2 and which shaft 11 is pivotally mourited therein. The dosing means 8 is thus pivotally mounted on the container 2. The shaft 11 is a component of a lever means having a small handle member 12 provided on the shaft 11 outside said container 2.

The tube 10 of the part spherical bowl or shell 9 is secured on said shaft 11 by securing means such as screws or the like.

The operation of the dispensing device will now be briefly described: In the inoperative condition of the device, the lower portion of the part-spherical shell 9 fills the opening 5 and this closes it and prevents coffee contained in the container 2 from escaping.

When the device is to be used the percolator element of a common coffee-pot which is to be filled is aligned with its corresponding annular seat 6 and the handle 12 then turned to cause the lower portion of the part-spherical shell 9 to pivot out of the opening 5 and, consequently, coffee or blend falls therethrough under the action of gravity until the percolator element of the coffeepot is filled. The lever 12 is then brought back to its normal position of non-use and thus causes return of the shell 9 into the closing position.

Advantageously, during the return of the shell 9 to the closing position, it levels the coffee or blend by removing any excess amount and carries it back into the container without causing scattering or loss of coffee. Another advantage of the present invention resides in that a cover 7 is provided which permits the upper end of the container to be closed where filling is provided from the top.

Another advantage resides in the fact that the container 2 can be hung-up or suspended, e.g. by means of a wall mounted bracket, in order to facilitate use of the device.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing coffee or like, comprising a container having a base in which there is provided an opening which can be obstructed by a flow control or dosing member which is pivotable into and out of the obstructing position in said opening by means of lever means outside of said container.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said dosing member comprises a hollow part-spherical bowl or shell secured on a small tube pivotally located on the container and being part of said lever means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A device for dispensing coffee or the like material The present invention refers to a device for dosing or dispensing coffee or other blends and is especially provided for use with domestic coffeepots. It is well known that coffee-pots are filled with coffee or other blend in a slow and empiric manner, i.e. by dosing the necessary quantity of coffee or blend by means of a coffee-spoon. This involves an expenditure of time and a substantial consumption of material since material can be lost from the spoon in transference and also continual opening of the container for removal of material causes a loss of aroma and a consequent reduction in the quality of coffee. It is an object and purpose of the present invention to provide a dispensing device which is capable of eliminating or minimising the above mentioned drawbacks and furthermore to provide a practical, simple shape that facilitates filling of coffee-pots or the like. The device also makes it possible to save time in filling and to keep the material stored in the container in optimum condition for good preservation. According to the present invention there is provided a device for dispensing coffee or like, comprising a container having a base in which there is provided an opening which can be obstructed by a flow control or dosing member which is pivotable into and out of the obstructing position in said opening by means of lever means outside of said container. Also according to the present invention there is provided a dispensing device for coffee or other blends comprising a container in the base of which there is provided an opening obstructed by a control or dosing member which can be pivoted by means of a lever provided outside the container; said dosing member comprising a hollow part-spherical bowl or shell secured on a small shaft pivotally mounted on the container and being a component of said lever; and wherein circular slots concentric to said opening are provided at the base of said container. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view ofa dispensing device; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view from below of the base of the containel; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the container of Fig. 1. A filler-doser or dispensing device for coffee or other flowable material is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The dispensing device 1 includes a cylindrical body 2 forming a container having an upper opening 3 for filling the device and a lid or cover 7 locatable so as to close the top of the container. A base 4 is provided in the centre of which an opening 5 is provided. On the lower face of base 4 concentric annular seats 6 are provided which allow the dispensing device to be placed on differently sized coffee-pots and centralised thereby. The opening 5 can be opened or closed by manipulating flow control or dosing means 8. The dosing means 8 comprises a hollow, partspherical bowl 9 which almost completely fills the inner circumference of the container 2 and has at its top a small tube 10 in which there is inserted a shaft 11 which extends through interior of the container 2 and which shaft 11 is pivotally mourited therein. The dosing means 8 is thus pivotally mounted on the container 2. The shaft 11 is a component of a lever means having a small handle member 12 provided on the shaft 11 outside said container 2. The tube 10 of the part spherical bowl or shell 9 is secured on said shaft 11 by securing means such as screws or the like. The operation of the dispensing device will now be briefly described: In the inoperative condition of the device, the lower portion of the part-spherical shell 9 fills the opening 5 and this closes it and prevents coffee contained in the container 2 from escaping. When the device is to be used the percolator element of a common coffee-pot which is to be filled is aligned with its corresponding annular seat 6 and the handle 12 then turned to cause the lower portion of the part-spherical shell 9 to pivot out of the opening 5 and, consequently, coffee or blend falls therethrough under the action of gravity until the percolator element of the coffeepot is filled. The lever 12 is then brought back to its normal position of non-use and thus causes return of the shell 9 into the closing position. Advantageously, during the return of the shell 9 to the closing position, it levels the coffee or blend by removing any excess amount and carries it back into the container without causing scattering or loss of coffee. Another advantage of the present invention resides in that a cover 7 is provided which permits the upper end of the container to be closed where filling is provided from the top. Another advantage resides in the fact that the container 2 can be hung-up or suspended, e.g. by means of a wall mounted bracket, in order to facilitate use of the device. Claims

1. A device for dispensing coffee or like, comprising a container having a base in which there is provided an opening which can be obstructed by a flow control or dosing member which is pivotable into and out of the obstructing position in said opening by means of lever means outside of said container.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said dosing member comprises a hollow part-spherical bowl or shell secured on a small tube pivotally located on the container and being part of said lever means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which slots, concentric to said opening, are provided on the base of said container.

4. A device for dispensing coffee substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.