GB2204298A

GB2204298A - A dispenser for particulate material

Info

Publication number: GB2204298A
Application number: GB08810562A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Leslie Flannery; James David Newton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-05-08
Filing date: 1988-05-05
Publication date: 1988-11-09
Also published as: GB8810562D0

Abstract

A portion controlled dispenser (10) has a supply hopper (18) for particulates, which are to be dispensed from a dispensing chute (23). A transfer unit (24) is arranged for horizontal sliding movement over the base (15) of the dispenser to transfer the particulates from a first position below the hopper outlet (21) to a second position above the dispensing chute (23). When the transfer unit is its second position, flexible sealing strips (34, 35) close the hopper outlet (31) to prevent further flow of the particulates into the transfer unit. <IMAGE>

Description

A DISPENSER THIS INVENTION relates to a dispenser. The invention particularly relates to, but is not limited to, a portion control dispenser.

Dispensing hoppers for dispensing gravitationally flowable bulk materials are well known and examples are disclosed in Australian Patent Appliátion Nows. r 47541/85 (Trollope k'ty. lea.) and 68853/87 (M. L. Flannery et al). The dispensing hoppers have applications in many industries dealing with the dispensing of flowable objects, materials or particulates, such as self-serve locations in shops where the customer uses the dispensers to fill bags with the products to their desired level.

The dispensing hoppers may be used to dispense small objects (e.g. confectionery and nuts), as well as particulate or near.particulate materials (e.g. flour, sugar, rice), hereinafter referred to collectively as particulates.

While the dispensing hoppers have proved popular, they are not designed to dispense the particulates in controlled portions e.g. approximately 250 gms or approximately 200 mh. The weight ox volume of particulates dispensed is simply controlled by the customer closing the closure mechanism when the desired weight or volume has been dispensed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser where a controlled portion of particulates can be dispensed.

It is a preferred object to provide a dispenser where the controlled portion is transferred from the bulk supply hopper to a discharge chute by a manually operable transfer unit.

It is a further preferred object to provide a dispenser where the particulates flow into, and out of, the transfer unit under gravity.

Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

In one aspect the present invention resides in a portion controlled dispenser for particulates (as hereinbefore defined) including: a body; a bulk supply hopper for the particulates within the body having a supply inlet and an outlet; a dispensing outlet for the dispenser spaced from the hopper outlet; and a transfer unit having an inlet and an outlet movably mounted in the body and movable between a first position where the transfer unit inlet is in communication with the. hopper outlet to receive a controlled portion of particulates from the hopper and a second position where the transfer unit outlet is in communication with the dispenser outlet to enable the controlled portion of particulates to be dispensed from the dispenser; wherein flexible seal means are provided on, or are associated with, the hopper outlet to sealably close the hopper outlet when the transfer unit is in its second position.

Preferably the hopper is formed in the upper portion of the body and has at least one downwardly inclined flow section to enable the particulates to flow under gravity through the hopper outlet.

Preferably the dispensing outlet is provided with a dispensing chute to receive the open mouth of a container into which the particulates are to be dispensed.

Preferably the transfer unit is mounted for horizontal movement within the body with its inlet in the top and its outlet in the bottom, the inlet and outlet being preferably longitudinally offset.

Preferably, a wall is releasably supported in the hopper spaced a small distance from the front wall thereof and sealed to the side walls of the hopper and closed at its base to form a display chamber at the front of the hopper, where display chamber may be filled with the product to be dispensed and will appear full irrespective of the level of the product in the hopper In a second aspect the present invention resides in a dispenser of the type having: a body; a bulk supply hopper for the particulates within the body having a supply inlet and an outlet; means to dispense the particulates from the outlet; and a wall provided in the hopper, spaced a small distance from the front wall of the hopper, sealed to the side walls of the hopper and closed at its base to form a display chamber at the front of the hopper, the wall being releasably supported in the hopper to enable it to be removed for replacement of the particulates in the display chamber or to enable cleaning of the chamber.

To enable the invention to be fully understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the dispenser; FIG. 2 is a front elevational view; and FIGS. 3 and 4 are aide elevational views showing the transfer unit in its first and second positions, respectively0 The portion control dispenser 10 is formed of clear perspex and has a front wall 11, rear wall 12, side walls 13 and 14 and base 15. The dispenser is closed by a removable top wall or lid 16 fitted with a key-operated locking mechanism 17.

A supply hopper 18 for the particulates to be dispensed is formed in the upper portion of the dispenser and has downwardly inclined floor sections 19, 20 which enable the particulates to flow gravitationally through a hopper outlet 21.

A dispenser outlet 22 is provided at the front of the dispenser and is provided with a dispensing chute 23 which is arranged to receive the open mouth of a container into which the particulates are to be dispensed.

The transfer unit 24 comprising a hollow box with downwardly convergent side walls 25, front and rear walls 26, 27 and a floor 28. The transfer unit is arranged for horizontal sliding movement over the base 15 of the dispenser, guided by its side walls 13, 14.

The transfer unit is moved by a handle 29 and is biassed to its first position, below the hopper outlet 21, by a rubber band 30.

An inclined dividing wall 31 is provided in the unit, which has an inlet 32 and an outlet 33.

Flexible sealing strips 34, 35 are provided on the floor sections 19, 20 as opposite sides of the hopper outlet 21.

Referring to FIG. 3, the transfer unit 24 is in its first position where a controlled portion of particulates flow from the hopper 18, under gravity through the hopper outlet 21 and transfer unit inlet 32, to the transfer unit 24.

When the handle 29 is pulled, the transfer unit is moved to its second position, shown in FIG. 4.

The sealing strips 34, 35 close the hopper outlet 21 and prevent the flow of particulates into the transfer unit.

The inclined side walls 25 and dividing wall 31 of the transfer unit cause the particulates to flow out of the transfer unit outlet 33 under gravity. The particulates flow through the dispenser outlet 22 and dispensing chute 23 to the waiting container. When the handle 29 is released the rubber band 30 returns the transfer unit 24 to its first position (FIG. 3) where it is refilled with particulates to await the next dispensing operation.

With the present invention, it is possible to dispense controlled portions of particulates (e.g.

sugar, flour or nuts) each time the handle is pulled.

The portion dispensed may be by weight or volume, depending on the product being dispensed.

The dispenser is preferably arranged so that at the hopper outlet 21 and/or transfer unit inlet 32 is closed before the transfer unit outlet 33 is opened.

Referring to FIG, 4, a wall 36 may be provided in the hopper 18, spaced rearwardly of the front wall 11. The wall 36 is sealed to the side walls 13, 14 and the floor section 20 to form an open-topped display chamber 37. Some of the product may be placed in the chamber 37 as a permanent display of the product being dispensed, the level of the product in the chamber 37 being unchanged irrespective of the level of the product in the hopper 18.

The handle 29 may be replaced by a substantially horizontal handle fixed to the front wall 26 of the transfer unit 24, the handle having a transverse slot in plan view.

In a further modified . form of the dispenser, the discharge outlet 22 may be supported in guides provided underneath the base 15 to enable the outlet to be released or removed for cleaning.

The embodiment described is by way of an illustrative example only and various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portion controlled dispenser for particulates (as hereinbefore defined) including: a body; a bulk supply hopper for the particulates within the body having a supply inlet and an outlet; a dispensing outlet for the dispenser spaced from the hopper outlet; and a trnrrer unit having ng an inlot and outlet movably mounted in the body and movable between a first position where the transfer unit inlet is in communication with the hopper outlet to receive a controlled portion of particulates from the hopper and a second position where the transfer unit outlet is in communication with the dispenser outlet to enable the control led portion of particulates to be dispensed from the dispenser;; wherein flexible seal means are provided on, or are associated with, the hopper outlet to sealably close the hopper outlet when the transfer unit is in its second position.

2. A dispenser according to Claim 1 wherein: the hopper is formed in the upper portion of the body and has at least one downwardly inclined flow section to enable the particulates to flow under gravity through the hopper outlet.

3. A dispenser according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein: the dispensing outlet is provided with a dispensing chute to receive the open mouth of a container into which the particulates are to be dispensed.

4. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: the transfer unit is mounted for horizontal movement within the body with its inlet in the top and its outlet in the bottom, the inlet and outlet being preferably longitudinally offset.

5. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein: a wall is releasably supported in the hopper spaced a small distance from the front wall thereof and sealed to the side walls of the hopper and closed at its base to form a display chamber at the front of the hopper, where display chamber may be filled with the product to be dispensed and will appear full irrespective of the level of the product in the hopper.

6. A dispenser of the type having: a body; a bulk supply hopper for the particulates within the body having a supply inlet and an outlet; means to dispense the particulates from the outlet; and a wall provided in the hopper, spaced a small distance from the front wall of the hopper, sealed to the side walls of the hopper and closed at its base to form a display chamber at the front of the hopper, the wall being releasably supported ' in the hopper to enable it to be removed for replacement of the particulates in the display chamber or to enable cleaning of the chamber.

7. A portion controlled dispenser for particulates substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.