GB2604051A

GB2604051A - Particle dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2604051A
Application number: GB2205234.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beaumont Martyn
Original assignee: Design and Product Ltd
Current assignee: Design and Product Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-09
Filing date: 2017-11-09
Publication date: 2022-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-09
Also published as: GB2604051B; GB202205234D0

Abstract

A coffee dispenser comprises a first portion 10, having an engagement formation for engaging with an opening in a container, a second portion, rotatably engaged with the first portion, and a plurality of chambers. Particles from the container are permitted to enter one or more of the chambers. When the second portion is rotated with respect to the first portion, particles are dispensed from one of the chambers to the outside of the dispenser, while particles from the container are inhibited from entering the chamber from which the particles are being dispensed to the outside of the dispenser. The first portion comprises a flow directing formation 15 for directing particles into a chamber being filled. The flow directing formation may be provided on a top of a roof 16 of the first portion and may comprise and ascending surface 15a and a descending surface 15c, wherein, when a new chamber is exposed from under the roof, particles run down the descending surface and through the nearest opening into the newly exposed chamber.

Description

Particle Dispenser

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a particle dispenser, for example a coffee dispenser. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a coffee dispenser which can be retrofitted to an existing coffee container, while other embodiments of the present relate to a dedicated coffee dispenser and container combination. Various embodiments of the invention may therefore be intended for retail packing and/or for after-market products. The particles may be granules or powder for example.

Background

Coffee is a very popular hot drink. Coffee generally comes in the form of granules, kept in a jar, which are transferred from the jar into a mug or other drinking receptacle using a spoon. Hot water is then poured onto and mixed with the granules, and milk and sugar are added to taste.

There are a number of problems associated with this traditional arrangement. Firstly, a spoon is required to transfer the granules from the jar (note that a spoon is not required for stirring, since a stirrer can achieve this, and for black coffee no spoon is required anyway). Secondly, repeated opening of the jar exposes the coffee granules to the air, so the coffee granules are not kept fresh. Thirdly, it is difficult to measure out exactly the correct "dose" of coffee granules, since spoons often differ in size and shape, and human judgement is required to determine how heaped such a spoonful of coffee granules should be.

The present invention is intended to address certain of these limitations.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispenser, comprising: 1.

a first portion, having an engagement formation for engaging with an opening in a container; a second portion, rotatably engaged with the first portion; and a plurality of chambers; wherein when the container is oriented with the dispenser substantially beneath the mouth of the container, particles from the container are permitted to enter one or more of the chambers; and when the second portion is rotated with respect to the first portion, particles are dispensed from one of the chambers to the outside of the dispenser, while particles from the container are inhibited from entering the dispensing chamber.

Preferably, the dispenser is a coffee dispenser, the container is a coffee container, and the particles are coffee granules or coffee powder. By filling and dispensing individual chambers, it is possible to dispense an exact dose of coffee particles every time. By isolating the inside of the coffee container from the outside via chambers which are exposed to at most one of the interior of the coffee container and the outside air at any given time, it is possible to keep the coffee fresher. There is no need to open the coffee jar to obtain the coffee particles. Furthermore, the use of the dispenser is much more convenient (fast and easy to dispense), compared with a process of opening the lid of a coffee jar, obtaining a spoon, measuring out the correct amount, and closing the coffee jar again. There is also less mess, and no spoon is needed. The present technique provides for a much more accurate dosage to be delivered, since each chamber has a fixed size which is substantially fully occupied when coffee particles from the jar enter the chamber. In contrast, measuring an accurate dose with a teaspoon is very difficult to achieve due to differences in the size and shape of teaspoons and the difference between a level and heaped teaspoon.

Preferably, the second portion comprises the plurality of chambers, and rotation of the second portion causes the plurality of chambers to rotate such that a full chamber moves into position above an aperture in the dispenser to become the dispensing chamber, whereupon the particles are emptied from the dispensing chamber through the aperture.

Preferably, the first portion comprises a chamber roof, the dispensing chamber being separated from the container by the chamber roof while it is positioned above the aperture in the dispenser.

Preferably, as the second portion is further rotated, the emptied chamber moves into an exposed position where it is not separated from the container by the roof, permitting the emptied chamber to be refilled with particles from the container.

Preferably, the first portion comprises a first part bearing the engagement formation and a second part bearing the aperture through which the particles are dispensed.

Preferably, a rotation inhibiting part is provided which inhibits further rotation of the second portion with respect to the first portion at a plurality of stop positions throughout a complete cycle of rotation. A stop position is preferably defined as a position where, should the second portion be rotated substantially beyond that position, a next chamber, following the dispensing chamber, reaches a position where it can begin to release particles through the aperture.

Preferably, the rotation inhibiting part generates an audible click when the second portion is rotated beyond a stop position. This provides the user with feedback so that only a single dose is dispensed at a time.

Preferably, the second portion comprises a central bore, through which a central stem extends to connect together the first and second parts of the first portion. In this way, the first and second parts effectively become one piece for operation.

The engagement formation may be a snap fitting formation or a screw threaded formation.

The dispenser may comprise a cap. The cap may be provided with a seal to prevent, or at least inhibit, air ingress, thereby keeping the contents of the chambers, and jar, fresh. When in place, the cap covers the aperture in the dispenser through which granules are dispensed.

The particles may be any solid particles, for example granules or powder.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container, comprising a rotatable portion, rotatably engaged with an opening in the container; and a plurality of chambers, wherein when the container is oriented with the dispenser substantially beneath the mouth of the container, particles from the container are permitted to enter one or more of the chambers; and when the rotatable portion is rotated with respect to the mouth, particles are dispensed from one of the chambers to the outside of the dispenser, while particles from the container are inhibited from entering the dispensing chamber.

It will be understood that the dispenser may be provided with, and/or permanently fixed to and/or integrally formed with, the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a coffee container and dispenser; Figure 2 schematically illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the dispenser; Figure 3 schematically illustrates a cross sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 2; Figure 4 schematically illustrates an external assembled view of the dispenser of Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 schematically illustrates an assembled view of the dispenser of Figures 2 to 4; Figure 6 schematically illustrates a further cross sectional view of the dispenser of Figures 2 to 5; Figure 7 schematically illustrates an alternative exploded view of the dispenser; and Figures 8A and 8B schematically illustrate the structure and operation of the flexible tab.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figure 1, a dispenser 1 is shown to be mounted at and around the mouth of a coffee jar 2. In Figure 1, the coffee jar 2 is upside down, with the dispenser 1 being disposed immediately beneath it. In this orientation, coffee granules 6 from the jar 2 are permitted to enter the dispenser 1, and to be dispensed externally thereof into a mug 3 located below. The directional arrow 4 indicates the direction of turn of a part 5 of the dispenser 1, rotation of which causes coffee to be dispensed.

Embodiments of this invention are designed to dispense instant coffee (or any powder/granule based product) in equal doses easily. The product is designed to replace an existing coffee jar lid for instant coffee products. It could also be a standalone product if a jar were to be included.

Referring to Figure 2, an exploded cross-sectional view of the dispenser 1 and jar 2 is provided. The dispenser 1 comprises a first portion which comprises a first part 10 and a second part 30, which are manufactured separately but engage with each other in a manner which will be described below. The first part 10 has an engagement formation inside a channel 13 (screw threaded engagement) which engages with a screw threading about a mouth 2a of the jar 2. It will be appreciated that the mouth 2a of the jar is received in the channel 13 and the jar 2 and dispenser 1 are rotated with respect to each other to engage them. The other elements of the first part 10 will be described in detail later. A second portion 20 is provided (sandwiched) between the first part 10 and the second part 30 of the first portion. The second portion comprises a plurality of chambers, as will be described in detail subsequently. The second portion 20 has a through bore 22 which extends through its centre. The second part 30 of the first portion has a central projection 32 which extends through the bore 22 to engage with a central receiving part 12 of the first part 10, thereby trapping the second portion 20 between the two parts of the first portion 10, 30. The projection 32 is shaped and dimensioned to engage with and friction fit into the receiving part 12, so that the first part 10 and the second part 20 are rigidly coupled together, with the second portion 20 able to rotate about the axis of the projection 32. In particular, the second portion 20 is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the first portion 10, 30. As an alternative to a friction fit, a one way clip or any other suitable technique may be used. It can be seen from Figure 2 that a wall 11 of the first part 10 is shaped and dimensioned to fit closely around a side wall 21 of a central island 28 of the second portion 20. Similarly, circumferential parts of the structure of the first part 10 are shaped and dimensioned to sit within and conform closely to a channel or moat 26 which extends around the central island 28. The chambers 24 are formed within the central island 28, and extend around the through bore 22. A cap 40 fits onto the exposed end face of the second part 30. The cap 40 is a screw-fit cap with a seal, to keep the contents of the jar 2 and the dispenser 1 fresh.

In Figure 3, an assembled view of the dispenser 1 of Figure 2 is provided. In Figure 3, each of the first part 10 and second part 30 of the first portion, and the second portion 20 are visible in an assembled state. The screw threaded interior formations which engage with the mouth 2a of the jar 2 are shown at 14. Figure 3 is partially cross-sectional through a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the dispenser, with the result that all six of a plurality of chambers 24 are visible, and the engagement between the projection 32 and the receiving part 12 can be readily seen. In practice, as will be explained in detail below and shown in later Figures, some of the chambers 24 are covered by a component of the first part 10. Each of the chambers 24 has the same volume, which dictates the size of a single dose of coffee granules which will be dispensed by the dispenser 1. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the central island 28 is closely mounted between the receiving part 12 and the wall 11 of the first part of the first portion on its inside surface and outside surface respectively, and is constrained to rotate within this region.

In Figure 4, an external view of the dispenser 1 is provided. Here, the first part 10 is not visible, but the second part 30 of the first portion, and the second portion 20 can be seen clearly. The second portion 20 can be seen here to have an approximately frustoconical exterior shape, albeit slightly curved. The exterior surface is provided with ridges (or other grip surfaces) around its circumference which extend generally along the axis of rotation of the dispenser, which aid the user in gripping and rotating the second portion 20. The second part 30 of the first portion has sides 34 which generally continue the external shape of the first portion 20, then terminating in a slightly recessed end face 36, within which is provided an aperture 38. It is through this aperture that a dose of coffee granules is dispensed/released when the second portion 20 is rotated with respect to the first portion. It is this end face 36 which is covered by the cap 40, when provided, to prevent the escape of granules from the aperture 36 and thus the dispenser.

In Figure 5, another view, similar to that of Figure 3, but with the interior of the first part 10 fully visible, is provided. Here, it can be seen that a central region of the first part 10 defines a partial roof 16 which extends over some (in this case approximately half, or three) of the chambers 24. As a result, coffee granules from the jar 2 are unable to enter from above those chambers which are covered by the roof 16. The remainder of the central region defines several openings 18 through which coffee granules are able to pass from the jar 2 into the chambers 24 (just visible through the openings 18). The openings 18 are separated from each other by struts 17, which provide additional strength to prevent deformation of the cylindrical shape. A flexible tab 50 is also present, which provides a tactile feedback when a single dose of granules has been dispensed following rotation of the second portion 20 with respect to the first portion 10, 30 in a first, operating direction shown by arrow 4, and which prevents contrarotation (in a direction opposite to that of arrow 4) of the second portion 20 with respect to the first portion 10, 30. This serves to reduce the likelihood of a user accidentally dispensing multiple doses. The flexible tab 19 will be explained in greater detail below in relation to Figure 8. It will be appreciated that, as the second portion 20 is rotated, different ones of the chambers 24 will be covered by the roof 16/exposed through the openings 18. Importantly, a particular chamber will not be lined up with one of the openings 18 (or in other words, will be covered by the roof 16) while it is releasing coffee granules through the aperture 38. If this were not so, a direct path would be provided between the jar 2 and the aperture 38, permitting an unrestricted flow of coffee granules, rather than a controlled single dose. A flow directing formation 15 is provided on the top of the roof 16, which helps to move coffee granules and modify the flow so that the chamber that is next in line to be exposed (that is, the opening 18 adjacent to the flow directing formation 15) fills more consistently. The formation 15 can be seen to have an ascending surface 15a, a curved apex 15b and a descending surface 15c.

When a new chamber is exposed from under the roof 16, granules run smoothly down the descending surface 15c and through the nearest opening 18, into the newly exposed chamber below.

In Figure 6, a further cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 2 to 5 is shown. Here, the cross section is in a plane coincident with the rotational axis of the dispenser 1. The interior of two of the chambers 24a, 24b is visible. In the displayed configuration of Figure 6, the chamber 24a is being filled through an inlet area defined by the openings 18 in the direction of arrow A, while at the same time the coffee granules are being released from the chamber 24b through an outlet area defined by the opening 38 in the direction of arrow B. In operation, when a user grips the outer surface of the second portion 20 and rotates it with respect to the jar 2 (and the first portion), this makes the chambers 24, formed within the second portion 20, turn. As a result, coffee granules from the jar 2 drop into the newly exposed (empty) chamber 24a through an opening 18, while granules within the chamber 24b drop through the opening 38, through which the chamber 24b has been newly exposed, into the cup 3 below. The cycle then repeats with a new empty chamber being filled and a new full chamber being emptied. Figure 6 also clearly shows the mouth 2a of the jar 2 being received within the channel 13 of the first part 10, as well as the various concentric formations and recesses in the first part 10, second portion 20 and third part 30 (such as the labelled parts 15, 27, 29, 39) which inter-engage to provide a rigid structure for the dispenser 1 while permitting rotation of the first portion relative the second portion.

More generally, to use the product, first the user opens the cap 40 of the dispenser 1. Then, the user holds the jar 2 (with the dispenser 1 attached) over an empty cup 3. Then, the user turns the outside (second portion 20) of the dispenser 1. This dispenses one 'dose' into the cup 3. If the user requires more they simply twist again to dispense a second dose.

In Figure 7, an additional exploded view is provided. The above description may be read in light of Figure 7, in which certain components are more clearly visible. For example, a channel 39 of the second part 30, into which a formation 29 of the second portion 20 is received, is clearly visible. It can also be seen that the location of the opening 38 of the second part 30 is not aligned with any of the openings 18 in the first part, with the result that, at any given time, the opening 38 is lined up with a different chamber (or chambers) than those chambers which are aligned with any of the openings 18. Moreover, the separation in angular alignment about the axis of the dispenser 1 is at least one chamber in size, due to the possibility of a chamber to be only partially aligned with an opening above or below it.

In Figure 8A, the underside of the first part 10 is shown. This illustrates the flexible tab 50 viewed from the other side of the first part 10 (compared with Figure 5). In particular, the flexible tab 50 is intended to engage with the upper edges of the walls separating the chambers 24 of the second portion 20. The flexible tab 50 has a contact surface which is mounted on a resiliently deformable arm 53, and which extends from a leading edge 51 to a trailing edge 52. The distance between the leading edge 51 and the roof 16 of the first part 10 is less than the distance between the trailing edge 52 and the roof 16 of the first part 10. In other words, the contact surface slopes away from the roof 16 from the leading edge 51 to the trailing edge 52.

The interaction between the contact surface of the flexible tab 50 and the upper walls of the chambers 24 is shown in Figure 8B, which illustrates the relative positioning of the flexible tab 50 and an upper edge of a chamber wall 54 in three different positions, identified as (i), (ii) and (iii). The arrow 55 in each image indicates the direction of travel of the wall 54 (as the chamber 24 is rotated). In position (i), the wall is about to encounter the leading edge of the flexible tab 50. The flexible tab 50 is here in a neutral position, in which the upper edge of the wall 54 will be able to pass under the leading edge 51. Then, as the chamber 24 is further rotated, the upper edge of the wall 54 will come into contact with the contact surface of the table 50, thereby deflecting the flexible tab 50 upwards towards the roof 16, and consequently providing resistance against further rotation (due to the resilient bias of the tab towards its neutral position). This resistance is felt by the user as tactile feedback. In position (ii), the wall 54 has reached (but not yet passed the trailing edge 52 of the tab 50. As the chamber 24 is yet further rotated, the upper edge of the wall 54 passes beyond the trailing edge 52 of the contact surface, permitting the flexible tab 50 to drop back down to its neutral position. This causes an audible click, indicating to the user that a complete dose has now been dispensed, and that further rotation would lead to the dispensing of a further dose. Furthermore, at this point, contra-rotation in a direction opposite to the arrow 55, is no longer possible, since the upper edge of the wall 54 is impeded by the trailing edge 52 of the flexible tab 50.

In an alternative embodiment, a push-fit connection to the mouth of the jar 2 may be used rather than a screw-fit connection. In this case, the first part may comprise a substantially cylindrical main body having a diameter which matches the internal dimensions of the mouth of the jar. This would enable the first part to be press fitted into the mouth of the jar. The exterior of the cylindrical main body may be provided with raised formations which improve the press fit engagement between the first part and the mouth of the jar.

Claims

Claims 1. A particle dispenser, comprising: a first portion, having an engagement formation for engaging with an opening in a container; a second portion, rotatably engaged with the first portion; and a plurality of chambers; wherein when the container is oriented with the dispenser substantially beneath the mouth of the container, particles from the container are permitted to enter one or more of the chambers; and when the second portion is rotated with respect to the first portion, particles are dispensed from one of the chambers to the outside of the dispenser, while particles from the container are inhibited from entering the dispensing chamber; wherein the first portion comprises a flow directing formation for directing particles into a chamber being filled.
2 A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the flow directing formation is provided on the top of a roof of the first portion.
3 A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the flow directing formation comprises an ascending surface and a descending surface, and wherein when a new chamber is exposed from under the roof, particles run smoothly down the descending surface and through the nearest opening into the newly exposed chamber below.
4 A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion comprises the plurality of chambers, and wherein rotation of the second portion causes the plurality of chambers to rotate such that a full chamber moves into position above an aperture in the dispenser to become the dispensing chamber, whereupon the particles are emptied from the dispensing chamber through the aperture.
5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the first portion comprises a chamber roof, the dispensing chamber being separated from the container by the chamber roof while it is positioned above the aperture in the dispenser.
6 A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein as the second portion is further rotated, the emptied chamber moves into an exposed position where it is not separated from the container by the roof, permitting the emptied chamber to be refilled with particles from the container.
7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the first portion comprises a first part bearing the engagement formation and a second part bearing the aperture through which the particles are dispensed.
8 A dispenser according to any preceding claim, comprising a rotation inhibiting part which inhibits further rotation of the second portion with respect to the first portion at a plurality of stop positions throughout a complete cycle of rotation.
9 A dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the rotation inhibiting part generates an audible click when the second portion is rotated beyond a stop position.
10.A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the second portion comprises a central bore, through which a central stem extends to connect together the first and second parts of the first portion.
11.A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement formation is one of a snap fitting formation and a screw threaded formation.
12.A dispenser according to any preceding claim, comprising a cap.
13.A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is a coffee dispenser, the container is a coffee container, and the are coffee granules or coffee powder.
14.A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the particles are granules or powder.