US1584336A - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

May 11 1926 DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Jan. 7, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR C/areflce l Va/'er May 11 1926. 1,584,336

. C. L LKER Riley 11, 1926.

1,584Q3ti CLARENCE L. WALKER, OF ERIE, EEHIISYLVANIA.

DISPENSING DEVICE.

Application filed. January 7, 1926. serial No. 79,720.

This invention relates to dispensers and is particularly adapted for use in dispensing dry constituents of beverages, such for 6X- ample as powdered malted mill; and the ob ject of the invention is to provide a neat. simple and attractive device for containing a considerable quantity of the powdered article and adapted to auton'iatically deliver a predetermined amount thereof into a drinting glass or other receptacle when said receptacle is positioned in co-operative relation to the dispensing element thereof.

Devices for the dispensing of powders or pulverulent materials have been heretofore suggested but in practically every instance they are either operated by complicated niachinery and form a part of larger machines or are embodied in small devices which are operated by a crank hand wheel or simple coutrivance and entirely independent of the receptacle into which the powder is dispensed. Moreover, in the majority of the prior devices the dispensingoperation re sults fronrthe turning of a cylindrical coutainer pivoted on a horizontal axis and hav-- ing one curved side thereof cut away. The cylindrical container is rotated past a source of supply during which passage the container is spaced to become charged and is subsequently discharged when the rotation of such container is continued to invert the same, over a receptacle positioned beneath it. The disadvantage of such construction is manifestly due to the fact that if the container is rotated at a high speed it will be more fully charged than if it is rotated slowly and consequently there is no uniformity in the quantity dispensed at different times.

Tn a device of this invention the parts thereof are so formed and co-ordinatec that the mere positioning of a tumbler or other receptacle in juxtaposition with the dispensing outlet of the device will auton'iatically cause the delivery of uniform quantities of the substance dispensed.

Moreover, as the powders or pulverulent materials with which the present invention is particularly adapted to deal are highly hygroscopic, the present invention provides means whereby the material held in reserve is sealed against the entry of moisture or dampness and is at all times maintained in a dry and fresh state.

Features of the invention, other than those specified will be apparent from the heroinafter detailed description taken in'conjuno tion with the accompanying drawings.

in the accompanying drawings, 1 have illustrated one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction shown is to be understood as illustrative only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the'machine of a device embodying the present invention, showing a portion of said device in central vertical section.

Figure 2 is a frontelevation of the lower portion of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1; and

Figures 4i and 5 are perspective details of certain elements of construction employed.

lieiiu'ring to the drawings 1 designates the base of the dispenser which base may be formed of any material in sheet or casting, but, for the purpose of illustration it is shown in the form of casting. The lower portion of the base is shaped to rest upon a counter or shelf 2 andis preferably provided with rubber feet or buttons 3 which preclude scratching or mar-ring of the counter or shelf and provides a firm support for the device. The flange is preferably provided on the base 1 which fiange is adapted to rest against the front of the shelf or counter to preclude the sliding of the devicerearwardly during operation. 7

The upper portion of the base is shaped to form a cylindrical seat 5 in the base of which is provided a dispensing outlet 6, and inthe seat 5 is adapted to rest a rotary dispenser 7 which is shown in detail'in Figure at as a rotary barrel. The rotary barrel 7 is cylindricalin form and embodies a plurality of a pockets 8 arranged in radial sequence about the dispenser which pockets are open at both the top and bottom and form, in effect, chambers each of which is adapted to contain the desired amount ofmaterial to be dispensed at each operation of the machine. The rotary dispensing element 7 is provided at its center with a-hub 9 which hub is supported on a spindle 10 mounted for rotation in the base of the seat 5. Upon the spindle l0 and projectinginto the hollow hub 9 is a collar 11 notched at 12 so that it may be keyed to the hub 9 for thepurpose of securing the rotary barrel 7 forrotation with the spindle. The hub is provided on its interior with ribs 12 which fit into the notches 12.

The spindle 10 extends downwardly and through the base of the seat 5 and has rigidly attached thereto a locking ratchet 13 and a driving ratchet let, and beneath the driving ratchet l t an operating arm 15 is loosely mounted on the spindle 10. The lowermost end of the spindler is journaled for rota-- tion in bracket 16 as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3.

WVith the locking ratchet 13 co-operates a pawl 17 pivoted on a screw 18 and normally impelled by means of a spring 19 into engagement with the locking ratchet 13. Through the co-operation of the pawl 17 and the ratchet 13 the spindle is normally locked against rotation in a retrograde direction and is frictionally locked against slipping in a forward direction. Rotation in a forward direction is imparted to the spindle 10 through the operating ratchet l t by a pawl 20 mounted on the operating arm 15 and normally held in engagement with the ratchet 1-1 by spring 21.

lVith this construction, it will appear that if the operating arm 15 as shown in.

Figure 3, is moved in a clockwise direction, it will serve to drive the operating ratchet 14 and rotate the rotary barrel Y and if this arm is oscillated back and forth through successive operations, it will serve to impart a step-by-step rotation to the barrel 7 to bring the pockets 8 thereof successively into registration with the dispensing outlet 6, and if these pockets are filled with the material to be dispensed a predetermined quantity of such material measured by the area of the pockets will be dispensed at each operation.

The material to be dispensed is held in reserve in a container 22 which, while it may be of any material, is preferably of glass, porcelain or the like, and is mountet on the base in any suitable manner such as by seating it within the seat 5 in superimposed relation with the rotary barrel 7. The connection between the container and the base 1 is, however, made of such construction that a tight joint will be produced so as to exclude moisture and damp" ness which will be apt to deteriorate the contents of the container and which container is adapted to be charged through a removable cover 48 in any suitable manner, With the construct-ion organized as specified, it will appear that the contents of the container will normally gravitate to the bottom thereof and, as the rotary barrel 7 with its open pockets 8 forms the bottom of such container, said pockets will, so long as the container has sufficientmaterial therein, be filled by such material. The filled pockets are adapted, as hereinbefore de scribed, to be successively brought into juxtaposition with the discharge outlet 6 to dispense the material contained therein but it is essential to preclude the flow of material into a pocket during the time that its residual contents are flowing through the outlet 6. To this end, the lower portion of the container is preferably provided with a battle plate 2ft so disposed as to preclude the flow or sifting of the material through such pockets as may be in communication with the dispensing outlet, and if desired, this baffle plate may be formed integral with the container as shown.

In accordance with the present invention the operation of dispensing material from the container 221s automatically accomplished by the positioning of a tumbler in juxtaposition with the discharge outlet (5. To this end, a tumbler support is provided which tumbler support embodies a platform 25 supported for pivotal movement on a pair of hanger arms 26, the upper ends of which are pivotally mounted on a rod 27 extending transversely of the base 1, best shown in Figures 1 and 2. One side of the base is further provided with a boss 28 having a tapped inner end to receive a screw 29 which forms the fulcrum of a lever 30. One arm of the lever 30 projects upwardly and terminates in a ball shaped end 31 which occupies the position within the slotted or bifurcated end of the operating arm 15 after the manner shown in Figure 3. The other arm of the lever projects downwardly and its extremity is turned in to engage with the adjacent hanger arm 26. A spring is coiled about the boss 28 with one end and with its other end engaging a boss 33 on the base, hooked over one arm of the lever 30 and this spring has the dual function of normally forcing the tumbler support forwardly into the position of Figure 1 and simultaneously retracting the operating arm 15 into a position wherein it is ready to be moved in a clockwise direction to advance the rotary dispensing barrel to dispense a measured quantity of material.

If, with the parts in the position shown in Figure 1 a tumbler 3 1- is positioned on the tumbler support as shown in Figure l and forced rearwardly toward the back of the base 1 it will finally come to rest in the dotted position shown in this figure, but during the intervening movement the lever 30 will be oscillated, with the result that the operating armlo will be actuated, to rotate the dispensing barrel 7 and discharge the contents of one of the pockets 8 through the discharge outlet 6. This operation will take place as the glass or tumbler 31 moved into vertical position beneath the dispensing outlet but, when the material is dispensed and the operator subsequently removes the tumbler from its support, the spring 32 will immediately act to return the parts to normal position wherein they will be ready for a sub sequent dispensing operation.

The device or" this invention is entirely automatic and, because of the downward taper oi? the container and the upward taper oi the hub oi the dispensing barrel, will serve to dispense the entire contents oi the conta ithout ving any residue lodged on projecting parts in the path of the material to the dispensing outlet. The device is particularly adapted for use at soda fountalus, drug stores and similar places allthough, it may be used in other environments.

it will be understood that the specific invention described may be modified in formal respect, such as by the substitution of equivalents, and that parts oi? the complete mechaism described may be used alone, or in other environments, without departing from the spirit or substance or the broad invention, the scope of which is coi'i'nnensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim and now desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A dispensing device for pulverulent materials embodying a container for such material, a rotary barrel positioned below the container and provided with a plurality o't' radially disposed measuring pockets into which the material from the container gravites. a discharge passage, a tumbler supportt'l erm, means for suspending the plati tor swingin movement on a horizontal s positioned above the platter-m, means for -anally impelling the platform in a posi- 1 wherein it is out o'li alinement with the discharge passage, said platform being apted to be forced into alinement with the d charge passage by the act or positioning a tumbler in alinement with said passage, and means operable when the platform is moved into alinement with the discharge passage, for rotating the barrel to bring the pockets thereot successively into cooperative relation with the discharge passage as tumblers are successively brought into alinemcnt with said passage.

2. A dispensing device for pulverulent material embodying a container for such material, a rotary barrel positioned below the container and having a plurality oi radially disposed measuring pockets into which the material normally gravitates to iill the pooh ets, a discharge passage, and means for rotating the rotary barrel step by step to successively bring the pockets thereoi into alinemeut with the discharge passage, said means comprising a tumbler support, and means for normally impelling the tumbler support into a position wherein said support constitutes an obstruction to the positioning of a tumbler in alinement with the discharge passage, whereby the forcible positioning of a tumbler in alinement with the discharge passage can only be ellt'ected by retracting the tumbler support with consequent operation of the rotary barrel to bring one of the charged pockets oi: the barrel also into alinement with the discharge passage.

3. A dispensing device for pulverulent material embodying a rotary dispenser provided with a hub, a container positioned above the rotary dispenser, the hub of the dispenser being tapered upwardly, and the wall of the container being tapered downwardly to preclude the lodging of the material in such manner as to prevent its complete dis pensation, a discharge passage, and means for successively operating the rotary dispenser to discharge measured quantities of mater'al therefrom, said operating means embodying a prime mover projecting into the path of a tumbler and required to be moved by the tumbler before the tumbler can be brought into alinement with the dis charge passage, whereby the bringing of the tumbler into alinement with the discharge passage etliects rotation oi? the rotary dispenser to discharge material through the. discharge passage into the tumbler.

i. A dispensing device "for pulverulent material embodying a container for such material, a rotary barrel positioned below the container and provided with a plurality of radially disposed measuring pockets into which the material normally gravitates to till the pockets, a discharge passage, a swinging bracket adapted to support a tumbler and guide it into position beneath the discharge passage, pawl and ratchet means associated with the rotary barrel, a lever for operating the pawl and ratchet means, and means for yield-ably forcing the lever into a position wherein it serves as an obstruction against swinging of the bracket into a position to bring the tumbler supported thereon into alinement with the discharge passage, whereby the forcing of the tumbler into alinement with the discharge passage will effeet the operation of the pawl and ratchet means to rotate the barrel and dispense material from one of the pockets into said tumbler.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

CLARENCE L. VALKER.

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