US1759998A - Device for distributing powdery substances - Google Patents

Description

May 27,' 1930. L. B. PLATT 1,759,998

DEVICE FORDISTRIBUTING POWDERY SUBSTNCES Filed sept. 10, 1927 Patented May 27,Y 17930 PATENT caricia LESTER B. AIPLA'JVT, OF CALDWELL, lNEW JERSEY DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTXNG POV/'DERY SUBSTANGES Application filed September 10, 1927. Serial No. 218,609;

This invention relates to improvements in a device for distributing powdery substances and has for one of its objects the provision of an article of this kind which is eflicient for the sto-rage and distribution of condiments such as salt, pepper and the like and also other powdery substances, undery all kinds of atmospheric conditions.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a device of this kind which is composed of few parts, may be readily and cheaply made of various materials, which is capable of adjustment so as to vary the quantity of the substance distributed and also pern'ianently closed, and which is also susceptiale to manufacture of materials of various colors whereby devices of attractivey and ornamental appearance kmay be provided.

A further object isthe provision of such an article by which the substance is distributed from-the bottom of the article, a combined valve and distributing member forming the bottom ofthe device.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter describedv and then sought to be y defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and which show, merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosures, various embodiments of this invention,v it being expressly understood, however, rthat various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims without dif grossing from my inventive idea.

, Tn the'drawings Figure 1 represents an elevationv of a. device constructed to embody my' invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical central cross section f through the same.

Figure 3 is a'pers'pectiveview showing the y various parts used in the construction of Figure 2, in unassembledrelation.

Figure el is a detail perspective View of the upper part of the body of the device illustrating a modified form of neck.

.Figure is a detail perspective View of a modified form of closing and distributing member. y

. Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the upper vportion of a body showing a modified form of neck and a split washer.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the'upper portion of a body showing a further modification of a neck.

Referring new to the drawings and first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 1 designates the body of the device as a whole. This may be formed in various shapes such as one of the conventional salt cellar shapes illustrated or in any otherv suitablek and attractive form. It may be made of various materials suoli as glass, compositions of various kinds, which ,may be colored or ornamented in different ways, metal, etc. This body is hallowed out in the form of a casing' having the opening 2 at its lower end, the lower edge of the casing' being bevelled as at 3 to form a seat for the combined closing and distributing member. The other end of thebody or casing 1 is formed with a neck 4 of solid material, which extends or projects upwardly' therefrom.

This neck l is bored as at 5 to form a passage for the operating rod 6. This operating rod 6 is secured at its upper end tothe operating button 7 which is hollow and has the extended sides 8 to iit over or overhang the edges kof they neck portion 4. Spring member 9, which is preferably helical or conical, is positioned between the top of the neck l and thefinside surface ofthe button? so as to force the butr,t0n in an upward direction and therebymove the rod upwardly( The operating button 7 is bored in a plurality of places as at 10 to receive the adjusting members 11 which are in the form of screws having the studs or proiections 12 on their 4lower ends. -The upper surface of the neck 4: ofthe body is formed on an incline or a plurality of inclines to afford a plurality of cam surfaces llhaving abrupt shoulders 1K4V therebetween. The studs or projections 12 v surfaces when the operating button is depressed so as to limit the downward move nient of the operating rod 6. By turning theA operating button these studs 4or vprojections 95 on the adjusting screws 11 engage these camv 12 will be opposite a different portion of the cam surfaoeand, therefore, the amount of downward movement ofthe operating button 7 may` be varied by turning adjustmentl thereof. K

The closing and distributing member 15 isV of general disc shapeVY having itsout-side edge bevelled as at 16 to provide the valve seating edge 17 which is adapted to engage the bevelled surface 3 at-theopening into the bottom of the body oi casin This closing and distributing member is formed or provided with the stud or projection 18 which is longii tudinally bored as at. 19 to receive the lower end ofthe operating rod 6. YA detach able coni'iection' is provided between the lower end of the operating rod G and the closing and distributing member and this includes the coil spring 20, which Yis jammed or fits tightly` fithin the lower portion of the bore 19 and engages the lower end of the rod 3 when inserted therein, and a bayonet slot connection, This Y is provided by pins 21V on the lower part of therod 6 and the bayonet slots on the stud Lor projection 18. vThen the parts arev assembled so that'the pins 21 enter the slot-s Q2 and the closing and distributing member 15 andthe operating rod 6V turn relative to each other, the pins 21 pass through the horizontal portions of the bayonet slots 22 and engage theshort upward portion of the slot 23,

[being held therein by the spring pressure.

The closing and distributing member 15may be rovided with an a erture 241 to ermit P P P the escape of any of the powdered substance which inadvertently enters the slotrQZ andV the bore 19 thereof.

i The cam construction of the upper surface of theneck 4 ofthe body 1, of course, may be made in various ways. For instance, fas

shown in Figure 6, the cam'surfaces may be i 'in the'form ofcam ridges 25, which terminate therebetween). y Y' y Y Y Another slight modificationis illustrated short of eachvotherto leavethev slot ordef pression 26. In Figure 6 two/of such cam Vridges are'shown but `more may be utiliz-ed (see F igurer'where four of Vsuch cam ridges are shown with` thev depressions or slots 26 in Figure -l in which av groove or depression Q7 isf positionedndjacent the 'shoulders "11i fand at the bottomof the cam surface This slot isY for the purpose of receiving the pin or pro- Y jectionl so as torpermit a maximum depression of theV operating Vlcap or button,'as.will

described. This' last-menever, it is-extended'downwardly as at 29 and A has the spokes ,or ribs 30 radiating'therefroin l button.

operating button may move when depressed toa baseY ring or rim 31, which is large enough to provide a secure foundation for supporting the lai-0er container. The upper edgesof these spokes or ribs are sharp'as at In the 'construction shown in Figures Q and 3 the operating Y.button has a screwthreaded and detachable connection with the operating rod 6. It is ,possible'that these i vparts may be permanently connected and in constructions in whichthis is done I provide (see Figures 6 and 7) grooves 33 extending laterally from the bore 5 through the neck Li of the body. These 'grooves will permit the withdrawal of the pins 21 on the lower end of the operating rod.. When this is Aused I also use a split washer 34 (see Figure 6) of flexible material to prevent leakage.

It is therefore seen thatwhen the parts of this device areiassembled the amount of movement V.between the yclosure and distributing member and the bottom edge of the body or casing 1 maybe varied by turning either the closure or distributing member itself or the This varies the Vdistance that the as it is limited by the engagement ofthe studs or pins 12 with the cam surfaces 13. This affords a. ready meansA vfor Y determining the amount of movement between the parts and the distance which the closure andV distributing ,member maybe moved away from the bottom edge of the body or casing, therefore determining the" quantity of material lto be distributed at anyone time.v .ThisV opening Y 1 movement is accomplishedby pressing on the 'button with the thumb or finger of the user against the normal pressure of the vspring Y member 19, so that when'the digital pressure is released, the partswill, because of the pres,- sure of the-spring, be forced totheir normal closed position. Furthermore, whenthe de- 'vice is at rest, the fiat surface of the closure and distributing member may form the bot'- tom or baseof the device uponwhich thedevice as a wliolerests, or may be extendedas fshown in Figure 5', withtheresultantv assist-V ance in keeping the closurev member tightly casing.

'The relative arrangement and size of theV "cams'urfaces andthe adj ustingfserews on theV one hand andthe bayonet and slotconnection betweenthe operating rod 6 and the closure Y if and distributing member 15, preferably are Y f so proportionedas to provide that the device? may be opened for filling and cleaning ypur Y poses'at certain' definite positionsV only, in'

what might be. called maximum position or where the operating-button may be depressed Y. Y

the greatest distance. This position willv be at the lowest point of the cams of Figures 2 closed against the bottom edge of the body and l Y and 3, or at tliefslot or depression 26of VFig-V f ures 6 and 7,: orV atthe groove :or'slot 27 of igure 4. Unless' the pins 121register with these slots or grooves or the-lower portion of manufacture from materialsl which are'not .1J/sense the cam surfaces, insuflicient movement is permitted between the closure and distributing member 15 and the lower edge of the bodyv or casing. In other words, it is impossible to disconnect the closure and distributing niember fr-om the lower end of the operating rod. On the other hand, when the pins 12 are not registered with these grooves or slots or the lowest portion of the cam surfaces, the closure and distributing member may be forced upwardly relative to the rod and turned so as to be disconnected therefrom. The device is then open for filling or replenishment, as the case may be. The parts may be suitably marked to indicate the opening position or to indicate the adjustment so that the quan tity of distribution may be ascertained.

These articles are made of very few parts and, therefore, can be manufactured quickly and efficiently at a relative minimum expense. The adjustment to provide for a regulated discharge is veryfsimple and the permanent closure of the article may be accomplished by a slight turn of either the operating buttonV on the one hand or the closure or distributing member on the otherhand. The operation for distribution is very simple including holding the article between certain fingers and applying pressure to the operating but' ton with the thumb lor another finger, whereby the customary manipulation or shaking vof the article results in an efficient distribution in suitably regulated quantities of the sub-1 stance contained within the article.

This construction lends itself admirably to subject to corrosion and dampness such as metal, and for this purpose glass, vvarious composition products such as catalin, and the like may be utilized. Using such materials, the article may be made of very ornamental and attractive appearance due to color schemes that may be utilized and the usev of contrasting colors for the separate parts.

Attention is particularly called to the line contact between the sharp edge 17 and the bevelled surface 3 of the opening into the casing. This construction prevents the retention of any powdered substance between these parts when they contact with eachother and also preventswedging or packing of the material during the closing operation. The entire structure of the closure and distributing member and its connection with the. operating'rod is designed with the idea of pre- ;venting kthe packing yor wedging of the pow-v dered substance during any closing opera-v tion. By that is meant that the lines are straight or vertical and there are substantial distances between the stud or projection 18 of the closure and distributing kmember and the inner surfaces of the casing.

What I claim is f. v

1. A device of the character described including, in combination, a hollow body portion having its lower end open and having a neck at its upper end, said neck having an opening therethrough, a closure and distributing member adapted `to fit the open endv of the body portion, a rod connected to saidv closure and distributing member and slidably extending through said opening in said neck, a button for operating said rod, and cooperating adjustable means between said neck and said button whereby upon proper adjustment of said cooperating means the longitudinal movement of said button and rodmay be varied by rotation of saidbutton.

2. A device of the character described including, in combination, a hollow body porf tion having its lower end open and having a neck at its upper end, said neck having an opening therethrough, a closure and distributing member adapted to fit theopen end of the body portion, a rod connected tosaid closure and distributing member and Slidably extending through said opening]r in said neck, a button for operating said rod and cooperating means between said neck and said button whereby upon proper adjustment ofsaid cooperating means the longitudinal movement of said button and rod may be ton for operating said rod, and cooperating means between said neck and said button whereby upon proper adjustment of said cooperating means the longitudinal movement of said button and rod may be varied by rotatiou of said button, said cooperating means;y lincluding a plurality of stationary cams and a plurality of movable projections adapted to engage said cams. j

l1. A device of the character,described including, in combination, a hollow body por@ tion having itslower end open and having a neck at its upper end, said neck having an opening therethrough. a closure and distributing member adapted to tit theopen pend of the body portion, a rod'connected to saidf closure and distributing member and slid* ably, extending through said opening in said neck, a button for operating said rod and co-l operating ineans between said neck and said button whereby upon proper adjustmentofi said cooperating means the longitudinal movement of said button and rod may be varied by rotation of said button, said meansv los including a. plural-ity of cams on sait-lneckand a. plurality of adjustable members projecting i MY ' i roinsaid button and adaptedito 'engage said cams.

5. A device ofthe ,character ldescribed including, lin combination, a hollow body portion having its lower end open andY having a vneck at itsupperfend, said neck' having an 'openingtherethrough, a closure and distribbuting member adapted to tit the open end of the body portion, a rod connected to said Vclosure and distributing member andslidably extending through said opening in said neck, a button for operating Vsaid rod, and cooperating ineans'between said neck and said lbuttonv and operable by rotaryadj ustinent oi' the button, whereby upon proper adjustment of. said cooperating means the longitudinal movement ot' said button and rod maybe Vneck at its upper end, said neck having an opening therethrough, a closure andfdistributing member adapted to iit the open end vof the -body portion, a rod connected to said closure and distributing member andslidably Y extending. through said opening inV said neck, f a button for operating said rod, a spring interposed between said button and said neckr so asto normally hold the `closure-and distributing'meinber in closed relation to said? body and'ineans operable a rotary movement ofthe buttonV for limiting the relative downward movement of said button and rod and closure and distributing member.-

7. A'device of `the character described including, in combination, a hollow body por-v tion having its lower end open and havinga "neck at its upper end, said neck having an opening t'herethrough,: a closure and .dis-

tributing member adapted to fit- Vthe open end f of the body portion, av rod connected Vto said closureand distributing member and slidably extending through said opening in Vsaid neck,

va button for operating said rod, aspi'ing in- ,507

terposed between saidbuttonand said neck so to nmfinallyfhold the closure and distributing member 'in-'closed relation to: saidV body,

and means operable byra rotary adjustment `of theV button for liiniting'the relative downward movement of said button,aiid rodV and closure andfdistributing member, said means 1 being adjustable so as to vary the movement.

8 f A 'd .vice'ofjthe character described in- I lcluding, in combination, a hollow casing having anV opening at its bottom, :av closure and distributing member positioned in said openjing,aiioperating button on .top of said casing and having an operative connection with j said. closurekand distributing memberv where- 1 by fwhengfsaid'button is depressed, theY closure'r and distributing member will be opened, and

means operable by a'rotary movement of the Y button for' varying the extentbf possible downward movement of the button.

9. A device of the character described in- Y cluding, in combination, a hollow easing having an opening at its bottom, a 'closure and distributing member positioned in said lopening, an operating .buttonvon top oi" said casing and having an operative connection with said.

closure and distributing member .whereby when said button is depressed, the closure.

and distributing member will be opened, and

adjustable projectionson said button.

l0. A device of the character described including, in combination, aihollow casing having an opening at its bottom, a closure and distributing member positioned in said` opening, an operating button on top of rsai-d casing rand having an operative connectionwith `said closure and distributing member whereby -wlien said' button is depressed, the closure and distributing memberl will be'opened, and

means operable by arotary movement of the ymeans for varying the extent of longitudinal y Vmovement of the button relative tothe .cas-

ing, said means including a pluralityVv of cam surfaces on said casing and a plurality ot' button for varying the extent of longitudinal movement of the button, said closure-and dis ti'ibuting member being provided with inea-nsy Y for permitting detachment only .when the partsare adjusted to permit the greatest relative movementof the operatinglbutton.

Y 1l. A device of the character described, infcluding in combination, a casing'havin'g its lower end open, an operating button on its urey and distributing'member connected to said rod and adapted to lit into and close, the

open end of said casing and means operable by a rotary movement of the button forvaryi-fV 'ing the extent to which said closure and dis- Y 1in y tributing member maybe opened. l2. A device rofthe character 'describedincluding, incoinbin'ation, avcasing having its lower end open, an operatingbuttonon its Vupper end. an` operating rod connected theretol and slidably mounted in the casing, a closureV and distributing ineinberfconnected to saidv rodand adapted to; fit Yinto and close the' openend saidcasingand means'foperable by a rotary movement of the button for vary- Ain;Y the extent to 'which said closure and disl ,tributing member may be opened,the vconl nectionbetween said Closureand distributing; ineinber and said rod `being provided with means tor permitting the detachment ofthe 4closure and' distributing inemberonly when; the adgustinent is made for the' greatest moveinentfV Y. A l- 13. A device of the characterdescribed, including-,in combination, a casing having its lower end open, anoperatingbutton on its' upper end, an operating rod connected there- Y to'and slidably mounted in the casing, a closv upper end, anoperating rod or plunger connected thereto and slidably mounted in the casing, a closure and distributing member connected to said rod and adapted to fit into and close thev open end of said casing and means for varying the extent to which said closure and distributing member may be opened, the connection lbetween the closure and distributing member and the rod including a bayonet slot connection and spring means interposed between closure and distributing member and the operating rod so that the closure and distributing member may be partially rotated for detachment only when the adjustment is made to permit opening to the greatest distance.

14. A device of the character described including, in combination, a hollow casing open at one end, a button at the other end, a closure and distributing member for the open end, means connecting said button and said closure and distributing member interposed between the top of said casing and said button to normally hold the closure and distributing member in closed position, said button having a plurality of adjustable projections and said casing having a plurality of cam surfaces acting as abutments to be engaged by sald projections when the button is depressed so as to v limit the extent of movement thereof, said closure and distributing member being provided with means for permitting detachment from said connecting means only when the parts are adjusted sov as to permit the greatest movement of the button.

15. A device of the character described including, in combination, a hollow casing open at one end, an operating member at the other end provided with a closure and distributing member for the open end, said closure and distributing member having its outer edge bevelled or inclined downwardly so as to pro! vide a sharp seating edge to engage the inner surface of the hollow casing, the inner surface of said hollow casing being bevelled oppositely to the bevel of the edge of the closure and distributing member so as to prevent retention of the powdered material therebetween Wlien the parts are in contact.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of September, 1927.

LESTER B. PLATT.

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