US20160376073A1

US20160376073A1 - Portion Control Funnel Lid

Info

Publication number: US20160376073A1
Application number: US14/960,730
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony Wayne Douglas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-06-24
Filing date: 2015-12-07
Publication date: 2016-12-29

Abstract

A predetermined capacity dispensing lid for integral packaging within vendor containers of bulk product. The portion control funnel lid consists of a combined chamber, funnel, and spout in one simple assembly that is ultimately disposable after use. A predetermined amount of powder or liquid is collected and separated into the portion control funnel lid for dispensing, and the unused portion of the bulk powder or liquid is retained within the main body of the vendor container. Separation and dispensing of the vendor product is controlled by manually rotating the portion control chamber to open and close the opposing aperture gates (one fixed, one operable) within the lid. This simple dispensing device is differentiated from other similar devices by the fact that it consists of one single barrier member and is manually-operated, with no shafts, gears, motors, springs, or other mechanical parts or operations. The lid will be shipped inverted, creating a seal and cap for the vendor container, and will be turned upright when the packaging is first opened and secured onto the container by the open top retaining lid, which will be matched with the outside screw threads of the vendor product containers. The portion control funnel will be sized and custom fabricated to achieve the vendor suggested portion (dose) of powder, granules, or liquid by varying the dimensions and capacity of the chamber and funnel during manufacturing. It is intended that the lid supplied as an integral part of this invention would be customized as required to match the size and configuration, as well as the screw thread pitch and gage, of existing on-the-market containers so that it can be used with many different existing product containers.

Description

EXISTING PATENTS


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Publication Numbers:


2006/0151548	June 2006	Seris, et.al.
2009/0107581	April 2009	Sayage
2009/0107582	April 2009	Sayage
2014/0083555	March 2014	Allen
2015/0041500	February 2015	Ismail

Utility Patent—Portion Control Funnel Lid

BACKGROUND

There is currently a large consumer market for ingestible powders and liquids (nutraceuticals) in the health and fitness industry. Specifically, many health drinks come packaged in powdered form and are subsequently mixed with liquids using a prescribed dosage. These nutraceuticals, at least in powdered form, are typically packaged and distributed using plastic canisters or bottles with a large-mouth, open-top aperture from which the product is accessed by hand using a spoon, scoop, or measuring cup. The dosage portion is typically controlled using a separate scoop or other measuring device that may, or may not, be provided with the vendor's product as part of its packaging.
There are a number of disadvantages, as well as less than convenient aspects, to the current packaging and dispensing schemes commonly utilized for these health drinks and nutraceuticals. These packages typically consist of plastic bottles or canisters with large-mouth, openings at the top that allow the user to reach their whole hand into the canister while using the scoop or measuring device. The use of this type of packaging can be very messy, resulting in regular clean-up. These large-mouth canisters typically have been provided with screw-on plastic lids. The disadvantages include, but are not limited to:

- Once a package is opened, the contents are subject to exposure to air and humidity, as well as other aspects of the surrounding environment that may adversely affect product quality-over time. In addition, since the typical canister of product consists of 30 to 60 portions, the standard packaging subjects the product content to such exposure 30 to 60 times during its service life.
- Once a package is opened, the contents are subject to contamination from anything that may accidentally fall into the canister, as well as from contaminants on the hands of the user, such as dirt, germs, perspiration, other liquids, and food particles. Any of these elements could adversely affect the overall quality of the product. Again, since the typical canister of product consists of 30 to 60 portions, the standard packaging subjects the product content to such contamination exposure 30 to 60 times during its service life.
- Once the product is accessed by hand and measured using the scoop, the powder or liquid must be dispensed into a bottle or shaker container for ultimate use and consumption. The most common means of accomplishing this is to use a funnel to direct the product into the bottle opening. This requires the consumer to either use a separate funnel device or else utilize one of several combination measuring scoops and funnels available on the market. During this transfer, product can be spilled, lost, or ineffectively transferred to the desired container.

The circumstances described above would seem to justify that a better method be devised to [a] properly control portions and dosage, [b] simplify use of the product during the measurement of each portion, [c] make dispensing of the product easier, more convenient, and less messy, [d] eliminate the requirements for external scoops, measuring devices, and funnels, [e] eliminate multiple openings of the package that exposes the product to potentially harmful elements, unclean environments, and contaminants, [f] avoid exposure of product to air and humidity, and [g] avoid exposure of product to skin where such exposure is contraindicated.
Many different types and configurations of measuring and dispensing devices, as well as combination measuring and funnel devices, have been marketed and patented over the years (see references in 1.0., above). These measuring and dispensing devices have predominately been after-market products that are sold and distributed separately, and intended to operate independently of the vendor's product containers. Many of these devices are provided with their own containers, which requires the consumer to transfer the desired nutracentical product from the vendor's packaging to the independent device. However, the nutraceutical product is subjected to potential contamination, as well as exposure to air, each time the vendor's canister or bottle is opened. In addition, the generally small capacity containers associated with the previously patented devices would have to be repetitively filled numerous times during their continued use. Furthermore, these conventional, permanent-type measuring and dispensing devices have been typically fabricated and assembled using numerous component parts, multiple chambers, and/or complex mechanisms, including shafts, axes of rotation, gears, motors, springs, or other mechanical parts or operations, which exhibit inherent disadvantages, such as relative high cost of manufacturing and possible malfunction. Finally, ultimate cleanliness and sanitation of these permanent devices could be compromised over time with continued use in the event that proper cleaning and maintenance is not vigorously pursued.
Although storage container and closure designers and manufacturers have developed many different variations of dosing caps and dispenser caps, there remains a need and a demand for a convenient, inexpensive, and easy-to-use spill and contamination-resistant dispenser and measuring lid closure device that is integral with the standard packaging and can protect the contents of the container from contamination by moisture, foreign substances, and pests during storage and use, and which can accurately, precisely, and consistently measure and dispense a predetermined amount of a bulk powder or liquid from a vendor's readily modified standard packaging.
It is anticipated that the Portion Control Funnel Lid (see FIG. 2) would be marketed and/or licensed to product vendors and other packaging manufacturer's to be utilized on all sorts of consumable powders and liquids for the health and fitness industry, including protein powders, weight loss powders, vitamin powders, vitamin liquids, as well as other liquids, such as oils and juices, etc. The size, dimensions, diameters and heights of the components that comprise the Portion Control Funnel Lid would be custom fabricated and mass produced for each application, depending on the dosage required for each product. In addition, standard Portion Control Funnel Lids could be developed in 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ cup, ⅔ cup, ¾ cup, 1 cup, 2 cup, 1 quart, 2 quart, and 1 gallon sizes, as well as metric equivalents and dosage amounts, as required for use in after-market applications. The Portion Control Funnel Lid could also be modified to be incorporated into standardized buckets, 5 gallon pails (see FIG. 9), as well as cloth, paper, or reinforced plastic bags (see FIG. 11).
Additional uses and potential markets include any industry or endeavor that includes the measuring and dispensing of bulk powders or liquids in small to medium portions, including, [a] kitchen dry goods and liquids, such as flour, sugar, spices, oils, vinegars, wines, etc., [b] bulk food or juice products, such as baby formulas, cereals, rice, beans, juice concentrates, etc., [c] laundry powders and liquids, [d] granular or nuggetized pet food products, [e] lawn, tree, and plant care products, such as powder or granular fertilizers and pesticides, liquid fertilizers and pesticides etc., [f] construction industry products, such as Portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, proprietary powdered mixes for various purposes (e.g., concrete repair), etc., [g] medications and pharmaceuticals, and [h] general chemicals.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Portion Control Funnel Lid consists of a two-piece assembly that can be either made of injection-molded plastic or digitally manufactured (see FIGS. 1 & 2), and which would ultimately be disposable, but for the duration of the product use takes the place of the common type screw-on lid with solid top that is typically provided on the canisters and bottles of a vendor's proprietary product packaging. The Portion Control Funnel Lid is custom fabricated for each dosage size and configured to fit canisters and bottles of different neck dimensions and outside threading. These two primary pieces are:

- Open Top Retaining Lid with screw threads having matching gage and pitch to those of the product vendor's standard canister or bottle, that can be threaded onto, or else otherwise releasably, yet sealably, attached to the vendor's container for safe and reliable storage.
- Combination Aperture Lid, with rotating, custom-sized, Portion Control Funnel (PCF) with aperture gate opening, open-throat dispensing spout, and plastic snap-on cap for the dispensing end, which reliably and consistently allows a predetermined amount of nutraceutical product to be received into the combination measuring chamber and funnel, as well as captured and dispensed through the dispensing spout.

In the primary configuration, the combination measuring chamber and funnel (PCF) of the present invention provides an economical device, which when sealably engaged or attached using the Open Top Retaining Lid to the vendor's canister or bottle containing a particulate (powder or granule) or viscous liquid substance, and with the aperture openings properly aligned and the entire assembly temporarily inverted, captures in the Portion Control Funnel component of the dispensing lid a consistent predetermined amount of nutraceutical product from the bulk container. In this configuration, the aperture opening of the Portion Control Funnel component of the dispensing lid may be rotated to close off the measured chamber from the bulk material in the container, in which the solid portion of the Portion Control Funnel bottom flange becomes a divider between the measuring chamber and the bulk storage container.
The manufacturing and utility of this dispensing lid will be licensed to various vendors of nutraceuticals for use with their existing products and the canisters or bottles associated with those products. The Portion Control Funnel component of the dispensing lid will be sized and custom fabricated in predetermined capacities to achieve the vendor suggested portion of powder, granules, or liquid by varying the dimensions and volume of the chamber and funnel during manufacturing. It is intended that the lid supplied as an integral part of this invention would be customized as requited to match the size and configuration, as well as the screw thread pitch and gage, of the on-the-market containers so that it can be used with many different existing product containers, and licensed to numerous vendors.
Packaging of the Portion Control Funnel Lid for boxing and shipping would consist of the Portion Control Funnel and Aperture Lid being placed inverted onto the throat of the canister or bottle, with a disposable freshness and “safety” seal composed of materials that are To Be Determined (TBD) placed on top of and sealing the Portion Control Funnel Lid, with both components retained by the Open Top Retaining Lid (see FIG. 7). It is anticipated that the disposable seal will be printed with the dispenser name and logo, as well as instructions for removal, re-assembly with the Portion Control Funnel Lid placed “up-right”, as well as operation and use of the Portion Control Funnel to contain and dispense the product.
Once the consumer purchases the product and opens the package, the Open Top Retaining Lid is removed, the disposable seal is peeled off the Portion Control Funnel Lid is placed “up-right” onto the opening of the canister or bottle, and the Open Top Retaining Lid replaced, carefully screwing it onto the opening of the canister or bottle to form an adequate seal (see FIGS. 2 & 7). Once in this configuration, the vendor's overall container does not have to be opened again to measure or dispense any product, reducing or eliminating exposure of the product to air or possible contaminates.
The dispensing lid is utilized by turning the Portion Control Funnel to the open position with the snap-on cap in place on the spout and tilting the entire assembly to an inverted position with the vendor canister or bottle attached. The assembly may be slightly shaken so that product from the vendor's container can move freely through the aligned (i.e., “open”) aperture openings in the Portion Control Funnel and Aperture Lid, completely filling the predetermined capacity chamber of the Portion Control Funnel Lid. The Portion Control Funnel is then manually rotated so that the aperture gates are no longer aligned (i.e., “closed”), which also segregates the measured-portion from the bulk product still retained within the vendor's canister or bottle. Once the product has been received, measured and segregated into the PCF, the entire assembly including the vendor canister or bottle is returned to an upright position. Product that has been measured and retained within the PCF can be dispensed and used immediately, or else stored within the PCF chamber for later use. When ultimately used, with the PCF still in the closed position, the snap-on cap at the small end of the funnel spout is removed and the entire assembly once again tilted sufficiently to dispense the nutraceutical product from the predetermined capacity chamber into a separate container for mixing and consumption, without permitting leakage of the product from the bulk container.
The procedure outlined above is repeated as necessary until the entire contents of the vendor canister or bottle has been consumed and the container is empty. Once the vendor's product has been completely dispensed and the canister or bottle is empty, the Portion Control Funnel Lid would simply be disposed of with the vendor's canister or bottle.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. Accordingly, other alternative configurations are possible, and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING VIEWS

The accompanying diagrams include five (5)—8½″×11″ drawings, numbered as Sheets 1of 5 through 5 of 5, and consisting of 12 individual figures, with FIG. 6 having at least three alternative configurations (6, 6A, and 6B):

FIG. 1—Top View of the entire assembly, including Combination Aperture Lid, with rotating Portion Control Funnel (PCF) and Open Top Retainer Lid.

FIG. 2—Unit Assembly Section Drawing, including Combination Aperture Lid, with rotating Portion Control Funnel (PCF) and Open Top Retainer Lid.

FIG. 3—Aperture Lid Bottom View, showing half round aperture opening and rotation limiting stop lugs built within Aperture Lid Keeper Flange.

FIG. 4—Bottom View of rotating Portion Control funnel (PCP), showing half round aperture opening and rotation limiting stop lugs built within the bottom flange of the Portion Control Funnel.

FIG. 5—Cross section of Aperture Lid with Keeper Flange and rotating Portion Control Funnel, showing typical alignment and contact of stop lugs in “open” position.

FIG. 6—Close-up detail of engagement between bottom flange of the Portion Control Funnel and Aperture Lid Keeper Flange when the bulk product is a powder or granular material.

FIG. 6A—Close-up detail of engagement between bottom flange of the Portion Control Funnel and Aperture Lid Keeper Flange when the bulk product is a liquid material.

FIG. 6B—Close-up detail of an alternate design for the engagement between the Portion Control Funnel and Aperture Lid, utilizing a snap-fit, continuous, circular, ball-and-socket engagement mechanism.

FIG. 7—Packaging Concept Unit Assembly for typical nutraceutical canister, showing inverted Combination Aperture Lid, with rotating Portion Control Funnel and Open Top Retainer Lid, and with removable/disposable hygienic seal or label printed with instructions for operation and use of the PCF.

FIG. 8—Close-up detail for plastic Snap-on Cap for open throat dispenser spout of Portion Control Funnel.

FIG. 9—Packaging concept for use of Portion Control Funnel Lid with typical 5 gallon pail (overall view).

FIG. 10—Detailed section of Portion Control Funnel Lid with typical 5 gallon pail, showing standard upright position, as well as indicating inverted shipping position. This view also indicates the configuration of the modified pail lid with special opening that would be required for use with the PCF.

FIG. 11—Packaging concept for use of Portion Control Funnel Lid with typical bulk sack packaging for dry product (overall view).

FIG. 12—Detailed section of Portion Control Funnel Lid with bulk sack packaging, showing the standard upright position, as well as indicating inverted shipping position. This view also indicates the configuration of the integration flange that is secured into the side of the bag or sack using laminate tape or with mechanical fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND METHOD

In accordance with the present invention and method, an inexpensive and easy-to-use unitary combination of measuring chamber, funnel, dispensing spout, and lid (closure) designed to sealaby engage canister or bottle neck openings of various sizes from the standard packaging of existing vendor containers, and which is intended to be provided as an ultimately disposable, but integral part of the vendor's packaging of nutraceutical products. This invention solves the problems and drawbacks of prior dosing and dispensing caps by providing an inexpensive device that is more convenient and easier to use, the device being manually operable to accurately and consistently measure and dispense nutraceutical products using one hand on the Portion Control Funnel 1 component of the dispensing lid, once the inverted PCF 1 is turned upright and secured to the vendor's container 5 using the Open Top Retaining Lid 3.
The plastic Open Top Retaining Lid 3 would be custom fabricated and mass produced to, [a] fit over the throat of the product vendor's typical packaging, consisting of canister or bottle 5, and [b] be provided with screw threads on the inside of the lid that match the gage and pitch (spacing) of the threads 22 existing on the outside of the opening of the canister or bottle. For packaging purposes when using this invention with vendor canisters, or bottles 5, the Open Top Retaining Lid 3 portion of the Portion Control Funnel Lid is positioned in place of the original lid and the Open Top Retaining Lid 3 is screwed into place such that there is intimate sealing contact between the shoulder of the vendor's container 5 and the retaining lip of the Open Top Retaining Lid 3 in order to retain the up-right Portion Control Funnel Lid and to tightly seal the package against further exposure (see FIG. 7).
The plastic Combination Aperture Lid with rotating Portion Control Funnel 1 (see FIG. 2), consists of a flat Aperture Lid 2 that has been provided with a custom-size, half-round, aperture opening 10 specifically designed for the dosage of the product to be utilized (see FIG. 3). The Aperture Lid 2 is provided with a circular Aperture Lid Keeper Flange 4 integrated with the Aperture Lid 2 in a manner that retains the Portion Control Funnel 1 in place, while allowing it to rotate into the “Open” (first position) and “Close” (second position) configurations, which is facilitated by limiting stops 12 and 13 within the Aperture Lid 2 and Portion Control Funnel 1, respectively. The easy-to-use operation of the one measuring chamber and single divider element can be accomplished manually and without even looking at the device, which would be a benefit for persons of limited sight or blindness. Product that has been measured and retained within the PCF 1 can be used immediately or stored within the chamber for later use.
The Aperture Lid Keeper Flange 4 is designed with an appropriate space between the flange and lid, as well as with proper allowances between the moving parts, to promote the rotation of the flange of the Portion Control Funnel 1, while retaining the bulk powder or liquid in the container and preventing leakage of the product from the bulk container (see FIG 6).
The Aperture Lid Keeper Flange 4 and the flange of the Portion Control Funnel 1 will be provided with matching stop lugs 12 and 13 to control and limit the rotation of the Portion Control Funnel 1 to an approximate 180 degree rotation (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5). The top surface of the Aperture Lid Keeper Flange 4 will be provided with raised, molded lettering, indicating the directions for opening and closing the aperture gate 11 of the Portion Control Funnel 1.
When designed and utilized for liquids, and where the liquid viscosity requires it, the Aperture Lid 2 is provided with a thickened ridge, [a] at the aperture opening, and [b] in a matching diameter circle at the solid portion of the lid, which will be furnished with a recessed dart receiver 14 and provided with, silicone gasket 17 composed of FDA-approved, food-grade, synthetic silicone rubber (see FIG. 6A).
In keeping with the spirit of Paragraph [0017], above, it is envisioned that the different embodiments of this invention allows variation of the details of construction and the arrangement of components within the basic design. One type of such variation is depicted as an alternate design of the engagement between the Portion Control Funnel 1 and Aperture Lid 2 (see FIG. 6B). This alternate design includes elimination of the Aperture Lid Keeper Flange 4, and use of a snap-fit, continuous, circular, ball-and-socket engagement mechanism, which is comprised of a bulbous stem 15 on the bottom of the Portion Control Funnel 1 that loosely, but firmly, snap-fits into a bulbous groove 16 within a thickened portion of the Aperture Lid 2, while still allowing free rotation of the flange and Portion Control Funnel 1. Other variations include integration of the Portion Control Funnel Lid within the standard lid of a typical 5 gallon pail 23 (see FIG. 9), as well as using a special integration flange 21 incorporated into the side of bulk sack packaging 24 for dry powders (see FIG. 11). For large volume Portion Control Funnel Lids, the PCF 1 shall be provided with two (2) to four (4) plastic ears (or tabs) 19 along the sides and integral with the funnel and spout elements of the PCF 1 to aid in applying torque during manual rotation of the PCF 1 in order to close the aperture gate 11 and segregate the product. For use with standard 5 gallon pails 23, the custom lid 20 would have to have a special, opening with outside threads 22 that integrates with the PCF 1. For use with bulk sack or bag 24 packaging, the PCF 1 is incorporated into the bulk sack 24 using a plastic integration flange 21 that is bonded and/or mechanically fastened to the sack material using appropriate laminating tape 26 and/or rivets and brads 25.
The Portion Control Funnel 1 will be custom fabricated and mass produced In dimensions, diameters, heights, and configurations necessary to accurately measure the desired portion or dosage of the product within a tolerance of ±5% of the specified amount or volume (see FIG. 2). The bottom of the Portion Control Funnel 1 will be provided with a full circle flange that will engage the Aperture Lid Keeper Flange 4 of the Aperture Lid 2. As described in Paragraph [0034.2], above, the rotating PCF 1 will be provided with rotation, stop lugs 13 that will engage, or contact, the rotation stop lugs 12 within the Aperture Lid Keeper Flange 4 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5 & 6).

- The bottom of the Portion Control Funnel 1 will also be provided with a half-round, operable, aperture opening 11 that is “opposite” the Aperture Lid 2 aperture opening 10 in the“Closed” position, and “aligned” with the Aperture Lid 2 aperture opening 10 in the “Open” position (see FIGS. 4 & 5). When in the “Closed” position, the Combination Aperture Lid 2 with rotating Portion Control Funnel 1 shall retain and substantially prevent leakage of the bulk product from the canister or bottle 5, but shall allow filling of the Portion Control Funnel 1 with product when in the “Open” position.
- Once the aperture openings 10 and 11 of both components are aligned and the Portion Control Funnel 1 is filled with product from the canister or bottle 5, the Portion Control Funnel 1 is rotated to the “Closed” position. After segregating the measured dosage, or controlled portion, in the Portion Control Funnel 1 from the bulk product in the vendor's canister or bottle 5 by closing the aperture gate 11, the controlled portion may be dispensed through the open throat dispenser spout 6 (see FIG. 2).
- The open throat dispenser spout 6 is provided with a plastic snap-on cap with retainer strap 8 and spout neck collar ring 9, which can be used to preserve the product in the Portion Control Funnel 1 until ready for use if not used immediately after portioning (see FIGS. 2 & 8).

Integral with the concept of the Portion Control Funnel Lid is the disposable seal 18 placed on top of, and covering, the Portion Control Funnel Lid. This disposable, freshness and “safety” seal will be printed with the proprietary dispenser name, logo, and contact information for advertising purposes, and will include rudimentary instructions for removal, re-assembly with, the Portion Control Funnel Lid placed “up-right”, as well as operation and use of the Portion Control Funnel 1 to measure and dispense the product (see FIG. 7). The Portion Control Funnel Lid is intended to provide the convenience and safety of consistent portions for the vendor's product, and is intended to be provided to the consumer by the vendor as “added value” and as part of the packaging; no additional measuring devices, scoops, or funnels are required.
As previously described, the dispensing lid is utilized by turning the Portion Control Funnel 1 to the “open” position with the snap-on cap 7 in place on the spout 6 and tilting the entire assembly to an inverted position with the vendor canister or bottle 5 attached. The assembly may be slightly shaken so that product from the vendor's container 5 can move freely through the aligned aperture openings 10 and 11, respectively, in the Portion Control Funnel 1 and Aperture Lid 2 completely filling the predetermined capacity chamber of the Portion Control Funnel Lid. The Portion Control Funnel 1 is then manually rotated so that the aperture gates 10 and 11 are no loner aligned (i.e., “closed”), which also segregates the measured portion from the bulk product still retained within the vendor's canister or bottle 5. Once the product has been measured and segregated into the PCF 1, the entire assembly, including the vendor canister or bottle 5, is returned to an upright position. Product that has been measured and retained within the PCF 1 can be used immediately or stored within the PCF 1 chamber for later use. When ultimately used, with the rotatable PCF 1 still in the closed position, the snap-on cap 7 at the small end of the funnel spout 6 is removed and the entire assembly once again tilted sufficiently to dispense the nutraceutical product from the predetermined capacity chamber into a separate container or shaker for mixing and consumption. Dispensing of the product occurs as the powder or liquid product travels through the measuring chamber and funnel and out the dispensing spout 6.
The embodiments described above and as illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the specific devices and/or processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the foregoing specification, are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. As such, it is anticipated that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This is particularly so with respect to the size and shape of the vendor canisters and/or bottles, as well as the size, diameter, and length, of the components of the Portion Control Funnel Lid pertaining to the portion, or dose, measured by the Portion Control Funnel 1 (with, or without, a straight “barrel” portion of the measuring chamber).
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and viewing the appended drawings and figures. Accordingly, the invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. The use and methods of the current invention includes all usual variations, adaptations, and/or modifications within the scope of the claims attached, as well as equivalents thereof. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations hereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. The patent sought for this invention and method relates to the unique and novel concept of combining a measuring and portion control device with a funnel and dispensing nozzle in a very simple manner that allows the combined assembly to readily segregate the portioned amount of product from the remaining bulk product still in the vendor's original canister or bottle. This simple and inexpensive dispensing device is differentiated from other similar devices by the fact that it consists of one chamber and a single barrier member, as well as being manually-operated, with no shafts, gears, motors, springs, or other mechanical parts or operations. The Portion Control Funnel Lid facilitates the proper use of nutraceutical and other products, as well as serving to increase the convenience, cleanliness, safety, and efficiency of the product use. The easy-to-use operation of the one measuring chamber and single divider element can be accomplished manually and without even looking at the device, which would be a benefit for persons of limited sight or blindness.

2. The patent sought for this invention and method relates to the unique and novel concept of combining a measuring and portion control device with a funnel and dispensing nozzle in a very simple, inexpensive, manner that allows custom fabrication and mass production of the Portion Control Funnel Lid in a wide variety of portion sizes, as well as a significant variation in lid sizes to fit the existing, in-production canisters and bottles of current products by numerous vendors. The dimensions, diameters, heights, and configuration of the Portion Control Funnel Lid may be custom designed and modified to achieve proper dosage and portion amounts, as well as to fit the wide variety of existing canisters and bottles already on the market.

3. The patent sought for this invention and method relates to the novel manufacturing and utility of this dispensing lid, which will be licensed to various vendors of nutraceuticals for use with their existing products and the canisters or bottles associated with those products. It is intended that the lid supplied as an integral part of this invention would be customized as required to match the size and configuration, as well as the screw thread pitch and gage, of existing on-the-market containers so that it can be used with many different existing product containers, as well as being individually licensed to numerous vendors for use on the their products, as desired. This simple and economical dispensing device is differentiated from other similar devices by the fact that it is intended to be incorporated and sold as part of the vendor's standard packaging, and ultimately disposed of with the vendor's empty container. Other measuring and dispensing devices, as well as combination measuring and funnel devices, previously marketed or patented, have predominately been after-market permanent or semi-permanent products that are sold and distributed separately, and intended to operate independently of the vendor's product containers.

4. The invention and method of the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, avoids the use of separate scoops, measuring cups, and funnels that are often packaged with nutraceutical products and can result in messy spills and loss of product, as well as potential contamination of the product due to numerous openings of the container during its service life. The Portion Control Funnel Lid is also more economical to fabricate and assemble than previous, permanent, or semi-permanent, independent measuring and dispensing devices, and avoids the practice of the consumer having to transfer nutraceutical product from the vendor's packaging to the permanent device multiple times over the service life of the product container, risking potential contamination.

5. The invention and method of the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, includes a screw-on Open Top Retainer Lid that is compatible with multiple types and sizes of existing vendor canisters and bottles, and which is used to secure the Aperture Lid with an aperture opening of variable size to accommodate the desired portion size. The integral pitch and gage of the screw threads within the Open Top Retainer Lid would be coordinated with the vendor canisters and bottles already existing, such that packaging of the vendor's product could be readily and easily modified using the containers already in production by simply replacing the existing lid with the properly sized and configured Portion Control Funnel Lid.

6. The invention and method of the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2 and 3, includes a combination measuring chamber and funnel that rotates within the Keeper Flange of the Aperture Lid (or alternatively snap-fits together using a continuous, circular, ball-and-socket engagement), and incorporates an aperture opening of variable size, as well as a chamber with overall volume and configuration of variable size and arrangement to accommodate the desired portion size. The combination measuring chamber and funnel is configured to allow the predetermined amount of powder or liquid product to flow through said chamber and dispensing spout to a separate container for mixing and consumption.

7. The invention and method of the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, includes a combination measuring chamber and funnel, that rotates within the Keeper Flange of the Aperture Lid (or alternatively snap-fits together using a continuous, circular, ball-and-socket engagement), such that when the Portion Control Funnel aperture opening is “opposite” the Aperture Lid aperture opening, the lid will be in the “Closed” position, with the solid portion of the Portion Control Funnel bottom flange serving as a divider, or membrane, between the combination measuring chamber and funnel and the bulk product of the attached container. Conversely, when the Portion Control Funnel aperture opening is “aligned” with the Aperture Lid aperture opening, the lid will be in the “Open” position (see FIGS. 4 & 5).

8. The invention and method of the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, includes a combination measuring chamber and funnel that includes an open throat dispenser spout with plastic snap-on cap, retainer strap, and spout neck collar ring that can be used to preserve the product in the Portion Control Funnel until ready for use, if not used immediately after portioning (see FIGS. 2 & 8). The combination measuring chamber and funnel is provided with a releasably secured plastic snap-on cap at the small end of the funnel spout, which has a suitable plastic retention strap and neck ring that attaches to the funnel spout by being slipped over its neck.

9. The invention and method of the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, includes a combination measuring chamber and funnel that provides an inexpensive method for accurately and consistently dispensing a predetermined amount of the powder or liquid nutraceutical product by turning the Portion Control Funnel to the “open” position with the snap-on cap in place on the spout and tilting the entire assembly to an inverted position with the vendor canister or bottle attached. The assembly may be slightly shaken so that product from the vendor's container can move freely through the-aligned aperture openings in the Portion Control Funnel and Aperture Lid, completely filling the predetermined capacity chamber of the Portion Control Funnel Lid. The Portion Control Funnel is then manually rotated so that the aperture gates are no longer aligned (i.e., “closed”), which also segregates the measured portion from the bulk product still retained within the vendor's canister or bottle. Once the product has been measured and segregated into the PCF, the entire assembly, including the vendor canister or bottle, is returned to an upright position. Product that has been measured and retained, within the PCF can be used immediately or stored within the PCF chamber for later use. When ultimately used, with the PCF still in the closed position, the snap-on cap at the small end of the funnel spout is removed and the entire assembly once again tilted sufficiently to dispense the nutraceutical product from the predetermined capacity chamber into a separate container or shaker for mixing and consumption. Dispensing of the product occurs as the powder or liquid product travels through the measuring chamber and funnel and out the dispensing spout.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein said Portion Control Funnel Lid will be fabricated and mass produced in varying sizes and capacities depending on the desired portion or dose by the vendors to whom the invention will be marketed and licensed to, is a key aspect of this invention and method. The size and volume of the Portion Control Funnel Lid can be readily proportioned and sized by varying the dimensions, diameters, lengths, and overall size of the Portion Control Funnel and Aperture Lid components of the device in order to provide precise portion and/or dose measurement and control.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein said Portion Control Funnel Lid is licensed to multiple individual vendors and manufacturers of nutraceutical products far use with their existing products and standard canisters, containers, and bottles, is a key aspect of this invention and method. It is specifically intended that the Portion Control Funnel Lid will generally not be produced as a stand-alone product, but will be incorporated into the normal packaging of the vendor's product once, [a] the licensing has been properly arranged, [b ] the size, volume, or capacity of the measuring chamber and funnel has been established by appropriate dimensions, and [c] the device has been satisfactorily fabricated and mass produced for incorporation into the standard packaging.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said inverting step is performed in order to discharge the desired powder or liquid product through the aligned apertures of the Portion Control Funnel Lid, which is to be received into the combination measuring chamber and funnel, as well as manual rotation of the Portion Control Funnel in order to place the apertures in the opposite configuration (i.e., “closed”) and produce a divider membrane or element between the predetermined amount of product in the combination measuring chamber and funnel and the bulk product still retained within the vendor's canister or bottle.

13. The device and method of using the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, where utilized for liquids, the thickened element of the Aperture Lid would be fabricated with a circular dart recess that is intended to receive and be provided with a circular silicone gasket, composed of FDA-approved, food-grade, synthetic silicone rubber in order to better retain liquids within the vendor's canister or bottle (see FIG. 6A).

14. The device and method of using the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, where utilized for standard 1 gallon or 5 gallon plastic pails, the Open Top Retaining Lid and the Aperture Lid would be combined with a modified plastic or metal pail lid having a special opening, including outside threads that would match with the Open Top Retaining Lid (see FIGS. 9 and 10), being integral with the standard pail, and with the Portion Control Funnel engaged within the Keeper Flange of the Aperture Lid (or alternatively snap-fit together using a continuous, circular, ball-and-socket engagement). For large volume Portion Control Funnels, the PCF shall be provided with two (2) to four (4) plastic ears (or tabs) along the funnel and spout elements of the PCF in order to aid in applying torque during manual rotation of the PCF So close the apertures and segregate the product.

15. The device and method of using the Portion Control Funnel Lid of claims 1, 2, and 3, where utilized for small, medium, and large volume bags or sacks, the Open Top Retaining Lid and the Aperture Lid would be combined with a plastic integration flange that is bonded or fastened to the side of the bag or sack (see FIGS. 11 and 12), being integral with that packaging, and with the Portion Control Funnel engaged within the Keeper Flange of the Aperture Lid. The integration flange would be provided with a special opening having outside threads that would match with the Open Top Retaining Lid. For large volume Portion Control Funnels, the PCF shall be provided with two (2) to four (4) plastic ears (or tabs) along the funnel and spout elements of the PCF in order to aid in applying torque during manual rotation of the PCF to close the apertures and segregate the product.

16. The concepts and methods applied for in this patent, as well as the basic design and methods of use described, and diagramed herein, may be utilized in industries other than the health and fitness (nutraceutical) industry for which it is uniquely suited. Other applications include, [a] kitchen dry goods and liquids, [b] bulk food or juice products, [c] laundry, powders and liquids, [d] granular or nuggetized pet food products, [e] lawn, tree, and plant care products, [f] construction industry products, [g] medications and pharmaceuticals, and [h] general chemicals.

17. The embodiments described above and as illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it is anticipated that various changes in the elements, as well as their basic configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This is particularly so with respect to the size and shape of the vendor canisters and/or bottles, as well as the size, diameter, and length, of the components of the Portion Control Funnel Lid pertaining to the portion, or dose, contained by the Portion Control Funnel (with or without a straight “barrel” element of the measuring chamber).