US2083704A - Bulk food dispenser - Google Patents

Description

`lune l5, 1937. H. P. HALL ET Al.

v BULK FOOD DISPENSER Filed Feb. 3, 1936 WWIIWIIII 4 i 4 ATTORNEYS.

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Patented June 15, 1937 PATENT OFFICE .BULK FGOD DISPENSER Harold P. Hall and Arthur T. Hartwick, Seattle, Wash.

Application February 3, 1936, Serial No. 62,1188

6 Claims.

This invention :relates .to .improvements in -dispensing devices -as employed .for `semi-fluid materials, such .as peanut butter, mayonnaise, and similar substances. More A,particularly the present invention is in the nature of an improvement over the .device of .my co-pending application, filed on February 27, v1934, under Serial No.

The device of the -copend-ing application, above mentioned, comprises a closed container terminating at its lower ,end in a .neck portion providing an Aoutlet `to which ya cap, formed with a valved outlet, is applied and having a shaft eX- tending lengthwise within the container and through an .opening in its upper .end Wall, with a crank arm at its upper .end and a propeller disk at its lower end located within the cap, whereby the contents of the container may be forcibly ejected when the .discharge opening is uncovered and the shaft is rotated.

While the prior device is satisfactory insofar as its general purpose `and use is concerned, it is not satisfactorily economical to manufacture due to the requirement of providing the rcon- 5 tainers -or glass jars with top end openings for the shaft and with suitable bushings for mounting the shaft. Furthermore, it is quite an item of expense to equip the jars with the propeller disks, shafts, and crank arm, and difliculty is sometimes experienced `in packing for shipment or transportation.

In View of the various items of expense in manufacturing and diiiiculties of handling the device as heretofore manufactured, it has been the principal object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device of a similar kind but eliminating therefrom` the undesirable features that are incident to use of the shaft and propeller, and substituting in their stead devices for applying vair under pressure into the container as the means for effecting a forcible ejection of material, thus making possible the use of glass jar containers of standard construction, and materially reducing .the cost of construction and the diiiiculties .of shipping heretofore experienced.

More specifically stated, the present invention resides in the provision of a .dispensing device comprising a closed container terminating in .a downwardly .opening neck portion to which a cap with a valved discharge opening is applied, also including an air pump that is connected to deliver air through a :liexible `connection to a tube extending upwardly through the cap and 55 into the container, .so that a pneumatic pressure (Cl. Z21--77) maybe built -up Vto zaid `or .cause a ready ydispensing of 'the contents from `the container when the discharge opening is uncovered.

Another object of the invention resides in the specific details of construction of a check valve to `be used at the upper end of the air delivery tube Within the container whereby material from the container is prevented from. -being drawn into the pump. Also in the provision of .a pressure relief valve to prevent a detrimental, over pressure in `the container.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and combination rof parts, and in their mode of operation, .as will hereinafter be described.

In accomplishing these and other .objects of the invention, we have provided the improved Vdetails of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, whereiny 1 Fig. 1 is a central, vertical section lofA a dispensing device .constructed in .accordance `with the present invention.

Fig. 2vis an enlarged, sectional .detail ofthe air tube mounting. J

Fig. `3 isa lower end view of the device. y

Fig. 4 is a View of the container as filled, and closed for shipment or storage.

Fig. 5 isa-sectional `detail illustrating a modiiied form of valve.

Fig. 6 is a sectional vdetail valve.

Referring more in vdetail to the drawing- I designates the container for the material to be dispensed. It is most desirable that the container'be of glass, but .it might be of any other suitable material, and preferably transparent-so that it will satisfactorily disclose its contents t0 view. In the present instance, the .container is a standard form of glass jar, supported, when in. use, in an inverted position, .as shown in.`- Fig. 1. It has a fiat upper end wall 2 .and .at its lower end has a neck portion 3 providing .a restricted discharge opening 4. The neck ,portion is exteriorly threaded and Vduring transportation and storage may be closed by the application thereto of vany of the ordinary types of screw caps, as at 5 in Fig. 4, but when in use has a novel form of dispensing cap 6, as shown in Figs. 2 and .3, threaded thereto.

This cap 6 is cup-shaped and is interiorly threaded about its upper end as at 6a and tapers slightly in a downward direction to a lower end wall 6b .formed centrally with a discharge opening 'l over which opening a closure plate A8 of pressure relief located. The plate 8 is held in place against the under side of wall 5b by an attaching screw 9 through one end thereof and threaded into the wall. The plate may be swung about the screw 5 by means of an extended handle portion 8a, thus to cover or to uncover the opening 'I. A leaf spring IU is also mounted by the screw 9 to press upwardly against the plate to hold it tightly against the wall 6a and thus prevent leakage l from the container.

Integral with a side wall of the cap is a boss IIa through which a vertical bore II is formed.

An air tube I2, which is extended upwardly within the container a substantial distance, as seen in l Fig. 1, is threaded at its lower end into this bore A tubular metallic sleeve I3 is embedded in the cap coaxial of the bore II vand-a nipple I4 is threaded into the lower end of the sleeve. Within the container is an air tube I2, which has its lower end threaded into the nipple as seen in Fig. 2, and its upper end terminates approximately midway of the height of the container. A flexible tube I5 is connected with the lower` end of the nipple I4 and this leads to a hand pump I6 whereby air may be injected into the container through the parts I5, I4, and I2.

One feature of the present invention resides in the back check valve that is provided at the upper end of the tube I2 to prevent contents of the container from owing back into the pump tube. The construction of the valve is best illustrated in Fig. 2, wherein the upper end of the tube I2 is shown to be open and provided near its upper end with lateral air ports I'I. Fitted over the end of the tube and extended down along its side walls beyond, or below the air ports is a flexible rubber sleeve I8 provided at its upper end with a central opening'thr'ough'which the shank of a screw I9 is .40 passed. This shank is threaded into the channel of the tube I2 with the head of the screw overlying the upper end of the sleeve to hold the latter against displacement. The sleeve is provided with air ports 2D offset from the air ports I'I of the tube. About the lower end of the sleeve is an enlarged collar portion 2l which maintains this part of the sleeve drawn tightly about the tube. With this arrangement, the rubber sleeve normally tightly overlies and closes the air ports I1 opening from the tube I2. However, when air is injected under pressure by manipulation of the pump, it enters the container through the air ports I1, forcing the 'rubber sleeve outwardly from its tight contact with the tube I2 and permitting the air to escape into the container through the ports 20. Just as soon vas air pressure is relieved within the pump, the sleeve closes the ports II to hold the air pressure within the container and to prevent any flow of material into the tube I2.

As an alternative construction, as seen in Fig. 5, the sleeve may be closed at its upper end and held securely in place by an enlarged internal bead 22 at its lower end which seats within an annular channel 23 encircling the tube I2 near its upper end.

In order that an excessive pressure may not be built up in the container to the detriment of the container, or an undesirable outflow when the valve plate 8 is open, a pressure relief valve is provided in the hose connection between the pump and the tube I2. Such a relief valve is illustrated in Fig. 6, wherein the air tube I5 connects with a short nipple30 on the end of the pump cylinder. This hose. Connection has an' ports 3| and a rubber sleeve 32 is tted about the ported part of the tube I5 and about the base of the nipple 30. The tension of the sleeve 32 is such that it will withhold pressure within the tube I5 up to a predetermined amount; for instance, up to four pounds pressure. Therefore, after a four pound pressure has been built up inside of the container I, any additional air forced into the tube I 5 by the action ofthe pump will be exhausted through the ports 3| by an outward displacement of the sleeve 32. The

' operation of this valve is the same as that described in connection with the upper end of the tube l2 except that it is made to relieve internal air pressure from the tube I5, while the valve sleeve on the tube I2 is designed to operate as a check valve to withhold pressure inside the container.

Assuming the device to be so constructed, and assuming the container to be filled with a Inaterial to be dispensed, such as mayonnaise, the device is placed in use by applying the dispensing cap 6 and then inverting the container so that it will assume the position of Fig. 1. Then when it is desired to dispense contents from the container, the plate 8 is adjusted to uncover the opening 'I and air is delivered under pressure into the container by actuation of the pump. This air pressure against the contents of the container will effect a positive flow thereof through the discharge opening, but the flow may be cut off at any time by moving the plate 8 to closed position.

A very desirable feature resides in the fact that the cap 6 mounts the tube I2 since removal of the cap also removes the tube from the container.

When a container is emptied, the dispensing lcap 6 may be removed and the container cleaned and refilled. The cap 6 may be interchangeably applied to containers and it is not required that individual dispensing caps be provided for each.

The present device is economical, sanitary, and easily handled, easily cleaned and is practical and entirely satisfactory in use. Furthermore, the container may be made in various sizes and designs Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein, and desire to secure byk Letters Patent ist- 1. In a dispensing device of the character described, a container having a discharge opening, a closure means for said opening, an air tube entering the container having a lateral discharge.

port, and an elastic sleeve fitted to said tube and voverlying said port to close the latter against outflow of air from the container.

2. In a pneumatic dispensing container, an air tube extended into the container in an air tight connection, and having a connection at its outer end with a source of air pressure; said tube having a lateral discharge port from which air may be discharged therefrom into the container, and an elastic sleeve tted about the tube and overlying said port as a back check valve to prevent escape of air pressure through the port and adapted to be lifted from the port by pressure of air in charging the container.

3. In a pneumatic dispensing container. an air tube extended into the container in an air tight fitting and connected at its end outside the container with a sourcel of air pressure; said tube being provided with lateral discharge ports opening therefrom at points inside and outside the A Cil container, an elastic sleeve fitted to said tube and overlying the port on the inside of the container as a back check closure means, and an elastic sleeve fitted toI the tube and overlying the port that is outside the container and operable as a pressure regulating valve and adapted to allow escape of air after the container has been charged to a predetermined pressure.

4. In a pneumatic dispensing container having an air charging tube extended thereinto and pro vided at its inner end with a lateral port, an elastic sleeve fitted to the tube and overlying said port and having a port therein that is oiset from registration with the tube port.

5. In a pneumatic dispensing container having an air charging tube extended thereinto and pro-l vided at its inner end with a lateral port, an

elastic closure cap fitted over the end of the tube and extended to overlap the port therein and having a port out of registration from the tube port and having an encircling collar at its end less elastic than the body portion of the cap to maintain a tight connection with the tube.

6. In a pneumatic dispensing container, an air charging tube extended thereinto and provided at its inner end portion With an encircling groove and a lateral discharge port, a tubular elastic cap fitted over the tube end and across the port and having a reinforcing bead at its open end tightly seated in said groove to hold the cap againstdisplacement; said cap having a port therein out of registration With the tube port.

HAROLD P. HALL. ARTHUR T. HARTWICK.

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