US2741403A

US2741403A - Repeating material dispenser

Info

Publication number: US2741403A
Application number: US358349A
Authority: US
Inventors: Russel H Kirkhof
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-05-29
Filing date: 1953-05-29
Publication date: 1956-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1973-04-10

Description

April 10, 1956 R. H. KIRKHOF 2,741,403

REPEATING MATE ZRIAL. DISPENSER Filed May 29, 1955 INVENTOR. RUSSEL H. KIRKHOF ATTORNEY United States Patent REPEATING MATERIAL DISPENSER Russel H. Kirkhof, Lamont, Mich.

Application May 29, 1953, Serial No. 358,349

6 Claims. (Cl. 222230) This invention relates to a dispensing device or attachment, which may be connected to a receptacle for holding material to be dispensed. Such material preferably is in a finely divided or powdered form. By means of the device which I have invented a predetermined measured quantity may be dispensed and such dispensing repeated as many times as desired. The device is mounted at the outlet end of a receptacle for continuing the powdered material and will form a closure for the outlet end and such closure. By rotating it a short distance in one direction and then back in the opposite direction, the dispensing mechanism is actuated and with each rotation in either direction for a short distance, a predetermined quantity of the material is released and leaves the container.

It is an object and purpose of the present invention to provide a dispensing device or attachment of a simple and practical form which is sure in its operation and of a sturdy and dependable character.

An understanding of a preferred embodiment of the invention may be had from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a receptacle having the dispensing device of my invention connected therewith at its outlet end.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section substantially on the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking downwardly, showing the parts of the dispensing mechanism in one position, and

Fig. 4 is a like section with the dispensing mechanism in a second position.

Like reference characters refer to like ferent figures of the drawing.

The receptacle 1 is shown as a jar or bottle having an open end which is normally closed by a sheet metal screw cap 2. Such bottle or jar is used to contain many materials. l have used the dispensing mechanism which I have produced in conjunction with finely divided or powdered coffee of the type known as instant coffee, though it is to be understood that the invention is adapted to be used with many other powdered materials.

From the cap 2, in the position of use of the invention, a cylindrical sleeve 3 extends downwardly. It is permanently secured to said cap 2 which has a central opening 2a receiving the upper end portion of the sleeve 3. A gate member 4 of substantially elliptical form is pivotally mounted on a shaft 5 which extends horizontally between opposed sides of the sleeve 3, such member serving to close the receptacle against outward flow of the contents. It is diagonally disposed within the sleeve as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 in one position thereof, so that the powdered or finely divided material in the receptacle. will come against such member 4 at the upper side thereof and will be retained until the member is rocked about the axis of the pivot shaft 5.

Two spring members 6 and 7 of spring wire are used. Each is of a generally U-shaped form, the outer legs of parts in the 2,741,403 Patented Apr. 10, 1956 each of which terminate in vertical sections 6a and 7a, respectively, which are permanently secured to and extend downwardly into the walls of the sleeve 3 at substantially diametrically opposed points as shown in Fig. 2. Such springs 6 and 7 extend upwardly from the respective sections 6a and 7a into the receptacle 1 and at their upper end portions are curved inwardly toward each other so that the opposite legs of the spring members 6 and 7 come together and are inserted in and permanently secured to the upper end portion of the gate member 4.

The upper end portion of the section 7a of the spring 7 passes through a lever 8 horizontally positioned over the upper end of and at one side of the sleeve 3. The inner end of the lever 8 carries an eye or ring 9 integral with or permanently secured to said lever, through which the inner legs of the springs 6 and 7 pass prior to connection with the member 4.

The outer end of the lever 8 is between two spaced shoulders or abutments on the receptacle 1 as shown. Such shoulders or abutments are provided by a recess 10 made in the adjacent end portion of the receptacle 1, the opposite sides of the recess providing the shoulders or abutments between which the outer end of the lever 8 is located.

In the operation, the receptacle 1 which, normally, is reversed in position from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is turned over so that its enclosed outlet end is at the lower end of the receptacle as shown. By engaging there against the side of the slot to the left of the lever 8, causing the lever to turn about its pivotal mounting on the sleeve to the position shown in Fig. 4. Such movement of the lever causes a clockwise movement of the inner end portion of the lever 8 whereupon the 'pivotally mounted gate member 4 is swung from the position in Fig. 4 to that in Fig. 3, and material above the member 4 will drop by gravity out of. the sleeve 3. Such movement of the gate 4 is a quick snap movement so that the upper end portion thereof very quickly moves from one side to the other of the sleeve 3, quickly closing the sleeve against flow of material after a portion has escaped, with the material at the opposite side of the member 4 in position so that when rotative movement of the cap 2 and attached sleeve 3 is made in the opposite direction, the process is repeated with the dispensing of a second charge of material from the receptacle.

Of course the abutments made by the opposite side edges of the notch 10 may have as equivalents spaced projections extending inwardly from the walls of the outlet end portion of the receptacle 1 operating in the same way to serve the same purpose.

With this invention it is merely necessary to invert the receptacle containing the powdered material and then rock or turn the cap and attached sleeve back and forth about a vertical axis of movement. The spring members 6 and 7 extending upwardly into the receptacle and, moving from one side thereof toward the other side, stirs the material and keeps it from caking. In conjunction with instant coffee for example, the number of rocking movements which are given to the cap 2 will depend upon the quantity of the coffee material which is wanted, either one cup or any number of them, there being one rocking movement, for example, for one cup and as many as may be needed for additional cups. It is to be understood that with the gate in either of its closed positions the edge portions thereof will closely contact the inner sides of the sleeve 5, not only preventing undesired passage of finely powdered material downwardly when the receptacle is inverted but at all times preventing vapor mmsture entrance to the contents of the receptacle which contents preferably is maintained in as dry a condition as possible.

Theconstruction described is .very' practical and useful for the purpose for which it has been made. It is economical to produce and is certain and sure in its operation. The invention is defined in the appended claims, and is to he considered comprehensive-of all forms of structure coming within their scope. I claim; 1. Structure as descrihedcomprising, a receptacle open 'at one end, a closure on said receptacle at said end con nected therewith for rotative'movement' in either direction, a sleeve secured at one endtto the closure extending away therefrom, said closure having an opening into which the sleeve extends, the upper end of the sleeve communicating with said receptacle, a gate member of elliptical form within said sleeve mounted between the ends of said member on said 'sleeve for rocking movement, two

spring members of wire rod of generally U-form, each having an outer leg secured to the sleeve at its inner'end located.

2. Structure as described comprising, a receptacle, an outlet sleeve at one end of said receptacle, means for rotatively mounting said sleeve at. said end of the receptacle, an elliptical gate within said sleeve mounted for rocking movement on an axis transverse to said sleeve, a generally U-shaped spring connected at oncend to the inner end of the sleeve and at the other end to the inner end of the gate, said spring extending into the receptacle, 7 a lever pivotally mounted between its ends at the inner end of said sleeve having an eye at its inner end through which said spring passes, and two spaced abutments on said receptacle between which the outer end of the lever is'located;

3. Structure as described comprising a receptacle, a'

sleeve rotatively connected, at one end of said receptacle, extending away therefrom, a gate said sleeve pivotally mounted to move between two positions in the.

against passage of contents of the receptacle through the sleeve, a lever pivotallv mounted between its end at the inner end of said sleeve, having its outer end extending to said receptacle, spaced abutments on said receptacle between which the outer end of said lever is located, and a spring connected at its ends to the inner end of said sleeve and to said gate, said spring passing through the inner end portion of said lever, as and for the purposes described.

4.'Structurc as described comprising, a receptacle, a sleeve rotatively mounted on and at one end of said receptacle to turn about its longitudinal axis, a gate within said sleeve pivotally mounted to turn on an axis transverse to said sleeve from one position in the sleeve to an opposite position, a lever pivotally mounted between its ends on the inner end of said sleeve and engaged by said receptacle at its outer end and means pivotally connecting the other end of the lever with said gate whereby,

. upon turning said sleeve about its longitudinal axis said sleeve, in each of which position; the sleeve is closed gate is moved across the sleeve from one position tosaid opposite position.

5. Structure as described comprising a receptacle, .a sleeve rotativcly connected to the receptacle at one end of andextending away therefrom, a gate within said sleeve pivotally mounted between its ends to turn from one diagonal position, relative to the length of the sleeve= to an opposite diagonal position, and means connected to the gate, sleeve and receptacle, and operable to move the gate from one position to the other on relative rotation of the sleeve and receptacle about the longitudinal-axis of said sleeve.

6. Structure as described comprising, a receptacle, an

outlet sleeve at one end of said receptacle, a gate in-said sleeve mounted for rocking movement on an axis transverse to said sleeve, manually operable means for rock ing said gate alternately from one side to the other of saidsleeve, said gates normally closing said sleeve but momentarily opening the sleeve as it moves from one side thereof to the other and spring means connected with the gate yieldingly holding the gate in sleeve closing position in both of said positions to which the gate is movable within the sleeve.

References Cited in the file of hi p tent UNITED STATES PATENTS 506L552 Sample -Y V V V--- Oct. 10, 1893 68 0 S nger e V 0ct- 19.01 1,251,453 Spencer H 7 Dec. 2 191 1,355,562 Mogensen .Oct. 12, 1920 2, 9 ,869 Ross 9-,,

1.3., 19 2 2,612,829 Joyce Oct. 7, 19,52