Patent ID: 6454143
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: A01C,A01M

Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing particles, comprising:a housing including upstanding side walls and a boundary wall spanning the opening defined by the side walls for dividing the interior of the housing into an upper portion and a lower portion, the boundary wall and upstanding side walls of the upper portion of the housing defining a cavity for holding the particles, the dividing wall having an opening for allowing one or more particles to pass from the cavity to the lower portion of the housing; a rotating discharge element disposed in the housing below and adjacent to the opening in the dividing boundary wall, the discharge element adapted to move particles through the opening and into the lower portion of the housing upon rotary actuation of the discharge element; a pendulum rotatably mounted in the lower portion of the housing; and a ratchet mechanism operably linking the pendulum and the discharge element for causing rotation of the discharge element and dispensing particles from the housing in response to movement of the pendulum.