Patent ID: 6357345
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
An apparatus for easy dispensing predetermined allotments of product, the apparatus comprising:a first side panel; a second side panel; a first and a second product management system, wherein each system comprises: an end panel, wherein the end panel connects an end of the first side panel with an end of the second side panel; a sloped floor panel, wherein the sloped floor panel lies between the first and second side panels and abuts the end panel, and further wherein the sloped floor panel slopes in a downwards direction away from the end panel; a central panel having a top, a bottom, a first edge, a second edge, a first side and a second side, wherein the central panel slopes in a downwards direction towards the sloped floor panel, and further wherein the central panel lies between the first and second side panels; a bucket having a sloped bottom, wherein the bucket is located adjacent to an edge of the sloped floor panel that is farthest from the end panel, wherein the bucket may be moved in an upwards and downwards angled motion; a spill-off panel located adjacent to the bucket, wherein the upwards motion of the bucket brings the bottom of the bucket to a location just above the spill-off panel; a blade located between the bucket and the sloped floor panel, wherein the blade may be moved in an upwards and downwards angled motion, and further wherein the upwards movement of the blade serves to partition a metered portion of the product; a mechanism, wherein the movement of the mechanism serves to move the blade and the bucket in an upwards angled motion; an actuator motor which drives the movement of the mechanism; a detent assembly that may be placed so that the bucket will encounter the detent assembly during its downward movement, wherein the encountering of the detent assembly will halt the downward motion of the bucket, and further wherein the halting of the downward motion of the bucket will select the metered portion of the product; a tilting chute located adjacent to the spill-off panel, wherein the raising of the bucket allows the partitioned material to slide out of the bucket and into tilting chute; and a tilter actuator motor which rotates the tilting chute from horizontal to vertical upon demand.