Abstract:
A portable storage and dispensing device is provided which, when actuated, measures portions from a reservoir of soluble powder and communicates those measured portions to a drinking vessel or container. The device includes a cannister having an interior cavity for positioning a powder reservoir which is dispensable using to a user-actuated measuring and dispensing component. A dispensing end of the cannister is adapted to deposit the powder in small-mouthed containers and concurrently avoid spillage.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a U.S. Nonprovisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/065,881 filed on Oct. 20, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present device relates to portable storage and dispensing devices for mixing liquids with powdered concentrates, flavoring, or other soluble mixes which are measured for combination with a liquid. More particularly, the disclosed device, is configured for the storage, transport, and dosing of nutritional supplements and the like through the dispensing of measured volumes of powder into a beverage container, as well as providing an engageable user-accessible compartment which may be segmented to hold and sort additional pill and capsule supplements. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently, many exercise and nutrition supplements are sold in a powdered form such that a user can easily mix a specific or measured volume of the powdered product into a beverage of their choice for consumption. The range of current powdered supplements is broad and includes, for example, powdered supplement protein formulas for muscle builders and athletes, to baby formulas for nursing mothers to virtually any fluid-soluble edible substance which may be mixed with a liquid such as water or milk or other liquid mixtures adapted for mixing with powdered additives. 
         [0004]    Although consumption of such powdered supplements which require measured volumes of the powder to be combined with the liquid when used in the home can be easily accomplished with cups or jars, and available measuring devices, many users, especially those who prefer to consume a supplement at a specific time of the day, prefer sealable portable bottles for carrying such ingestible liquid supplements. For example, many professional and amateur athletes consume protein formulas directly before their workout to maximize the efficiency and output of their effort, and may wish to ingest another such mixture afterwards. 
         [0005]    Although many such powdered supplement and food products are packaged with measuring cups or spoons for proper measurement or dosing for the determined volume of liquid, the employment of such dispensing tools can be messy, prone to spills, and such are often imprecise. Such imprecision occurs due to powder-packing and spillage of excess powder beyond the edges of the measuring cup and can significantly vary the quantity and taste of the product dissolved in the liquid forming the drink. 
         [0006]    Automatic measuring or dosing devices currently available in the art purport to solve the unmet need for a precise and clean dispensing system. However, such products are often designed for industrial use and are heavy and not particularly portable. Further, conventional measuring or dosing devices for mixing powders with liquids generally lack a means for dispensing carefully measured powder into the narrow openings of a bottle or drinking containers. Such results in powdered spillages and improperly mixed drinks. 
         [0007]    As such there exists an unmet need for a lightweight and portable powder container for powder mixtures which must be measured accurately prior to being mixed with a liquid for ingestion by the user. Such a measuring or dosing device should be configured to accurately and easily dispense a volume of stored powder, into a bottle or container. Such a device should be configured to communicate the accurately measured dose of powder into a narrow opening of a beverage container without loss or spillage, and should do so hygienically. Because not all supplements ingested are provided in a soluble powder to be ingested as in liquid form, such a device should additionally include compartments for storing and carrying differing powdered products or supplements in pill or tablet form to allow the user to carry their nutritional products together. Finally, if the device functions as a reservoir for the powdered mix, such a device should be enabled with means to maintain the powder dry, to eliminate problems associated with moisture reaching a powder reservoir such as clumping, and mold growth for example. 
         [0008]    The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of hygienic and secure storage of soluble nutritional supplements, drink flavoring, and other food adapted for ingestion while in a liquid, in a powder form. 
         [0010]    It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a device which is further configured to measure and dispense an accurate or specific volume or dose of powder into a liquid container, during use. 
         [0011]    It is another object of this invention for the device to provide removably engageable storage for other ingestible supplements in a separate storage compartment from the soluble powder. 
         [0012]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the novel construction and improvements for a supplement carrying device described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but which should not be considered as placing limitations thereon. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a soluble powder dispensing device configured in one preferred mode as a combination soluble powder and pill storage container and dispenser. In all modes of the device herein, it is preferred that the device provide an easy-actuated measuring and dispensing component to measure a volume of soluble powder and thereafter communicated the measured volume to a drinking vessel. In all modes herein, the powder volume measurement and dispensing actions can be accomplished using a hand activated actuator, which includes trigger operatively connected to an internal measuring component, for imparting motion thereto to first measure and then dispense the measured powder to a drinking vessel. 
         [0014]    In one preferred mode, the device is configured such that powder is housed in a reservoir at a first end of the housing or cannister of the device. In another preferred mode of the device, the soluble power is provided from a supply of canisters where each canister is adapted for engagement with a first end of the housing of the device, to communicate a supply of soluble powdered material for measuring and dispensing. The housing or cannister of the device, which has a sidewall which defines an interior cavity or reservoir for powder storage, may also be surrounded by a silicone sleeve for increased user grip, durability, damage prevention, hygiene and aesthetics. 
         [0015]    In manually activated modes of the device, an actuator to cause the dispensing chamber to measure and dispense the measured volume of powder, is provided by a depressable member or lever which is operatively engaged to or within the cannister, to project from a side surface of the sidewall of the device. Depression of the member or button by a user causes a dispensing chamber within the device to rotate about a central axis, or within a circular race, positioned within a central area of the canister. This rotation expels a measured volume or dose of soluble powder or other material, from a measuring chamber and to a dispensing tip adapted to communicate the dispensed powder to either a wide or narrow drinking vessel. 
         [0016]    An optional storage compartment is adapted for engagement at the first or reservoir end of the cannister of the device. The storage compartment is configured to hold pills or other supplements or medications therein. So engaged, the storage compartment serves the dual functions of storing additional medications or supplements, and acting as a lid for the canister to maintain a powder supply within the reservoir of the device. Optionally a food-grade desiccant can be held within an aerated portion on an exterior wall of the storage compartment, to help maintain the powder stored in the device dry. 
         [0017]    On the opposite end of the cannister of the device, a cap may be provided. The cap is adapted for positioning over a dispensing tip adapted for dispensing into narrow drinking vessels to protect it and keep it clean during transportation and storage. 
         [0018]    The canister has a sidewall defining an overall cylindrical shape of the cannister at a first end. The sidewall defines an interior cavity which acts as a reservoir or powder container. One end of the formed powder reservoir, adjacent a mid portion of the cannister, narrows to direct and funnel powder held in the interior cavity, through an ingress slot and into the dosing chamber sized to preferably measure a volume of powder which may relate to a weight thereof. Preferably, the powder container, defined by the interior cavity, should be sized to hold between 5 and 20 cubic inches of soluble powder or other foodstuff to be mixed with an ingestible liquid. 
         [0019]    The measuring chamber, preferably should be sized to intake a determined volume of powder from the reservoir or interior cavity, and communicate that volume of power in a subsequent dispensing to the drinking vessel. The measuring or dosing chamber is situated in a rotating measuring component which is actuated from a first position to receive a volume of powder from the interior cavity, to a second position wherein gravity causes the measured volume of powder to exit an internal measuring chamber and flow to a narrowed second or proximal end of the cannister. This second or proximal end of the canister may include threads or other complimentary fastener engagement thereon to fasten to the dispensing tip if employed. Such a complimentary fastener engagement, for example threads, will allow for a plurality of different tips to be engaged. Such complimentary fasteners can include slots, threads, clasps, press fits, frictional engagement, and slotted fins. 
         [0020]    The canister defined by the sidewall, additionally includes an actuator aperture through which an actuator trigger or button or member, will project away from the exterior of the sidewall. The actuator may have this trigger or button engaged to an actuating member operatively engaged to rotate the measuring component with internal measuring chamber, between the first position wherein powder enters the measuring chamber, to a second position wherein that entry is blocked, and a second end of the measuring chamber is put into communication with a dispensing end of the device. 
         [0021]    Actuators to rotate the measuring chamber can include a trigger rotationally engaged to translate a member or can include the trigger being translatable to rotate the housing containing the measuring chamber, or other means to move the housing having the internal measuring chamber from a first position wherein a first end is open for communication of powder from the reservoir or internal cavity, to a second position wherein communication with the interior cavity is blocked, and the measuring chamber is in communication at a second end with a pathway to dispense the powder to a drinking vessel. 
         [0022]    If an onboard reservoir of powder is maintained in the interior cavity, graduation marks molded, painted or adhered to the canister can additionally be employed to provide the user with a visually discernable measurement of the internally stored volume of powder. 
         [0023]    Sealing features within the canister may be operatively positioned at the distal end of powder container and at the egress slot to prevent powder loss as the dispensing chamber rotates. Additionally preferred, in all modes of the device, to maintain hygiene and render the device easy to hold and manipulate, a silicone sleeve may be included. The sleeve contoured to fit tightly around the exterior of the sidewall forming the canister, and additionally will include a viewing portal and an actuator portal to allow for the trigger and to view the contents. 
         [0024]    In one mode of the device, the actuator, to move the measuring chamber between the first and second positions, is a rotationally engaged trigger which, when depressed, translates an arm rotationally engaged to a cylindrical member in which the measuring chamber is positioned. In another mode, the actuator may be a button having a contacting face and at least one gear rack engaged with a gear connected to the cylindrical member. In all modes, the actuator trigger or button is returned to a projecting position extending from the sidewall of the device by a biasing member such as a spring operatively engaged with either the translating member or the rotating member to bias them back to a projecting position. 
         [0025]    The dispensing component of the device is cylindrical in shape or a cylindrical member and configured to rotate the dosing chamber as the cylindrical member rotates about a shaft or within a wall defining a circular race. This rotation between a first position and second position is imparted by the user activating the actuator by depressing the trigger or face of the translating member. 
         [0026]    As noted, in a first position, a chamber inlet allows powder to fall under the force of gravity through the ingress slot in a mid section of the canister, from the reservoir or interior cavity, and to enter into the measuring chamber. Rotating the dispensing component or cylindrical member by employing the actuator, aligns an outlet slot with the egress slot wherein gravity will communicate the specific volume of powder, equal to the size of a measuring cavity of the dispensing component, to fall and exit at a second end of the canister. 
         [0027]    The pill container, includes a pill cap and container base which interlock to both store additional pills and supplements and to seal the distal end of the canister. The pill container base should contain one or multiple o-rings, gaskets or alternative sealing fixtures to ensure an airtight fit against the inner cylindrical face and distal edge of the canister. 
         [0028]    The pill container can additionally contain internal and removable cavities or separators to organize several different types of pills. Optional desiccants and labels within the pill container could ensure that its contents remain dry and identifiable. 
         [0029]    The dispensing tip, is preferably curved and frusto conical in shape. This allows the user to communicate powder from the second end of the canister, into the drinking vessel of choice. The dispensing tip may be removably engageable using complimentary fasteners between the second end of the cannister and the dispensing tip such as threads on both, to tightly and securely mate to the matching threads of the canister. 
         [0030]    A current preferred diameter of the dispensing tip aperture is between 0.25 and 3 inches which has been found in experimentation to control an orderly flow of powder into the drinking vessel over a few seconds, rather than have it all drop in at once which can cause problems with splashing, overflow and mixing. Additionally, it has been found that forming the dispensing tip in a curve away from a center axis of the cannister, has been show to help increase powder flow in this orderly fashion, prevent blockages, and preventing overly large volumes of the measured powder from communicating into the drinking vessel instantly. Finally, a funnel is designed with a distal end which fits within the proximal end of the canister for easy powder loading. 
         [0031]    To employ the device herein, the user loads powder from an original package or container into the reservoir or interior cavity at the first end of the cannister of the device. If employed, the secondary or pill container may then placed securely on the filled canister, or just a cap may be placed thereon. 
         [0032]    The user primes the device by holding it upright with the measuring chamber biased to the first position, by a biasing member such as a spring, and with the chamber inlet slot of the measuring chamber positioned to communicate powder from the reservoir or interior cavity under the force of gravity, through the ingress slot of the canister and into a defined measuring cavity of the cylindrical member housing the measuring cavity. 
         [0033]    Pressing a trigger or button to activate the actuator, will cause the dispensing component or cylindrical member to rotate to a second position, wherein an outlet slot of the measuring cavity aligns with the egress slot of the canister. Gravity carries the powder from the measuring cavity and only the specific volume of powder, equal to the size of the measuring cavity, will fall into a properly positioned drinking vessel or container of choice. 
         [0034]    In another preferred mode of the device, the housing or canister defined by the sidewall, may be shorter between the mid portion and first end, and thus does not have an internal cavity or reservoir to store powder. In this mode of the device, the first end of the cannister is adapted for engagement to one or a plurality of containers for commercially available products adapted for mixing with a liquid of choice. As such, in this mode of the device, the reservoir at the first or reservoir end of the cannister, is provided by the commercial container which is adapted for a removable engagement with the first end. This removable engagement may for example be a frictional engagement between one end of the commercial container and the first or reservoir end of the device herein, or a threaded engagement therebetween, or other removable engagement as would occur to those skilled in the art. 
         [0035]    Additional device components in either preferred modes can be implemented as part of the dispensing mechanism for ease of use and to ensure product cleanliness and longevity including items in a list including but not limited to: o-rings, gaskets, bearings, brushes, linear slides, rods, or bushings. Some or all of the components of the device herein can be formed from one or a combination of food-safe durable materials from a group including plastic, rubber, silicone, glass, metals, ceramics, and polymeric materials. 
         [0036]    With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The device herein described and disclosed in the various modes and combinations is also capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Any such alternative configuration as would occur to those skilled in the art is considered within the scope of this patent. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0037]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other powder and pill storage and dispensing products for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0038]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only nor exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion. 
           [0000]    In the drawings: 
           [0039]      FIG. 1  depicts a left side view of a first preferred mode of the device in an assembled configuration having a translatable member engaged with a gear providing the actuator to rotate the cylindrical member having the measuring cavity therein in a first position. 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  displays a cross sectioned right view of the first preferred mode of the device shown in  FIG. 1  and depicting the translating member and gear defining the actuator to rotate the cylindrical member between first and second positions. 
           [0041]      FIG. 2 a    depicts a mode of the device similar to that of  FIGS. 1-2  but wherein an actuator is a rotationally engaged trigger operatively connected to rotate the cylindrical member, and biased to a projecting position from the sidewall of the device. 
           [0042]      FIG. 2 b    shows an enlargement of the actuator of  FIG. 2A  showing the trigger and engaged connecting member rotationally engaged between the trigger and the cylindrical member during actuation by a user and rotating the cylindrical member and measuring cavity from the first position toward the second position. 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  depicts a section view of the device showing the internal cavity defined by the interior surface of the sidewall, and axis and cavity sized for rotational engagement of the cylindrical member. 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  depicts an isometric view of a silicone sleeve component sized for engagement upon the exterior surface of the device herein. 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  displays a view of an actuator formed as a translatable member having a gear rack engageable with a gear operatively attached to the circular member such as in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 6  depicts a cross sectioned right view of the dispensing chamber for the powder stored in the sleeve-surrounded cannister. 
           [0047]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an engageable lid employable to cover the open end of the interior cavity. 
           [0048]      FIG. 8  displays a side view of a removably engageable spill-preventing frusto conical dispensing tip adapted for dispensing powder within the circumferential edge of a glass or container. 
           [0049]      FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of a loading funnel employable for filling the reservoir or internal cavity defined by the sidewall of the cannister. 
           [0050]      FIG. 10  represents a side view of the device having the distal or reservoir end of the cannister adapted for sealed removable engagement with a third party container. 
           [0051]      FIG. 11  shows the optional secondary container formed as a segmented pill or tablet holder configured to be employed in place of the engageable lid of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of a perforated holding cavity adapted for positioning of a desiccant therein which may be engaged to either the lid of  FIG. 7 , or the secondary container of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0053]    Now referring to drawings in  FIGS. 1-12 , wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1 , an exterior view of the device  10  configured in a preferred mode, assembled wherein powdered supplements may be stored within an internal cavity  11  at a first end of the canister  12 . The cannister  12 , formed by a sidewall  13 , has external dimensions configured to allow positioning of the cannister  12 , within an axial recess of a silicone sleeve  14 . 
         [0054]    Shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the device  10  has a canister  12  having the sidewall  13  defining an internal cavity  11  employable as a reservoir for supplement or other powder. The exterior of the device  10 , in a particularly preferred mode, includes a silicone sleeve  14  sized to surround and protect the sidewall  13  and rest of the device  10  during use and transport. The silicone sleeve  14  is sufficiently elastic to be stretched and slid upon the exterior of the device  10 , provides a compressible non-slip surface for enhancement of user grip on the assembled device  10  as well as enhancements to durability to protect the device  10  from drops and bumps and other potentially injurious contact. 
         [0055]    An actuator is operatively engaged for user-activation to initiate the device  10  to dispense powder stored in the interior cavity  11 , into a drinking vessel or other container. As shown in  FIG. 2  this actuation can be initiated by the user through the depression of a spring biased button  16 , which is biased to a default position projecting away from the sidewall  13 , through an aperture  17  therein and through the sleeve  14  if employed. 
         [0056]    In this depicted mode of an actuator, depression of the button  16  toward the sidewall  13  translates geared members ( FIG. 5 ) to rotate a dispensing housing  18  about a central axis within a central area of the canister  12  to move from a first position to a second or a dispensing position wherein a measured powder dose from the interior cavity  11  of the canister  12  is communicated to and through an aperture  23  at the narrowing end of a frustoconical dispensing tip  22  and into the drinking vessel or other container. 
         [0057]    It should be noted that the diameter of the aperture  23  at the dispensing tip  22  is preferably smaller than a circumference of the open end of a drinking glass or fluid container to be used with the device  10 . The frusto conical shape of the dispensing tip  22  narrowing toward and at the aperture  23  is particularly preferred as it has been shown to avoid spillage occurring where the aperture  23  is sized equal to the first end of the tip  22 . Further, the frustoconical shape, and narrowing at the aperture  23 , allows the user the ability to choose a glass or container of equal or preferably larger size than the aperture  23  by using the aperture  23  diameter as a measuring component. 
         [0058]    A lid  19  may be provided for engagement at the opening to the interior cavity  11  at a first end of the cannister. The lid  19  would be configured for a removable engagement to the sidewall  13  defining the opening at this first end. Alternatively, as noted, a pill dispenser  20  can be configured to serve the dual functions of providing an interior cavity for storing additional medications or supplements therein, and providing an engageable lid for the opening to the interior cavity  11  at the first end of canister  12  which when removed allows for a filling or replenishment of the powder within the internal cavity  11  of the cannister  12 . 
         [0059]    Also shown in  FIG. 1-2 , a cap  52  may be provided in a configuration rendering it employable for a removable engagement with a second end of the cannister  12 . So engaged the cap  52  will cover over the aperture  23  at the narrow end of the circumference of the dispensing tip  22  to protect it and keep it clean during transportation and storage. 
         [0060]      FIG. 2A  depicts a mode of the device  10  similar to that of  FIGS. 1-2  but wherein the actuator is provided by a rotationally engaged trigger  31  operatively connected to rotate the rotationally engaged dispensing housing  18 . As with the actuator of  FIG. 1 , a biasing member such as a spring  37  is engaged with either the trigger  31  or the dispensing housing  18 , or the connecting member  39 , to bias the trigger to a default projecting position, extending away from the sidewall  13  of the device  10 . 
         [0061]    In this default position of the trigger  31  and actuator of  FIGS. 2A-2B , or the button  16  and actuator of  FIG. 1 , the dispensing housing  18  is held in a first position, such as in  FIG. 2 , wherein a first opening  41  or inlet aperture to a measuring chamber  43  communicates with a passage leading to the interior cavity  11 . In this first position, gravity will cause powder to communicate from the interior cavity  11  to fill the measuring chamber  43 , and an exit opening  49  or exit aperture, at the opposite end of the measuring chamber  43  is sealed against a wall of a recess holding the measuring chamber  43 . 
         [0062]    Activation of the actuator, overcomes the biasing force of the biasing member or spring  37 , and rotates the measuring chamber  43 , such that the exit opening  49  or exit aperture on the other end of the measuring chamber  43  aligns with an opening in the wall of the recess, wherein the powder under the force of gravity, will vacate the measuring chamber  43  and drop through the aperture  23  into a container thereunder. With the dispensing housing  18  and internal measuring chamber  43  in this second position, as can be surmised from the drawings by those skilled in the art, the first opening  41  or inlet aperture, is sealed from communication with the interior cavity  11 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 2B  depicts an enlargement of the actuator shown in  FIG. 2A  showing the trigger  31  and engaged connecting member  39  rotationally engaged between the trigger  31  and the cylindrical dispensing housing  18 . As shown, the trigger  31  is spaced from the silicone sleeve  14  and moving away therefrom to actuate the dispensing housing  18  to rotate from the first position shown in  FIG. 2 , toward the second position wherein the exit opening  49  of the measuring chamber  43 , will align with a gap  51  in the wall of the cavity hosting the measuring chamber  18  defining the egress slot  32 . In the second position, powder within the measuring chamber  18  is communicable to and through the aperture  23  in the dispensing tip  22 . 
         [0064]    As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the canister  12  has a substantially tubular configuration formed by the sidewall  12  defining the internal cavity  11 . In a preferred mode, an angled bend and subsequent narrowing of the diameter of a passage  21  communicating between the internal cavity  11 , and the first opening  11  of the measuring cavity  43 , serves to direct and funnel powder from the internal cavity  11 , through an ingress slot  31 , into the measuring chamber  43  which is sized to hold a measured volume of communicated powder. The internal cavity  11  preferably should be configured to hold between 5 and 20 cubic inches of powder in a preferred mode of the device  10  which has shown to allow for a number of sequential fillings of the measuring chamber  43 . 
         [0065]    The exterior circumference of the dispensing housing  18  should be sized to tightly fit and seal against the wall surrounding the dispensing housing  18 , and thereby seal the first opening  41 , or inlet aperture, from any powder communication from the internal cavity  11 , when the dispensing housing  18  is rotated to the second position, to communicate the volume of powder within the measuring cavity  43 , through an with egress slot  32  or opening and to the dispensing tip  22 . The dispensing tip  22  in the noted removable engagement to the second end of the cannister  12 . 
         [0066]    The canister  12  additionally contains an access hole for the button  16  and an axle  38  for rotation of the dispensing housing  18  thereon, if not fully supported by the wall surrounding the circumference of the dispensing housing  18 . Graduated marks may be provided which may be molded, painted or adhered to the canister  12  can additionally be employed to display the volume of contained powder. Sealing features within the canister  12  should be placed at the distal end of the passage  21 , and at the egress slot  32 , to prevent powder loss as the dispensing housing  18  rotates and while being carried or transported if required. 
         [0067]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the dimensions of the silicone sleeve  14  are contoured to a complimentary fit tightly around the exterior surface of the complimentary shaped canister  12 , and additionally contains a viewing portal  36  and a button portals  38 . 
         [0068]    An example of an actuator formed as a button  16  is shown in  FIG. 5 , and includes an actuation face  40 , two opposing gear racks  42 , and a set of stabilizing legs  44 . The button  16  or the canister  12  should contain a biasing member such as a spring  37  ( FIG. 2B ), to ensure that after actuation, the button  16 , or trigger  31  is biased to return to its original projecting position. This biasing member can be one or a combination of biasing members from a group including compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs, disk springs or flexures. 
         [0069]    The dispensing housing  18 , as seen in  FIG. 6  is cylindrical in shape and designed to rotate within a surrounding wall formed within a mid section of the canister  12  and about a shaft  28  if included. A rack or gear  48  on each side of dispensing housing  18  mates with the complimentary gear racks  42  extending from the button  16  if employed for the actuator. 
         [0070]    A first opening  41  allows powder to fall under the force of gravity into the measuring chamber  43  within the dispensing housing  18 . Rotating the dispensing housing  18  clockwise until its chamber exit opening  49  or exit aperture aligns with the egress slot  32  of the canister  12  allows only the specific volume of powder, equal to the size of the measuring chamber  43  of the dispensing housing  18 , to fall and exit the canister  12 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 7  shows a cover  19  removably engageable to the first end of the cannister  12  if the pill container  20  is not employed. The pill container  20  shown in  FIG. 11  can be used and is preferably segmented and contains internal and removable cavities divided by removable separators to organize several different types of pills. 
         [0072]    Shown in  FIG. 8 , the frustoconical dispensing tip  22 , which is curved and directs powder from the proximal end of the canister into the bottle or container of choice. One end of the dispensing tip  22  includes threads to tightly and securely mate to the complimentary matching threads of the canister  12 . Additionally, the o-rings  54  seals of the dispensing tip affixes the cap  52  to the reminder of the device  10 . The diameter of the aperture  23  of the dispensing tip  22  should be between 0.25 and 3 inches. Additionally the dispensing tip  22  should be curved in such a way as shown, to increase powder flow and prevent blockages. 
         [0073]    Shown in  FIG. 9  is a funnel designed with the larger diameter end sized to fit within the first end opening communicating with the internal cavity  11  of the cannister  12 , for easy powder loading. To employ the device  10  herein, the user loads powder from its original container, with or without the aid of the funnel  50  into the canister  12 . The lid or the pill container is then placed securely on the filled canister  12  and the cap  52  is removed. Since the inlet slot  46  allows powder to fall therethrough under the force of gravity, the dispensing housing  18  is filled by default. 
         [0074]    Pressing the button  16  causes the dispensing housing  18  to rotate clockwise until its chamber outlet slot  47  aligns with the egress slot  32  to allow only the specific volume of powder, equal to the size of the inner cavity, to communicate from the dispensing cavity  18  and into the user&#39;s bottle or container of choice. 
         [0075]    In another particularly preferred mode of the device  10 , shown in  FIG. 10 , the first end of the canister  12  has a small internal cavity  11  not sized to contain and store powder. However, the first end opening communicating with the internal cavity  11 , is adapted to removably engage with one or a plurality of commercial product containers  54  used by different manufactures to ship and display their product. As such, in this mode, where canister container volume is unimportant, the internal cavity  11  can be minimized for increased transportability. 
         [0076]    As noted above,  FIG. 11  shows a larger and exploded view of the optional secondary container formed as a segmented pill or tablet holder configured with segmented cavities  69  to be employed in place of the engageable lid of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0077]    Finally,  FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of a perforated holding cavity  61 . This holding cavity  61 , is removably engageable to the surface  63  of a front wall which communicates with the internal cavity  11  of either the lid of  FIG. 7 , or the secondary container shown in  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 2 . The perforated holding cavity  61  is adapted for positioning of a desiccant  62  therein which once so positioned, will help maintain the powder within the internal cavity  11  dry. One means of removably engagement of the holding cavity  61  to the surface  63  of the frontwall can be frictional engagement of the sidewalls  65  to projections extending from the surface  63  of the frontwall. 
         [0078]    As noted, any of the different configurations and components herein can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and steps in the method of production, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, or steps in formation of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
         [0079]    Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.