Abstract:
The present invention is related to dispensers for dispensing portioned amounts of substances into a container. For example, dispensers for dispensing powered drink mixes, such as baby formula.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/991,908, filed May 12, 2014, and U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/885,036, filed Oct. 1, 2013, the entireties of each are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to devices for delivering a partitioned amount of a substance. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    While a percentage of parents choose to breast-feed their babies, the majority of parents bottle-feeds their babies within the first year of their life or moves to bottle-feeding for at least one year. Even parents that choose to initially breast-feed their children move towards bottle feeding their infant or toddler when transitioning off a mother&#39;s milk. Typically, bottle milk is created by introducing a measured amount of baby formula, which is usually a powdered and/or granular substance, into a bottle with water and mixing the formula/water solution until the formula is dissolved. 
         [0004]    It can be a challenge to dispense baby formula into a bottle with both accurate measurements of formula and without making a mess. The challenge can be magnified while holding an unhappy and/or hungry child or in on-the-go situations. Often baby powder is provided in a large container and the proper dose is manually measured with a provided plastic cup or scoop. Because one has to pour the scoop of powder into a narrow baby bottle opening, pouring the proper dose of powdered formula into the bottle can be messy and time consuming. A failure to properly pour powder into the bottle or mismeasure the formula can result in an incorrect ratio of powder formula to water, which could inadvertently result in failing to provide their infant child with the proper nutrition. In addition, the containers often expose humidity to the baby formula, which eventually causes the powder to lump in the formula solution. This can cause problems during feeding because the formula clogs the baby bottle nipple. 
         [0005]    Beyond baby formula, various other drink mixes are available in powdered form and require dispending a specific measurement of the powder into a container and mixing a fluid, such as water, with the powder to create the drink. These mix-created drinks can include but are not limited to chocolate milk, punches, sports drinks, and even nutritional specific drinks for the elderly, diabetic, etc. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a general need for a convenient dispenser of powdered substances which dispenses more consistently with each use than if you were to scoop the powder yourself. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a precise measurement of a substance, such as baby powder and other powdered drink mixes. The dispenser is configured such that a user can hold the dispenser and use a thumb and/or other fingers to rotate an external mechanism that portions a specific amount of substance contained in the dispenser. The specific portion can then be placed directly in a mixing bottle or other container to create a solution, such as a drink. Thus, the dispenser of the invention advantageously allows a user to release/dispense in precise measurements of the substance into a container with the use of one hand. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the dispenser includes an elongate body having a first portion and a second portion, in which an average width of the first portion is less than an average width of the second portion. The elongate body also defines a lumen for holding a substance. The interior of the elongate body is configured to assist in sifting the substance to provide easy dispensing of the substance and to reduce clumping of the substance when mixed with a liquid. The second portion is coupled to a removable bottom configured to couple with second portion. The coupling may be a snap-fit or dual-coupling mechanism. The first portion is associated with a dispensing housing. The dispensing housing includes an external knob, a spout, and a detent. The dispensing housing further includes an internal wheel having an axis and disposed within the dispensing housing such that the internal wheel is in communication with the spout and the lumen of the elongate body. The axis of the internal wheel is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body and a longitudinal axis of the spout. The internal wheel includes a plurality of spaced-apart blades that define cavities for receiving the substance, and an outer edge of each blade is configured to slideably flush against an internal surface of the dispensing housing. The detent is configured to engage with the internal wheel or external knob, during rotation of the internal wheel, to indicate with resistance and sound that one of the cavities is open towards the spout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a dispenser according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a cross-section of a dispenser according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a dispenser according to another embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts a dispenser according to another embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts an external knob according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts an external knob according another embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts an internal wheel according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts a removable bottom according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  depicts a removable bottom according to another embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10-11  depict cross-sections of a proximal end of the dispenser according to certain embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of the proximal end of the dispenser according to certain embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  illustrates a see-through three-dimensional view of the proximal end of the dispenser according to certain embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates a cross-section of the dispenser according to certain embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a precise measurement of a substance, such as baby powder and other powdered drink mixes. The dispenser of the invention advantageously allows a user to pour in precise measurements with the use of one hand. The dispenser is configured such that a user can hold the dispenser and use a thumb and/or other fingers to rotate an external mechanism that portions an amount of substance that is contained in the dispenser. The measured portion can then be placed directly in a mixing bottle or other container to create a solution, such as a drink. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the dispenser  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the dispenser  100  includes an elongate body  15  and a dispensing housing  20 . The elongate body  15  may be coupled to dispensing housing  20 , or a distal end of the elongate body  15  may form the dispensing housing  20 . The dispensing housing  20  can include a spout  35 , an external knob  25 , and an internal wheel  40  (see  FIG. 2 ) disposed within the housing for partitioning specific volumes of a substance, such a formula, out of the spout  35 . The external knob  25  can be engaged by a user to rotate the internal wheel  40  in order dispense a powdered substance of a certain volume out of the spout  35 . The spout  35  can be operably associated with a cap  50 . The cap  50  can include a tab  45  that can be pulled by a user to remove the cap  50  off the spout. The cap  50  can be a push cap that fits onto the spout due to resistance, a screw cap, or any other cap known in the art. In addition, the cap can optionally be attached to the dispenser via an attachment member  55 . 
         [0024]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the elongate body  15  of the dispenser defines a longitudinal axis and has a first portion  10  and a second portion  30 . In certain embodiments, the average width of the first portion  10  is smaller than the average width of the second portion  30 . In another embodiment, elongate body  15  is substantially cylindrical, and the average diameter of the first portion  10  is less than the average diameter of the second portion  30 . However, other shapes and sizes of the dispenser body are contemplated, such as a cylindrical body or a body member that separates in the middle to form a hand hole for gripping. In certain aspects, the elongate body is contoured to conveniently fit within the hand of a user. The exterior surface of the elongate body can further includes a textured surface and/or bumps to assist the user in gripping the dispenser. In addition, the elongate body can include a handle (not shown). The handle may be similar to handles typically used on coffee cups. The handle can be physically coupled to the elongate body or removable. 
         [0025]    The elongate body  15  of the dispenser  100  may be formed by multiple pieces or as a unitary piece. In certain embodiments, the elongate body includes two separate pieces (“cross-sections”) that are designed to mate-fit with each other. The cross-sections may include one or more posts  263  and one or more holes  265  that locate and guide placement of the cross-sections during welding, such as ultrasonic welding (See  FIGS. 10-11 ). While the posts  263  and holes  265  are shown at the lower portion  30  of the dispenser, it is understood that they may also be located at positions along the length of the elongate body.  FIGS. 2, 10, and 11  illustrate the cross-sections of the elongate body  15  as mated together. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-section of the dispenser according to certain embodiments. During assembly, this cross-section may be mated with another substantially mirrored cross-section to form the dispenser. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the elongate body  15  defines a lumen  60  for containing a substance, such as powdered substance. The dispenser also includes an internal wheel  40  within the dispensing housing  20 . The internal wheel  40  dispenses specific portions of a substance begin held in the lumen  60  out of the spout  35 . 
         [0027]    The first portion  10  of the elongate body  15  is associated with the dispensing housing  20  at a junction  68  (See  FIGS. 1 and 14 ). The junction  68  is further illustrated in  FIG. 14 , which shows the dispenser  100  without the internal wheel  40 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the interior surface  500  of the junction  40  between the dispenser housing  20  and first portion  10  of the elongate body  15  is tapered. The tapered interior surface  500  allows substances to smoothly flow from the lumen  60  into the dispenser housing  20 . 
         [0028]    The interior of the elongate body  15  can be smooth, rough, or both. In certain aspects, the interior is textured to reduce clumping of the substance within the dispensing. The interior surface can also include sifting members, such as thin pin-like members extending into the lumen of the elongate body, that interact with the substances to sift and break the substance up within the elongate body when the bottle is angled or turned upside down. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a proximal end  214  of the second portion  30  is coupled to a removable bottom  65 . According to certain aspects, the removable bottom  65  mates with the elongate body  15  via a snap-fit mechanism. In such aspect, the removable bottom  65  includes one or more flexible tabs  70  that associate with one or more protrusions  75  on the interior surface of the elongate body. This allows the removable bottom  65  to snap fit onto the second portion.  FIG. 8  depicts the removable bottom having the flexible tab  70  with an opening  72  to engage with one or more protrusions  75 . The removable bottom can be flexible or rigid. In certain embodiments, the removable bottom  65  includes grips that allow a user to easily remove the bottom  65  from the dispenser  100 . In addition to the snap-fit coupling, any other means for coupling the removable bottom to the dispenser is contemplated, including a screw on bottom. 
         [0030]    In additional aspects, the removable bottom  65  mates with the proximal end  214  via a twist coupling mechanism.  FIG. 9  illustrates a removable bottom  65  with elements for the twist coupling mechanism, and  FIGS. 10-11  illustrate the proximal end  214  with corresponding elements for the twist coupling mechanism. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the removable bottom  65  includes a base portion  224  and a top portion  222  extending from the base portion  224 . In certain embodiments, the top portion  222  has a smaller cross section or diameter than the base portion  224 . The top portion  222  is sized to fit within the proximal end  214  (See  FIGS. 10-11 ) of the elongate body  15 . The top portion  222  of the removable bottom  65  may include one or more coupling elements. Typically, the one or more coupling elements of the top portion  222  are male coupling elements that mate and lock into place with one or more female coupling elements on the proximal end  214  of the elongate body  15 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, male coupling elements of the top portion  222  include one or more lips (or tabs)  202 ,  204 . The one or more lips  202 ,  204  are protrusions (such as rectangular protrusions) that extend outwardly away from a surface of the top portion  222 . The lips  202 ,  204  may be the same size or different sizes. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the lips  202 ,  204  are positioned at a distal edge of the top portion  222 . Alternatively, the lips  202 ,  204  may be positioned along the length of the top portion (i.e. midsection). In other embodiments, the male coupling elements of the top portion  222  include one or more posts  206 ,  208 . The posts  206 ,  208  are typically semi-circular in shape and extend outwardly away from a surface of the top portion. The one or more posts  206 ,  208  may be the same size or different. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the posts  206 ,  208  are positioned along a length of the top portion  222  between the distal edge and the base portion  224 . 
         [0033]    Both the lips  202 ,  204  and the posts  206 ,  208  are designed to mate-fit corresponding female coupling elements of the proximal end  214  of the elongate body  15 . The coupling elements of the proximal end  214  are described in more detail hereinafter. Because the lips  202 ,  204  and posts  206 ,  208  mate/couple with corresponding elements on the elongate body  15 , it is understood that the positions of the lips  202 ,  204  and/or the posts  206 ,  208  on the top portion  222  may be changed so long as the corresponding elements of the bottom end  214  are likewise changed. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a proximal end  214  of the elongate body  15  designed to mate fit with the removable bottom  65  for dispensers of the invention with a twist coupling mechanism.  FIG. 10  shows the proximal end  214  of a first cross-section  240  of the elongate body  15 , and  FIG. 11  shows the proximal end  214  of a second cross-section  242  of the elongate body  15 . As discussed above, the second cross-section  242  is opposite from and mates with the first cross section  240  when the dispenser  100  is assembled. Alternatively, the cross-sections can be formed together as a unitary piece. The proximal end  214  of the elongate body  15  also defines the lumen  60  of the elongate body  15 , and is configured to receive the top portion  222  of the removable bottom  65  (best shown in  FIG. 13 ). 
         [0035]    As discussed, the proximal end  214  of the elongate body  15  when designed for use with the twist coupling mechanism includes one or more female coupling elements that mate fit with one or more of the male coupling elements (lips  202 ,  204  and posts  206 ,  208 ) of the removable bottom  65 . In certain embodiments, a coupling element of the proximal end  214  includes one or more walls  230 ,  236  that partially extend inward from an inner surface of each cross-section  240 ,  242 , respectively. The walls  230 ,  236  include one or more ribs  216 , which are raised bump-like elements on the distal surface on the walls  230 ,  236 . Preferably, the walls  230 ,  236  each include a pair of ribs  216 . The pairs of ribs  216  are designed to releasably mate with the lips  202 ,  204  of the removable bottom  65 , when the removable bottom  65  is inserted into and rotated within the proximal end  214  of the dispenser  100 . When twisting the releasable bottom  65  into a locked position, the lips  202 ,  204  are guided along the walls  230 ,  236 , and pressure from the twisting motion forces the lips  202 ,  204  onto or between the ribs  216 , thereby securing the releasable bottom  65  in place. As such, the lips  202 ,  204  mate with the pair of ribs  216  via a resistance fitting, and are removable from the ribs  216  by application of force. The ribs  216  and the lips  202 ,  204  may be collectively referred to as the rib/lip locking elements. In addition, the walls  230 ,  236  act as a path for the lips  202 ,  204  prior to mating with the ribs  216 . In addition, the walls  230 ,  236  extend beyond lips  202 ,  204  to minimize longitudinal movement of the removable bottom  65  when it is inserted into and rotated within the proximal end  214  of the dispenser. 
         [0036]    In certain embodiments, a stopper rib  218  is used in conjunction with one or more of the ribs  216 . The stopper rib  218  is longer than the ribs  216  and has a length that prevents over-rotation of the releasable bottom  65 . That is, the stopper rib  218  is sized such that the lips  202 ,  204  cannot pass the stopper rib even with application of force suitable to insert and release the lips  202 ,  204  into the pair of ribs  216 . The stopper rib  218  also only permits locking when the bottom  65  is rotated in a certain direction. This feature minimizes user error and potential breaking of the plastic couplings of the dispenser (i.e. breaking pieces of the dispenser that are welded together). In addition, the stopper rib  218  alerts a user when the bottom is correctly twisted in place because if the cap is rotated in the wrong direction, the lips  202 ,  204  will not click into place on top of the ribs  216 . This prevents inadvertent leakage of substance within the dispenser due to incorrect sealing of the removable bottom  65  to the elongate body  15 . It is understood that the location of the stopper rib  218  can be chosen to require clockwise or counterclockwise rotation in order to click and seal the removable bottom  65  into place. 
         [0037]    In additional embodiments, the female coupling elements of the proximal end  214  include one or more indents  220 . The indents  220  are designed to releasably mate with the posts  206 ,  208  of the removable bottom  65 , when the removable bottom  65  is inserted into and rotated within the proximal end  214  of the dispenser  100 . The indents  220  provide resistance and stop rotation of the removable bottom  65  when the posts  206 ,  208  are rotated into the indents  220 . The posts  206 ,  208  and the indents  220  are collectively referred to as the post/indent locking elements. The post  206 ,  208  may be removed from the indents  220  by application of rotational force, which thereby allows one to remove the releasable bottom  65 . In other embodiments, the proximal end  214  also includes a first channel  226  formed by walls  230 ,  232 , a second channel  222  formed by walls  234 ,  236 , or both the first and second channels. The channels  226 ,  222  form paths for receiving posts  206 ,  208  of the removable bottom  65 , when the removable bottom  65  is inserted into and rotated within the proximal end  214  of the dispenser. In embodiments that include channels  226 ,  222 , the indents  220  are preferably disposed within the channels such that the channel paths lead the posts  206 ,  208  into the indents  220 . In addition, the walls  230 ,  232 ,  234 ,  236  extend beyond posts  206 ,  208  to minimize longitudinal movement of the removable bottom  65  when it is inserted into and rotated within the proximal end  214  of the dispenser. 
         [0038]    In certain embodiments, the one or more walls that form the channel are also the walls that guide the lips (e.g. walls  230 ,  236  in  FIGS. 10-11 ). 
         [0039]    The walls (e.g.,  230 ,  232 ,  234 ,  236 ) extending from the inner surface of the proximal end may include one or more cutouts. The cutouts allow the posts and/or lips to pass through the walls prior to twisting and locking the releasable bottom  65  in place. The posts and/or lips should be aligned with the cut-outs in order for one to insert and remove the releasable bottom  65  into the proximal end  214 . Without this alignment, the walls will prevent further movement of the bottom  65  in the L directions. The cut-outs used for the posts may be different than the cut-outs used for the lips. In addition, the cut-outs may be sized to fit lips/posts of certain sizes in order to force a user to align the lips/posts of certain sizes with their correspondingly shaped cutouts to remove or insert the releasable bottom  65 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 10-12  illustrate wall cut-outs according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of the proximal end  214  with cut-outs  210 ,  212 . As shown, the cut-outs  210 ,  212  for the posts and the lips are the same. In addition, the cut-out  210  is sized different from cut-out  212 , thereby requiring a user to align the bottom such that the posts/lips are matched with the correspondingly shaped cut-outs.  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate cutout halves  210 A,  210 B,  212 A,  212 B of each cross section  240 ,  242 . The cutout halves form cutouts  210 ,  212  when the cross sections  240 ,  242  are coupled. 
         [0041]    Preferably and as shown in  FIGS. 9, 10, 11 , the dispenser  100  includes a twist and dual lock mechanism. The twist and dual lock mechanism includes one or more rib/lip locking elements as well as one or more post/indent locking elements. The twist and dual lock mechanism also includes the channels  226 ,  222  that form the paths for receiving posts  206 ,  208 . In addition, the walls  230 ,  236  of the channels act to guide the lips into the ribs. The twist and dual lock mechanism has several advantages. By using a combination of locking elements (rib/lip and post/indent), the dispenser is able to hold a variety of substances without risk of the removable bottom  65  unintentionally breaking free due to the weight of the substance. The channels  222 ,  226  guide the releasable bottom  65  into the locked position within the elongate body  15 , thereby minimizing user error in forming a complete seal. Further, the walls of the channels  222 ,  226  provide a dual barrier from substances (such as powder) leaking from the bottom  65  when coupled to the elongate body  15 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 14  illustrates the duel lock mechanism with the bottom  65  locked into the proximal end  214  of the elongate body  15 . The removable bottom  65  provides a means for introducing a substance into the dispenser  100  for storage. When a substance is placed into the dispenser  100  and the removable bottom  65  is attached, the dispenser  100  is substantially air tight to prevent exposing any contained substance to humidity. In a preferred embodiment, the removable bottom (as shown in either  FIG. 8  or  FIG. 9 ) is sized and shaped to form a base for allowing the dispenser to stand up (i.e. in a manner that only the base is in contact with the surface and the body of the dispenser extends vertically from the base and the contact surface). In an alternative embodiment, the dispenser bottom is not removable from the second portion, but rather the second portion forms the bottom and base for standing the dispenser. 
         [0043]    The dispensing housing  20  of the dispenser  100  can be formed as part of the dispenser or can be a removable member that is attached to the dispenser. If removable, the dispensing housing  20  can be coupled to the dispenser  100  using any conventional means, such as screw-on means or snap-fit means. 
         [0044]    In certain aspects, the dispensing housing  20  includes an internal wheel  40  for rotating and creating measured portions of substance to dispense (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The internal wheel as disposed within the dispensing housing  20  is shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 7  shows a close-up of the internal wheel outside of the internal housing. The internal wheel  40  includes a shaft  97  that can be operably associated with the external knob  25 , which enables rotation of the internal wheel  40  by the external knob  25 . The shaft  97  of the internal wheel defines and/or forms the axis of the internal wheel and is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body and a longitudinal axis of the spout. The shaft  97  can also function to maintain the position of the internal wheel  40  within the dispensing housing  20 . The internal wheel  40  includes a plurality of compartments  95  of a certain volume. In one aspect, the internal wheel  40  includes a plurality of blades  95  that form compartments  90  of a certain volume to hold that amount of substance. In one embodiment, the blades  95  are equally-spaced apart such that each compartment  90  defines the same volume. 
         [0045]    The size of the compartments  90  can be made to match common volume measurements for making a drink. For example, if baby formula typically requires 2 tablespoons of formula per mL of water, the internal wheel  40  can be designed such that each compartment holds exactly 2 tablespoons of formula. 
         [0046]    In one aspect, the internal wheel is replaceable so that a user can pick and use one of a variety of internal wheels based on the type of substance the user wishes to store and dispense from the formula bottle. For example, the dispenser can come with several loadable internal wheels, in which each internal wheel is designed to dispense exact measurement for a specific drink or product, such a wheel having compartments sized for baby powder and a wheel having compartments sized for a protein shake powder. In such aspect, a portion of the dispensing housing  20 , such as a side having the external knob attached or a side not having the external knob attached, is configured to allow a user access into the dispensing housing  20  to change the internal wheel. For example, a side of the dispensing housing  20  can include a hinge and a closing mechanism, such as a latch, that allows a user to open and close the side at will. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, the end of each blade of the internal wheel is configured to slideably flush against an interior surface of the dispensing housing at some point during rotation of the internal wheel. This advantageously reduces the amount of air/humidity exposed to the substance held within the elongate body and ensures that the compartments contain the specific volume of the contained substance. The internal wheel is located such that a portion of the internal wheel is in communication with the spout and a portion of the internal wheel is in communication with the lumen of the elongate body. In addition, this flush fit of the blades allows the internal wheel to form precise measurements of substance within the compartment because the internal surface acts to level off extra substance and to contain the level substance within the compartment as the internal wheel rotates the compartment from facing the lumen of the elongate body to the spout opening. 
         [0048]    The dispensing housing further includes an external knob  25 . The external knob  25  as shown in  FIG. 1  is located on a side of the dispenser, but the external knob  25  can be located anywhere on the dispensing housing that is accessible by a user. Preferably, the external knob is located such that the user can manipulate the external knob with the same hand as the holding the dispenser. The external knob can be a rotational element or a lever member. In one aspect, the external knob  25  is operably associated with the internal wheel  40  such that movement of the external knob  25  translates into rotation of the internal wheel  40 . In certain embodiments, a center cutout  99  ( FIG. 6 ) of the external knob  25  mates/couples with the shaft  97  ( FIG. 7 ) of the internal wheel  40 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  depicts the external knob as a rotational element. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the external knob  25  includes gripping members  75  that provide a grip for a user to easily rotate the external knob  25 .  FIG. 6  depicts a close-up of the external knob shown in  FIG. 1 . The gripping members  75  can include a shape or texture that allows a user to easily move or rotate the external knob  25 . In the preferred embodiment, the external knob is positioned and shaped such that a user can move the external knob with his/her thumb. The gripping members  75 , in  FIG. 1 , are spaced-apart protrusions shaped to fit the contours of a user&#39;s thumb. The gripping members  75 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , are indents in the external knob that allow a user to place their fingers or thumb within the indents to provide friction and leverage for rotation.  FIG. 5  depicts a close-up of the external knob shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  depicts an alternative dispenser  100  having a lever member as an external knob  25 . The lever member may mate with the shaft  97  of the internal wheel  40 . In this embodiment, the internal wheel  40  rotates upon squeezing the lever. 
         [0050]    In certain aspects, a detent can be used to provide resistance during dispensing and to control the amount of rotation. The detent can be operably associated with the external knob or the internal wheel. In one embodiment, the detent provides resistance and a sound each time a compartment  90  delivers a measured amount of substance out of the spout. That is, the detent alerts the user that the internal wheel  40  moved a fixed arc distance sufficient to deliver one compartment  90  of substance into and out of the spout. The fixed arc distance can be, for example, the distance between each blade  95  of the internal wheel  40 . 
         [0051]    The dispensing housing further includes a spout which defines an opening. The spout is configured to deliver the substance in a clean and precise manner out of the dispensing device and into a container, such as a formula bottle. The substance is dispensed out of the spout opening. In one embodiment, the spout extends outwardly from the dispensing housing and is positioned at an angle with respect to the elongate body. This allows a user to position the spout downwards so that the spout opening is facing the opening of a container directly benefit the spout without having to completely invert dispenser. In one aspect, the spout is designed to fit into the opening of most drink bottles and formula bottles, which allows one to place the spout into the opening of a bottle prior to and while dispensing the substance. This ensures that dispensed substance is entirely transferred into the bottle and eliminates the mess typically associated with using a measuring spoon. 
         [0052]    For operation, a user first loads a dispenser of the invention with a substance into the lumen of the elongate body, which is accomplished by removing the removable cap and pouring the substance into the dispenser for storage and dispensing. For dispensing a loaded dispenser, a user grabs the elongate body with one hand and tilts the dispenser at a downward angle so that the spout opening is disposed within an opening of a vertical container standing upright. This causes the substance within the dispenser to move downward towards the internal wheel due to gravitational force. The gravitational force causes the substance to fill a compartment facing the lumen of the elongate body. To form precise measurements of the substance, the user should rotate the external wheel while the dispenser is in the tilted position. As the internal wheel rotates within the dispensing housing, the compartment facing the elongate body moves towards the spout and the blades, which form the compartment, flush against the internal surface of the dispensing housing to level and partition a precise measurement of substance within the compartment. Once a first blade of the compartment passes the interior surface of the dispensing housing so that at least a portion of the compartment is open towards the spout, gravity causes the substance to move out the compartment, through spout, and into the container. The substance will move out of the compartment in a controlled rate because the compartment gradually opens to the spout during rotation. When the substance is fully dispensed out of the compartment and into the container, the rotating internal wheel will engage with the detent, which provides resistance to the external wheel and makes a sound to alert the user that one measurement of substance was delivered out of the dispenser. 
         [0053]    The dispenser and the components that form the dispenser can be plastics, metals, glass and combinations thereof. The plastics can include Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) , Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), High impact polystyrene (HIPS), ect. Preferably, the plastic or combination of polymers that form the dispenser are approved for use as a dispenser of food/beverage product by a regulatory body. 
         [0054]    The invention is useful for providing controlled and measured dispensing of substances. Any substance (e.g. whether it be fluid, solid, powerered, gel) may be dispensed from the dispenser of the invention. Examples of substances include coffee, spices, baby formula, flour, drink mixes, sugar, etc. 
       EQUIVALENTS 
       [0055]    Various modifications of the invention and many further embodiments thereof, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the full contents of this document, including references to the scientific and patent literature cited herein. The subject matter herein contains important information, exemplification and guidance that can be adapted to the practice of this invention in its various embodiments and equivalents thereof.