Abstract:
A dry food dispensing device for controlling the portion size of the dispensed food, comprising a storage receptacle for containing dry foods, wherein the receptacle is seated over a base providing a housing for a dispensing mechanism, the dispensing mechanism comprising: 
     a turnable free flow valve having wings, capable of rotation to an opening angle defined by a position limiter; and 
     a depressible handle for controlling the free flow valve via the position limiter, 
     wherein the dispensing mechanism releases a portion of the dry food, with the portion being determined by a user as a function of time the turnable free flow valve is held at the opening angle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to bulk dispensing systems for dry foods, and more particularly to a dispenser having a quantity-control system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Dry food dispensers are widely used for various types of food and in many establishments. Dispensers are popularly used for breakfast cereals in hotels, but not limited to them only. 
         [0003]    Food dispensers are used for various sizes of food. Often when large pieces of food are being dispensed, they get crushed by the dispensing mechanism. 
         [0004]    Another problem that occurs when using a dispenser is food leakage, so that the user ends up with a larger quantity of food than planned, or a piece of food becomes wedged between the dispensing mechanism and the spout, thus compromising the freshness of the food. 
         [0005]    Yet another problem with food dispensers is the gap between the desirable amount and the dispensed amount, i.e. the difficulty in controlling the dispensed amount. 
         [0006]    There is a need for a dispenser which eliminates the above difficulties. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of prior art dispensers. 
         [0008]    The inventive free flow control dispenser is designed to dispense food, stored in a receptacle, in portions determined by the user. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a dry food dispensing device for controlling the portion size of the dispensed food, said device comprising: 
         [0010]    a storage receptacle for containing dry foods, wherein said receptacle is seated over a base providing a housing for a dispensing mechanism, said dispensing mechanism comprising: 
         [0011]    a turnable free flow valve having wings, wherein said valve is turnable to an opening angle defined by means for position limiting; and 
         [0012]    a depressible handle for controlling said free flow valve via said means for position limiting, 
         [0013]    wherein said dispensing mechanism releases a portion of the dry food, wherein said portion is determined by a user as a function of time said turnable free flow valve is held at said opening angle. 
         [0014]    The inventive free-flow control dispenser of the preferred embodiment provides dispensing of varying portions controlled by the user, while avoiding leakage of the food and maintaining freshness of the food stored in a receptacle. 
         [0015]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the turnable free flow valve can be turned to an adjustable angle, such that a larger angle will dispense a larger amount of the dry food than a smaller angle. The user chooses the dispensed quantity by adjusting the valve angle position and also by how long the valve is maintained at that position. The longer the position is maintained—the larger will be the quantity dispensed. 
         [0016]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, position limiting is provided by a rotatable handle-position stop that allows the valve angle adjustment. The rotatable handle-position stop rotates in a corresponding groove of a fixed handle-position limitator, such that when the rotatable stop hits the edge of the groove, it cannot move anymore. The rotatable handle-position stop is connected to the valve via a shaft, to control the movement of the valve. 
         [0017]    According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the free flow dispenser may be adapted for use by a household pet, such as a dog or cat, by adapting the handle to fit an animal&#39;s paw. 
         [0018]    Additional features and advantages will become apparent from the following drawings and description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout, and in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows the free flow dispenser of the present invention, attached to a receptacle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3A-B  show different sized rotatable handle position stops; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4A-C  show the dispenser in a dispensing mode. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a system for dispensing dry foods, quantities of which are controlled by the user. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a free-flow dry food dispenser  200 , having a food storage receptacle  180  removably connected to the top of base  110 . Base  110  has a depressible handle  130  disposed on its front. Handle  130  is depressed, thereby activating the dispensing means (not shown) inside base  110 , to allow the dry food stored in receptacle  180  to exit dispenser  200  through dispensing aperture  112  on the bottom of base  110 . Food continues to be dispensed as long as handle  130  is held depressed, and when handle  130  is released it returns automatically to its original position, and food is no longer dispensed. The dispensing method is described hereinbelow in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective exploded view of free-flow dispenser  200  of  FIG. 1 , showing all its components in the order of their appearance. 
         [0027]    Depressible handle  130  and valve  114  are connected via handle actuator  150  having a square shaft  128  inserted into each of its components (described below). Each of the ends of shaft  128  are inserted into one of handle  130  or valve  114 , so that when depressing handle  130 , valve  114  turns. Valve  114  has two identical rounded wings  116   a - b  disposed on each side of valve  114  in the same plane, such that they fit into the internal circumference of base  110 , and when maintained at a level position, they block the exit of the stored dry food. Valve  114  has a third wing  118  which is slightly longer than wings  116   a - b , and is disposed beneath wing  116   b  at an angle, for the purpose of blocking any food from leaking out of aperture  112  and maintaining the freshness of the stored dry food. When handle  130  is depressed, valve  114  rotates counter-clockwise to an opening angle, thereby allowing food to pass through base  110  and out of dispenser  200  through aperture  112 . 
         [0028]    For determining the maximum opening angle that valve  114  will be allowed to turn, there is provided as part of handle actuator  150 , position limiting means in the form of a rotatable handle-position stop  126  having a circumferential shoulder  127  which fits into a fixed handle-position stop  124  having an internal truncated rim  125 . Rotatable stop  126  rotates counter-clockwise along with handle  130  when it is depressed, inside of fixed handle-position stop  124  along its internal truncated rim  125 . When circumferential shoulder  127  hits the edge of truncated rim  125 , stop  126  cannot rotate anymore, and handle  130  cannot continue to be depressed further. 
         [0029]    Rotatable handle-position stop  126  may be designed with a variation in the length of circumferential shoulder  127 , in order to determine the maximum opening angle to which valve  114  can rotate. For example, if shoulder  127  is longer, then handle position stop  126  can rotate less before it hits the edge of truncated rim  125 , thereby reducing the opening angle to which handle  130  can become depressed. Alternatively, with a shorter shoulder  127 , more rotation of handle position stop  126  is possible. On the reverse side of fixed handle position stop  124 , there is attached spring  122  which is connected to a spring base  120  having a flat portion  121  which fits, from behind, into the center of fixed handle position stop  124 , and the center of rotatable handle position stop  126 . Spring base  120  is positioned within base socket  119  that is embedded in base  110 . When handle  130  is released after being depressed, spring  122  twists handle actuator  150  clockwise back to its original position, thereby rotating valve  114  back to its original position and blocking the exit of the stored food. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-B , there are shown two identical fixed handle position stops  124 , each having a different rotatable handle position stop  126  and  126 ′. Rotatable stop  126 ′ has a shorter circumferential shoulder  127  than that of rotatable stop  126 . Circumferential shoulder  127  may be provided in many different sizes, and as described above, with a shorter circumferential shoulder  127 , rotatable handle position stop  126  has a longer distance to travel until it hits the edge of truncated rim  125 , and therefore the valve  114  opening angle position will be larger. The larger the valve  114  opening angle position is, the greater the amount of dry food that will be dispensed per unit of time. 
         [0031]    The rotatable handle position stop  126  may be adapted and is interchangeable within handle actuator  150 , to match the valve  114  angle position to fit specific foods, according to their size, and according to the desired dispensing rate. 
         [0032]    For example, for food which is provided in the form of granular material, a particular valve  114  opening angle may be desired. For food provided as cereal in the form of corn flakes, a different valve opening angle may be desired. 
         [0033]    The design of handle actuator  150  enables the user to access its internal part, by removing handle  130 , and extracting handle position stop  126 . Thus, by replacing rotatable handle position stop  126  with a shoulder  127  having a different length, an adjustment of the valve  114  opening angle can be made, according to the food particle size, for granular foods, or for breakfast cereal flakes. The types and form of the food to be dispensed may vary, and the adjustment of rotatable handle position stop  126  can be made accordingly, to adjust the valve  114  opening angle as desired. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-C , the operation of free-flow dispenser  200  is shown in dispensing mode. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4A  shows valve  114  in a leveled position, having wings  116   a - b  blocking the stored food from exiting dispenser  200 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4B  shows valve  114  tilted counter-clockwise, such that wings  116   a - b  are no longer blocking the food, and as shown by arrow A, the food is now allowed to bypass valve  114  in order to flow through dispensing aperture  112 , to the user. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4C  shows valve  114  back in its level position, having wings  116   a - b  blocking the exit of the food. As shown, some of the food has escaped wing  116   a  but has been captured by long wing  118  which is disposed beneath wing  116   a , thereby having the food lodged between wing  116   a  and wing  118  and not exiting the dispenser, thereby preventing unwanted leakage. 
         [0038]    The overall product design for the inventive dispenser can be such that a simply constructed, easy-to-use dispenser is provided, featuring an adjustable valve  114  opening angle, to accommodate different types of dry food, whether they be in fine or coarse granular form, flakes or chunky-type food pieces, including toppings, powders and the like. 
         [0039]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.