Abstract:
A product dispensing apparatus for a granule product includes a unitary, plastic housing having an open first end closed by a cap and an open second end for the dispensing of product. The housing includes a product storage compartment that is accessible by way of the first end when the closing cap is removed. A plunger is received within the housing and defines a cavity for receipt of product from the storage compartment. The plunger is a two-component assembly including a unitary body member and a unitary slide member, the slide member fitting within the body member and being movable relative thereto to vary the cavity size. As the plunger travels during its cycle, product is transferred into the cavity and then dispensed from the cavity through the second end. The size of the cavity defines the volume of the dose to be dispensed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates in general to product dispensers that enable the delivery of a product from a storage location to a remote site. The storage location may be integrated into the dispenser or may be separate. The remote site may be a use location or an intermediate holding location for temporary storage prior to end use. In the context of the present invention, the product is a dry, granular product, possibly a powder, that is stored within the dispenser. Typical products for use with the present invention include chemicals that need to be dispensed into a mixing container or deposited to a use location.  
         [0002]     When dispensing a chemical into a mixing container or to another location for end use and/or further processing, there are various considerations that should be factored into the design of a dispenser. For example, if the chemical is an irritant, contact with the skin should be avoided. Any chemical dust that might be released into the air could potentially irritate and/or burn the eyes. For these reasons, it is usually desirable for the end user to keep any contact with the chemical to a minimum. Another consideration is being able to measure out and dispense the precise amount of chemical that is required. Using a scoop may help to avoid contact, but this method does not enable a precise measurement. Using a measuring cup might provide a more accurate way of measuring out the desired amount of chemical, but there is arguably a higher risk of contact and the chance that chemical dust will be released into the atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of the user. If the chemical to be dispensed comes in a pre-metered or pre-measured packet, it still has to be opened and emptied. Even if the packet or envelope skin is dissolvable, there is no adjustability to the dose amount. Varying the dose amount could entail the use of two or three or four individual packets to get the desired quantity.  
         [0003]     The present invention addresses these considerations by providing an integrated storage container and dispenser. The dispensing mechanism provides a measured amount of product and, importantly, the dose of product to be dispensed can be selectively and repeatedly changed by the user. Adjustability to the dose to be delivered by the dispensing mechanism is an important aspect of the present invention. Further, the dispenser of the present invention encloses the product so that there is no chemical contact with the user and any airborne dust is kept to a minimum.  
         [0004]     In view of the fact that the dispenser of the present invention also stores a supply of chemical, its overall size and weight are considerations in the design and use. For this reason, the present invention is considered to be a “small-dose” dispenser based on the likely amount of product (a few grams) to be dispensed at any one time as a “dose” and the likely frequency of use in dispensing the product. In this way, one pre-loaded dispenser can potentially last for several days or even weeks before needing to be refilled or possibly discarded and replaced. The fact that the present invention can be disassembled means that, once the initial charge of chemical is used, the dispenser can be refilled with the same chemical or a different chemical. The concept of a disposable design allows added security in terms of never needing to handle the chemical, such as during refilling. However, disposable designs typically come at a higher cost because the structure is not reused or refilled. Since there are advantages and disadvantages to both reusable designs and disposable designs, the present invention is constructed and arranged to cover both options.  
         [0005]     The concept of adjustability is important whether the dispenser of the present invention is reusable or is disposable. For a reusable dispenser, the refilling with a different chemical could require a different small dose amount as the standard or recommended dose. This means that the dose of the dispenser needs to be adjustable. For a disposable dispenser, the user may simply want or need a smaller or larger dose relative to what was dispensed at the last use or may simply want or need a smaller or larger dose than the recommended measure. Accordingly, the present invention is constructed and arranged such that the dose of the dispenser is easily adjustable. Additionally, the components that comprise the dispenser of the present invention can be easily assembled and disassembled manually, allowing these component parts to be thoroughly cleaned in the event they are to be reused for a different chemical so as to avoid any cross-contamination.  
         [0006]     The present invention provides an adjustable granule dispenser that provides those advantages and benefits as outlined above, all in a novel and unobvious manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A dispensing apparatus for a dry product according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing having an open first end and an open second end, the housing including a product storage compartment that is accessible by way of the first end, a closing cap received by the first end, and a plunger received within the housing and including a cavity for receipt of product from the storage compartment, the plunger being movable in the direction of the second end for the transfer of product within the cavity out through the second end.  
         [0008]     One object of the present invention is to provide an improved dry product dispenser.  
         [0009]     Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a dry product dispensing apparatus according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view, in full section, of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus, as viewed along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a closing cap comprising a portion of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the  FIG. 6  cap.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the  FIG. 6  cap.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 6  cap.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of a housing comprising a portion of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 10  housing.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of the  FIG. 10  housing.  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the  FIG. 10  housing.  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view, in full section, of the  FIG. 10  housing, as viewed along line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of a plunger body comprising a portion of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus.  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 15  plunger body.  
         [0026]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view, in full section, of the  FIG. 15  plunger body, as viewed along line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view of the  FIG. 15  plunger body.  
         [0028]      FIG. 19  is a rear elevational view of the  FIG. 15  plunger body.  
         [0029]      FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of a plunger slide comprising a portion of the  FIG. 1  dispensing apparatus.  
         [0030]      FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 20  plunger slide.  
         [0031]      FIG. 22  is bottom plan view of the  FIG. 20  plunger slide.  
         [0032]      FIG. 23  is a side elevational view of the  FIG. 20  plunger slide.  
         [0033]      FIG. 24  is a rear elevational view of the  FIG. 20  plunger slide.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is illustrated an adjustable granule dispenser  20  according to the present invention. As described herein, the adjustable granule dispenser  20  is constructed and arranged for dispensing dry product that may be classified as a granule product or a powder, depending on the size of the individual particulate.  
         [0036]     Dispenser  20  includes, as its component parts, a cap  21 , housing  22 , plunger body  23 , plunger slide  24 , and spring  25 . As will be described, slide  24  assembles into plunger body  23  and this subassembly unit functions as a movable plunger  26  that assembles into housing  22  and is axially movable relative to housing  22 . The metal spring  25  is positioned between the plunger  26  and the base  22   a  of housing  22 . The closing cap  21  presses into the upper open end  27  of housing  22  to close off the storage compartment  28  of housing  22 .  
         [0037]     The use of dispenser  20  for dispensing a comparatively small dose of a granular product, such as a dry chemical powder or a chemical in small granule form, relies on the axial movement of plunger  26  relative to the housing  22 . With product loaded into storage compartment  28 , the downward movement of the plunger  26  causes it to slide across interior opening  31  of housing  22  and a dose of product is transferred from storage compartment  28  into cavity  32  of plunger  26 . The transfer of product from within storage compartment  28  into plunger cavity  32  is achieved by the overlap of cavity  32  with opening  31  and the action of gravity. Any portion of cavity  32  that is initially (axially) above the upper edge of opening  31  may not be filled with product, depending on the speed of the return stroke and the “viscosity” of the product. However, cavity  32  will slide passed the opening when the plunger  26  is depressed so that any unfilled portion of the cavity is then filled with product. This filling of cavity  32  occurs before dispensing opening  33  is encountered by cavity  32 . Before opening  33  is reached by cavity  32 , wall  34  closes off opening  31 . Cavity  32  is formed by the cooperation of wall  35  of slide  24  and wall  36  of body  23  (see  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0038]     In terms of the axial movement and the axial dimensions, it should be understood that, with the plunger  26  in its initial, upward position, prior to the dispensing stroke, product that is stored in compartment  28  is able to flow by way of gravity into cavity  32 , thereby transferring a portion of the product within compartment  28  into cavity  32 . Since the lower wall  36  of cavity  32  is not in overlapping relation with dispensing opening  33 , the product is able to accumulate in cavity  32 . Whether or not cavity  32  is completely filled with product at this stage, the start of the downward axial movement, as plunger  26  is depressed, pushes the upper portion of cavity  32  past opening  31 . This action results in completely filling cavity  32  with a precisely measured and metered amount of product. The volume size of cavity  32  defines the volume size or amount of the dose of product to be dispensed during that particular stroke. The cavity  32  is filled with product before opening  33  is reached and before opening  33  is reached, opening  31  is closed by plunger  26 . In view of the fact that the slide  24  is axially movable relative to body  23  to change the volume of cavity  32 , the dose amount of product to be dispensed as part of any one stroke or cycle is adjustable. Simply by sliding the slide  24  up or down relative to the body  23 , the volumetric size of the cavity  32  is changed. By marking the front of housing  22  around opening  37  with indicia that correspond to the cavity volume, lip  38  of slide  24  is able to be used, both as a marker to line up on the selected indicia in order to know what volume is selected for cavity  32 , and as a means for manually moving slide  24  for selection of the desired cavity volume. This adjustability feature to selectively change the size of cavity  32 , so as to change the amount of product to be dispensed during any one stroke, is an important feature of the present invention. The indicia marking around opening  37  indicates the size of the dose to be dispensed and this is governed by the size of cavity  32 .  
         [0039]     At the end of the plunger  26  stroke, all of the product in cavity  32  is dispensed by way of opening  33  and from there, out the open lower end  39  of housing  22 . Wall  42  of housing  22  cooperates with other portions of housing  22  to define compartment  28 . Additionally, it is the combination of inclined lower shelf  43  and wall  42  that define opening  31 . Another wall portion  43   a  that extends below shelf  43  and below opening  31  cooperates with wall  40  to define opening  33 .  
         [0040]     The dispensing of product is by the action of gravity and the angled surface of wall  36  facilitates this transfer of product from cavity  32  through opening  33  and ultimately through opening  39 . The dispensing of product from cavity  32  begins immediately once the lower edge of cavity  32  reaches the upper edge of opening  33 . The plunger  26  continues its downward travel as part of this stroke until there is abutment between wall  40  of base  22  and surface  41  of plunger  26 . Releasing the downward pushing force on plunger top  44  allows spring  25  to push upwardly on plunger  26  and return the plunger to its starting position for the dispensing of another dose of product. The user is able to watch the dispensing of product out through opening  39  and can tell when the cycle is completed and the plunger  26  can be released.  
         [0041]     As plunger  26  is spring-biased back to its starting position, the lower edge of cavity  32  moves out of registration with the upper edge of opening  33 . This means that whatever product begins to flow into cavity  32  as the plunger moves back to its start position will stay in cavity  32  and will not escape by way of opening  33  until it is intended as part of the next dispensing cycle. Product is able to flow into cavity  32  once the upper edge of cavity  32  reaches the lower edge of opening  31 . While product begins to fill cavity  32  during this return stroke, if the cavity  32  is not completely filled at this time, the filling step is completed during the next dispensing stroke. With a dry, granular product or powder and with relatively small doses in the 5 to 10 gram size, and considering the effect of gravity relative to the angled surfaces, cavity  32  fills and empties very quickly.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , the structural details of cap  21  are illustrated. Cap  21  includes an upper surface  47  that is notched at  47   a  for clearance for plunger  26 , specifically body  23 . Wall  48  is constructed and arranged for insertion into the upper, open end  27  of housing  22 . This fit between cap  21  and housing  22  needs to be a line-to-line sliding fit so that there is an adequate seal around compartment  28  so as to close off compartment  28  and protect whatever product is placed in compartment  28 . Wall  48  is also notched at  48   a  for clearance for plunger  26 . With the exception of notch  48   a , wall  48  is generally cylindrical. Notch  48   a  is defined by sidewalls  49 ,  50 , and  51  such that the objective of enclosing the product within compartment  28  is achieved. Open end  27  includes a channel opening  52  that matches the size and shape of plunger  26 . Channel  52  is defined by housing walls  53 ,  54 , and  55 . Sidewalls  49 ,  50 , and  51  closely fit around channels walls  53 ,  54 , and  55 , respectively.  
         [0043]     The size difference between notch  47   a  and notch  48   a  creates offset lips  56   a  and  56   b . As will be seen, the plunger body  24  includes offset portions  44   a  and  44   b . When cap  21  is inserted into open end  27 , offset lip  56   a  presses against and captures portion  44   a  and offset lip  56   b  presses against and captures portion  44   b . This then allows plunger  26  to be depressed and when it springs back to its starting position, surface  44  does not rise above upper surface  47 . This construction approach provides a smooth appearance while controlling the return travel of plunger  26 .  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-14 , the structural details of housing  22  are illustrated. Housing  22  includes, in addition to those features already described, a front slot  60  that provides clearance for the finger of the user as the plunger  26  is depressed. Channel  52  extends from upper open end  27  to closed base  22   a . While the cross sectional shape of channel  52  changes slightly, the opening is compatible with plunger  26  for receipt of the plunger  26  and for accommodating the axial movement of the plunger.  
         [0045]     Post  61  cooperates with post  62  on the plunger body  23  for receipt of spring  25 . The spring  25  is open and readily slides onto these two posts  61  and  62  at opposite ends for keeping the spring  25  in alignment during axial travel of plunger  26  during the dispensing stroke and the return stroke.  
         [0046]     Indicia  63  in the form of horizontal markings are provided for use as part of the adjustability feature. Each of these indicia  63  preferably has a corresponding numerical value that indicates the measured dose of product to be dispensed. Lip  38  is used as part of the dispensing gauge to line up with a selected indicia  63 . Lip  38  is also used to manually move slide  24  so as to change the size of cavity  32  in a manner corresponding to the selected indicia value. By moving lip  38  to the desired indicia marking, the volume of the dose to be dispensed is set. The design of plunger  26  is such that slide  24  is able to move relative to body  23  over a short distance. As this movement occurs, the size of cavity  32  changes, and the positioning of lip  38  relative to indicia  63  gives a visual indication of the cavity  32  volume and of the size of the dose to be dispensed. Since the present invention is preferably a small-dose dispenser, though not necessarily limited to any particular size, the range of sizes for cavity  32  are expected to be between grams at the uppermost indicia marking and 5 grams at the lowest indicia marking. The indicia markings are in one gram increments.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 15-19 , the structural details of plunger body  23  are illustrated. Body  23  includes, in addition to those features already described, a slot  67  for receipt of slide  24 . Slot  67  has a depth down into lower lip  68  that accommodates the adjusting movement of slide  24  to set the volume of cavity  32 . Slide  24  includes a lower panel  69  as part of wall  35  that has a sliding fit into slot  67 .  
         [0048]     Plunger body  23  has a generally rectangular form with sides  70   a  and  70   b  that help to define the front opening  71  and a rear opening  72 . Rear wall panel  73  causes rear opening  72  to have a lower top edge  72   a  relative to the front opening  71  and its top edge  71   a . In contrast, the lower edge  71   b  of front opening  71  ends at lip  74 , while the lower edge  72   b  of rear opening  72  coincides with the lower edge of wall  36 .  
         [0049]     The defined cavity  32  includes wall  35  in combination with wall  36  and wall  35  includes angled portion  35   a  and vertical panel  69 . Panel  69  has an axial length that is sufficient to remain received within slot  67  over the range of travel required for slide  24  to vary the size of cavity  32  from its minimum volume to its maximum volume.  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 20-24 , the structural details of plunger slide  24  are illustrated. Slide  24  includes, in addition to those features already described, an upper panel  77  and offset lip  79 . Proper assembly of slide  24  into body  23  to create plunger  26  requires the insertion of panel  69  into slot  67 . In this properly assembled orientation, edge  72   a  acts as an abutment stop for the upward movement of slide  24  relative to body  23 . As slide  24  moves upwardly, offset lip  79  contacts edges  72   a  to set the upper limit. The bottom of slot  67  sets the lower limit of travel of slide  24 .  
         [0051]     Each of the component parts of dispenser  20 , except for spring  25 , is a unitary, molded plastic part. The assembly and disassembly of these component parts is accomplished manually, without any need for fasteners, adhesive, or hand tools. The dispenser  20 , as a result of these fabrication choices, is light in weight, low cost, easy to disassemble and clean, and easy to use.  
         [0052]     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.