Abstract:
A seed dispenser includes a seed container having first and second openings and an interior area for storing seeds. A door member coupled to the seed container is in communication with the first opening. A dispensing member coupled to the seed container is in communication with the second opening. Both the door member and the dispensing member are independently movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When in their respective open configurations, the door member allows seeds to flow into the seed container through the first opening and the dispensing member allows seeds to flow out of the seed container through the second opening. First and second latch members are independently movable between locked configurations and unlocked configurations. In their locked configurations, the first and second latch members couple the door member and the dispensing member, respectively, to the seed container in their respective closed configurations.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to dispensing devices and, more particularly, to a seed dispenser specifically configured to dispense sunflower seeds or the like, such as by an athlete or spectator at a ball game. 
         [0002]    Sunflower seeds are a popular snack consumed most often at baseball games, whether at professional baseball team ballparks or at youth sports fields. Sunflower seeds typically come in bags although novelty containers having the appearance of a baseball bat are also seen. Unfortunately, large bags of seeds are difficult to manage while sitting in the stands at a game, easy to spill, and not feasible for use by an actual player while involved in a game. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a dispenser that is easy to fill with a substantial quantity of seeds yet small enough for single handed use by either a player or spectator. 
         [0003]    Various seed containers have been proposed in the prior art. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the current devices do not include a relatively large door through which to initially pour seeds into the container and a dispensing spout through which to dispense a small number of seeds into a user&#39;s hand. Further, the existing devices or proposals do not include ergonomically positioned latch members designed to enable a person to open either the door or dispensing spout with a single hand. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to have a seed dispenser that includes a door member in communication with a large first opening and a dispensing member in communication with a smaller second opening. Further, it would be desirable to have a seed dispenser that includes first and second latch members movable between locked and unlocked configurations so as to couple the door member and the dispensing member, respectively, to the seed container in their respective closed configurations while allowing easy access to the interior in their open configurations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A seed dispenser according to the present invention includes a seed container having first and second openings, a door member coupled to the seed container and in communication with the first opening, and a dispensing member coupled to the seed container and in communication with the second opening. Both the door member and the dispensing member are independently movable between an open configuration providing access to the seed container interior area and a closed configuration preventing access to the interior area. The seed container defines an interior area for storing seeds, the first opening is configured to allow a relatively large amount of seeds to flow into the seed container when the door member is in the open configuration, and the second opening is configured to allow a relatively small amount of seeds to flow out of the seed container into a person&#39;s hand when the dispensing member is in the open configuration. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a seed dispenser that is quick and easy to fill when the door member is in the open configuration. 
         [0007]    Another object of this invention is to provide a seed dispenser, as aforesaid, that quickly and easily dispenses an appropriate amount of seeds into a person&#39;s hand when the dispensing member is in the open configuration. 
         [0008]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a seed dispenser, as aforesaid, that retains seeds within a seed container when the door member and the dispensing member are each in their respective closed configurations. 
         [0009]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a seed dispenser, as aforesaid, that includes first and second latch members independently movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration so as to couple the door member and the dispensing member, respectively, to the seed container in their respective closed configurations. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a seed container, as aforesaid, that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a seed dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a seed container, a door member in a closed configuration, and a dispensing member in a closed configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 1 , showing the dispensing member in an open configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 1 , showing the door member in an open configuration and a latch member in an unlocked configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 1 , showing a first latch member in a locked configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , showing the first latch member in the locked configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 , showing the first latch member in an unlocked configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7   a  is a top view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 1 , showing a second latch member in a locked configuration; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7   b  is a top view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 1 , showing a second latch member in an unlocked configuration; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7   c  is a sectional view taken along line  7   c - 7   c  of  FIG. 7   a  showing a second spring coupled to the seed container and the second latch member; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7   d  is a sectional view taken along line  7   d - 7   d  of  FIG. 7   b  showing a second spring coupled to the seed container and the second latch member; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8   a  is a partial cut-away side view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0023]      FIG. 8   b  is a partial cut-away view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 7   b;    
           [0024]      FIG. 8   c  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale, taken from  FIG. 8   a , showing the second latch member coupled to the dispensing member with the dispensing member in the closed configuration; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8   d  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale, taken from  FIG. 8   b , showing the second latch member decoupled from the dispensing member; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9   a  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale, taken from  FIG. 8   a , showing a first spring with the dispensing member in the closed configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale, as in  FIG. 9   a , showing a first spring with the dispensing member in the open configuration; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 1 , showing a cover member decoupled from the door member; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the seed dispenser, as in  FIG. 2 , showing a clip member. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    A seed dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 11  of the accompanying drawings. The seed dispenser  10  includes a seed container  20 , a door member  100 , and a dispensing member  200 . The seed container  20  may also include a clip member  50  coupled to the seed container  20  and a cover member  150  selectively coupled to the door member  100 . 
         [0031]    The seed container  20  may include a rear panel  22 . Opposed top  24  and bottom  26  exterior walls may extend perpendicularly from the rear panel  22  and opposed side exterior walls  25  may extend between respective top  24  and bottom  26  exterior walls such that the exterior walls and the rear panel  22  together define an interior area  30 . Accordingly, the seed container  20  may present a generally square or rectangular configuration although other configurations may also be suitable. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the top  24 , bottom  26 , and side  25  exterior walls together define a first opening  32 . In another embodiment, the seed container  20  may include a front panel (not shown) opposed to the rear panel  22  and extending between respective side exterior walls  25  and respective front  24  and rear  26  exterior walls. The front panel (not shown) may define the first opening  32 . In use, seeds may be poured through the first opening  32  and stored in the interior area  30 . 
         [0033]    A door member  100  may be pivotally coupled to the seed container  20 , such as with a hinge, and movable between an open configuration ( FIG. 3 ) and a closed configuration ( FIG. 1 ). The door member  100  may be in communication with the first opening  32  of the seed container  20 . While in the open configuration, the door member  100  accommodates pouring seeds through the first opening  32  of the seed container  20 . While in the closed configuration, the door member  100  prevents seeds stored in the interior area  30  of the seed container  20  from exiting the interior area  30  through the first opening  32  of the seed container  20 . 
         [0034]    The top exterior wall  24  of the seed container  20  may define a second opening  34  through which seeds stored in the interior area  30  of the seed container  20  may exit when the door member  100  is in the closed configuration. The second opening  34  may be smaller than the first opening  32 . A dispensing member  200  may be coupled to the seed container  20  and movable between an open configuration allowing seeds to exit the interior area  30  ( FIG. 2 ) and a closed configuration preventing seeds from exiting the interior area  30  ( FIG. 1 ). The dispensing member  200  may be in operative communication with the second opening  34  of the seed container  20 . While in the open configuration, the dispensing member  200  accommodates pouring seeds from the interior area  30  through the second opening  34  of the seed container  20  into a person&#39;s hand. While in the closed configuration, the dispensing member  200  prevents seeds stored in the interior area  30  of the seed container  20  from exiting the interior area  30  through the second opening  34  of the seed container  20 . 
         [0035]    The door member  100  may be pivotally coupled to the seed container  20 , such as with a hinge or similar hardware. A first latch member  102  may be coupled to the seed container  20  and movable between an unlocked configuration ( FIG. 6 ) and a locked configuration ( FIG. 5 ). The door member  100  is allowed to move between the closed configuration and the open configuration when the first latch member  102  is in the unlocked configuration. Conversely, the first latch member  102  couples the door member  100  to the seed container  20  in the closed configuration when the first latch member  102  is in the locked configuration. 
         [0036]    The dispensing member  200  may be pivotally coupled to the seed container  20  such as with a hinge or the like. A second latch member  202  may be coupled to the seed container  20  and movable between an unlocked configuration ( FIG. 8   d ) and a locked configuration ( FIG. 8   c ). The dispensing member  200  is allowed to move between the closed configuration and the open configuration when the second latch member  202  is in the unlocked configuration. The second latch member  202  couples the dispensing member  200  to the seed container  20  in the closed configuration when the second latch member  202  is in the locked configuration. 
         [0037]    The dispensing member  200  may include a primary wall  220  having opposed proximal  222  and distal  224  ends and opposed sides  226  extending between opposed proximal  222  and distal  224  ends. In one embodiment, the dispensing member  200  may have the configuration of a pour spout. When the dispensing member  200  is in the open configuration, the dispensing member  200  is coupled to the seed container  20  at or near the proximal end  222  of the primary wall  220  ( FIG. 2 ). When the dispensing member  200  is in the closed configuration and the second latch member  202  is in the locked configuration, the second latch member  202  is coupled to the dispensing member  200  at or near the distal end  224  of the primary wall  220  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0038]    The dispensing member  200  may also include a pair of opposed side walls  228  extending generally perpendicularly from respective sides  226  of the primary wall  220  so as to define an interior channel  230  for selectively directing seeds from the seed container  20  into a person&#39;s hand such as, for example, when a user tips the seed container to its side or beyond in a pouring motion. The side walls  228  may have generally annular free edges that retract neatly into the interior area at the closed configuration and extend therefrom at the open configuration. The dispensing member  200  may further include a tab member  232  coupled to the distal end  224  of the primary wall  220  of the dispensing member  200  that is configured to enable a person&#39;s finger to urge the dispensing member  200  from the closed configuration ( FIG. 1 ) to the open configuration ( FIG. 2 ). Conversely, a person may urge the dispensing member  200  from the open configuration to the closed configuration by applying pressure to the tab member  232  or to the primary wall  220 , as may be convenient or desired. 
         [0039]    A first spring  210  may be operatively coupled to the seed container  20  and the dispensing member  200 . Preferably, the first spring  210  is configured to bias the dispensing member  200  towards the open configuration such that when the second latch member  202  is moved from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, the dispensing member  200  automatically and rapidly moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Accordingly, the dispensing member  200  may be opened upon movement of the second latch member  202  using only a single hand—or a single finger for that matter. 
         [0040]    A second spring  212  may be operatively coupled to the seed container  20  and the second latch member  202 . The second spring  212  may bias the second latch member  202  towards the locked configuration such that when the second latch member  202  is released, the second latch member  202  automatically moves from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration. 
         [0041]    A clip member  50  may be coupled to the seed container  20  and configured to receive a belt, a waistband, or any similar article of clothing so as to enable a person to be mobile while maintaining close proximity to the seed dispenser  10  without requiring the person to hold the seed dispenser  10 . Alternatively, the clip member  50  may be configured to selectively couple to a receiving member (not shown). The receiving member (not shown) may be coupled to a wall, a fence, a chair, or any other stationary object so as to allow a person to be mobile while maintaining a stationary location for the seed dispenser  10 . Alternatively, the clip member  50  may be configured to receive part of a wall, a fence, a chair, or any other stationary object, without the use of an independent receiving member (not shown). 
         [0042]    A cover member  150  may be selectively coupled to the door member  100 , such as in a friction or snap-fit arrangement. The cover member  150  may include indicia. The indicia may identify the type of seeds contained within the seed dispenser  10 , may identify the owner of the seed dispenser  10 , or may be utilized to advertise a company, a sports team, or anything that may obtain a benefit from being advertised on a seed dispenser  10 . Alternatively, the indicia may be decorative and/or may be used to help a person more easily identify the type of seeds contained within the seed dispenser  10  and/or may be used to help a person more easily identify the owner of the seed dispenser  10 . 
         [0043]    In use, the first latch member  102  may be moved from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration so that the door member  100  may be moved from the closed ( FIG. 1 ) configuration to the open configuration ( FIG. 3 ). The interior area  30  of the seed container  20  may be filled with seeds through the first opening  32  of the seed container  20  while the door member  100  is in the open configuration. The door member  100  may then be moved back to the closed configuration and the first latch member  102  may be moved back to the locked configuration, thereby coupling the door member  100  to the seed container  20  in the closed configuration so as to prevent seeds from exiting the seed container through the first opening  32 . 
         [0044]    Further, the second latch member  202  may be moved from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration so that the first spring  210  can automatically move the dispensing member  200  from the closed configuration ( FIG. 1 ) to the open configuration ( FIG. 2 ). While the dispensing member  200  is in the open configuration, seeds located in the seed container  20  may be poured into someone&#39;s hand by rotating the seed container  20  until seeds flow through the second opening  34  of the seed container  20 . To stop dispensing seeds, the seed container  20  may be rotated until seeds stop flowing through the second opening  34  of the seed container  20 . 
         [0045]    The dispensing member  200  may be moved back to the closed configuration as described above so long as the second latch member  202  is held in the unlocked configuration. Next, while the dispensing member  200  is held in the closed configuration, the second latch member  202  may be released so that the second spring  212  automatically moves the second latch member  202  back to the locked configuration, thereby coupling the dispensing member  200  to the seed container  20  in the closed configuration so as to prevent seeds from exiting the seed container  20  through the second opening  34 . 
         [0046]    It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.