Abstract:
A dispensing device comprises an upper surface having a sidewall depending generally vertically from a periphery thereof, a neck extending generally perpendicular from said upper surface in a direction opposite that of said sidewall, and a measuring reservoir, having a proximal and dispensing opening, attached to said neck. The upper surface tapers eccentrically from the sidewall and extends to a periphery of the neck to direct product to pour through the neck and into the measuring reservoir. The sidewall has an annular ridge extending inward for allowing the device to securely mount to a container of product. The measuring reservoir may have at least one louver for selectively and substantially covering the dispensing opening, and is user actuatable between an open and closed position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/258,227 filed on Dec. 27, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to dispensing of products such as liquids, powders, or small particulate substances that require an accurate and repeatable measurement to be delivered to another container or medium. Specifically, the measuring and dispensing mechanism is integrated into a lid that is attachable to the container holding the product to be measured and dispensed.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Currently, there are many applications in which an accurate measurement of product must be dispensed including automotive oil or fuel additive, laundry detergent, baby formula, powdered drink mixes, and the like. At least one preferred embodiment is directed at measuring and dispensing baby formula, thus the remainder of this disclosure will focus on that embodiment without departing from the broader scope of the invention as claimed, and should not be construed as a limitation. Currently, baby formula manufacturers provide a generally flat plastic lid that fits over the top of a cylindrical can holding the powdery formula. A small measuring scoop with a handle extending therefrom is included inside the can. The scoop is used to deliver a predetermined amount of formula powder into a bottle containing a known quantity of water. Generally, one scoop of powder is added to two ounces of water. With this known ratio, the user can then add the correct number of scoops of formula dependent upon the known volume of water in the bottle.  
           [0006]    This conventional means of measuring and delivering formula powder to a bottle poses several difficulties and drawbacks. First of which is the initial retrieval of the measuring scoop. Because product contents shift during transport, oftentimes the scoop is not located at the top of the can and requires the user to dig through the formula to locate it. This is often a messy process which results in spilled formula, powder sticking to wet or oily fingers, and contaminants entering the formula. Additionally, with each subsequent retrieval of the scoop, the user invariably gets powder on their fingers when retrieving the scoop which is messy and introduces additional contaminants from the user&#39;s fingers into the formula.  
           [0007]    Further problems result when trying to make a bottle using only one hand, such as when holding a baby in one arm. As the user tries to pour the powder from the measuring scoop into a bottle, formula is spilled because the scoop diameter is almost equivalent to that of the bottle, and the scoop usually has vertical sides. As the scoop is held adjacent to the bottle opening and is then quickly turned upside-down, the powder is dispensed before the scoop can be adequately positioned directly above the bottle which results in some quantity of powder being spilled onto the work surface. Not only does this cause a mess requiring clean-up time, but the formula is very expensive and even a small amount of waste can add to substantial losses throughout a baby&#39;s bottle stage.  
           [0008]    The conventional scoop also requires removal of the can&#39;s lid every time a user makes a bottle. This provides an increased risk of spilling the powder, especially when attempting to remove it one-handed. Additionally, contaminants are free to enter the can whenever the lid is removed.  
           [0009]    The traditional scoop additionally causes contaminants to enter the can of formula. Because the scoop must be removed from the can, not only do contaminants get on the scoop handle from a user&#39;s dirty fingers, it is also possible to lay the scoop down on a dirty work surface before returning it to the can, thus introducing a number of contaminants found on people&#39;s hands and on a counter work surface directly into the formula can.  
           [0010]    Finally, it is nearly impossible for the scoop to completely empty the can of formula. This results from the difference in radii of the scoop and the can. The formula settles in the bottom of the can and even when tipping the can to cause the contents to shift to the edge of the bottom of the can, the scoop is unable to adequately fit into the corner formed by the circular bottom of the can abutting the circumferential side.  
           [0011]    What is needed is an easy and clean way to dispense the proper amount of baby formula into a bottle utilizing one hand that allows the formula container to remain closed to prevent contamination, prevents the user from getting powder on their fingers, and reduces waste of the expensive formula by reducing spillage and allows use of the entire contents of the can of formula. These and other advantages will become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in accordance with the following drawings and detailed description.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The measuring and dispensing lid disclosed herein advantageously provides a solution to the above-mentioned problems by providing a new measuring and delivery system that offers a clean, simple way of dispensing baby formula into a bottle with only one hand, while allowing the formula container to remain closed thus reducing contaminants, avoiding spillage, and eliminating formula from getting on the user&#39;s fingers.  
           [0013]    In one aspect, there is provided a new lid comprising an integral measuring reservoir and delivery system whereby a user initially opens the can of formula, usually a metal lid with a pull top, attaches the disclosed lid to the top thereof, and only needs to remove the lid once can contents are emptied.  
           [0014]    In one embodiment, the measuring and dispensing device is formed integrally with the snap on lid and is either in constant communication with the interior of the can, or may be selectively closed off from the interior of the can. Additionally, the dispensing end of the device may be initially closed off and may be selectively opened by the user once the powder is accurately measured and the device is positioned properly with respect to the bottle opening such that little or no formula is allowed to spill onto the work surface.  
           [0015]    The following drawings and descriptions thereof shall make the preferred, and additional embodiments, clear to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment and orientation of a measuring reservoir integrated into the lid.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of another embodiment and orientation of a measuring reservoir integrated into the lid.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a closing mechanism.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates another closing mechanism.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 illustrates yet another closing mechanism.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an actuator for a closing mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    The following description will describe several preferred embodiments where like reference numerals designate like parts throughout.  
         [0023]    In the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a measuring and dispensing lid (“lid”)  100 . The lid is formed of a suitable material such as plastic, is preferably semi transparent, and may be formed as a single piece. The rim  102  has a sidewall  104  depending vertically therefrom for securely attaching the lid to a container of material (not shown) as in generally known in the art. The upper surface of the lid  106  is formed as an eccentric frustroconical shape such that when the container of material with the attached device  100  is inverted, the material is directed into the measuring reservoir  108 . The measuring reservoir  108  has a neck  110  that connects it to the upper surface of the lid  106  and provides fluid communication therewith. The measuring reservoir  108  preferably is configured to hold a predetermined volume which may be in the range of from about 1 ml to 500 ml, and more preferably between about 14 ml and 60 ml, and in one embodiment, about 30 mL, although volumes outside of this range are possible depending on the application. The measuring reservoir  108  is closed at a proximal end  112  and open at a dispensing end  114 . The dispensing end  114  may contain a cover or closure that can be manipulated by the user for convenience, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The radiused rest  116  caused by the joinder of the measuring reservoir  108  to the neck  110  provides a guide and resting place for the container into which the material is being dispensed.  
         [0024]    As illustration, and not as a limitation, the device will be described as attached to a can of concentrated baby formula powder. The lid  100  is first attached to an open can of formula. The can and device are then inverted which causes formula to enter the measuring reservoir  108 . It can be seen how the shape of the upper surface of the lid  106  is able to direct the powder into the measuring reservoir  108 ; however, specific dimensions are not important.  
         [0025]    The measuring reservoir  108  may be offset from the center of the lid for ease in dispensing, hence the eccentricity of the upper surface of the lid  106 . Once the inverted measuring reservoir  108  is filled to capacity, a bottle is place around and adjacent to the dispensing end  114  of the measuring reservoir  108 . The measuring reservoir  108  is configured with a diameter less than the diameter of a baby&#39;s bottle such that the dispensing end  114  will fit within the opening of a baby&#39;s bottle.  
         [0026]    The can and device are then rotated ninety degrees such that the dispensing end  114  is vertical and open to the empty bottle, at which time the formula is dispensed into the bottle. A small hole  118  may be formed into the closed proximal end  112  to avoid any air pressure differential effects to encourage the formula to exit the dispensing end  114  of the measuring reservoir  108 .  
         [0027]    Because of the consistency of the powder, it does not maintain a 45-degree sidewall angle like many other small particulate matter. For example, when pouring dry sand into a pile, it will usually form a cone with a substantially 45-degree sidewall angle. Baby formula is “sticky”, especially when packed into a measuring reservoir, and will maintain a much steeper sidewall angle. Because of this property of baby formula, when the can of formula with attached lid is inverted to fill the measuring reservoir  108 , the powder will not have a tendency to pour out of the dispensing end  114  of the measuring reservoir  108  even if left open. For this reason, some embodiments do not require the dispensing end  114  and/or the proximal end  112  to be closed while filling the reservoir  108 . Alternatively, a closure can be added to the dispensing end  114  and will be described in later detail.  
         [0028]    Finally, when the can with attached lid are rotated to dispense the contents in the measuring reservoir  108 , additional formula from the can will not flow into the measuring reservoir  108 . The can with attached lid  100  are then rotated back to inverted to again fill the measuring reservoir  108  and then rotated to dispense the contents into the bottle. The process is repeated until the proper amount of formula has been dispensed into the bottle.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a measuring and dispensing lid with the measuring reservoir  208  at a different orientation. In this embodiment, the rim  102  has a sidewall  104  depending therefrom as is known in the art for securing a plastic lid to a can or other container.  
         [0030]    In this embodiment, a cover initially closes the dispensing end  214  such that formula cannot escape when the measuring reservoir  208  is being filled. The can with attached lid  100  is inverted so the measuring reservoir  208  is filled with formula. The proximal end  216  of the measuring reservoir  208  is then closed off, following which, the dispensing end  214  of the measuring reservoir  208  is opened and the contents of the reservoir are dispensed into the bottle. The dispensing end  214  is then closed off and the proximal end  216  is uncovered again and the formula is allowed to fill the measuring reservoir  208 . The process is repeated until the proper amount of formula is dispensed into the bottle. The process of covering and uncovering the openings in the measuring dispenser  208  is anticipated to be a manual process; however, it is conceivable that a battery could be attached to activate a small motor to open and close the apertures upon user activation. It is anticipated that the measuring reservoir could be configured at other angles besides vertical and horizontal without departing from the scope herein.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a closure for the dispensing end  314  of the measuring reservoir  308  comprising a plurality of louvers. Two semi-circular covers  316   a  and  316   b , or louvers, initially cover the dispensing end  314  of the dispensing reservoir  308 . Upon manual actuation by a push rod  318 , the louvers are caused to pivot about a hinge line  320  which opens the dispensing end  314  and allows the contents of the measuring reservoir  308  to be dispensed into the awaiting container. The semi-circular covers  316   a  and  316   b  may initially be biased in a closed position as in FIG. 3 a , and require user manipulation to be opened. Upon the release of a user-supplied external force, the louvers can be resiliently returned to their closed position. The resilient force may come from a spring, cam, compliant mechanism, or other suitable mechanism as known in the art.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of a closing mechanism for the dispensing end  414  of the measuring reservoir  408 . This embodiment resembles a camera shutter in which a plurality of small covers  402  are rotatably disposed relative to one another and come together to form a closed cover. FIG. 4 a  shows the device in a substantially closed position with the small covers  402  combining to effectively close the dispensing end of the device  414 . FIG. 4 c  depicts the small covers  402  retracted to substantially open the dispensing end  414 . The mechanism may be controlled by a rotational motion  410  of a rim  416  to retract and open the dispensing end, and likewise by another rotational motion  412  of a rim  416  to extend the small covers  402  and close the dispensing end.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment of a closing mechanism for the dispensing end of a measuring reservoir  508 . In one aspect, a single circular cover  516 , or louver, pivots about a hinge line  520  to open and close the dispensing end  514 . The dispensing end  514  is initially closed by the circular cover  516 . The measuring reservoir  508  is filled and then positioned over the container to receive the contents. The circular cover  516  is rotated by a force applied to a push rod  518  that forces the circular cover  516  to rotate about line  520  and open the dispensing end  514  which allows the contents to dispense. It should be appreciated that the push rod  518  can be connected close to or far away from the hinge line  520 , which directly controls the amount of linear motion required to fully actuate the circular cover  516 . It should also be appreciated that depending on where the push rod  518  is attached to the circular cover  520 , a pulling force may either open or close the circular cover  516 . In FIG. 5, a pushing force opens the dispensing end while a pulling force closes the dispensing end. An annular ridge (not shown) or small protrusion (not shown) within the dispensing end  514  precludes the circular cover from rotating more than ninety degrees.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 depicts one method of supplying a force to rotatably open and close the covers of previous FIGS. 3 and 5. The push rod  618  is attached to an upper portion of rocker arm  602 . The rocker arm  602  is pivotally connected to the lid rim  102  at  604 . A biasing means  606  exerts a force on the rocker arm lower portion  608  to force it away from the can the lid is attached to. This exerted force causes the push rod  618  to exert a force  610  in the −x direction  614  on the closing mechanism (not shown) that biases the closing mechanism into its closed position. When a user supplies an external force to the rocker arm lower portion  608  to overcome the biasing force of the biasing means  606 , the rocker arm upper portion  602  moves away from the lid in the x direction  612  which, in turn, causes the push rod  618  to move linearly in the x direction  612  such that an opening force is applied to the closing means. When the user releases the force on the rocker arm lower portion  608 , the biasing means  606  causes the closing mechanism to return to its closed position. The push rod  618  is preferably constructed of a rigid material such that any applied forces overcome friction in the system and cause a linear motion of the push rod rather than deflect the push rod  618  in the y or −y directions  616  and  620  respectively. To reduce the rigidity of the push rod  618 , it should be understood that the push rod may be supported along its length to reduce the unsupported span of the push rod  618  thereby reducing its tendency to deflect. It should also be noted that the biasing means  606  is shown as a spring under compression that returns the rocker arm and attached push rod to its initial position. However, there are numerous methods of performing this same function without the use of a spring that do not depart from the scope hereof. For example, the rocker arm could be a single-piece compliant mechanism. Furthermore, the spring could be connected above pivot point  605  such that it is in tension when the user supplies the opening force to the rocker arm lower portion  608 . Finally, a spring could be mounted coaxial with the push rod  618  and compressed between cooperating stops, one located on the push rod  618 , the other mounted to the rim  102 . In addition to manual activation, the opening and closing mechanism could conceivably be a battery operated motor that supplies the required forces to open and close the mechanism. This motor could be activated by a user-controlled push button.  
         [0035]    While the foregoing description illustrates several embodiments, it should be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that there are several ways of practicing the invention that are not disclosed herein and yet do not depart from the scope of the following claims. For example, there may be numerous undisclosed methods for closing the end of a circular opening while maintaining the closing structure within the perimeter of the circular opening. Additionally, the measuring reservoir may be oriented at any angle with respect to the lid without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should be construed according to the following claims and use the foregoing description as illustrative and not limiting.