Patent ID: 12234079

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood however that drawings and detailed description attached hereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed but rather the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

It will be recognized that the features of the aspects of the disclosure described herein can conveniently and interchangeably be used in any suitable combination. It will also be recognized that the disclosure covers not only individual embodiments but also combinations of the embodiments that have been discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed/described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

With reference to the embodiments shown in theFIGS.1-5C, there is shown a handheld dispenser10for dispensing a powder100. In general terms, the handheld dispenser comprises a container12comprising a first opening14, and a powder storage volume16for storing the powder100. The handheld dispenser10also comprises a rotatable member18, located in the container12; and further comprises a handle20connected to the rotatable member18. An actuator22is at least partially located on the handle20, wherein the actuator22is actuatable to rotate the rotatable member18in the container12for allowing powder100located in the powder storage volume16of the container to travel past the rotatable member18and out from the first opening14.

The size of the powder storage volume16is intended to be suited for transferring/storing powder amounts depending on the application of the handheld dispenser10. With that in mind, as described herein, a principal application of the handheld dispenser10is for use in transferring, in a controlled way, food powder, such as food supplement powder or a protein powder, from a vessel in which the powder is located, into a receptacle such as a drink glass or a water bottle. In this principally described operation, the size of the powder storage volume16may be no more than 200 ml, since this best balances ensuring a sizeable enough storage volume16in which a sufficient quantity of powder can be stored, whilst also not making the volume too large such to make it unwieldy and difficult for the user to controllably dispense powder therefrom using the actuator22and the rotatable member18of the dispenser10as will be described. With reference to the particular embodiments of dispensers10shown inFIGS.5A-5C, which are again also primarily suited for use in transferring food powder, it can be seen in these embodiments that the size of the powder storage volume16are collectively in the region of at least 15 ml and no more than 150 ml.

Returning to the structure of the handheld dispenser10, with reference to the Figures, in accordance with some embodiments the rotatable member18may comprise a plurality of paddles24which define spaces26between the paddles for receiving powder100. In that way, rotation of the rotatable member18is operable to allow powder100located in the powder storage volume16of the container12to travel in the spaces26between the paddles24and out from the first opening14. The paddles24thus act to separate the spaces26to provide for a plurality of spaces26which are each useable to dispense a predetermined metered amount of powder100related to the size of each space26. In particular embodiments where the amount of powder100to be dispensed will normally be the same each time, such as those embodiments of dispenser10shown in the Figures, the spaces26may be the same size. In the particular embodiments shown in the Figures, the dispenser10is shown as comprising four paddles24and four spaces26.

In accordance with some embodiments of the handheld dispenser10, such those shown in the Figures, the container12may comprise a second opening28for allowing the powder storage volume16of the container12to be filled with powder100. In some particular embodiments, the first opening14may be located at a first end12A of the container12, and the second opening28located at a second end12B of the container12which is opposite the first end12A. In such embodiments, the second opening may be larger than the first opening, such to make it quicker to fill the powder storage volume16with powder100. In some particular embodiments, as shown for instance in those fromFIGS.5A-5C, the second opening may be no more than 60 mm across. In that respect, inFIGS.5A;5B; and5C respectively, the second opening28is shown as no more than 52 mm, 45 mm, 36 mm respectively across.

In respect of the size of the first opening14, in accordance with some embodiments the first opening may be no more than 30 mm across. With this maximum size, particularly where the dispenser10is used as a food powder dispenser, the first opening14is better sized to ensure that the dispenser100can dispense the powder100into a receptacle in a way that reduces the risk of spillage of powder around the receptacle as the powder passes out from the first opening12.

Turning to the actuator22, in accordance with some embodiments such as those shown inFIGS.2A-2D, the actuator comprises a sleeve portion34of the handle20, wherein the sleeve portion34is rotatable relative to the container12and is connected to the rotatable member18. In this way, rotation of the sleeve portion34relative to the container12is configured to rotate the rotatable member18in the container12for allowing powder located in the powder storage volume16to travel past the rotatable member18and out from the first opening14.

In some embodiments where the sleeve portion34is present, the actuator22may comprise a shaft member36located inside the handle20, wherein the sleeve portion34is connected to the rotatable member18by the shaft member36. In the case of some particular embodiments of the dispenser10, such as those shown in theFIGS.1-6, a first end38of the shaft member36is connected to the rotatable member18, and a second end40of the shaft member36is connected to the sleeve portion34. In such embodiments, the second end40of the shaft member36may be a proximal end, with the first end38being a distal end.

Turning to the handle20, the handle20may comprise a distal end44connectable to the container12, and proximal end46located opposite the distal end44. The geometry of the handle20may be shaped as required depending on the application of the dispenser10. In accordance with particular embodiments, which are suited at least when the dispenser10requires inserting into large/deep vessels/tubs of powder, the handle may be at least 50 mm long, and no more than 120 mm long. Staying with the geometry of the handle20, in some embodiments, the handle20may be cylindrical, and may have a diameter of less than 20 mm, as shown with reference toFIGS.5A-5C, where the handle is shown as having a diameter of around 17 mm. This arrangement makes the handle20easy to grip in use, and again makes the handle well sized for use with typical sizes of vessels and tubs of food powder, such as protein powder that are available on the market.

Releasably attached to the proximal end46of the handle20may be at least one cap member48. As shown inFIG.4, in some particular embodiments, the cap member48may comprise an attachment means50for attaching the dispenser to another object when the dispenser is not in use. Possible attachment means might be a hook, a hoop of material50A, or a clip50B, as shown with reference toFIG.4.

Also in respect of the handle20, in accordance with some embodiments of the dispenser10, the handle20may be telescopically slideable with respect to the container12. Such telescopic movement allows the dispenser10to occupy a smaller space whilst it is not being used, and also allows the dispenser10to be more easily operated inside vessels/tubs that are particularly long or big (e.g. particularly in situations when a user is trying to remove the final bits of powder from a large tub).

It will be seen in at least some of the embodiments of handheld dispenser10shown in the Figures that the rotatable member18is configured to sit inside the container12, in position such that the rotatable member18is located between the first opening14and the powder storage volume16. In such embodiments, the rotatable member18may be locatable in the container12by being inserted into the container12through the second opening28which is sized to receive the rotatable member14.

In some embodiments, the rotatable member18may comprise a first alignment feature52(for example a recess or a projection) that is sized to match a corresponding second alignment feature54located inside the container12(for example a correspondingly shaped projection or recess to the projection/recess forming the first alignment feature52). In this way, the first and second alignment features52;54assist with orientating the rotatable member18, and/or its paddles24at the correct orientation with respect to the container12and the first opening14. These first and second alignment features52;54are shown best inFIG.2D.

In accordance with some embodiments, the rotatable member18may also comprises a first engagement means56(such a hole/projection/slot) that is sized to receive a transmission member58forming part of the shaft member36. The transmission member58in these embodiments may comprise the first end38of the shaft member36that is connectable to the rotatable member18, and the transmission member58may be detachable from the rest of the shaft member36which comprises the second end40connected to the sleeve portion34. The transmission member58is therefore operable to transmit any actuation force made on the sleeve portion34to the rotatable member18, such to allow the rotatable member18to rotate in the container. In the particular embodiment of rotatable member18shown in the Figures, the first engagement means56from the rotatable member18is shown as a slot into which the transmission member58of the shaft member36is configured to be received in. It will be appreciated that that the shape and/or cross-section of each of the transmission member58and the first engagement means56may be varied as required, so long as both are able to operate to allow actuation of the actuator22to rotate the rotatable member18in the container12.

In such embodiments where the shaft member36is present, the shaft member36may be connected to the rotatable member18that is located in the container12through an orifice60that is located on the container12. In these embodiments, and where the transmission member58is present, the transmission member58may be configured to extend through the orifice60, and the first engagement means56is configured is configured to align with the orifice60when the rotatable member18is located inside the container12. In this way, the transmission member58extends through the orifice and engages with the first engagement means56from the rotatable member18. Such an arrangement is shown in the embodiment of dispenser shown at least inFIGS.2A-2D. In some particular embodiments where the transmission member58is present, in some of these embodiments, the transmission member58may be slideable with respect to the sleeve portion34of the handle20for facilitating the handle20to be telescopically slideable with respect to the container12.

Turning now to the materials for the handheld dispenser10, it will be appreciated that the materials for the dispenser10may vary depending on the application of the dispenser10. However, particularly where the dispenser10is for dispensing food powder (e.g., protein powder), in such embodiments the container12, the rotatable member18, and the handle20, may be made of plastic, such as but not limited to a post consumer recycled, PCR, plastic. Not least in these embodiments, the use of plastic makes the dispenser10easier to clean. It will be appreciated, however, that other materials for the dispenser10or parts thereof may be used as required, for instance wood, or metal.

Staying with the materials for the handheld dispenser10, in accordance with some embodiments, such as those shown in the Figures, to assist the user in being able to determine the remaining amount of powder in the powder storage volume16, the container12or the powder storage volume16may be translucent or transparent, or at least partially translucent or transparent.

In accordance with some embodiments, to further assist the user in being able to determine the remaining amount of powder in the powder storage volume16, the container12may further comprise a plurality of markings64for determining a level of powder in the powder storage volume16. Such markings might, for instance as shown in the embodiments from the Figures, comprises a plurality of lines or graduations extending along a side of the container12. The plurality of markings might also comprise a set of volumetric amount indicators, e.g., reciting at least one of imperial amounts (e.g. relating to ounces or pints) and/or metric amounts (e.g. relating to milliliters).

In terms of the applications of the handheld dispenser10described herein, as noted above, the dispenser10is principally intended for use in transferring, in a controlled way, food powder, such as food supplement powder or a protein powder, from a vessel in which the powder is located, into a receptacle such as a drink glass or a water bottle. With that in mind, a possible method of operation for the dispenser10is for a user to place powder into the powder storage volume16of the container12, for instance the powder originating from a powder-containing vessel such as a tub of protein powder. Where the second opening28is provided, the powder may be placed into the powder storage volume16by being passed through the second opening28.

Once the powder has been placed into the powder storage volume16of the container12, the user may then locate the first opening14of the container12over an opening in a receptacle. Such a receptacle might for instance be a drink glass or a water bottle. Once done, the user then actuates the actuator22to allow the powder100located in the powder storage volume16of the container12to travel past the rotatable member18, out from the first opening14of the container12, and into the receptacle200. This operation is shown best with reference toFIG.6, where powder100can be seen to passing from the powder storage volume16, past the rotatable member18, and ultimately into the receptacle200therein shown as water bottle.

With particular reference toFIG.3, in some embodiments of the dispenser10, a cover68may be present that is locatable over the first opening14and/or the second opening28of the container12for covering the opening when it is not in use. The cover68might be rigid or flexible as required, and would be removable by the user when access to the relevant opening of the container12is required. In the particular embodiments where the container12of the dispenser comprises the second opening28, in particular embodiments thereof, a flexible cover68may be provided which comprises a first portion70for covering the first opening12, a second portion72for covering the second opening28, wherein the first and second portions are connected together by a flexible spine74of the cover68. In that embodiment, the flexible spine extends along an outer surface of the container12between the first opening14and the second opening28. In the above embodiments, the cover68might in some particular embodiments be made of plastic, or a post consumer recycled, PCR, plastic.

Thus, from one perspective, there has now been disclosed a handheld dispenser for dispensing a powder, the dispenser comprising:a container comprising a first opening, and a powder storage volume for storing the powder;a rotatable member, located in the container;a handle connected to the rotatable member; andan actuator at least partially located on the handle, wherein the actuator is actuatable to rotate the rotatable member in the container for allowing powder located in the powder storage volume of the container to travel past the rotatable member and out from the first opening;wherein the powder storage volume is no more than 200 ml.

It will be appreciated that while the above description has focused on handheld dispensers for dispensing a powder comprising a number of different features, dispensers in accordance with other embodiments of the disclosure may not include all these features. For example, although the dispenser has been disclosed as a handheld dispenser, in principal the operation of the dispenser could be upsized such that the dispenser is no longer necessarily handheld.

Also, whilst the handheld dispenser has been disclosed as having a powder storage volume, for storing the powder, which is no more than 200 ml—for instance in applications where the dispenser is used for dispensing food powder (for instance a food supplement powder, such as a protein powder), it will be appreciated that in other applications of the dispenser, the container may have a powder storage volume of other sizes that are not necessarily no more than 200 ml.

Tying in with the above, although the handheld dispenser described herein has been principally disclosed as being used for dispensing food powder, other applications for the dispenser are envisaged. For instance, in one application the dispenser would be well suited for handling detergent powders, such as a laundry detergent or a dishwasher detergent. In that respect, noting such detergent powders can cause irritation to those having sensitive skin, the use of the present dispenser having its handle allows to the user to conveniently store and dispense the detergent in a way that is less likely to cause contact of the detergent on the user's skin.

Whatever the application for the handheld dispenser, in some embodiments the dispenser may be supplied as part of a vessel containing the powder which the dispenser is configured to dispense. There, in some particular embodiments, the dispenser may be supplied inside the vessel, or might be supplied in some other way with the vessel (e.g., attached to the outside of the vessel).

In terms of how the handheld dispenser10might be supplied, it is envisaged that the dispenser might be supplied individually, or might for instance be supplied as part of an assembly comprising a vessel for powder, and the dispenser10supplied with the vessel. In these latter arrangements, the dispenser might be supplied inside the vessel in which it is configured to be used with.

Noting the above example applications for the handheld dispenser, in accordance with some embodiments of the handheld dispenser, the handheld dispenser may have a maximum length of no more than 200 mm (as shown for instance in the embodiment of dispenser shown inFIG.5A, where the maximum length of the dispenser is no more than 150 mm (in particular 141 mm).

In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments that may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the disclosure. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, and it will thus be appreciated that features may be combined with features in combinations other than those explicitly set out. The disclosure may include inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.