Patent ID: 7275498

Claim:
A flowable solids dispensing apparatus comprising: a first surface disposed about an axis, the first surface being free of openings; a second surface disposed about said axis, said second surface being disposed below said first surface, said second surface having at least one opening disposed thereon and adapted for dispensing a flowable solid; a trough, said trough comprising a third surface substantially parallel to said axis, wherein the dispensing apparatus is operable for a flowable solid to progress from said third surface to said first surface; wherein said first surface and said second surface form a slot therebetween; wherein said first surface and second surface form an angle therebetween; wherein the at least one opening of said second surface has a length in a direction extending from the slot toward an edge of the second surface opposite the slot and a width in a direction extending perpendicular to the direction of the length; wherein the dispensing apparatus is operable for a flowable solid to progress from said first surface to said second surface through said slot, said at least one opening of said second surface having a length to width ratio greater than one and wherein the at least one opening is triangular in shape; and wherein said third surface has at least one edge coextensive with said first surface.