Patent ID: 7300003

Claim:
A dry product dispenser, comprising: an enclosed hopper for retaining a dry product to be dispensed; a selectively operable feeder assembly having an upstream end communicating with the hopper and a downstream end extending therefrom, for carrying dry product from said hopper; a vertical drop tube having an upper end in communication with the downstream end of the feeder assembly, and a lower open end; said feeder assembly including an auger operably disposed within an elongated pipe to convey dry product from the hopper to the drop tube; said feeder assembly being electrically connected to a control box with controls for activating the feeder assembly to operate and adjust the speed of the feeder assembly; a dispenser tube connected to the lower end of the drop tube and extending therefrom to a distal end, for directing dry product dispensed therethrough; and means for creating an air flow through the dispenser tube from the drop tube to the distal end and for creating a vacuum within the drop tube, whereby dry product within the drop tube is sucked into the dispenser tube and dispensed from the distal end thereof; said means for creating an air flow and for creating a vacuum includes: a venturi interposed between the drop tube and dispenser tube, the venturi including: a central bore with upstream and downstream ends; a short constricted diameter portion generally centered between the ends; the bore ends tapering from the constricted portion to a larger diameter at the ends; and an inlet port oriented perpendicular to the bore and communicating with the constricted portion; the lower end of the drop tube connected to and communicating with the venturi inlet port; the downstream end of the venturi connected to and communicating with the dispenser tube; and a source of air under pressure connected to the upstream end of the venturi, to supply air flow through the venturi.