초록 ▼

A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a container assembly, a diffuser and a metering cup. The container includes a reservoir which supports a disposable cartridge of granular material. The cartridge is supported in the reservoir

A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a container assembly, a diffuser and a metering cup. The container includes a reservoir which supports a disposable cartridge of granular material. The cartridge is supported in the reservoir so as to define a passageway therebetween. A nozzle is defined for the outflow of material from the cartridge. The diffuser is disposed on one end of the container and includes a plurality of apertures. The metering cup is disposed on the opposite end of the container and has an open end adapted to receive granular material. Adjustment of the axial spacing between the nozzle and metering cup varies the quantity of granular material collected in the cup. The granular material is dispensed by inverting the container to a second orientation, such that material flows out of the metering cup, through the passageway and out of the diffuser. The nozzle may serve as a piercing mechanism for opening the disposable cartridge upon its insertion into the reservoir.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser for delivering granular material, comprising: a container assembly having a first reservoir area and an internal reservoir, the reservoirs positioned relative to one another so as to define a passageway therebetween, said internal reservoir disposed internally of

What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser for delivering granular material, comprising: a container assembly having a first reservoir area and an internal reservoir, the reservoirs positioned relative to one another so as to define a passageway therebetween, said internal reservoir disposed internally of said first reservoir and adapted for containing granular material, said internal reservoir further defining a nozzle for the outflow of material, a diffuser disposed in combination with an end of said container assembly and having a plurality of apertures in communication with said passageway; a metering cup disposed in combination with the other end of said container assembly and having an open end adapted for receiving material from said nozzle, said metering cup and said nozzle defining a control volume for accumulating material when said container assembly is disposed in a first orientation and delivering material to said diffuser via said passageway when disposed in a second orientation; and an adjustment device for varying said control volume such that said metering cup may deliver variable quantities of granular material. 2. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said metering cup includes a base and a sidewall structure, wherein said nozzle defines a face surface axially spaced from said base structure, and wherein said adjustment device varies said axial spacing to vary said control volume. 3. The dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said adjustment device includes threads disposed on said sidewall structure of said metering cup and a threaded aperture disposed though an end portion of said container assembly, said metering cup and said container assembly threadably engaging to vary said axial spacing. 4. The dispenser according to claim 3 further comprising indicia displayed on the exterior of said metering cup and on the exterior of said container assembly, said indicia indicative of the axial spacing for displaying the quantity of material to be dispensed. 5. The dispenser according to claim 2 further comprising a display device indicative of said axial spacing for indicating the quantity of material to be dispensed. 6. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said metering cup is detachably connected to said container assembly, and wherein adjustment device includes at least two interchangeable metering cups having different geometric dimensions for varying said control volume. 7. The dispenser according to claim 6 wherein said piercing device is a arrow head structure disposed in combination with said outer container and oriented inwardly toward said internal reservoir. 8. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said metering cup defines an internal geometry and wherein said granular material accumulates to define an incidence angle, said control volume being defined by said metering cup geometry and said incidence angle. 9. The dispenser according to claim 1 further comprising a device for piercing said internal reservoir to produce an opening in said nozzle upon assembly of said container assembly. 10. The dispenser according to claim 9 wherein said piercing device is an arrow head structure disposed in combination with said metering cup and oriented inwardly toward said internal reservoir. 11. A dispenser for delivering various granular materials, comprising: a container assembly having an outer container and a replaceable inner container for containing a granular material, said container and reservoir defining a passageway therebetween, said inner container, furthermore, defining a nozzle for the outflow of material, a diffuser disposed in combination with an end of said outer container and having a plurality of apertures in communication with said passageway; a metering cup disposed in combination with the other end of said outer container and having an open end opposing said nozzle, said metering cup and said nozzle defining a control volume for the accumulation of material when said container assembly is disposed in a first orientation and delivering said material to said diffuser via said passageway when disposed in a second orientation; and a means for adjusting said control volume such that said metering cup may deliver variable quantities of the same or different granular materials. 12. The dispenser according to claim 11 wherein said metering cup includes a base and a sidewall structure, wherein said nozzle defines a face surface axially spaced from said base structure, and wherein said adjustment means effects a variation of said axial spacing to vary said control volume. 13. The dispenser according to claim 12 wherein said adjustment means includes threads disposed on said sidewall structure of said metering cup and a threaded aperture disposed though an end portion of said container assembly, said metering cup and said container assembly threadably engaging to vary said axial distance. 14. The dispenser according to claim 13 further comprising indicia displayed on the exterior of said metering cup and on the exterior of said container assembly, said indicia indicative of the axial spacing for displaying the quantity of material to be dispensed. 15. The dispenser according to claim 12 further comprising a display device indicative of said axial spacing for indicating the quantity of material to be dispensed. 16. The dispenser according to claim 11 wherein said metering cup is detachably connected to said container assembly, and wherein adjustment means includes at least two interchangeable metering cups having different geometric dimensions for varying said control volume. 17. The dispenser according to claim 16 wherein said piercing device is a arrow head structure disposed in combination with said outer container and oriented inwardly toward said internal reservoir. 18. The dispenser according to claim 11 wherein said metering cup defines an internal geometry and wherein said granular material accumulates to define an incidence angle, said control volume being defined by said metering cup geometry and said incidence angle. 19. The dispenser according to claim 11 further comprising a device for piercing said internal reservoir and producing an opening in said nozzle upon assembly of said container assembly. 20. The dispenser according to claim 19 wherein said piercing device is an arrow head structure disposed in combination with said metering cup and oriented inwardly toward said internal reservoir. 21. The dispenser according to claim 19 further comprising radial fins for maintaining the axial spacing between said outer container and internal reservoir. 22. The dispenser according to claim 19 further comprising radial tabs for maintaining the radial spacing between said outer container and internal reservoir. 23. The dispenser according to claim 19 further comprising radial fins and radial tabs for maintaining the axial and radial spacing, respectively, between said outer container and internal reservoir. 24. A dispenser for delivering granular material comprising: an outer container defining an internal reservoir, a diffuser disposed at one end of the container for dispensing granular material from the container; means for supporting a disposable cartridge retaining granular material within the reservoir of the container, such that a passageway is defined between the internal walls of the container and the disposable cartridge, a metering cup disposed at one end of the container, opposite the diffuser, the metering cup defining a controlled volume for granular material transferred from a disposable cartridge and, upon inversion of the container, for delivering the controlled volume through the passageway to the diffuser for dispensing, and a piercing mechanism for engaging a disposable cartridge inserted into the reservoir of the container and for delivering granular material from the cartridge to the metering cup. 25. The dispenser according to claim 24 wherein the metering cup further comprises means for adjusting the controlled volume of granular material received from a disposable cartridge and then delivered to the diffuser upon inversion of the container. 26. The dispenser according to claim 24 wherein the piercing mechanism comprises a nozzle supported adjacent to the metering cup and a projected end that engages a disposable cartridge upon its insertion into the reservoir and being engaged by the supporting means. 27. The dispenser according to claim 24 wherein the piercing mechanism is integral with the metering cup. 28. The dispenser according to claim 24 further comprising a threaded support fixed to the container, the metering cup being threaded onto the support to adjust the position of the metering cup with respect to the piercing mechanism, the position of the metering cup relative to the piercing mechanism serving to adjust the controlled volume.