System and method for dosing flowable solids
By designing a system including a body, a dosing device and a handle, the problem of being difficult to accurately distribute flowable solids in the prior art is solved, and a consistent and precise distribution effect is achieved under toolless operation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380060643.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-08-19
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-04
AI Technical Summary
The prior art is difficult to accurately dispense a consistent dose of flowable solids, such as powders, and conventional methods usually require the use of spoons or other tools, which are cumbersome and prone to errors.
A system is designed including a body, a dosing device and a handle. The dosing device is arranged in the dosing chamber and can rotate about the horizontal axis. The dosing device is rotated incrementally by the movement of the handle, thereby distributing a certain dose of flowable solids.
Achieves consistently dispensing precise doses of flowable solids without a spoon or other tools, which are operationally friendly and easy to clean.
Smart Images
Figure CN119768092A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dispensing flowable solids (e.g., powders, granules, cereals, or oats). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers for dispensing consistent and accurate doses of flowable solids. Summary of the invention
[0002] Some embodiments relate to a system for dispensing flowable solids, the system comprising a main body, a dosing device and a handle. In some embodiments, the main body comprises a storage volume defined by the main body; an inlet; an outlet, the outlet being arranged at the bottom of the main body; and a dosing chamber, the dosing chamber being arranged between the storage volume and the outlet. In some embodiments, the dosing device is at least partially arranged in the dosing chamber and can rotate around a horizontal axis. In some embodiments, the dosing device comprises a central axis extending along the horizontal axis, a plurality of walls extending radially outward from the central axis, and a plurality of dosing volumes partially defined by a plurality of walls, wherein each dosing volume is configured to hold a dose of flowable solids. In some embodiments, the dosing device is configured to limit the flow of the flowable solid from the storage volume to the outlet. In some embodiments, the dosing device is configured to rotate incrementally around the horizontal axis so that a dose of flowable solids is dispensed through the outlet with each incremental rotation. In some embodiments, the handle is hingedly connected to the main body and is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In some embodiments, the dosing device is configured to rotate by a single incremental rotation each time the handle is moved from the first position to the second position to dispense a dose of the flowable solid.
[0003] In some embodiments, the plurality of dosing volumes include a first dosing volume. In some embodiments, when the handle is in the first position, the first dosing volume is in communication with the storage volume, and in response to a downward force applied to the handle, the dosing device rotates such that the first dosing volume is in communication with the outlet.
[0004] In some embodiments, a first dosing volume of the plurality of dosing volumes is in communication with the storage volume and a second dosing volume of the plurality of dosing volumes is not in communication with the storage volume.
[0005] In some embodiments, the first dosing volume is configured to receive the flowable solid from the storage volume by gravity.
[0006] In some embodiments, the dosing device includes a first side wall disposed at a first end of the central axis, and a second side wall disposed at a second end of the central axis, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are each oriented perpendicular to the horizontal axis and perpendicular to the multiple walls.
[0007] In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to the first side wall and the second side wall.
[0008] In some embodiments, the plurality of walls comprises a first wall and a second wall.In some embodiments, a first dosing volume of the plurality of dosing volumes is defined in part by the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall.
[0009] In some embodiments, the dosing device is removable from the body;
[0010] In some embodiments, the dosing device does not rotate when the handle moves from the second position to the first position.
[0011] In some embodiments, a full rotation of the dosing device is equal to 3 to 5 incremental rotations.
[0012] In some embodiments, the handle is coupled to the body by a tension spring, wherein the tension spring extends as the handle moves from the first position to the second position.
[0013] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a ratchet coupled to the dosing device.In some embodiments, the handle comprises a protrusion that engages with the ratchet to rotate the ratchet when the handle moves from the first position to the second position.
[0014] In some embodiments, the handle is configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to a downward force applied to the handle.
[0015] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a support, and the body is coupled to the support.
[0016] In some embodiments, each incremental rotation is between 45 degrees and 90 degrees.
[0017] In some embodiments, each dose is of equal volume.
[0018] Some embodiments relate to a system for dispensing a flowable solid, the system comprising: a body, the body comprising a storage volume, an inlet, an outlet and a dosing chamber; a dosing device, the dosing device is at least partially arranged in the dosing chamber, the dosing device comprises a plurality of dosing volumes defined by a wall extending radially outward from a central axis of the dosing device, the dosing device is at least partially arranged in the dosing chamber and can rotate around a horizontal axis, the dosing device is configured to limit the flow of the flowable solid from the storage volume to the outlet; and a handle, the handle is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the handle is configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to a downward force applied to the handle. In some embodiments, the dosing device is configured to rotate incrementally in response to the handle moving from the first position to the second position. In some embodiments, the dosing device is configured to distribute a dose of the flowable solid with each incremental rotation. In some embodiments, each dose has an equal volume.
[0019] In some embodiments, the dosing device is configured not to rotate when the handle is moved from the second position to the first position.
[0020] In some embodiments, the dosing device has an order of rotational symmetry of 5.
[0021] In some embodiments, the plurality of dosing volumes include a first dosing volume. In some embodiments, when the handle is in the first position, the first dosing volume is in communication with the storage volume, and when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, the dosing device rotates so that the first dosing volume is in communication with the outlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure and enable those skilled in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.
[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of a dispensing system according to some embodiments is shown.
[0024] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Front view of the distribution system.
[0025] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 Rear view of the distribution system.
[0026] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 Top view of the distribution system.
[0027] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 Exploded view of the distribution system.
[0028] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a dispensing system with a portion of the body and housing cut away.
[0029] Fig. 7A Shows Figure 1 A cross-section of the dispensing system along line 7-7, with the handle in a first position.
[0030] Figure 7B Shows Figure 1 A cross-section of the dispensing system along line 7-7, with the handle in the second position.
[0031] Figure 8 Shown is a view taken along line 8-8 Figure 1 Cross section of a distribution system.
[0032] Fig. 9 Shown is a view taken along line 9-9 Figure 1 Cross section of a distribution system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Powders, such as beverage concentrates, sugar, etc., are usually sold in bulk in large containers. Not only is it difficult to accurately remove a consistent amount of powder from these containers, it can also be messy and slow to do so. In order to accurately remove a dose of powder, the user may have to use a spoon to remove the powder. But the spoon may remove excess powder (requiring the user to flatten the powder to obtain an accurate amount or dose of powder) or too little powder (requiring the user to scoop again to obtain an accurate amount or dose of powder). Or in order to achieve an accurate dose in a single scoop, the user may have to scoop out an excess amount and then use another tool or the user's fingers to flatten the powder. These spoons are usually used by multiple people and stored in the container itself, so they may be coated with powder or other substances.
[0034] Other dispensers may allow the user to dispense powder without a scoop, but may provide little control over the amount dispensed. For example, a container with a spout (e.g., a sugar dispenser) may dispense powder by pouring, but there is no reliable way to control the amount of sugar dispensed other than estimating how much has been poured, and the accuracy of pouring varies with the flow rate of the powder as the volume of powder remaining in the container decreases. In addition, the user may have to touch the spout to open and allow the powder to flow.
[0035] Other dispensers may include dispensing devices that rotate about a vertical axis, but these may require more space, create dead zones for flowable solids that cannot reach the dispensing device, and may require awkward movements to dispense the contents. Such devices may also be difficult to disassemble, which may complicate cleaning.
[0036] The embodiments described herein overcome these and other challenges by providing, among other benefits, a system that consistently dispenses precise doses of powders without measuring or requiring separate components (such as a scoop), that is easily disassembled, and that allows for user-friendly operation. For example, to dispense a dose using the system disclosed herein, a user can apply a downward force to the handle, and the system dispenses a dose of a flowable solid without requiring any other user action.
[0037] As shown throughout the accompanying drawings, some embodiments relate to systems for storing, dosing, and dispensing flowable solids. A flowable solid is a volume of material formed from solid pieces or chunks of material such that the volume of material is flowable (e.g., when poured). Examples include powders or granules (e.g., granulated sugar, beverage concentrate, protein powder). The systems described herein may include a body for storing a flowable solid, a dosing device, and a handle that, when actuated, causes the dosing device to dispense a dose of the flowable solid.
[0038] Figures 1 to 4 Various views of a system disclosed herein (eg, system 10 ) are shown. Figure 5 An exploded view of the system 10 is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the system 10 can include a body 100, a housing 200, a closure 300, a base 400, a handle 500, a dosing device 600, and a shield 700. In some embodiments, the system 10 can be easily assembled and disassembled. For example, the closure 300 can be removably coupled to the housing 200, the housing 200 can be removably coupled to the base 400, the closure 300 can be removably coupled to the housing 200, and the dosing device 600 can be removably coupled to the body 100. This allows the components of the system 10 to be easily disassembled, which simplifies the cleaning of each component.
[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 to Figure 2 and Figures 5 to 9As shown. The system 10 may include a body 100 that can accommodate a flowable solid (e.g., a flowable solid 800). In some embodiments, the body 100 includes a flowable solid 800 disposed therein. In some embodiments, the body 100 includes a front wall 105, a side wall 110, and a rear wall 115. In some embodiments, the body 100 includes an internal volume partially defined by the front wall 105, the side wall 110, and the rear wall 115. In some embodiments, the internal volume includes a storage volume 120 and a dosing chamber 125. In some embodiments, the body 100 includes an inlet 128 and an outlet 130. In some embodiments, the inlet 128 is disposed near the top of the body 100, and the outlet 130 is disposed near the bottom of the body 100. In some embodiments, the flowable solid 800 can be added to the storage volume 120 through the inlet 128. In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 is at least partially disposed in the dosing chamber 125 and restricts the flow of the flowable solid 800 from the storage volume 120 to the outlet 130. The dosing device 600 will be discussed in detail below.
[0040] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a housing 200 that can at least partially surround the body 100. In some embodiments, the housing 200 includes a side wall 205, a rear wall 210, and a strip 225. In some embodiments, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the housing 100 can be coupled to the base 400 so that the system 10 is a stand-alone system. For example, when the housing 200 is coupled to the base 400, the system 10 can be located on a countertop, a table, a floor, etc. In some embodiments, the system 10 does not include the base 400 and can be located on a countertop or a table or is wall-mounted. In some embodiments, the housing 200 includes a mounting member 215 on the rear wall 210 for mounting the system 10 to a vertical surface such as a wall, a cabinet, etc. In some embodiments, the mounting member 215 includes one or more holes 220 for fixing the mounting member to a vertical surface. In some embodiments, the mounting member 215 is removably coupled to the housing 200 for easy removal (e.g., for refilling, cleaning, etc.). In some embodiments, the system 10 does not include the base 400 and is wall-mounted.
[0041] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a closure 300 coupled to the housing 200 and covering the inlet 128 of the body 100. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the closure 300 may include a latch 305 that holds the closure 300 closed. In some embodiments, the closure 300 may be opened by releasing the latch 305. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, the closure 300 rotates about the hinge 310 to open. In some embodiments, the closure 300 is not hinged, and the entire closure 300 is removable. In some embodiments, when the closure 300 is opened, the entrance 128 of the body 100 is exposed, which can allow easy access to the storage volume 120. In some embodiments, when the closure 300 is opened, the flowable solid 800 can be added to the storage volume 120.
[0042] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a base 400 that can be coupled to the housing 200 to allow the system 10 to be a stand-alone system. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, body 100 can be coupled to housing 200, and housing 200 can be coupled to base 400. In some embodiments, base 400 includes a drip pan 405.
[0043] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a device configured to, in a first position ( Fig. 7A ) and the second position ( Figure 7B 1 and 10. In some embodiments, the handle 500 is coupled to the body 100 and the dosing device 600. As discussed in detail below, in some embodiments, when the handle 500 moves from the first position to the second position, the dosing device 600 can rotate to dispense a dose of the flowable solid 800.
[0044] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a dosing device 600 configured to hold and dispense a dose of a flowable solid 800. In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 is disposed along a Figure 2 The axis 1 shown is disposed in the dosing chamber 125 between the storage volume 120 and the outlet 130. As shown, the dosing device 600 includes dosing volumes (e.g., dosing volumes 601, 602, 603, 604, and 605). The dosing device 600 is arranged around Figure 6 In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 includes a wall 610 disposed around a central axis 620. The central axis 620 is connected to the wall 610. Figure 6 The axis 2 shown is coaxial. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the wall 610 may extend radially outward from the central axis 620. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the wall 610 can extend the length of the central axis 620 in the direction of the axis 2. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the dosing device may include side walls 615 disposed on opposite ends of a central axis 620 .
[0045] In some embodiments, dosing device 600 includes 3 or more dosing volumes (e.g., dosing volumes 601, 602, 603, 604, 605). Each dosing volume can be partially limited by two walls 610, sidewalls 615 and central axis 620. In some embodiments, each dosing volume has a volume of a flowable solid equal to a dose. In some embodiments, each dose has a volume from 15mL to 150mL (e.g., 30mL to 90mL or 50mL to 70mL). Although dosing device 600 is always shown as having 5 dosing volumes, it should be understood that the number and geometry of dosing volumes can be changed to adapt to different dose sizes. For example, increasing the number of walls 610 will reduce the dose size. On the contrary, reducing the number of walls 610 will increase the dose size. Other parameters of dosing device 600 can be adjusted to achieve dose size, such as the length along axis 2 or the height of wall 610. In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 has 2 or more (eg, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, or 6 or more) dosing volumes.
[0046] In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 restricts movement of the flowable solid 800 from the storage volume 120 to the outlet 130. For example, the dosing device 600 can be sized to fit within the dosing chamber 125 so that the flowable solid 800 cannot bypass the dosing device 600 when undesired. In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 is coupled to the body 100.
[0047] In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 includes a recess in each side wall 615. The dosing device 600 can include a ratchet and pawl system to rotate the dosing device 600. In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 includes a ratchet 625 that includes a protrusion 626 (e.g., a nut or bolt) that inserts into a recess 616 (e.g., a socket) in the side wall 615.
[0048] In some embodiments, the ratchet 625 is disposed on the exterior of the body 100 and the protrusion extends through the opening 140 in the side of the dosing chamber 125 and into the recess. In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 includes a pawl 630 .
[0049] In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 includes two ratchets 625 and two pawls 630 (eg, one coupled to each sidewall 615 ). In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 includes only one ratchet 625 and pawl 630 .
[0050] Each ratchet 625 can be removably coupled to each sidewall 615. In some embodiments, a recess 616 in the sidewall 615 includes a magnet 617 that couples to a protrusion 626 of the ratchet 625 so that the ratchet can be magnetically coupled to the sidewall 615. This allows for easy disassembly, which can simplify cleaning.
[0051] Each recess 616 can be a polygon, where the number of sides is equal to the number of dosing volumes, and each protrusion 626 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the recess 616. For example, the recess 616 shown in the figure is a pentagonal socket, where each side is aligned with one of the five dosing volumes. In some embodiments, the protrusion in the ratchet 625 is a pentagon. This ensures proper alignment of the ratchet 625 during reassembly.
[0052] The system 10 may include a handle 500 that can control the operation of the dosing device 600. For example, the handle 500 may include a bar 505 that, when pushed downward (e.g., in the direction of arrow 3), can move the handle 500 from a first position (e.g., Fig. 7A ) to a second position (as shown) Figure 7B ). Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the embodiment, handle 500 is shown in a first position, while handle 500' is shown in a second position. In some embodiments, pushing bar 505 downward causes arm 501 to rotate dosing device 600 about axis 2 sufficient to dispense a single dose. As dosing device 600 rotates, one dosing volume (e.g., dosing volume 601) rotates from being sealed within body 100 to being exposed downward to outlet opening 131 (e.g., as Fig. 7A and Figure 7B as shown), and a second dosing volume (eg, the dosing volume 604 may be rotated from being unsealed within the body 100 to being sealed within the body 100).
[0053] In some embodiments, the handle 500 includes two arms 501 connected by a strip 505. In some embodiments, the handle 500 includes a protrusion 510 extending inwardly from the arm 501. In some embodiments, the protrusion 510 is aligned with the notch of the ratchet 625 so that when the handle 500 moves from the first position to the second position, the protrusion 510 causes the ratchet 625 to rotate about the axis 2, thereby rotating the dosing device 600. In some embodiments, each arm 501 is coupled to one of the side walls 615 of the dosing device 600, which can increase the stability of the handle 500 and ease of use. For example, coupling to both sides of the dosing device 600 minimizes the risk that the handle may be disengaged from the dosing device 600 during use, and ensures that uniform rotational force acts on the dosing device 600. By providing uniform force on both sides of the dosing device 600, it can also help prevent the dosing device from becoming tilted or stuck during operation.
[0054] In some embodiments, handle 500 is moved from a first position ( Fig. 7A shown) moves to the second position ( Figure 7B In some embodiments, the handle 500 includes springs 515. In some embodiments, each spring 515 has a first end coupled to the arm 501. In some embodiments, the spring 515 has a second end coupled to the body 100 or the housing 200. For example, Fig. 9 As shown, in some embodiments, the spring 515 is coupled to the protrusion 230 of the housing 200 .
[0055] In some embodiments, each spring 515 is a tension spring that exerts a force on the handle 500 such that when a downward force is not applied to the strip 505, the handle 500 returns to the first position (i.e., the handle 500 is biased toward the first position). In some embodiments, the handle 500 returns to the first position from the second position without user interaction. In some embodiments, the handle 500 includes an opening 530 that receives the protrusion 135 on the body 100. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, each opening 530 may have an elliptical shape. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the protrusion 135 extends through the opening 530 and limits the movement of the handle 500. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , for illustration purposes, handle 500 is in a first position, while handle 500 ′ is shown in phantom in a second position.
[0056] As shown, the protrusion 135 is smaller than the opening 530 and fits within it so that the handle 500 can rotate about the protrusion 135. In embodiments where the opening is oval (i.e., longer in one direction) as shown, the handle 500 can rotate and translate relative to the protrusion 135 while the protrusion 135 remains within the opening 530. This movement can help facilitate repeated operation of the handle 500 to dispense consecutive doses, as described in more detail elsewhere herein.
[0057] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The system 10 (without the base 400) is shown along Figure 4 In some embodiments, the cross-sectional view of line 7-7 is shown. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, a flowable solid 800 is disposed in the storage volume 120 of the body 100 . Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Dispensing of a dose of flowable solid 800 is shown. Fig. 7A The system 10 is shown when the handle 500 is in a first position. Figure 7B The system 10 is shown when the handle 500 is in the second position.
[0058] like Fig. 7A As shown, when the handle 500 is in the first position, the flowable solid 800 can be disposed in the storage volume 120 and can be prevented from leaving the storage volume 120 by the dosing device 600. In some embodiments, whenever the handle 500 moves from the first position to the second position, the dosing device 600 rotates around the axis 2. In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 rotates forward (e.g., toward the front wall 105 of the body 100 in the direction indicated by the arrow 4). In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 rotates backward (e.g., away from the front wall 105 of the body 100 in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow 4). In some embodiments, each rotation is incremental. Each incremental rotation can be less than a full rotation of the dosing device 600. In some embodiments, a full rotation is equal to 3 to 8 (e.g., 3 to 5) incremental rotations. In some embodiments, a full rotation is equal to 5 incremental rotations. In some embodiments, each incremental rotation is equal to the angle (e.g., angle A) between each wall 610. In some embodiments, angle A is between 30° and 180° (e.g., 45° and 120° or 60° to 90°). In some embodiments, angle A is 45°, 60°, 72°, 90°, or 120°. In some embodiments, angle A is 72°. In some embodiments, dosing device 600 does not rotate when handle 500 moves from the second position to the first position.
[0059] The dosing device 600 may have rotational symmetry in a cross section through its center. For example, the embodiment shown in the figures has a rotational symmetry order of 5. The dosing device 600 may have a rotational symmetry order of 3 to 8 (eg, 3 to 5).
[0060] In some embodiments, at least one dosing volume (e.g., dosing volumes 601, 602, 603, 604, 605) is in communication with the storage volume 120. In some embodiments, three dosing volumes may be in communication with the storage volume 120 simultaneously. Fig. 7A As shown, dosing volumes 601 , 602 , and 603 may be in communication with the storage volume 120 .
[0061] The flowable solid 800 may fall by gravity into the dosing volume of the dosing device 600. For example, when the flowable solid 800 is poured into the storage volume 120 through the inlet 128, the flowable solid 800 may fill each dosing volume (e.g., Fig. 7A The dosing volume 601, 602, 603 in the embodiment of the present invention is defined as follows, and the excess flowable solid 800 can be retained in the storage volume 120. Fig. 7A As shown, the flowable solid 800 fills the entirety of each dosing volume 601, 602, and 603 that is in communication with the storage volume 120. A benefit of a dosing device that rotates about a horizontal axis, such as the dosing device 600, is that it avoids dead spots that would be caused by rotation about a vertical axis. These dead spots can accumulate flowable solids that cannot be moved into the dosing volume, which can waste flowable solids and can complicate cleaning. Fig. 7A As shown, the dosing volumes 604 and 605 are not in communication with the storage volume 120 , and the dosing volume 605 is in communication with the outlet opening 131 of the outlet 130 .
[0062] Figure 7B 5 shows the system 10 when the handle 500 has been moved to the second position. In some embodiments, the handle 500 moves from the first position ( Fig. 7A shown) moves to the second position ( Figure 7B shown).
[0063] In some embodiments, the protrusion 510 contacts the ratchet 625, such as Figure 84, so that when the handle 500 is moved to the second position, the ratchet 625 rotates the dosing device 600. In some embodiments, the pawl 630 can be positioned to prevent the ratchet 625 from rotating more than one increment, as discussed above. In some embodiments, the dosing device is rotated toward the front wall 105 of the body 100 (e.g., in the direction shown by arrow 4). In some embodiments, the dosing device 600 can only rotate in the direction of arrow 4.
[0064] Figure 7B Shows from Fig. 7A The system 10 is shown after one incremental rotation of the system 10. Figure 7B As shown, when the dosing device 600 rotates one incremental turn, the dosing volume 601 rotates so that it communicates with the outlet opening 131 of the outlet 130. When this happens, the dosing device dispenses a dose 805 of the flowable solid 800 through the outlet opening 131 by gravity, leaving the remainder 810 of the flowable solid 800 in the storage volume 120. Figure 7B As shown, when the dosing device 600 rotates one incremental turn, the dosing volume 604 rotates so that it communicates with the storage volume 120. When this happens, some of the remaining portion 810 of the flowable solid 800 falls into the dosing volume 604 to fill it.
[0065] You can repeat the above with Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The related sequence is as follows until no more flowable solid 800 remains in the storage volume 120. For example, in some embodiments, each time the handle 500 is moved from the first position to the second position, the dosing device 600 rotates so that the first dosing volume is exposed to the outlet opening 131 and a dose 805 of flowable solid 800 is dispensed, and the second dosing volume is exposed to the storage volume 120 and receives the flowable solid 800 from the remaining portion 810.
[0066] like Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the body 100 can include a track 155 configured to be coupled to a cover 160. When the dosing device 600 rotates about the axis 2, the cover 160 can limit the movement of the flowable solid 800 from the storage volume 120 to the dosing chamber 125. For example, when the dosing device 600 rotates, the wall 610 and the cover 160 can together prevent excess flowable solid 800 from leaving the storage volume. In some embodiments, the cover 160 extends the length of the dosing device 600 in the direction of the axis 2.
[0067] Figure 8 and Fig. 9A cross-sectional view of the system 10 (without the base 400) along lines 8-8 and 9-9 is shown, respectively. Figure 8 As shown, the handle 500 is in the first position, and the handle 500' is shown in phantom to illustrate the position of the handle 500 in the second position. Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 510 contacts the notch of the ratchet 625, and when the handle is moved to the position shown by the handle 500', the protrusion 510 causes the ratchet 625 to rotate the dosing device 600 by one increment. Figure 8 As shown, when the handle 500 is in the first position, the protrusion 135 is disposed in front of the opening 530, and when the handle 500 is in the second position, the protrusion 135 is disposed behind the opening 530. This translation allows the protrusion 510 to disengage from the notch and reengage with the notch of the ratchet 625. In some embodiments, the ratchet is coupled to the dosing device 600 and is fixed relative to the body of the dosing device 600.
[0068] like Fig. 9 As shown, the pawl 630 can be coupled to the protrusion 145. In some embodiments, when the protrusion 510 rotates the ratchet 625, the ratchet 625 is released from the pawl 630, and as it rotates, the pawl 630 can catch the next notch of the ratchet 625 to prevent further rotation. In some embodiments, a spring 635 is coupled to the pawl 630. In some embodiments, the spring 635 is a compression spring.
[0069] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a shield 700 coupled to the body 100. In some embodiments, the shield 700 includes an arm 705, a cover 710, and an opening 715 partially defined by the arm 705 and the cover 710. In some embodiments, the shield 700 is coupled to the housing 200 such that the housing 200 and the arm 705 define the opening 715. In some embodiments, the outlet 130 is at least partially disposed within the opening 715.
[0070] As used herein, the terms "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", etc. are intended to aid understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings with respect to the orientation shown, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure or to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the embodiments depicted in the drawings. Directional terms are used for convenience of description, and it should be understood that positioning in any of a variety of orientations is possible.
[0071] It should be understood that it is the detailed description section, rather than any other section, that is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The other sections may present one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure contemplated by the inventors, and are therefore not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way.
[0072] The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate the implementation of specific functions and their relationships. For the convenience of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks are arbitrarily defined herein. As long as the specific functions and their relationships can be properly performed, alternative boundaries can also be defined.
[0073] The above description of the specific embodiments will fully reveal the general nature of the present disclosure, so that others can easily modify and / or adjust these specific embodiments for various applications without departing from the overall concept of the present disclosure by applying the knowledge of the technical field without excessive experimentation. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance given herein, such adjustments and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalent forms of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology herein is for the purpose of description rather than for the purpose of limitation, so that the terms or wording of this specification should be interpreted by those skilled in the art according to the teachings and guidance.
[0074] The above examples are intended to illustrate rather than limit the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the various conditions and parameters normally encountered in the art and which will be apparent to those skilled in the art fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0075] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", "some embodiments", etc. indicate that the embodiments described may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but each embodiment may not necessarily include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when specific features, structures, or characteristics are described in conjunction with an embodiment, whether or not explicitly described, it is considered that those skilled in the art can implement such features, structures, or characteristics in conjunction with other embodiments.
[0076] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A system for dispensing a flowable solid, the system comprising: A subject, the subject comprising: a storage volume defined by the body; Entrance; an outlet disposed at a bottom of the body; and a dosing chamber disposed between the storage volume and the outlet; A dosing device, the dosing device being at least partially arranged in the dosing chamber, the dosing device being rotatable about a horizontal axis, the dosing device comprising: a central axis extending along the horizontal axis, a plurality of walls extending radially outward from the central axis, a plurality of dosing volumes defined in part by the plurality of walls, wherein each dosing volume is configured to hold a dose of the flowable solid, wherein the dosing device is configured to restrict the flow of the flowable solid from the storage volume to the outlet, wherein the dosing device is configured to be incrementally rotated about the horizontal axis so that with each incremental rotation, a dose of the flowable solid is dispensed through the outlet, a handle hingedly coupled to the body, the handle being configured to move between a first position and a second position, Wherein the dosing device is configured to rotate by a single incremental rotation each time the handle is moved from the first position to the second position to dispense a dose of the flowable solid.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of dosing volumes comprises a first dosing volume, wherein when the handle is in the first position, the first dosing volume is in communication with the storage volume, and Wherein in response to a downward force being applied to the handle, the dosing device rotates such that the first dosing volume is communicated with the outlet.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein a first dosing volume of the plurality of dosing volumes is in communication with the storage volume, and a second dosing volume of the plurality of dosing volumes is not in communication with the storage volume. 4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the first dosing volume is configured to receive the flowable solid from the storage volume by gravity.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the quantitative feeding device includes a first side wall arranged at a first end of the central axis and a second side wall arranged at a second end of the central axis, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are each perpendicular to the horizontal axis and perpendicular to the plurality of wall orientations.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the handle is coupled to the first side wall and the second side wall.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein: The plurality of walls include a first wall and a second wall; and A first dosing volume of the plurality of dosing volumes is defined in part by the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the dosing device is removable from the body.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the dosing device does not rotate when the handle moves from the second position to the first position.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein a full rotation of the dosing device is equal to 3 to 5 incremental rotations.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the handle is coupled to the body by an extension spring, wherein the extension spring extends as the handle moves from the first position to the second position.
12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a ratchet wheel coupled to the dosing device; and The handle includes a protrusion that engages with the ratchet to rotate the ratchet when the handle moves from the first position to the second position.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to a downward force applied to the handle.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein each incremental rotation is from about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees.
15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bracket, wherein the body is coupled to the bracket.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein each dose has equal volume.
17. A system for dispensing a flowable solid, the system comprising: a body comprising a storage volume, an inlet, an outlet, and a dosing chamber; a dosing device disposed at least partially in the dosing chamber, the dosing device comprising a plurality of dosing volumes defined by walls extending radially outward from a central axis of the dosing device, the dosing device being disposed at least partially in the dosing chamber and being rotatable about a horizontal axis, the dosing device being configured to restrict a flow of the flowable solid from the storage volume to the outlet; and a handle configured to move between a first position and a second position, the handle configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to a downward force applied to the handle, wherein the dosing device is configured to be incrementally rotated in response to the handle moving from the first position to the second position, wherein the dosing device is configured to dispense a dose of the flowable solid with each incremental rotation, and Each dose has equal volume.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the dosing device is configured not to rotate when the handle is moved from the second position to the first position.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the dosing device has a rotational symmetry order of 5.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of dosing volumes comprises a first dosing volume, wherein when the handle is in the first position, the first dosing volume is in communication with the storage volume, and Wherein when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, the dosing device rotates so that the first dosing volume is communicated with the outlet.