Metered Material Dispenser with Baffle Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for granular materials, such as seasonings and colorants, often require manual monitoring of variables like time and oscillations to control the dispensing quantity accurately, and they can lead to over-dispensing due to lack of stabilization during agitation.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a container assembly with a reservoir, a metering cup, and a baffle that stabilizes the material within the cup, ensuring consistent dispensing by directing granular material through a passageway and diffuser, preventing over-dispensing even when the device is agitated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-chamber container with apertures is used for dispensing granular material, then the device structure is simple, but the dispensing quantity cannot be accurately controlled without manual monitoring of time and oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The single-chamber container is divided into two functional chambers: a reservoir chamber for storing material and a measuring chamber for accurate quantity control. This segmentation allows each chamber to perform its specific function independently, achieving both structural simplicity and precise dispensing control.
Solution Approach 2:
A delivery tube acts as an intermediary component connecting the reservoir chamber to the measuring chamber. This intermediary structure enables controlled material transfer from the reservoir to the measuring chamber, facilitating accurate dispensing without requiring complex manual monitoring.
2Device complexity
If manual monitoring of oscillations and time is required to control dispensing quantity, then the device structure remains simple, but over-dispensing occurs due to lack of stabilization during agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring chamber is pre-calibrated to hold a specific quantity of material before dispensing. This preliminary action ensures that the correct amount of material is ready for dispensing without requiring real-time manual monitoring or stabilization during agitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring chamber automatically controls the dispensing quantity through its calibrated design. The chamber self-regulates the material flow from the reservoir, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and ensuring consistent dispensing reliability without over-dispensing.
3Measurement precision
If a measuring chamber is added to control material quantity, then dispensing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases with additional chambers and delivery tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring chamber is nested within or integrated with the reservoir chamber structure. This nesting approach allows the measuring chamber to be incorporated without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as it shares space and structural elements with the existing reservoir chamber.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dispenser accurately delivers a controlled quantity of granular material, maintaining stability during movement and preventing over-dispensing, ensuring consistent and precise application of materials.
Implementation Method 1
The baffle is positioned radially inward of the metering cup and adjacent the nozzle. Granular material is collected in the metering cup and engages the baffle, when the dispenser is disposed in a first orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a reservoir that retains granular material. The reservoir is supported in the dispenser with a passageway defined between opposing ends. A nozzle is provided for the outflow of material from the reservoir to a metering cup. A baffle is provided within the metering cup to stabilize the controlled volume directed into the cup from the reservoir. Once the metering cup is filled, the dispenser is inverted and the volume of material is directed from the cup, through the passageway and out of an opening adjacent a diffuser.