Rotatable Disc Powder Dispenser with Rake for Clog-Free Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing devices for powders face issues with clogging due to varying humidity levels and inability to dispense quantities smaller than the storage capacity, limiting their versatility and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing device featuring a rotatable disc-shaped member with radially extending storage slots and a moveable rake member that can align with and empty storage slots incrementally, allowing for precise dispensing of varying powder amounts without clogging, suitable for a wide range of powder types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional metering and dispensing closure with a stationary measuring chamber is used, then accurate measuring of powder material can be achieved, but the device cannot dispense quantities smaller than the storage capacity of the measuring chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring accuracyVSAvoiddispensing quantity flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the measuring chamber into multiple radially extending storage slots, each capable of holding a portion of the powder. This segmentation allows the rake member to remove varying amounts of powder by engaging different numbers or combinations of slots, enabling precise dispensing of quantities smaller than the total chamber capacity while maintaining measurement accuracy through the defined slot geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a rotatable disc-shaped member that can be rotated to different angular positions, dynamically changing which storage slots are accessible to the rake member. This dynamic configuration allows flexible selection of dispensing quantities by rotating the disc to align specific slots with the rake member, providing adaptability while maintaining precision through the fixed slot structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a traditional dispensing closure is used, then a consistent measuring of powder material can be achieved, but the device suffers from clogging when the humidity level of powder material varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring consistencyVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional stationary measuring chamber mechanism with a rotatable disc-shaped member featuring multiple storage slots and a rake member. This mechanical substitution creates a more reliable system where the rake member actively engages and removes powder from defined slots, preventing clogging by ensuring complete emptying of each slot through the rake's scraping action, while maintaining measurement consistency through the fixed geometric definitions of the slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a simple dispensing mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accurately dispense small quantities of powder is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidsmall quantity dosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves simple yet precise dosing by segmenting the measuring chamber into multiple discrete storage slots. This segmentation allows the simple rake member to accurately dispense small quantities by engaging only the necessary number or combination of slots, maintaining device simplicity while enabling precise control over dispensing amounts through the selective engagement of individual slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3376180B1Dispensing device for powders
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 DANEME HLDG BV
  • EP3376180B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376180B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376180B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A dispensing device for dispensing a powder, comprising a container body (2) for storing a powder and a rotatable disc shaped member (4) arranged at a bottom side (2a) of the container body (2). The disc shaped member (4) comprises an axial side surface (4a) configured for engagement with the powder and wherein the axial side surface (4a) is provided with one or more radially extending storage slots (6) each terminating at a corresponding radial side opening (8) in a radial side surface (4b) of the disc shaped member (4). The dispensing device (1) further comprises a rake member (10) moveably arranged along the axial side surface (4a) and configured for raking a predetermined amount of powder from one of the one or more storage slots (6) through the corresponding radial side opening (8) in a dispensing configuration of the dispensing device (1).