Abstract:
A powder dispenser generally includes a reservoir adapted to contain a powder, a rotor disposed within the reservoir, a plate, and an engagement member. The rotor is configured to rotate about an axis and engage the powder within the reservoir. The plate is positioned below the rotor and defines a slot configured to receive the powder as the rotor rotates about the axis. The plate is arranged to rotate relative about the axis. The engagement member is aligned with at least one opening and is configured to extend into the slot defined in the plate. The engagement member is configured to direct a volume of the powder from the slot into the at least one opening as the plate rotates. The volume of the powder is dispensed through the opening as the plate rotates.
Abstract:
A volumetric metering device includes a hopper adapted to hold a supply of granular material, the hopper having an outlet; a rotating wheel located in communication with the outlet, the rotating wheel having an outer periphery and a plurality of metering cavities distributed around the outer periphery, each metering cavity having an open bottom portion; and a plurality of metering valves located around the outer periphery of the rotating wheel with each metering valve located in registry with one of the metering cavities. Each metering valve is movable between a loading position wherein the metering valve blocks the open bottom portion of the metering cavity, and an unloading position wherein the granular material dispenses from the metering cavity through the metering valve. Other features and related methods are also described.
Abstract:
A spice dispensing device is provided for an automatic meal preparation apparatus. The device uses a replaceable cartridge containing a volume of spice for dispensing in predetermined volumetric doses. A dispensing mechanism is built in to the cartridge for isolating the predetermined volumetric dose and moving it toward an opening in the bottom of the cartridge. The cartridge is sized and shaped to be placed into the automatic meal preparation apparatus in a rack for containing a plurality of such cartridges. The cartridge is alignable with a position in the rack in which the spice dose can be dispensed directly into a cooking vessel of the apparatus.
Abstract:
A sweetener dispensing system is provided herein. The system includes a support stand, and a plurality of sweetener dispensers supported by the support stand. Each of the sweetener dispensers comprises a canister for holding a granular material such as an artificial sweetener or a natural granular sweetener. A funnel is disposed below the bottom end and of the canister. Each dispenser has its own lever, and a lower spout defining an opening below the funnel. Each dispenser is configured such that rotation of the lever causes a bore of a respective cylinder to at least partially align with an opening in the bottom end of the corresponding canister and with the opening in the corresponding lower spout so that sweetener may be gravitationally dispensed from the dispenser. A method of dispensing a sweetener is also provided herein.
Abstract:
A metering and dispensing closure for a container. A rotor and a movable member rotate in conjunction with a cap member to afford accurate measuring of a powder material and dispensing of it. The rotor, the movable member, and the container cap afford a consistent measuring of the powder material, as well as provide a variety of drive members which can be utilized with the dispensing closure.
Abstract:
A seasoning apparatus and method for evenly and consistently seasoning french fries or other food. The seasoning apparatus may include a hollow hopper for holding and selectively dispensing seasoning therefrom and a plurality of actuatable dispensing elements each translatably attached to the hopper and each having a holding compartment formed therein. The actuatable dispensing elements may receive seasoning in the holding compartment from the hopper. When translated to a dispensing position, the dispensing elements may dispense seasoning from the holding compartment. The seasoning apparatus may also include a seasoning spreader for spreading seasoning dispensed from the actuatable dispensing elements and a food-holding container fixed a distance below the hopper and seasoning spreader. The food-holding container may have a weighing device coupled with a controller for determining an amount of seasoning to dispense from the hopper and actuating the actuatable dispensing elements accordingly.
Abstract:
A constant quantity discharging device for measuring and discharging a constant quantity of powdered object from a powdered object container includes a fixed cap, a rotary disk, and a rotary cap which are coupled and mounted to the container. The rotary disk and the rotary cap sandwiching the fixed cap are rotated manually as a unit with respect to the fixed cap. The rotary disk has a powder taking out aperture, the fixed cap has a powder storing aperture, and the rotary cap has a powder discharging aperture. The positional relationships of these apertures are shifted circumferentially as the rotary disk and the rotary cap are rotated with respect to the fixed cap such that these apertures are sequentially communicated with an adjacent aperture. As a result, the powder in the container is transferred to the powder storing aperture through the powder taking out aperture of the rotary disk, and then the powder is discharged from the powder storing aperture through the powder discharging aperture of the rotary cap. The constant quantity of powder is determined by the volume of the powder storing aperture.
Abstract:
A metering dispenser for a bulk material container, wherein the metering dispenser includes an adapter which is connected to the bulk material container. The adapter has an inlet opening which is in communication with a delivery conduit. A rotary slider having a metering chamber is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis which is disposed through the adapter and/or the delivery conduit. A tang is mounted on the rotary slider, eccentrically with respect to the rotational axis. The tang is used to engage the rotary slider between a first position wherein communication is open between the inlet opening and the metering chamber and wherein communication is closed between the metering chamber and the delivery conduit, and a second position wherein communication is closed between the inlet opening and the metering chamber and wherein communication is open between the metering chamber and the delivery conduit.
Abstract:
A toner dispensing apparatus including a toner supply container having a discharge opening obturated by two parallel rollers forming a nip and rotating in the same direction and at the same speed and a further roller below the two rollers which rotates at a speed in excess of the speed of the two rollers to remove toner from the two rollers. The roller rotating in the direction of the nip for toner supply has left and right hand helical grooves.
Abstract:
A measuring cap for use on containers is disclosed. This cap has a hollow cap body divided into an entrance chamber and a measuring chamber by an internal wall. A lid is rotatably mounted on the top of the cap body so as to be capable of being rotated between a closed position covering the top of the body and an open position in which the top of the body is uncovered. A valve member is attached to the lid so as to rotate therewith. This valve member is formed so that when the lid is in a closed position, the two chambers are in communication with one another and so that when the lid is in an open position the entrance chamber is covered.