US3907166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Material measuring and dispensing device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-03
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A measuring and dispensing device for granular material has a container for the material with an outlet at the bottom. A plurality of closely adjacent dispensing compartments, a barrier member and a closure member are relatively reciprocable beneath the container between a fill position in which all of the compartments have their tops exposed to the outlet and their bottoms closed by the closure member, and dispense positions in which selected numbers of the compartments have their tops shielded from the outlet by the barrier member and their bottoms exposed for dispensing. Control means is provided to stop the relative movement of compartments and members at selected dispense positions corresponding to the selected numbers, and adjustment means is operable to set the control means and indicate the quantity that will be dispensed at each setting.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony L Bassignani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F11/00; G01F11/28; G01F11/36; G01F11/40; G01F11/42; G01F11/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
A device for measuring and dispensing granular material which comprises: a container for the material having a material discharge outlet opening at the bottom thereof; dispensing means including a plurality of closely adjacent material receiving compartments open at top and bottom, a barrier member for shielding the tops of said compartments from said outlet opening at one position relative to said compartments, and a closure member for closing the bottoms of said compartments at one position relative to said compartments; means mounting said compartments and said members beneath said container for relative reciprocation between a single fill position in which all of said compartments are exposed at their tops to said outlet opening and are closed at their bottoms by said bottom closure member, and a plurality of dispense positions in which selected different numbers of said compartments have the tops thereof shielded from said outlet opening by said barrier member and the bottoms thereof exposed for dispensing; dispense operating means accessible from the exterior of the device for relatively reciprocating said compartments and said members; control means adjustable to stop the relative movement of said compartments and said members by said dispense operating means at selected dispense positions corresponding to said selected numbers, said control means being rotatable about an axis at one side of the path of relative movement of said compartment and said members and carrying lugs respectively adapted to engage a part movable by said dispense operating means at said respective dispense positions; and adjustment means for said control means accessible from the exterior of the device and operable to set said control means to stop said relative movement at said selected positions, including indicator means showing the compartment capacity to be dispensed at each setting of said adjustment means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
294 words
A device for measuring and dispensing granular material which comprises: a container for the material having a material discharge outlet opening at the bottom thereof; dispensing means including a plurality of closely adjacent material receiving compartments open at top and bottom, a barrier member for shielding the tops of said compartments from said outlet opening at one position relative to said compartments, and a closure member for closing the bottoms of said compartments at one position relative to said compartments; means mounting said compartments and said members beneath said container for relative reciprocation between a single fill position in which all of said compartments are exposed at their tops to said outlet opening and are closed at their bottoms by said bottom closure member, and a plurality of dispense positions in which selected different numbers of said compartments have the tops thereof shielded from said outlet opening by said barrier member and the bottoms thereof exposed for dispensing; dispense operating means accessible from the exterior of the device for relatively reciprocating said compartments and said members; control means adjustable to stop the relative movement of said compartments and said members by said dispense operating means at selected dispense positions corresponding to said selected numbers, said control means being rotatable about an axis at one side of the path of relative movement of said compartment and said members and carrying lugs respectively adapted to engage a part movable by said dispense operating means at said respective dispense positions; and adjustment means for said control means accessible from the exterior of the device and operable to set said control means to stop said relative movement at said selected positions, including indicator means showing the compartment capacity to be dispensed at each setting of said adjustment means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for measuring and dispensing granular material which comprises: a container for the material having a material discharge outlet opening at the bottom thereof; dispensing means including a plurality of closely adjacent material receiving compartments open at top and bottom, a barrier member for shielding the tops of said compartments from said outlet opening at one position relative to said compartments, and a closure member for closing the bottoms of said compartments at one position relative to said compartments; means fixedly mounting said compartments at said outlet opening and mounting said members for reciprocation across the tops and bottoms respectively of said compartments between a single fill position in which all of said compartments are exposed at their tops to said outlet opening and are closed at their bottoms by said bottom closure member, and a plurality of dispense positions in which selected different numbers of said compartments have the tops thereof shielded from said outlet opening by said barrier member and the bottoms thereof exposed for dispensing; dispense operating means accessible from the exterior of the device for reciprocating said members; control means adjustable to stop the movement of said members by said dispense operating means at selected dispense positions corresponding to said selected numbers; and adjustment means for said control means accessible from the exterior of the device and operable to set said control means to stop said movement at said selected positions, including indicator means showing the compartment capacity to be dispensed at each setting of said adjustment means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for measuring and dispensing granular material which comprises: a container for the material having a material discharge outlet opening at the bottom thereof; dispensing means including a plurality of closely adjacent material receiving compartments open at top and bottom, a barrier member for shielding the tops of said compartments from said outlet opening at one position relative to said compartments, and a closure member for closing the bottoms of said compartments at one position relative to said compartments; means fixedly mounting said compartments at said outlet opening and mounting said members for reciprocation across the tops and bottoms respectively of said compartments between a single fill position in which all of said compartments are exposed at their tops to said outlet opening and are closed at their bottoms by said bottom closure member, and a plurality of dispense positions in which selected different numbers of said compartments have the tops thereof shielded from said outlet opening by said barrier member and the bottoms thereof exposed for dispensing; dispense operating means accessible from the exterior of the device for reciprocating said members; control means adjustable to stop the movement of said members by said dispense operating means at selected dispense positions corresponding to said selected numbers; and adjustment means for said control means accessible from the exterior of the device and operable to set said control means to stop said movement at said selected positions, including indicator means showing the compartment capacity to be dispensed at each setting of said adjustment means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said members are connected to said dispense operating means for reciprocation thereby oppositely in unison and so that said closure member is positioned to close the bottom of each compartment before said barrier member is positioned to open the top thereof to said outlet opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A deVice according to claim 3 wherein said barrier member is a plate movable across said outlet opening over said compartments, and the bottom of said container is provided with a recess for receiving the end of said plate when in full compartment-shielding position, said recess having its outer end sloping outwardly and upwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein the end of said plate received in said recess is beveled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device according to claim 2 which includes an enclosure for said dispensing means having an opening therein for receiving a cup, and a cup insertable through said opening to a position for receiving the material dispensed by said compartments, said cup having a member closing said opening when said cup is in said position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein said cup has a capacity substantially in excess of the total capacity of said compartments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein said enclosure is integral with the sidewalls of said container, said container has a bottom separate from the sidewalls thereof and insertable between said sidewalls, said bottom including said outlet opening, and ledge means is provided on the interior of said sidewalls for supporting said bottom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said bottom carries said compartments, said members and said mounting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein said bottom also carries said control means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said compartments are convergent toward their outlet ends.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |