Dispenser for granular material

Claim 1

A dispenser for dispensing predetermined amounts of particulate or granular material, which comprises a funnel-shaped inlet leading downwardly into a dispensing zone, a two-compartment bucket valve comprising a base with two side walls and a central vertical partition, said bucket valve mounted on a central spindle within the dispensing zone and operating means for tipping the bucket valve from a position wherein the granular material is prevented from being dispensed to a first dispensing position wherein a first compartment of the bucket valve dispenses the granular material, while simultaneously allowing a second compartment of the bucket valve to be filled with granular material from a container located above the inlet, and returning the valve to a second dispensing position wherein the second compartment dispenses granular material, while simultaneously allowing the first compartment to be filled with granular material from the container, in said first and second dispensing positions after said first and second compartments respectively dispense granular material further granular material is prevented from being dispensed, and a latch mechanism attached to the operating means and adapted to be released by a coin-operated mechanism and locked upon returning the bucket valve to he second dispensing position.