Dispenser for nuts or the like

Claim 1

A dispenser of small objects of similar size comprising: a hopper for said objects having a top opening; a lid adapted to close said opening and fitted thereto; said hopper having a funnel shaped bottom leading downwardly to a circular gate; said gate having further a conical extension which diverges downwardly and which ends in a lower edge which is everywhere in the same horizontal plane; a transfer slide mounted for limited horizontal movement immediately adjacent the lower edge of said gate; a bottomless measuring cup formed in said transfer slide of such size and so located as to be in register with said gate when said transfer slide is in one of its limits of movement; a horizontal stationary bottom plate located immediately adjacent the lower edge of said measuring cup; said horizontal bottom plate having an opening herein of such size and so located as to be in register with said bottomless measuring cup when said transfer slide is in its other limit of movement; a chute depending from the edges of the said opening in said bottom plate; handle means articulated to said transfer slide whereby said transfer slide may be manually moved horizontally between its limits of motion; said handle means being provided with catch means, which must be released by lifting the handle, before the handle means can be used to move said transfer slide.