CA1082476A - Dispensers - Google Patents
DispensersInfo
- Publication number
- CA1082476A CA1082476A CA308,499A CA308499A CA1082476A CA 1082476 A CA1082476 A CA 1082476A CA 308499 A CA308499 A CA 308499A CA 1082476 A CA1082476 A CA 1082476A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plunger
- tubular member
- powder
- measuring chamber
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
- G01F11/021—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A method of dispensing baby milk powder which comprises compacting the powder to its maximum extent in a measuring chamber, which comprises a tubular member housing a plunger so that the chamber is defined between the plunger and an open end of the tubular member, and actuating the plunger to dispense the measured contents, and a dispenser for carrying out the method and being designed to indicate when maximum compaction of the baby milk powder in the measuring chamber is achieved.
A method of dispensing baby milk powder which comprises compacting the powder to its maximum extent in a measuring chamber, which comprises a tubular member housing a plunger so that the chamber is defined between the plunger and an open end of the tubular member, and actuating the plunger to dispense the measured contents, and a dispenser for carrying out the method and being designed to indicate when maximum compaction of the baby milk powder in the measuring chamber is achieved.
Description
108~'~76;
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This i.nvention is cor.cerrled ~.~.ith a method of dispensing a predetermined qu~ntity of baby-milk po~rder and with a disp~nser suitab1e ~or use in this method.
By the term "baby-milk powder" is meant a milk product sui-cable for ba'~ies in the for~ of a non free-~lowing pol~der which compacts under îight pres,sure, in contradistinction to free-flowing solid milk products, ~uch as granular products, which do not compao-t under light pressure. Co3~nercially available baby-milk powders are usually based on cow's milk ~0 solids and conta.in, inter ?ia, p~otein, carbohydrate ~nd fat. The fat con+ent of such products is ~enerally 15-35%~w and o~ten 20-3Q%~I~w. The particle size of such products is generally b~low 250 microns, more usually below 180 microns and often below 130 microns.
.Baby-mil~ powder is usually measured by ~ol~me for mixing with a gi~en volume of water to provide reconstitv.ted milk of a desired concentration. If the reconstituted mil~
is too dilute, under-nourishment of the infallt can occur. If the reconstituted mil~ is too concentrated, o~er-nouris~Lment o~ the infant can occur leading to undesirable obesity, but a grea~er d~nger is the development of hypernatraemia due to an excessi~e administration of solute in relation to fluid intake. The usual method of measuring baby-mil~ powder, by t 1 means of a scoop, is liable to inaccuracies and is thus inade~uate. These inaccuracies arise because the scoop is liable to be used incorr~ctly, eg he~ped with po~der inst~ad '' . I
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1~8~476 of ~illed l~ve~ th the top o~ ~he scoop, and also beca~se the actual qu~r,t,ty of powder varies according to the degree of compaction ol tne powder in the sc,oop. The present invention provides a method of disp~nsing a measured qu~ltity of baby-milk ~owuer that is more re~iably accurate than the usual method inv~lving a scoop.
The present invention provides a method of dispensing a meas~red quantity ol baby-milk powder as hereinbefore defined co~prising inserting into the powder an end o~ a tubular member housing a plunger ~hich is either retracted away from the end of the tu~ular member to a given position de~ining with the -tubular member an open-ended measuring chamber or is retractable to said given position by pressure from the po~Jder as the tubular member is inserted, the end of the tubular me~mber being inserted into the po-rder t~ a dept,h greater than the length of the measuring chamber and sufficient to comp~ct the po~rder in the tubular member and a~ainst ~he plunger to substantially rnaximum compaction, withdraw.ing the tubular member from the powder so tha-~ a measur,ed quantity of compacted powder is contained in the measuring chamber and actuating the plunger to dispense the powder ~rom the tubular member.
The rninimum depth of insertion of the tubular member ~, in the powder necessary to achieve substantially maximum com-'t 2~ ,paction of the powder depen~s on the degree of compaction of ' the b~by-m~lk powder in its'container. 'F~r example, if ~he powder in the container is compac-ted lmder its o-~n weight or 3~ '' by means o~ slight down~ards pressure on the surface o~ the Z~ - - 3- .
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.
1~8~476 powder, a dep~l of a~out 1.5 ti~.)es the length of the measur~ng charnber is generally sufficien.. However, it is pre~erred to use a depth of at least twice the length of the measuring chamber in order to a~h eve satisfactory results wit~ the various degrees o~ compaction that are met with In practice. The tu~ular member is preferably cylindrical.
The invention also resides in a dispenser capable of . use in dispcnsi.ng a measured quantity of baby-milk powder (as hereinbefore defined1, the dispenser comprising a $ubular member hav~ng an open end and slidably housing a plunyer for mo~ement between the open end and a position of maximum retraction o the plunger in the tubular member away from said open cnd, a measuring chamber being defined ~5 between said open ~nd and the plunger in said retracted position, and means determining the minimum extent of ~nsertion o~ the open end of the tubular member into the po~lder to acnieve su~stant~ally maximum compaction of powder in the measuring chamber, and actuating means for .
actuating the plunger to dispense the powder from the measuring chamber. Sa.id means ~ 4 -, ~
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108~76 determining the minimum extent of insertion preferably determines the insertion to at least twice the length of 't the measuring chamber between the plunger in said retracted position and said open end.
S The means determining the minimum extent of insertion may be a marker on the tubular mem~e~ and, in one example, is an external flange on the tubu]ar member.
I~ another embodiment, the means determining the minimum extent of insertion i's resilient means acting on the -plunger to urge the latter in the dispensing direction and a ,releasable detent for latching the plunger in said retracted position.
The detent may effect latching ~y engagement with a ratchet which is angularly movable to release the detent. 2, ~, 15 The ratchet may be connected with a numDered wheel wh-~ch, , together with a relatively fixed marker, defines a counter , for counting dispensing operations.
'', Where the means determining the minimum extent of insertion is a marker, the plunger may ~e resiliently biased into the retracted position, the actuating means being means connected to the plunger for moving the plunger against said resilient bias. A counter may be provided for actuation by sa~d actuating means for counting dispensing operations.
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The tubular member may be acj~s.aLiy moun ec to vary the lencT~n of the measuring chambe- ~et;~7e~n the plun~er and the open end of the tubu'ar mem~er.
From another aspect t~e ~nvention ~esides in a dispenser capable of use in dispen~sinc3 2 mQasured quantity of baby-mil~pcwder (as hereinbefore def-.ned), the dispense-compri.sino a tubular member l~aving an op2n e~d and slidably housing â plunger for movement bet-~een the oper. end and a position of maxirnum retraction of the plunger in the tubul~r member a~.~ay from the open end a measuring chamber being defined ~etwcen said open end and the plunger in said retracted position so that insertion of the open end o~
the tub-llar member in the powder compacts the l~tter asainst the plunger in the measuring charnber actuatincj means for actuating the plunc3er to dispense the powder from the mec~suring cl~amber, and a counter actuable by movement associ2ted with the dispensin~ operation to count the dispens~ncJ operations. This counter may also be incorporated ~A the hereinbe~ore described dispenser.
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108'~476 Reference is now made to the acco~.-~an~-in~ drawings, wherein:-Figure 1 i5 a perspective view of a f~rst e~.bodiment of a dispenser according to the invention wi1-h itshousing partly broken away;
Figure 2 is a plan ~iew of the disp~nser of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a dia~ramrlatic sectional view~of a second dispenser shown in a position ready for insertion in a powder;
Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Fi~ure 3 with the second dispenser shown in a posi.tion ready for dispensing powder;
Fi~ure 5:is a plan view of the second dispenser;
Fi.gure 6 is a sectional view of a third dis~enser, and Figure 7 is a front elevation of the third dispenser.
Referrin~ to figures 1 and 2, the disnenser shown comprises a housin~ t 1 including first and second compartments , 12, 13. The first compartment 12 ~'s of cylindrical ~orm and has an axial slot 14a in a wall portion 14 between the two compartments. One end 15 of the ir~t compartment 12 is o~en and the other end 16 is closed except for an aperture 17 which extends through an annular strengthening flange 18 externally , o~ the first compartment. An actuatin~ piston 20 is slidably ;1 housed in the first co~partment and a piston rod 21, fixed to the piston 20, extends through the aperture 17. The piston rod 21 is co-axiall~ secured to a plun~er stem 22 de~ining ~; an annular shoulder 23 adjacent the piston rod 21. A helical 1 ~ j , , . . . ,_ .. ~ - . . . .
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compressicn sprin~ 24 surrounds the piston rod 21, in the first compa~tment 12, and acts on the wall at the closed end 16 of the compartment and on the piston 20, urging the p~ston to the position ;llustrated, in which the external face of the pistcn is flush Wit}l the external wall of the first compartment at the open end 15. This position is determined ~y a~utment o~ the shoulde'r 23 w'ith the annular flange 18.
The plunger stem 22 is provided wi~h a plunger head 28. ~n annular boss 29 is formed integrally with the '~ housing 11 and co-axially surrounds the flange 18 and a p,ortion of the plunger stem 22, A sleeve 30 is engaged with ;, the boss and the plunger head 28 is a close sliding fit in ' the sleeve. l'he sleeve has an outwardly extending external f', ,15 marker flange 31, whose purpose is described hereafter. fl The boss 2g is formed with a series of steps spaced angularly around the boss, two such steps 33, 34 being shown.
tn figure 1. The sleeve is a tight fit on the boss and is !' ' formed with a single contiguous projection 32, which ~ '' I , 20 ~an be pushed into enaagement withian~ selected ' -! one of the steps on the boss 29. By this means, the length ,, of the sleeve projecting beyond the plunger head 28 is '~ adiustable. ~his pro3ecting portion of the sleeve, together i. with the plunger head 28, in the spring-b~ased position ¦ 25 illustrated, defines a measuring cham~er 36. The adjustment ' ~, of the projection of the.slPeve, therefore.; is an adjustment , .,~, . . .
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.:. . . : , 1(~8;~76 of the ~O].UI`~ of the measur~ng chamber 36. In Pr~ctice, the steps will be marked as an ~nd~cation of the corresponding ..
volume of the measuring chamber 36.
In use, the sleeve 30 is inserted into a mass of milk powder, at least until the marker flange 31 touches the powder surface~ Whatever the adjustment position of the sleeve 30, this means that the sleeve 30 w~11 have be~n inserted in the powder to a depth of twice the depth of-the measuring chamber 36,-or more. This ensures maximum compression of the 1~ milk powder in the measuring cham~er. The nature of the powder is such that a "plu~" is formed in the measuring chamber and this remains in the chamber, when the dispenser is with-drawn from the milk powder, and fills the chamber. Any excess powder is scrape~ away so that the "plug" is level with the free end of the sleeve. This "plug", therefore, although measured by volume, is of a predetermined ~eight. This "plug" is ejected from the measuring chamber into a vessel by ~ressing the actuating piston 20, aga~nst the bias of the spring 24 for its maximum travel. This moves the nlunger head 2~ sufficiently ~o 2Q eject all of thepowder in the measuring chamber.To ensure that there are no cavities in the powder in the container into which the dispenser is to be inserted, the container is Preferably shaken or tapped on a surface to cause settlement.
To make up a baby ~eed~ the quantity of milk Powder to be used varies accor~ing to the age of the baby, so tha~ ~aryin~
multiples o~ the predetermined ~easure have to be used. A
counter is provided as a record of the number of measures taken.
. The second compartment 13 houses the counter, which, ~ , _ g _ , ~ . .
108'~47~;
in this case! comprises a sin~le wheel 40 provi~ed with numbers 0 to 9. on its pexiphery. A window 41 i.s provi(led to show any one of these numbers when the numbcr is adjacent the-w~n~ow. The number "4", for example, is showing through the window in figure 2. The wheel has an int~ral ratchet 42 and shaft 43. The ratchet has teeth each formed with an.engage-ment surface 60 opposite to.a cam surface ~1.. The shaft is journalled in bosses 45, 46 in the housin~ 11, which prov}.de frictional resistance to rotation of the wheel 40.
. The actuating piston 20 is formed wit!l a bearing surface 47, projecting into the second compartment 13, and with a resilient finger 48, which extends below the bearing su~face 47 to a position where it is within the circumference of the ratchet 42.
On depression of the actuating piston 20 the finger 48 is caused to engage with the engagement surface 60 of a tooth of the ratchet 42 and angularly moves the ratchet through a predetermined angle to cause the wheel 40 to show, at the w~ndow 41, the next number in the sequence. The f inger is . rig~dified by bearing on the bearing surface 47, to overcome the frictional resistance to rotation. On return of the actuating piston 20, under spring bias, the finger slides over ~ the cam surface 61 of a tooth of the ratchet, the finger flexing, .. ~ since there is no bearing surface to suPport the fin~er. The. ~ reading at the window 41 is not, therefore, upset.
. ~ The counter can be reset to "0" by repeated depression "~
.~ of the actuating piston 20, but other means may ~e provided for effecting resetting.
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,~o8~476 A further embod~ent is illustrat~d in figures 3 to 5. This embodiment has a housing 11] formed with an aperture 117 extending through an annular flange 118 and also formed with an annular stepped boss in a similar manner to the embodi~ent shown ~n figures 1 and 2~ ~ sleeve 130 is aga~n engaged with the ~oss 129 and ~e4ines a measuring chamber 136 w~th a plunger head 12g ~figure.4~.
In this case, however, the cylindrical first compart-~ent with the actuating piston is omitted and the housing 111 defines a single compartment housing a counter wheel 140, similar to that shown in figures 1 and 2. The wheel 140 is again formed with a ratchet 142, having teeth ~ith an engage-metn surface 160 and a cam surface 161,and is also formed with a shaft ~43 mountçd with frictional resistance against rotation of tne ~heel. The housing 111 has a window 141, through ~hich a portion of the whee~ 140 projects~ the peri~hery of the wheel being knurled to fac~litate manual rotati.on against the frictional resistance. The wheel has a part 140a of smaller diameter on the opposite side to the ratchet 142, thispart only being ~isi~le in figure 5, where i~ is shown provided with the numeral "4" of a series of n~nbers from 0 to 9. The numeral is visi~le through a side portion 141a of the window 141.
The-plunger head 128 is again formed on a plunger 122, which has a reduced diameter portion 121, defining a shoulder 123 and projec~ing into the housing 111 through the aperture 117. W~thin the housing, the stem portion 121 is provid~d with a stop 150 and, beyond the stop, with a detent 151. ~-~:
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' ` 108'~4 76 The detent is de~ined by a cut-away portion leaving a neck 152 to pro~ide for flexibili-ty of the detent radially of .`, the stem axis. The detent also has a cam ~ace 153.
A compressio!l spring 124 is housed in the sleeve 130 between the pl~ger head 128 and ~he housing portion lying between the ann~lla.~ flange 118 and the stepped boss l29.
The spring urges the plunger head 128 to the .p~sition shown in figure 3, in which thé plunger head just projects beyond the end of the sleeve, so that the measuring chamber 136 volume is r~duced to nil. This position is determined by the stop 150 engaging the interior of the housing 111. The shoulder 123 determines the depth of the chamber 136, as can ; be seen from ~igure 4.
In use, the sleeve 130 is again inserted in a mass of 1~5 milk po~der to a depth of at least twice the depth of the measuring cham~er 136, providing maximum compression of the milk powder. The pressure exerted on the plunger head 128 is su~ficient to overcome the.bias of the spring 124 and the ; plun~er head is retracted to the full, as determined by the 2Q shoulder 123. As the plunger stem portion 121 is raised, the cam face 153 of the detent engages the cam surface 161 of a tooth of the ratchet 142 and the detent is cammed out of axiàl aliynment with the stem through flexi~ility at the neck 152.
As the cam surface 153 of the detent passes the cam surface 161 ~; 25 o~ the tooth, the detent is resiliently returned to the axially ali~ned ~ ~ltion and en~ages with the enga~ement surface 1~0 . .
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~08;~476 .
of the tooth. The frictional resistance against rotation ' of the wheel 140 causes the ratchet, therefore, to hold the plunger head 128 in its fully retracted pOSitiOll. A "plug"
of milk powder is held in the measuring chamber as in the previously described embodiment. Release of the "plug" of milk powder is effected by manually turning th~ wheel 140 anti-clockwise, as seen in figure 4, against the frictional resistance, so that the detent 151 is released and the spring 124 causes the plunger head 128 to eject the "plug". This turning of the wheel causes the next numeral in sequence to show at the window portion 141a.
If the powder is not compacted to its maximum extent due to the dispenser not being inserted sufficiently deeply into the powder, then the plunger head 128 will not be .~
sufficiently retracted for the detent 151 to engage with the ratchet 142. This is because the spring 124 determines that maximum compaction is achieved by resisting movemen~ of the plunger head. Any powder in the chamber 136 will, therefore, immediately be ejected as the dispenser is being withdrawn ~0 from the milk powder.
In each of the two embodiments described above, ;
the projection t32 in figure-l) on the sleeve 30, 130 can be omitted and the steps t33, 34 in figure 1) on the boss 2g, ; 129 can be replaced by a single stop shoulder, so that there ~25 is no provision or adjustment of the position of the sleeve ~ ' ~
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iO~76 on the boss. If desired a plurality of re~laceable sleeves of different lengths can be provided instead.
Referring now to figures 6 and 7, a dispenser is shown, which may be wall-mounted, in use. This dispenser comprises a housing 211 including a hopper 270, for containing milk powder, having a concave base 271. The ~ousing is formed with a projecting cylinder 273 and a circular aperture 274, in the housing wall, communicates the cylinder interior with the bottom of the hopper 270.
An operating member 276 is slidably engaged in the cylinder 273 and is formed with a co-axial extension rod 277 having a head 278 determining the maximum retractèd position of the operating member. The member is urged to thi~ position by a spring 279 mounted about the rod 277 between the member 276 and a wall 280 of the housing. The member is rotatable with ~he rod serving as a shaft.
The member is provided with a sleeve 230, which, in the position shown in the drawings, is aligned with the aperture 274. Hence, on depression of the member 276 against the bias of the spring 279, the sleeve is moved into the bottom of the - hopper 270. The maximum extent of depression of the member is determined b~ the member abutting the wall 280.
The member 276 is provided with a dispensing part similar to that described with respect to figures 1 and 2. The sleeve ;~25 230 houses a plunger head 228 and plunger stem 222, co-axially , .
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~08'~476 ., . .
~ ., secured to a piston rod 22I and an actuating piston 220.
A spring 224 urges the plun~er head 228 to a retracted position (as shown) to define a measuring chamber 23~
In use, the member 276 is depressed to its maximum extent, so that the measuring chamber 236 is forced into milk 1, powder in the hopper 270 to a predetermined dep~h of approximately twice the de~th of the chamber. A "plug" of powder is, thererore, . held in the chamber 236, when the member 276 is released and retracts. The member is then turned, so that the measuring chamber is positioned adjacent a dispensing aperture 285.
As the member is turned, excess powder is scraped from the ~urface, the end of the sleeve co-operating with the wall 280 of the h~using. The actuating piston 220 is dep.essed to eject the "plug" of milk powder from the cham~er 236 into a vessel and the member is returned to its original position for a repeat operation.
A counter 240, similar to that shown in figures 1 and ` 2, is again provided. ~he counter can be operated in the same manner, either as the piston 220 is depressed, or by the ~20 rotat~on of ~he member ~76.
i~ - An agitator 290 is provided in the hopper and is oscillated in an up and down motion by a crank 2g4. The cran~ is driven by turning of the member 276 in a dispensing operation through gears 292, 293 operated by a cam 291 on ~; 25 the end o~ the rod 277.
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.. : . ,. ~:,-' . '-,. '.: ' . ' ~ , ' : , 1082 47 6 t In each c~ the described di.spensers, the sleeve defining the measuxing chamber may be a tubular member of any desired cross-sectional form and the sleeve may be fluted to increase the surface area in contact with the powder, in use, ~ to improve the retention of powder in the measuring chamber.
The plunger head wollld of course, by shaped co~plementarily to the sleeve.
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This i.nvention is cor.cerrled ~.~.ith a method of dispensing a predetermined qu~ntity of baby-milk po~rder and with a disp~nser suitab1e ~or use in this method.
By the term "baby-milk powder" is meant a milk product sui-cable for ba'~ies in the for~ of a non free-~lowing pol~der which compacts under îight pres,sure, in contradistinction to free-flowing solid milk products, ~uch as granular products, which do not compao-t under light pressure. Co3~nercially available baby-milk powders are usually based on cow's milk ~0 solids and conta.in, inter ?ia, p~otein, carbohydrate ~nd fat. The fat con+ent of such products is ~enerally 15-35%~w and o~ten 20-3Q%~I~w. The particle size of such products is generally b~low 250 microns, more usually below 180 microns and often below 130 microns.
.Baby-mil~ powder is usually measured by ~ol~me for mixing with a gi~en volume of water to provide reconstitv.ted milk of a desired concentration. If the reconstituted mil~
is too dilute, under-nourishment of the infallt can occur. If the reconstituted mil~ is too concentrated, o~er-nouris~Lment o~ the infant can occur leading to undesirable obesity, but a grea~er d~nger is the development of hypernatraemia due to an excessi~e administration of solute in relation to fluid intake. The usual method of measuring baby-mil~ powder, by t 1 means of a scoop, is liable to inaccuracies and is thus inade~uate. These inaccuracies arise because the scoop is liable to be used incorr~ctly, eg he~ped with po~der inst~ad '' . I
~ 2 - ~ ~
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1~8~476 of ~illed l~ve~ th the top o~ ~he scoop, and also beca~se the actual qu~r,t,ty of powder varies according to the degree of compaction ol tne powder in the sc,oop. The present invention provides a method of disp~nsing a measured qu~ltity of baby-milk ~owuer that is more re~iably accurate than the usual method inv~lving a scoop.
The present invention provides a method of dispensing a meas~red quantity ol baby-milk powder as hereinbefore defined co~prising inserting into the powder an end o~ a tubular member housing a plunger ~hich is either retracted away from the end of the tu~ular member to a given position de~ining with the -tubular member an open-ended measuring chamber or is retractable to said given position by pressure from the po~Jder as the tubular member is inserted, the end of the tubular me~mber being inserted into the po-rder t~ a dept,h greater than the length of the measuring chamber and sufficient to comp~ct the po~rder in the tubular member and a~ainst ~he plunger to substantially rnaximum compaction, withdraw.ing the tubular member from the powder so tha-~ a measur,ed quantity of compacted powder is contained in the measuring chamber and actuating the plunger to dispense the powder ~rom the tubular member.
The rninimum depth of insertion of the tubular member ~, in the powder necessary to achieve substantially maximum com-'t 2~ ,paction of the powder depen~s on the degree of compaction of ' the b~by-m~lk powder in its'container. 'F~r example, if ~he powder in the container is compac-ted lmder its o-~n weight or 3~ '' by means o~ slight down~ards pressure on the surface o~ the Z~ - - 3- .
., .. . .
~. .. ..
.. . .. . .
.
.
1~8~476 powder, a dep~l of a~out 1.5 ti~.)es the length of the measur~ng charnber is generally sufficien.. However, it is pre~erred to use a depth of at least twice the length of the measuring chamber in order to a~h eve satisfactory results wit~ the various degrees o~ compaction that are met with In practice. The tu~ular member is preferably cylindrical.
The invention also resides in a dispenser capable of . use in dispcnsi.ng a measured quantity of baby-milk powder (as hereinbefore defined1, the dispenser comprising a $ubular member hav~ng an open end and slidably housing a plunyer for mo~ement between the open end and a position of maximum retraction o the plunger in the tubular member away from said open cnd, a measuring chamber being defined ~5 between said open ~nd and the plunger in said retracted position, and means determining the minimum extent of ~nsertion o~ the open end of the tubular member into the po~lder to acnieve su~stant~ally maximum compaction of powder in the measuring chamber, and actuating means for .
actuating the plunger to dispense the powder from the measuring chamber. Sa.id means ~ 4 -, ~
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,:
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- - - .
108~76 determining the minimum extent of insertion preferably determines the insertion to at least twice the length of 't the measuring chamber between the plunger in said retracted position and said open end.
S The means determining the minimum extent of insertion may be a marker on the tubular mem~e~ and, in one example, is an external flange on the tubu]ar member.
I~ another embodiment, the means determining the minimum extent of insertion i's resilient means acting on the -plunger to urge the latter in the dispensing direction and a ,releasable detent for latching the plunger in said retracted position.
The detent may effect latching ~y engagement with a ratchet which is angularly movable to release the detent. 2, ~, 15 The ratchet may be connected with a numDered wheel wh-~ch, , together with a relatively fixed marker, defines a counter , for counting dispensing operations.
'', Where the means determining the minimum extent of insertion is a marker, the plunger may ~e resiliently biased into the retracted position, the actuating means being means connected to the plunger for moving the plunger against said resilient bias. A counter may be provided for actuation by sa~d actuating means for counting dispensing operations.
.1~ ' ' ' ' ' ' .
!`~ - -, f~
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:~ . . . ... : . .
.`. ' - , '' ', ..... ' ~
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1~&~7~
The tubular member may be acj~s.aLiy moun ec to vary the lencT~n of the measuring chambe- ~et;~7e~n the plun~er and the open end of the tubu'ar mem~er.
From another aspect t~e ~nvention ~esides in a dispenser capable of use in dispen~sinc3 2 mQasured quantity of baby-mil~pcwder (as hereinbefore def-.ned), the dispense-compri.sino a tubular member l~aving an op2n e~d and slidably housing â plunger for movement bet-~een the oper. end and a position of maxirnum retraction of the plunger in the tubul~r member a~.~ay from the open end a measuring chamber being defined ~etwcen said open end and the plunger in said retracted position so that insertion of the open end o~
the tub-llar member in the powder compacts the l~tter asainst the plunger in the measuring charnber actuatincj means for actuating the plunc3er to dispense the powder from the mec~suring cl~amber, and a counter actuable by movement associ2ted with the dispensin~ operation to count the dispens~ncJ operations. This counter may also be incorporated ~A the hereinbe~ore described dispenser.
.
.~ ' ,~, ., . . ~ . . . . . . .
~ . . ~ . . . ~ , . . : , . . ..
;~ .. - - - :. .. ,, - : . .
.~ . , . - , ~ . .,. -.~ . .
108'~476 Reference is now made to the acco~.-~an~-in~ drawings, wherein:-Figure 1 i5 a perspective view of a f~rst e~.bodiment of a dispenser according to the invention wi1-h itshousing partly broken away;
Figure 2 is a plan ~iew of the disp~nser of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a dia~ramrlatic sectional view~of a second dispenser shown in a position ready for insertion in a powder;
Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Fi~ure 3 with the second dispenser shown in a posi.tion ready for dispensing powder;
Fi~ure 5:is a plan view of the second dispenser;
Fi.gure 6 is a sectional view of a third dis~enser, and Figure 7 is a front elevation of the third dispenser.
Referrin~ to figures 1 and 2, the disnenser shown comprises a housin~ t 1 including first and second compartments , 12, 13. The first compartment 12 ~'s of cylindrical ~orm and has an axial slot 14a in a wall portion 14 between the two compartments. One end 15 of the ir~t compartment 12 is o~en and the other end 16 is closed except for an aperture 17 which extends through an annular strengthening flange 18 externally , o~ the first compartment. An actuatin~ piston 20 is slidably ;1 housed in the first co~partment and a piston rod 21, fixed to the piston 20, extends through the aperture 17. The piston rod 21 is co-axiall~ secured to a plun~er stem 22 de~ining ~; an annular shoulder 23 adjacent the piston rod 21. A helical 1 ~ j , , . . . ,_ .. ~ - . . . .
'. ~., ' . '~ .' ~ ' ' ' : . , . . .: .: .
-lV8'~476 .
compressicn sprin~ 24 surrounds the piston rod 21, in the first compa~tment 12, and acts on the wall at the closed end 16 of the compartment and on the piston 20, urging the p~ston to the position ;llustrated, in which the external face of the pistcn is flush Wit}l the external wall of the first compartment at the open end 15. This position is determined ~y a~utment o~ the shoulde'r 23 w'ith the annular flange 18.
The plunger stem 22 is provided wi~h a plunger head 28. ~n annular boss 29 is formed integrally with the '~ housing 11 and co-axially surrounds the flange 18 and a p,ortion of the plunger stem 22, A sleeve 30 is engaged with ;, the boss and the plunger head 28 is a close sliding fit in ' the sleeve. l'he sleeve has an outwardly extending external f', ,15 marker flange 31, whose purpose is described hereafter. fl The boss 2g is formed with a series of steps spaced angularly around the boss, two such steps 33, 34 being shown.
tn figure 1. The sleeve is a tight fit on the boss and is !' ' formed with a single contiguous projection 32, which ~ '' I , 20 ~an be pushed into enaagement withian~ selected ' -! one of the steps on the boss 29. By this means, the length ,, of the sleeve projecting beyond the plunger head 28 is '~ adiustable. ~his pro3ecting portion of the sleeve, together i. with the plunger head 28, in the spring-b~ased position ¦ 25 illustrated, defines a measuring cham~er 36. The adjustment ' ~, of the projection of the.slPeve, therefore.; is an adjustment , .,~, . . .
,~
.:. . . : , 1(~8;~76 of the ~O].UI`~ of the measur~ng chamber 36. In Pr~ctice, the steps will be marked as an ~nd~cation of the corresponding ..
volume of the measuring chamber 36.
In use, the sleeve 30 is inserted into a mass of milk powder, at least until the marker flange 31 touches the powder surface~ Whatever the adjustment position of the sleeve 30, this means that the sleeve 30 w~11 have be~n inserted in the powder to a depth of twice the depth of-the measuring chamber 36,-or more. This ensures maximum compression of the 1~ milk powder in the measuring cham~er. The nature of the powder is such that a "plu~" is formed in the measuring chamber and this remains in the chamber, when the dispenser is with-drawn from the milk powder, and fills the chamber. Any excess powder is scrape~ away so that the "plug" is level with the free end of the sleeve. This "plug", therefore, although measured by volume, is of a predetermined ~eight. This "plug" is ejected from the measuring chamber into a vessel by ~ressing the actuating piston 20, aga~nst the bias of the spring 24 for its maximum travel. This moves the nlunger head 2~ sufficiently ~o 2Q eject all of thepowder in the measuring chamber.To ensure that there are no cavities in the powder in the container into which the dispenser is to be inserted, the container is Preferably shaken or tapped on a surface to cause settlement.
To make up a baby ~eed~ the quantity of milk Powder to be used varies accor~ing to the age of the baby, so tha~ ~aryin~
multiples o~ the predetermined ~easure have to be used. A
counter is provided as a record of the number of measures taken.
. The second compartment 13 houses the counter, which, ~ , _ g _ , ~ . .
108'~47~;
in this case! comprises a sin~le wheel 40 provi~ed with numbers 0 to 9. on its pexiphery. A window 41 i.s provi(led to show any one of these numbers when the numbcr is adjacent the-w~n~ow. The number "4", for example, is showing through the window in figure 2. The wheel has an int~ral ratchet 42 and shaft 43. The ratchet has teeth each formed with an.engage-ment surface 60 opposite to.a cam surface ~1.. The shaft is journalled in bosses 45, 46 in the housin~ 11, which prov}.de frictional resistance to rotation of the wheel 40.
. The actuating piston 20 is formed wit!l a bearing surface 47, projecting into the second compartment 13, and with a resilient finger 48, which extends below the bearing su~face 47 to a position where it is within the circumference of the ratchet 42.
On depression of the actuating piston 20 the finger 48 is caused to engage with the engagement surface 60 of a tooth of the ratchet 42 and angularly moves the ratchet through a predetermined angle to cause the wheel 40 to show, at the w~ndow 41, the next number in the sequence. The f inger is . rig~dified by bearing on the bearing surface 47, to overcome the frictional resistance to rotation. On return of the actuating piston 20, under spring bias, the finger slides over ~ the cam surface 61 of a tooth of the ratchet, the finger flexing, .. ~ since there is no bearing surface to suPport the fin~er. The. ~ reading at the window 41 is not, therefore, upset.
. ~ The counter can be reset to "0" by repeated depression "~
.~ of the actuating piston 20, but other means may ~e provided for effecting resetting.
. ~ ~
. '~ 1 0 . ~
~; ;.-. ., ' .,, ' ~ ... ;, ,:, ,, ., ... : . .-. , .
,~o8~476 A further embod~ent is illustrat~d in figures 3 to 5. This embodiment has a housing 11] formed with an aperture 117 extending through an annular flange 118 and also formed with an annular stepped boss in a similar manner to the embodi~ent shown ~n figures 1 and 2~ ~ sleeve 130 is aga~n engaged with the ~oss 129 and ~e4ines a measuring chamber 136 w~th a plunger head 12g ~figure.4~.
In this case, however, the cylindrical first compart-~ent with the actuating piston is omitted and the housing 111 defines a single compartment housing a counter wheel 140, similar to that shown in figures 1 and 2. The wheel 140 is again formed with a ratchet 142, having teeth ~ith an engage-metn surface 160 and a cam surface 161,and is also formed with a shaft ~43 mountçd with frictional resistance against rotation of tne ~heel. The housing 111 has a window 141, through ~hich a portion of the whee~ 140 projects~ the peri~hery of the wheel being knurled to fac~litate manual rotati.on against the frictional resistance. The wheel has a part 140a of smaller diameter on the opposite side to the ratchet 142, thispart only being ~isi~le in figure 5, where i~ is shown provided with the numeral "4" of a series of n~nbers from 0 to 9. The numeral is visi~le through a side portion 141a of the window 141.
The-plunger head 128 is again formed on a plunger 122, which has a reduced diameter portion 121, defining a shoulder 123 and projec~ing into the housing 111 through the aperture 117. W~thin the housing, the stem portion 121 is provid~d with a stop 150 and, beyond the stop, with a detent 151. ~-~:
. ' , .
.
' ` 108'~4 76 The detent is de~ined by a cut-away portion leaving a neck 152 to pro~ide for flexibili-ty of the detent radially of .`, the stem axis. The detent also has a cam ~ace 153.
A compressio!l spring 124 is housed in the sleeve 130 between the pl~ger head 128 and ~he housing portion lying between the ann~lla.~ flange 118 and the stepped boss l29.
The spring urges the plunger head 128 to the .p~sition shown in figure 3, in which thé plunger head just projects beyond the end of the sleeve, so that the measuring chamber 136 volume is r~duced to nil. This position is determined by the stop 150 engaging the interior of the housing 111. The shoulder 123 determines the depth of the chamber 136, as can ; be seen from ~igure 4.
In use, the sleeve 130 is again inserted in a mass of 1~5 milk po~der to a depth of at least twice the depth of the measuring cham~er 136, providing maximum compression of the milk powder. The pressure exerted on the plunger head 128 is su~ficient to overcome the.bias of the spring 124 and the ; plun~er head is retracted to the full, as determined by the 2Q shoulder 123. As the plunger stem portion 121 is raised, the cam face 153 of the detent engages the cam surface 161 of a tooth of the ratchet 142 and the detent is cammed out of axiàl aliynment with the stem through flexi~ility at the neck 152.
As the cam surface 153 of the detent passes the cam surface 161 ~; 25 o~ the tooth, the detent is resiliently returned to the axially ali~ned ~ ~ltion and en~ages with the enga~ement surface 1~0 . .
~ 2 _ , . ,~
~08;~476 .
of the tooth. The frictional resistance against rotation ' of the wheel 140 causes the ratchet, therefore, to hold the plunger head 128 in its fully retracted pOSitiOll. A "plug"
of milk powder is held in the measuring chamber as in the previously described embodiment. Release of the "plug" of milk powder is effected by manually turning th~ wheel 140 anti-clockwise, as seen in figure 4, against the frictional resistance, so that the detent 151 is released and the spring 124 causes the plunger head 128 to eject the "plug". This turning of the wheel causes the next numeral in sequence to show at the window portion 141a.
If the powder is not compacted to its maximum extent due to the dispenser not being inserted sufficiently deeply into the powder, then the plunger head 128 will not be .~
sufficiently retracted for the detent 151 to engage with the ratchet 142. This is because the spring 124 determines that maximum compaction is achieved by resisting movemen~ of the plunger head. Any powder in the chamber 136 will, therefore, immediately be ejected as the dispenser is being withdrawn ~0 from the milk powder.
In each of the two embodiments described above, ;
the projection t32 in figure-l) on the sleeve 30, 130 can be omitted and the steps t33, 34 in figure 1) on the boss 2g, ; 129 can be replaced by a single stop shoulder, so that there ~25 is no provision or adjustment of the position of the sleeve ~ ' ~
:
. ~
.
~ . ,, . - . :
:, . ., ,, : .
, ;. . ~ . - .
iO~76 on the boss. If desired a plurality of re~laceable sleeves of different lengths can be provided instead.
Referring now to figures 6 and 7, a dispenser is shown, which may be wall-mounted, in use. This dispenser comprises a housing 211 including a hopper 270, for containing milk powder, having a concave base 271. The ~ousing is formed with a projecting cylinder 273 and a circular aperture 274, in the housing wall, communicates the cylinder interior with the bottom of the hopper 270.
An operating member 276 is slidably engaged in the cylinder 273 and is formed with a co-axial extension rod 277 having a head 278 determining the maximum retractèd position of the operating member. The member is urged to thi~ position by a spring 279 mounted about the rod 277 between the member 276 and a wall 280 of the housing. The member is rotatable with ~he rod serving as a shaft.
The member is provided with a sleeve 230, which, in the position shown in the drawings, is aligned with the aperture 274. Hence, on depression of the member 276 against the bias of the spring 279, the sleeve is moved into the bottom of the - hopper 270. The maximum extent of depression of the member is determined b~ the member abutting the wall 280.
The member 276 is provided with a dispensing part similar to that described with respect to figures 1 and 2. The sleeve ;~25 230 houses a plunger head 228 and plunger stem 222, co-axially , .
.. . . . , , ,~
~ ..~ . . .. . .
.. . . .
~08'~476 ., . .
~ ., secured to a piston rod 22I and an actuating piston 220.
A spring 224 urges the plun~er head 228 to a retracted position (as shown) to define a measuring chamber 23~
In use, the member 276 is depressed to its maximum extent, so that the measuring chamber 236 is forced into milk 1, powder in the hopper 270 to a predetermined dep~h of approximately twice the de~th of the chamber. A "plug" of powder is, thererore, . held in the chamber 236, when the member 276 is released and retracts. The member is then turned, so that the measuring chamber is positioned adjacent a dispensing aperture 285.
As the member is turned, excess powder is scraped from the ~urface, the end of the sleeve co-operating with the wall 280 of the h~using. The actuating piston 220 is dep.essed to eject the "plug" of milk powder from the cham~er 236 into a vessel and the member is returned to its original position for a repeat operation.
A counter 240, similar to that shown in figures 1 and ` 2, is again provided. ~he counter can be operated in the same manner, either as the piston 220 is depressed, or by the ~20 rotat~on of ~he member ~76.
i~ - An agitator 290 is provided in the hopper and is oscillated in an up and down motion by a crank 2g4. The cran~ is driven by turning of the member 276 in a dispensing operation through gears 292, 293 operated by a cam 291 on ~; 25 the end o~ the rod 277.
`
.. : . ,. ~:,-' . '-,. '.: ' . ' ~ , ' : , 1082 47 6 t In each c~ the described di.spensers, the sleeve defining the measuxing chamber may be a tubular member of any desired cross-sectional form and the sleeve may be fluted to increase the surface area in contact with the powder, in use, ~ to improve the retention of powder in the measuring chamber.
The plunger head wollld of course, by shaped co~plementarily to the sleeve.
~
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,' ' .
I
.
~ 20 .. . . .
.. . . .
.
~.~35 ! ~ -- 16 3~ ~ .
, . . :
Claims (22)
1. A method of dispensing a measured quantity of baby-milk powder (as hereinbefore defined) comprising the steps of inserting into the powder an end of a tubular member housing a plunger which is either retracted away from the end of the tubular member to a given position defining with the tubular member an open-ended measuring chamber or is retractable to said given position by pressure from the powder as the tubular member is inserted, inserting the end of the tubular member into the powder to a depth greater than the length of the measuring chamber and sufficient to compact the powder in the tubular member and against the plunger to substantially maximum compaction, withdrawing the tubular member from the powder so that a measured quantity of compacted powder is contained in the measuring chamber and actuating the plunger to dispense the powder from the tubular member.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the tubular member is inserted in the powder to a depth at least twice the length of the measuring chamber.
3. A dispenser for use in dispensing a measured quantity of baby-milk powder (as hereinbefore defined), the dispenser comprising a tubular member having an open end a plunger slidably housed in the tubular member for movement between the open end and a position of maximum retraction of the plunger in the tubular member away from said open end, a measuring chamber being defined between said open end and the plunger in said retracted position, and means determining the minimum extent of insertion of the open end of the tubular member into the powder to achieve substantially maximum compaction of powder in the measuring chamber, and actuating means for actuating the plunger to dispense the powder from the measuring chamber.
4. A dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said means determining the minimum extent of insertion, determines said insertion to at least twice the length of the measuring chamber between the plunger in its retracted position and said open end.
5. A dispenser according to claim 3 or 4 incorporating a counter operable by actuation of the actuating means to count the number of dispensing operations.
6. A dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said means determining the minimum extent of insertion is a marker on the tubular member.
7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said marker is an external flange on the tubular member.
8. A dispenser according to claim 3, 4 or 6 wherein the tubular member is adjustable in position to vary the length of the measuring chamber.
9. A dispenser according to claim 3, 4 or 6 comprising a plurality of tubular members of different lengths, inter-changeable to vary the length of the measuring chamber.
10. A dispenser according to claim 3, 4 or 6 wherein the plunger is resiliently biased into the retracted position and the actuating means is connected to the plunger to move the latter against the resilient bias.
11. A dispenser according to claim 3 wherein the means determining the minimum extent of insertion is resilient means acting on the plunger to urge the latter in the dis-pensing direction, and a releasable detent for latching the plunger in said retracted position.
12. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the detent means effects latching by engaging with a ratchet and the ratchet is rotatable to release operating means from movement in the dispensing direction by said spring means.
13. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the detent effects latching by engaging with a ratchet, the ratchet being rotatable to release the plunger for movement in the dispensing direction by said resilient means, the dispenser including a counter comprising a numbered wheel connected to the ratchet and a marker.
14. A dispenser according to claim 11 including a housing incorporating a hopper for baby-milk powder, the tubular member being mounted on a carrier which is movable to urge the tubular member to extend into the hopper, the carrier being rotatable to position the tubular member in dispensing alignment with a dispensing aperture in the housing.
15. A dispenser for use in dispensing a measured quantity of baby-milk powder (as hereinbefore defined), the dispenser comprising a tubular member having an open end a plunger slidably housed in the tubular member for movement between the open end and a position of maximum retraction of the plunger in the tubular member away from the open end, a measuring chamber being defined between said open end and the plunger in said retracted position, so that insertion of the open end of the tubular member in the powder compacts the latter against the plunger in the measuring chamber, actuating means for actuating the plunger to dispense the powder from the measuring chamber, and a counter actuable by movement associ-ated with the dispensing operation to count the dispension operations.
16. A dispenser for use in dispensing a measured quantity of baby-milk powder of the type described comprising a tubular member defining an opening at one end, operable means including a plunger closely slidably fitted in the tubular member for movement between said opening and a position of maximum retraction of the plunger in the tubular member away from said opening, stop means engageable by said operable means to determine said position of maximum retraction of the plunger, spring means biasing said operable means into engagement with said stop means, a measuring chamber defined by said tubular member and said opening and said plunger when said plunger is in its retracted position, said opening having the same dimensions as the internal cross-sectional dimensions of the measuring chamber, marking means located externally on the tubular member and spaced further from said opening than said plunger when said plunger is in its position of maximum retraction, the location of said marking means being such that insertion of the tubular member in a mass of baby-milk powder to the depth of the marking means compacts such powder to substantially its maximum extent in the measuring chamber against the plunger and manually depressable actuating means connected with the plunger for moving the latter against the bias of said spring means to dispense the compacted powder from the measuring chamber.
17. A dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the space between said marking means and said opening is at least twice the length of the measuring chamber between the plunger in its position of maximum retraction and said opening.
18. A dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said marker comprises an external flange extending about the tubular member.
19. A dispenser according to claim 16, incorporating a counter operable by actuation of the actuating means to count the number of dispensing operations.
20. A dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the tubular member is adjustable in position to vary the length of the measuring chamber.
21. A dispenser according to claim 16 comprising a plurality of tubular members of different lengths, inter-changeable with one another about said plunger to vary the length of the measuring chamber.
22. A dispenser for use in dispensing a measured quantity of baby milk powder of the type described comprising a tubular member defining an opening at one end, operable means including a plunger closely slidably fitted in the tubular member for movement between said opening and a position of maximum retraction of the plunger in the tubular member away from said opening,a measuring chamber defined by said tubular member and said opening and said plunger when the plunger is in its retracted position said opening having the same dimensions as the internal cross-sectional dimensions of the measuring chamber, first stop means engageable by said operable means to determine said position of maximum retraction of the plunger, spring means biasing said operable means towards said opening, second stop means engageable by said operable means under the bias of said spring means to position said plunger in said opening, whereby insertion of the tubular member in baby-milk powder causes compacting of the powder against the plunger and movement of the plunger against the bias of said spring means, said first stop means being located in a position such that sub-stantially maximum compaction of the powder is achieved in the measuring chamber when the operating means engages the first stop means, releasable detent means for latching the operating means in said position of maximum retraction of the plunger, and actuating means for releasing the detent means to permit dispensing of powder from the measuring chamber by said plunger under the bias of said spring means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB34363/77A GB1596661A (en) | 1977-08-16 | 1977-08-16 | Dispenser |
| GB34363/77 | 1977-08-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1082476A true CA1082476A (en) | 1980-07-29 |
Family
ID=10364705
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA308,499A Expired CA1082476A (en) | 1977-08-16 | 1978-07-31 | Dispensers |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4188984A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1082476A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2400693A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1596661A (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2539870A1 (en) * | 1983-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | Radiotechnique Compelec | Method for metering a fluid body, in particular a resin |
| DE3427187A1 (en) * | 1984-07-24 | 1986-01-30 | Hoechst Ag, 6230 Frankfurt | NEEDLE-FREE INJECTION DEVICE |
| NO871709L (en) * | 1986-04-25 | 1987-10-26 | Glaxo Group Ltd | Indicating device. |
| FR2606506B1 (en) * | 1986-11-06 | 1992-12-31 | Valois | MEASURING VAPORIZER DEVICE PROVIDED WITH A MEANS FOR COUNTING EMITTED DOSES |
| US5421482A (en) * | 1989-02-03 | 1995-06-06 | Senetics, Inc. | Indicator device responsive to axial force |
| US5718355A (en) * | 1989-02-03 | 1998-02-17 | Senetics, Inc. | Indicator device responsive to axial force for use with inhaler |
| IT1243820B (en) * | 1990-10-09 | 1994-06-28 | Elettro Plastica Spa | CONTADOSI DEVICE FOR DISPENSING DOSES OF FLUID PRODUCT, PARTICULARLY FOR PHARMACEUTICAL USE |
| ES2128550T3 (en) * | 1992-12-18 | 1999-05-16 | Schering Corp | INHALER FOR POWDERED MEDICINES. |
| US5370267A (en) * | 1993-10-04 | 1994-12-06 | Gojo Industries Inc. | Method and apparatus for measuring dispenser usage |
| US5625659A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 1997-04-29 | Gojo Industries, Inc. | Method and apparatus for electronically measuring dispenser usage |
| WO1999036115A2 (en) | 1998-01-16 | 1999-07-22 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Indicating device for use with a dispensing device |
| US6142339A (en) * | 1998-01-16 | 2000-11-07 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Aerosol dispensing device |
| US6729330B2 (en) | 1998-05-05 | 2004-05-04 | Trudell Medical International | Indicating device for aerosol container |
| US6336453B1 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2002-01-08 | Trudell Medical International | Indicating device for aerosol container |
| US6082358A (en) | 1998-05-05 | 2000-07-04 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Indicating device for aerosol container |
| US6404837B1 (en) | 1998-06-11 | 2002-06-11 | Ecolab, Inc. | Usage competent hand soap dispenser with data collection and display capabilities |
| GB9905097D0 (en) * | 1999-03-06 | 1999-04-28 | Hall Kirsty | Measuring device |
| US6745760B2 (en) | 2001-05-15 | 2004-06-08 | Trudell Medical International | Medicament applicator |
| US7004164B2 (en) * | 2002-03-21 | 2006-02-28 | Trudell Medical International | Indicating device for aerosol container |
| US7621273B2 (en) * | 2003-10-28 | 2009-11-24 | Trudell Medical International | Indicating device with warning dosage indicator |
| US7100530B2 (en) * | 2003-12-15 | 2006-09-05 | Trudell Medical International, Inc. | Dose indicating device |
| US7543582B2 (en) | 2004-09-20 | 2009-06-09 | Trudell Medical International | Dose indicating device with display elements attached to container |
| CA2899340A1 (en) * | 2005-01-20 | 2006-07-27 | Trudell Medical International | Dispensing device |
| US20070236027A1 (en) * | 2006-04-07 | 2007-10-11 | Johanson James E | Measuring scoop |
| US8141550B2 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2012-03-27 | Trudell Medical International | Dispensing device |
| US7740033B2 (en) | 2006-10-16 | 2010-06-22 | Peterson Pacific Corporation | Debris splitting grinder |
| US8082873B2 (en) * | 2008-05-05 | 2011-12-27 | Trudell Medical International | Drive mechanism for an indicating device |
| US8181591B1 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2012-05-22 | Trudell Medical International | Domed actuator for indicating device |
| ES2402241T3 (en) * | 2008-10-22 | 2013-04-30 | Trudell Medical International | Modular Spray Supply System |
| WO2018200726A1 (en) * | 2017-04-25 | 2018-11-01 | Life Door, Inc. | Door closing device |
| US10808447B2 (en) | 2017-04-25 | 2020-10-20 | Masonite Corporation | Emergency door closing device |
| US11291182B2 (en) | 2018-02-05 | 2022-04-05 | Nexfeed LLP | Device for facilitating and tracking the feeding of an animal |
| US11174664B2 (en) | 2018-03-20 | 2021-11-16 | Masonite Corporation | Door positioning system |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2400328A (en) * | 1942-06-15 | 1946-05-14 | Lew F Zehring | Register closure for bottles |
| US2587692A (en) * | 1950-01-13 | 1952-03-04 | Horace W Brown | Powder measuring device with micrometer adjustment |
| DE1039244B (en) * | 1956-09-28 | 1958-09-18 | Hans Widermann | Flow meter |
| US2946486A (en) * | 1957-05-29 | 1960-07-26 | Manostat Corp | Analytical device |
| DE2213783A1 (en) * | 1972-03-22 | 1973-09-27 | Wilhelm E Nagel | DOSING DEVICE FOR FILLING MACHINES |
| IT1069354B (en) * | 1976-03-05 | 1985-03-25 | Zanasi Nigris Spa | IMPROVEMENTS IN VOLUME DOSING UNITS |
-
1977
- 1977-08-16 GB GB34363/77A patent/GB1596661A/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-07-27 US US05/928,518 patent/US4188984A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1978-07-31 CA CA308,499A patent/CA1082476A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-08-11 FR FR7823814A patent/FR2400693A1/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2400693A1 (en) | 1979-03-16 |
| GB1596661A (en) | 1981-08-26 |
| US4188984A (en) | 1980-02-19 |
| FR2400693B1 (en) | 1983-11-25 |
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