GB2224489A - Particle dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand-held dispenser e.g for seeds comprises a chute (1) for receiving a bulk quantity of particles (12), a snap-acting spring means (10) coupled to the chute (1) and a manually operable actuating mechanism (4) arranged to actuate the spring means so as to cause the chute to vibrate. The dispenser is adapted to be used by holding the chute (1) at such an angle to the horizontal that the particles (12) do not tend to slide along and out of the chute (1) under the influence of gravity alone, but the vibration of the chute (1) by the spring means (10) causes the particles (12) to move in discrete steps along the length of the chute (1) so that they will fall from the end of the chute (1) individually or in small groups. <IMAGE>

Description

Particle Dispenser This invention relates to a particle dispenser.

It is sometimes desirable to dispense particulate material (e.g. tablets of artificial sweetener) or objects (e.g. seeds or sweets) in a controlled manner so that the particles can be released individually or in small groups. One form of known hand-held dispenser comprises an intermediate receptacle adapted to receive from a main storage vessel a predetermined number of particles and a trap-door which can be opened to release the particles from the receptacle.

The arrangement of the trap-door is such that when it is in the open position, particles in the main storage vessel are prevented from passing into the receptacle. These dispensers also comprise some mechanism such as a verticle funnel to channel the particles from the main storage vessel into the receptacle so that the intermediate receptacle is refilled each time the tras door is shut.

A drawback with these dispensers is that they are mechanically complex and also can only be used in conjunction with particles of substantially uniform shape and size.

Significant variations in size of the particles being dispensed will tend to jam the trap-door mechanism, and this may result in damage to the particles themselves. For this reason, whilst such dispensers are suitable for e.g. sweetener tablets of uniform size, they are unsuitable for horticultural seeds which vary in size and shape depending on the variety and even with a batch of seeds of one variety. The majority of gardeners use many different varieties of seed and the known dispensers described above would only be suitable for the small proportion of seeds which are of the appropriate size and shape.

Previously, therefore, gardeners have tended to sow seeds by hand or directly from the seed packet.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a hand-held dispenser comprising a chute for receiving a bulk quantity of particles, a snapacting spring means coupled to the chute and a manually operable actuating mechanism arranged to actuate the spring means so as to cause the chute to vibrate, the dispenser being used by holding the chute at such an angle to the horizontal that the particles do not tend to slide along and out of the chute under the influence of gravity alone, but the vibration of the chute by the spring means causes the particles to move in discrete steps along the length of the chute so that they fall from the end of the chute individually or in small groups.

Thus when the dispenser is in use, a batch of particles may be placed at one end of the chute and the spring is then repeatedly actuated by the user by means of the operating mechanism, so that it moves by snap-action between a position in which it is in tension and a position in which it is more relaxed. Each movement of the spring imparts vibration to the chute and causes the particles to "jump" inside the chute. If the chute is held by the user at the correct angle to the horizontal, the bulk of the particles remain in a batch or batches roughly where they were placed on the chute, whereas small numbers of particles tend to gradually break away and travel along the length of the chute. Thus, using the apparatus according to the invention, the particles can be gradually dispensed.

It will be understood that a user can readily find the correct angle to the horizontal by trial and error, although some skill will be required for successful operation.

Such a dispenser according to the invention will clearly function with particles of different shapes, sizes and weights and will even function where these properties vary within one batch.

The shape of the chute can be chosen to disperse the particles in the desired way. It is preferred that the walls of the chute slope to define a narrow channel but for some uses, a broader channel may be desired so that particles are scattered to either side. The distance the particles travel along the chute must be far enough to enable them to separate into small groups or individual particles.

The top of the chute can optionally be left open, so that the particles can be placed onto the chute, and their movement observed, from above.

It may be useful if the chute can also be used tp store particles when the dispenser is not in use.

Preferably then, the chute forms a container which can be closed when the dispenser is not in use, and in a preferred embodiment, the chute is generally tubular in shape and is provided with means for closing both ends. In this embodiment, the chute is desirably formed from a transparent material (e.g. a transparent plastic) so that the progress of the particles along the length of the chute can be observed. A tubularshaped chute is particularly advantageous if the dispenser is to be used outside as the particles are then protected, for example, from wind and rain.

The diameter of the tubular chute at one end should be large enough to enable easy insertion of the particles and large enough for the end to hold a sufficiently high number of particles for dispensing at any one time without having to refill the tube.

The diameter of a tubular chute is preferably smaller at the opposite end as this gives greater control over the particles as they leave the chute.

Advantageously, therefore, the tubular chute tapers inwardly in the direction of travel of the particles.

This has the added advantage that the decreasing radius of curvature of the tube encountered by particles as they travel along the chute tends to break up any large groups moving along together.

The tubular chute can be closed at either end by any convenient means such as a bung or screw top.

Preferably, both ends are provided with caps and the cap at the end through which particles leave the chute is advantageously coupled to the spring actuating means. The coupling is preferably arranged so that when the spring is placed in tension, the capis removed from the end of the tube so that particles are allowed to escape, and after the spring has returned to its more relaxed position, the cap is returned to the end of the tube which prevents the escape of particles. Thus, the opening and closing of the release end of the tube is approximately synchronised with the snap-action of the spring means.

As well as converting the tubular chute into a storage vessel, the caps simplify the procedure for filling the chute. Thus, it is easier to insert particles at one end, if the opposite end is closed.

It is also useful to close the tube so that the particles can be shaken down to one end, ready to be dispensed.

The snap-acting spring means can be mounted on the chute in any convenient manner which imparts vibration to the chute when the spring is actuated.

Thus the spring means may, for example be adhered or bolted directly to the chute.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring means is attached to the chute by means of an annular mounting collar which fits tightly around a tapering tubular chute. A layer of resilient material (e.g. rubber or a resilient plastic) can improve the fit between the mounting and chute. The annular mounting collar is preferably shaped so that it holds the chute approximately mid-way along its length; movement of the chute under the action of the spring is then greatest at either end, and least in the centre at the point where it is held by the mounting.

This effect tends to slow the particles as they reach the area of the chute attached to the mounting so that the bulk of the particles remain behind this area, and fewer tend to travel beyond it; the particles are further dispersed by this effect.

The degree of vibration required in the chute required will depend on the size and weight of the particles.

The vibration can be controlled, for example, by varying the strength of the spring or by dampening the vibration in some way. The vibration can conveniently be dampened by increasing the thickness of resilient material between the annular mounting collar and chute. Preferably the resilient material is in the form of detachable rings.

The manually operable actuating means can be any convenient mechanism for placing the spring in tension and allowing it to relax. Preferably the arrangement is such that the dispenser can be held and operated by one hand and such that when in use, the chute is in contact only with the mounting or resilient material so that it can freely vibrate.

A preferred actuating means comprises a lever member or trigger pivotally mounted to the collar and adapted to be moved by the thumb or fingers of the user to place the spring means in tension by snap-action; the lever member or trigger when released is returned under the force of the spring means which relaxes also by snap-action. Preferably, the pivotal lever member or trigger also carries the above mentioned removable end cap for the release end of the tube.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of dispensing particles individually or in small groups which comprises causing particles to move along a chute by actuating a snapaction spring means arranged to impart vibrations to the chute, the chute being held at such an angle to the horizontal that the particles do not tend to slide along and out of the chute under the influence of gravity alone, but the vibration of the chute by the spring means causes the particles to move in discrete steps along the length of the chute so that they fall from the end of the chute individually or in small groups.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to Figure 1 which shows a section through a dispenser according to the invention.

As shown in Figure 1, a dispenser according to the invention comprises a tapering tube 1 forming a chute. The tube 1 is formed from a transparent plastic material.

The tube is provided with a plastic snap-on cap 2 at one end and a cap 3 attached to a trigger 4.

The cap 3 is provided with a layer of resilient material 5 such as rubber, which prevents damage to the particles if they are shaken inside the tube 1.

A mounting 6 fits tightly around a ring of resilient plastic material 7. The dispenser is also provided with a thumb rest 8.

The trigger 4, mounting 6 and thumb rest 8 may be formed from any suitable material such as wood, plastic or metal.

The trigger 4 pivots with respect to the mounting 6 around a metal pin 9 which passes through the mounting 6.

One end of a snap-acting spring 10 is attached to the mounting 6 by means of metal clips 11.

The spring 10 is shown in its more relaxed position. The dispenser is used by squeezing together the trigger 4 and thumb rest 8 until the spring 10 reverses its curvature by snap-action into its tensed position. This action opens the tube 1 by moving the cap 3 and causes the tube 1 to vibrate. Releasing the pressure on the trigger 4 and thumb rest 8 allows the spring 10 to snap back to a more relaxed position which again causes the tube 1 to vibrate, and returns the cap 3 to the position shown in Figure 1.

In use, a batch 12 of particles such as seeds is placed in the tube, which is then held at a slightly downwardly inclined angle towards the narrower end so that the vibrations imparted to the tube by the sping have the effect of separating the particles and causing them to move towards the narrower end in discrete steps or jumps.

As particles reach the end, individual ones or small groups are released upon each snap-action of the spring i.e. both when the trigger is depressed and released. Thus, the end cap 3 is moved to open the narrow end of the tube sufficiently to allow release of particles before the spring 10 snaps into tension, and does not close the end of the tube until after the spring has moved back into its more relaxed condition.

It will be seen that the dispenser forms a convenient container for particles such as seeds when not in use.

Claims (12)

Claims:

1. A hand-held dispenser comprising a chute for receiving a bulk quantity of particles, a snap-acting spring means coupled to the chute and a manually operable actuating mechanism arranged to actuate the spring means so as to cause the chute to vibrate, the dispenser being adapted to be used by holding the chute at such an angle to the horizontal that the particles do not tend to slide along and out of the chute under the influence of gravity alone, but the vibration of the chute by the spring means causes the particles to move in discrete steps along the length of the chute so that they fall from the end of the chute individually or in small groups.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chute is generally tubular in shape.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the chute is provided with means for closing both ends of the chute.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for closing the release end of the chute comprises a closure member coupled to the actuating mechanism.

5. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the spring means is attached to the chute by means of an annular mounting collar which fits tightly around the chute.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a layer of resilient material arranged between the collar and chute.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the collar holds the chute approximately mid-way along its length.

8. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a lever member pivotally mounted to the chute and adapted to be moved by the user to place the spring means in tension by snap-action and to subsequently return under the force of the spring means when released, the spring means relaxing by snap-action.

9. A dispenser as claimed in claims 4 and 8 wherein the lever member carries the closure member for the release end of the tube.

10. A method of dispensing particles individually or in small groups which comprises causing particles to move along a chute by actuating a snap-action spring means arranged to impart vibrations to the chute, the chute being held at such an angle to the horizontal that the particles do not tend to slide along and out of the chute under the influence of gravity alone, but the vibration of the chute by the spring means causes the particles to move in discrete steps along the length of the chute so that they fall from the end of the chute individually or in small groups.

11. A dispenser substantially as described herein with reference to the drawing.

12. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the drawing