Article dispenser

• US 4,828,143 A
• Filed: 10/22/1987
• Issued: 05/09/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth L. Jennings
• Original Assignee: Kenneth L. Jennings
• Inventors: Jennings, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): SKAGGS JR, H GRANT
• Application Number:
  US07/111,752
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 221/266, 221/256, 221/257, 222/368, 222/369, 222/364, 222/363, 384/275, 401/214, 401/216
• US Class Current: 221/266
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2583/0495 the element being alveolate
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0409 the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation B65D83/0445 takes precedence

Abstract

An article dispenser of the type having a sphere enclosed vessel, the sphere having at least one cavity for transferring an article, such as a pill, from inside the vessel to outside the vessel, employs a novel improvement in the manner of suspending the sphere on the vessel. Specifically, a cradle bridging the opening of the vessel provides a track of arcuate shape and the sphere has an annular groove of appropriate depth to form a central shaft for rotatably engaging the track. The sphere is readily removable for refilling the vessel and for assembly. A plurality of diagonally oriented guards assure free rotation of the sphere with articles being transferred in the cavity.

Claims

1. A dispenser comprising a vessel and a sphere rotatably mounted at an opening of the vessel, said sphere having at least one cavity for transferring an article stored inside said vessel to outside said vessel upon rotation of said sphere, said dispenser further comprising a cradle mounted at said vessel opening and having an arcuate track, said sphere having an annular groove forming a centrally positioned shaft on said sphere for rotatably engaging said track, said cradle being positioned relative to said vessel whereby more than one-half of said sphere is external to said vessel opening to permit grasping of said sphere for removal from said vessel.

2. The dispenser recited in claim 1 wherein said vessel comprises a container for holding said articles and a ball support portion to which said cradle is attached, said container and said ball support portion being attachable to one another in a press-fit engagement.

3. The dispenser recited in claim 2 further comprising a cap for mating with said ball support portion while enclosing said sphere.

4. The dispenser recited in claim 2 wherein said container, said ball support portion and said sphere are each made of a plastic material.

5. The dispenser recited in claim 1 wherein said cradle is everywhere thinner than said annular groove and is suspended across said opening whereby upon removal of said sphere articles may be readily added to or removed from said vessel through said opening.

6. The dispenser recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of guards each such guard positioned adjacent said cradle adjacent said opening for directing an article into said cavity.

7. The dispenser recited in claim 1 wherein said sphere is knurled along its exterior surface adjacent saod annular groove.

8. The dispenser recited in claim 1 wherein said sphere is solid except for said annular groove.