Dispensing canister
First Claim
1. A dispensing canister comprising:
- a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet and defining a volume for retaining a pulverulent material therein;
a dosing member operatively associated with the reservoir outlet for receiving and dispensing the pulverulent material; and
an agitator wheel located in the reservoir and arranged to periodical rotate to assist in dislodging the pulverulent material in the reservoir so that the pulverulent material moves to the dosing member, the agitator wheel including agitating members for transversing a significant portion of the volume of the reservoir to contact and dislodge the pulverulent material therein, the agitating members comprise a plurality of elongated sweep members distributed along the periphery of the wheel and operatively associated with the agitator wheel so that the agitating members move across the longitudinal plan of rotation of the agitator wheel.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing canister and method for reducing dose fluctuation and improving evacuation in the dispensing of a pulverulent material such as beverage-forming or food-forming powder. The dispensing canister has a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet and defining a volume for retaining the pulverulent material therein, a dosing member operatively associated with the reservoir outlet for receiving and dispensing the pulverulent material; and an agitator wheel located in the reservoir and arranged to periodically rotate to assist in dislodging pulverulent material in the reservoir so that it can move to the dosing member. The agitator wheel preferably includes agitating members for transversing a significant portion of the volume of the reservoir to contact and dislodge pulverulent material therein.
22 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dispensing canister comprising:
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a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet and defining a volume for retaining a pulverulent material therein;
a dosing member operatively associated with the reservoir outlet for receiving and dispensing the pulverulent material; and
an agitator wheel located in the reservoir and arranged to periodical rotate to assist in dislodging the pulverulent material in the reservoir so that the pulverulent material moves to the dosing member, the agitator wheel including agitating members for transversing a significant portion of the volume of the reservoir to contact and dislodge the pulverulent material therein, the agitating members comprise a plurality of elongated sweep members distributed along the periphery of the wheel and operatively associated with the agitator wheel so that the agitating members move across the longitudinal plan of rotation of the agitator wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A method for reducing dose fluctuating and improving evacuation during the dispensing of a pulverulent material from a dispensing canister having a reservoir, which method comprises providing an agitator wheel in the reservoir and arranged to periodically rotate to assist in dislodging the pulverulent material in the reservoir for allowing the pulverulent material to exit the reservoir, with the agitator wheel including agitating members for transversing a significant portion of the volume of the reservoir to contact and dislodge the pulverulent material therein, the agitating members are distributed along the periphery of the wheel and operatively associated with the agitator wheel so that the agitating members move across the longitudinal plan of rotation of the agitator wheel.
Specification