Apparatus for Storing and Dispensing Granular Material
AssigneeKenneth
InventorKenneth Sullenger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus stores herbs, tobacco, tea or other granular material and dispenses the granular material in varying quantities depending on the dispensing mechanism used. The apparatus has a storage container and a mixing and dispensing mechanism with push-button actuation. The mixing-dispensing mechanism is a camshaft terminating in a plug which is held in a normally closed position against the aperture. Helical cams on the shaft rotate to open an aperture to dispense granular material. Depressing the button dispenses a first quantity of granular material; rotating the button and shaft dispenses a second quantity.
Claims12
An apparatus for storing and dispensing granular material comprising:
- a main body having an interior surface and an exterior surface configured to contain granular material;
- and
- a distal end having an aperture for dispensing granular material;
- and
- a button movably engaged with a proximal end of the main body;
- and
- a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end engaged with the button and the second end, engaged with a head which is in turn engaged with a first end of a shaft;
- and
- the head having a first helical cam movably engaged with cam teeth fixedly engaged with the main body interior surface;
- and
- said shaft engaged at a second end with a plug;
- and
- said plug movably engaged with the aperture for dispensing granular material;
- wherein
- the spring holds the button in a normally upward position and the plug in a normally closed position against the distal cap, and depressing the button moves first helical cam against the cam teeth, thus moving the plug away from the aperture to dispense granular material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.