Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dispenser that is suitable for dispensing of a measured portion of a powder such as a foodstuff in dry powder form, particularly a powdered baby milk preparation.

Background to the Invention

Infant feeding bottles for feeding babies with milk or other liquids ('baby bottles') are well known in the art, as are powdered baby milk preparations for use therewith. In a typical usage operation, the bottle container of the baby bottle is charged with a measured portion of the powdered baby milk preparation taken from a bulk container and a measured amount of water is then added. The teat is then fixed to the bottle container by means of a fixing ring, and the now sealed bottle is agitated to dissolve the powdered baby milk preparation. It is known to be important to accurately measure the portion of powdered baby milk preparation to ensure correct concentration and consistency of the baby milk for feeding of the baby. Simple measuring devices (e.g. spoon-like measures) are typically employed for measuring the powder from the bulk container and transferring it to the baby bottle container.

A baby may require six to eight feeds a day. Different volumes of milk and hence, different volumes of milk powder may be required for each feed. To save time, parents or carers often make up several baby bottles in one go. Thus, several operations of measuring potentially different volumes of powdered baby milk preparation from the bulk container to each of several baby bottles may be conducted in one go. Each baby bottle may then be loaded with water to make up the liquid baby milk as above, or some of the bottles may simply be left charged with the measure of baby milk preparation and ready for later addition of water. The latter operation is preferable from a freshness standpoint in that the baby milk may then be made up (i.e. by adding water) just before feeding it to the baby. A problem associated with the above milk powder loading operations is that of consistently and conveniently measuring out the correct volume of powder from the bulk container and then transferring that correct volume without spillage to the baby bottle. Simple spoons or scoops are typically used, but these are inconvenient where different volumes of powder are needed for each bottle. Thus either a single scoop must be used and multiple scoop measures employed to additively make up a large required volume or alternatively, scoops of different volume sizes must be employed for each different volume. Either way, the process is potentially confusing and open to mistake, particularly when carried out by a parent or carer who is already under pressure and strain from providing ongoing baby care needs.

In solution to the above problems, Applicant has now devised the dispenser provided herein, which provides ease of measurement of distinct powder portions for ready dispensing thereof via a dispensing channel (e.g. to a baby bottle).

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispenser for use in dispensing a measured portion of a powder comprising

a body defining a scoop portion and a dispensing channel, said dispensing channel provided with a dispensing outlet; and

movably mounting to said body and locating within said scoop portion for restricting entry access to a definable part of the scoop portion, a divider wall,

wherein said divider wall is movable from a first measuring position, in which a first measured portion volume is defined in combination by an accessible part of the scoop portion and the divider wall, to a dispensing position, in which powder provided to the measured portion volume may flow into the dispensing channel for dispensing through said dispensing outlet. There is provided a dispenser for use in dispensing distinct portions of a powder such as a powdered foodstuff. Preferably, that powdered foodstuff is a powdered baby milk preparation.

The dispenser comprises a body defining a scoop portion and (normally in communication therewith) a dispensing channel. The scoop portion suitably defines a scoop mouth and a scoop volume. The scoop mouth may be provided with a rim. In embodiments, the scoop portion defines a part-spherical scoop volume. The dispensing channel is provided with (e.g. defines at a dispensing end thereof) a dispensing outlet.

The dispensing also comprises a divider wall (e.g. in the form of a paddle or wing) that movably mounts to the body and locates within the scoop portion for restricting entry access (i.e. allowing entry access only) to a definable part of the scoop portion.

The divider wall is movable from a first measuring position, in which a first measured portion volume is defined in combination by an accessible part of the scoop portion and the divider wall, to a dispensing position, in which powder provided to the measured portion volume may flow into the dispensing channel for dispensing through the dispensing outlet. That is to say, in the dispensing position a flow relationship is enabled between the previously established measured portion volume and the dispensing channel. Thus, in effect the divider wall acts to selectively block off communication between the measured portion volume and the dispensing channel, wherein said blocking off occurs when the divider wall is at a measuring position and that blocking off is reversed (i.e. unblocked) when the divider wall is at the dispensing position to allow for powder dispensing.

In embodiments, the divider wall is movable to one or more further measuring positions, in each of which a further measured portion volume is defined in combination by a further accessible part of the scoop portion and the divider wall. In embodiments, the divider wall is movable sequentially from the first measuring position to plural further measuring positions. In embodiments, the spacing between sequential measuring positions is uniform.

In embodiments, the divider wall rotatably mounts to the body (e.g. by means of one or more pivot mountings). In embodiments, the divider wall is arranged such as to be rotatable about a rotational axis that corresponds to a chord axis of a part-spherical scoop volume.

In embodiments, the divider wall is rotatable with the scoop portion for restricting entry access (i.e. allowing entry access only) to a radial part of the scoop portion, and wherein in the first measuring position the first measured portion volume is defined in combination by an accessible segment part of the scoop portion and the divider wall.

In embodiments, the divider wall is rotatable to one or more further measuring positions, in each of which a further measured portion volume is defined in combination by a further accessible segment part of the scoop portion and the divider wall. In embodiments, the divider wall is rotatable sequentially from the first measuring position to plural further measuring positions. In embodiments, the radial spacing between sequential measuring positions is uniform.

In embodiments, gradated markings are provided on the scoop portion (e.g. at an outer wall thereof) to allow the user to see how much powdered foodstuff may be accommodated in the measured portion volume.

In embodiments, the divider wall is provided with a user-accessible button or dose wheel to enable ready user movement of the divider wall. In embodiments, the user- accessible button protrudes outwith the body, for example such as to enable user thumb movement of the button or dose wheel.

In embodiments, wherein the divider wall is rotatable about a rotational axis, the user-accessible button is also rotatable about that rotational axis. In embodiments, the dispensing channel has an essentially pipe-like or tubular form, wherein optionally that pipe-like or tubular form tapers, for example tapers towards the dispensing outlet. In embodiments, the outer walls of the pipe-like or tubular form dispensing channel are shaped to provide a handle for holding by the user. In embodiments, a hub is provided towards the dispensing outlet end of the pipe like or tubular form and is designed to sit on top of (i.e. interfere with) a rim defining the mouth of a baby bottle (not shown) during such a powder dispensing operation into that baby bottle.

In embodiments, the dispensing outlet defines a spout or funnel that is arranged to channel the powder dispensed there through. Where the dispenser is designed for dispensing of powdered baby milk preparation the shape and form of that spout is preferably arranged to fit within the opening of a baby bottle container for effective channelling of dispensed baby milk preparation there into.

Generally, the dispenser is formed of a plastic polymer material. In embodiments, the scoop portion is at least part clear in form (e.g. colourless) such as for example, to allow the user to see the powdered foodstuff in the measured portion volume.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of the dispenser herein for dispensing a measured volume of a powdered foodstuff.

It will be appreciated that any of the elements of the dispenser herein may be manufactured and supplied separately and /or supplied as a pre-assembly or a kit of parts. The present invention encompasses all of these separate component parts and any assemblies thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first dispenser herein in a first measuring position;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the first dispenser of Figure 1 in a dispensing position;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of the first dispenser of Figures 1 and 2 in the first measuring position;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the first dispenser of Figures 1 and 2 in the first measuring position;

Figure 5 shows a side view of the first dispenser of Figures 1 and 2 in the first measuring position and schematically shows other measuring positions and a dispensing (i.e. empty position);

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a second dispenser herein in a first measuring position;

Figures 7 to 9 respectively show a third dispenser herein in perspective, exploded and top plan views;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the third dispenser herein in the at rest position and schematically shows a measuring position and a dispensing (i.e. emptying position);

Figures 11 and 12 respectively show a fourth dispenser herein in perspective and exploded views; and

Figures 13 and 14 respectively show a fifth dispenser herein in perspective and exploded views. Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 to 5 respectively provide different views of a first dispenser 1 herein that is suitable for use in dispensing a measured portion of a powder e.g. a powdered foodstuff (not shown). In Figures 1 , 3 to 5 the dispenser 1 is shown in a first measuring position and in Figure 2 in a dispensing position.

The first dispenser 1 comprises a body 10 defining a part-spherical powder scoop portion 20 and a pipe-form dispensing channel 30. The scoop portion 20 defines a scoop mouth 22 defined by a scoop rim 24. The dispensing channel 30 tapers along its length and is provided one end with a dispensing outlet 32 in the form of a spout 32 that is sized and shaped to direct powder in a dispensing operation into the mouth opening of a baby bottle (not shown). Hub 34 is provided towards the dispensing spout 32 end and is designed to sit on top of (i.e. interfere with) a rim defining the mouth of a baby bottle (not shown) during such a dispensing operation.

Divider wall 40 rotatably mounts to the body 10 at pivot points 42, 43 and locates within the powder scoop portion 20 thereof. It will be appreciated that the divider wall 40 acts such as to restrict entry access to only a defined part of the powder scoop portion 20. Lever 50 provided at one end with user-accessible button 52 also mounts to the body 10 at pivot point 42 and couples to the divider wall 40 such that rotation of the lever 50 (e.g. by user thumb movement of the button 52) causes rotation of the divider wall 40.

In use, the divider wall 40 is movable from a measuring position, in which a measured portion volume of powder is defined in combination by an accessible part of the scoop portion 22 and the divider wall 40, to a dispensing position, in which the measured portion volume of powder may flow into the dispensing channel 30 for dispensing through said dispensing outlet 32. As may be seen by particular reference to Figure 5, various measuring positions (denoted 2oz, 4oz, 6oz and 8oz positions) are possible corresponding to different rotated positions of the divider wall 40, which in turn allows for different portion volumes to be defined between the accessible part of the scoop portion 22 and the divider wall at each respective position. Marker track 60 provided with spaced notches 62 allows for accurate selection of each defined measuring position by alignment (or engagement) of the user-accessible button 52 with each notch 62.

In more detail, in a typical powder loading operation, the user holds the dispenser 1 in one hand by the outer wall of the tubular pipe form dispensing channel 30, which acts as a handle for the dispenser 1. By thumb movement of the user-accessible button 52 the user rotates the lever 50 and divider wall 40 coupled thereto to a selected measuring position (e.g. 2Oz, 4oz, 6oz or 8oz). Figures 1 , 3 and 4 show a selected measured portion volume of 2oz. The scoop portion 22 is then immersed in a bulk powder (e.g. powder in a bulk container) such that powder is accommodated in the measured portion volume defined in combination by the accessible part of the scoop portion 22 and the divider wall 40. For best measuring accuracy, the powder is levelled off to the level of the top of the scoop rim 24 (e.g. using a knife or lamellar scraping tool). By thumb movement of the user-accessible button 52 the user rotates the lever 50 and divider wall 40 coupled thereto anti-clockwise to the dispensing position as shown at Figure 2, in which the measured portion volume of powder may now flow into the dispensing channel 30 for dispensing through the dispensing outlet 32 into the mouth of a baby bottle (not shown). Once the powder has been so dispensed the divider wall 40 is reset to the same or another measuring position (again, by user rotation of the button 52) for use in another loading operation.

Figure 6 shows a second dispenser 101 herein that is also suitable for use in dispensing a measured portion of a powdered foodstuff (not shown), and which may be appreciated to be a variant of the first dispenser of Figures 1 to 5.

The second dispenser 101 also comprises a body 110 defining a part-spherical powder scoop portion 120 and a pipe-form dispensing channel 130. The scoop portion 120 defines a scoop mouth 122 defined by a scoop rim 124. The dispensing channel 130 tapers along its length and is provided one end with a dispensing outlet 132 in the form of a spout 132 that is sized and shaped to direct powder in a dispensing operation into the mouth opening of a baby bottle (not shown). Hub 134 is provided towards the dispensing spout 132 end and is designed to sit on top of (i.e. interfere with) a rim defining the mouth of a baby bottle (not shown) during such a dispensing operation.

Butterfly wing divider wall 140 rotatably mounts to the body 110 at pivot points 142,

143 and such that first wing 144 thereof locates within the powder scoop portion 120. It will be appreciated that this wing 144 of the divider wall 140 acts such as to restrict entry access to a defined part of the powder scoop portion 120. User-accessible button 152 mounts to the second wing 145 of the divider wall 140 such that rotation of the button 150 (e.g. by user thumb movement of the button 152) causes rotation of both wings 144, 145 of the divider wall 140. It will be appreciated that the wings 144, 145 of the divider wall 140 are angled relative to each other.

In use, the divider wall 140 is movable from a measuring position, in which a measured portion volume of powder is defined in combination by an accessible part of the scoop portion 122 and first wing 144 of the divider wall 140, to a dispensing position, in which the measured portion volume of powder may flow into the dispensing channel 130 for dispensing through said dispensing outlet 132. As before, various measuring positions are possible corresponding to different rotated positions of the divider wall 140, which in turn allows for different portion volumes to be defined between the accessible part of the scoop portion 122 and the first wing

144 of the divider wall 140 at each respective position. Marker track 160 provided with spaced notches 162 allows for accurate selection of each defined measuring position by alignment (or engagement) of the user-accessible button 152 with each notch 162.

In a typical powder loading operation, the user holds the second dispenser 101 in one hand by the outer wall of the pipe form dispensing channel 130, which in essence acts as a handle for the dispenser 101. By thumb movement the user rotates the user-accessible button 152 and thus, the first wing 144 of the divider wall 140 coupled thereto to a selected measuring position. The scoop portion 122 is then immersed in a bulk powder (e.g. powder in a bulk container) such that powder is accommodated in the measured portion volume defined in combination by the accessible part of the scoop portion 122 and the first wing 144 of the divider wall 140. For best measuring accuracy, the powder is levelled off to the level of the top of the scoop rim 124 (e.g. using a knife or lamellar scraping tool). By thumb movement the user rotates the user-accessible button 152 and divider wall 140 coupled thereto anti-clockwise to a dispensing position, in which the measured portion volume of powder may now flow into the dispensing channel 130 for dispensing through the dispensing outlet 132 into the mouth of a baby bottle (not shown). Once the powder has been so dispensed the divider wall 140 is reset to the same or another measuring position (again, by user rotation of the button 152) for use in another loading operation.

Figures 7 to 10 respectively provide different views of a third dispenser 201 herein that is suitable for use in dispensing a measured portion of a powdered foodstuff (not shown). In Figures 7 and 9 the dispenser 201 is shown in an at rest position and in Figure 10 various other positions are shown schematically.

The third dispenser 201 comprises a body 210 defining a part-spherical powder scoop portion 220 and a dispensing channel 230 of semi-tubular form. The scoop portion 220 defines a scoop mouth 222 defined by a scoop rim 224. The dispensing channel 230 is provided one end with a dispensing outlet in the form of a spout 232 that is sized and shaped to direct powder in a dispensing operation into the mouth opening of a baby bottle (not shown). Also provided is upper body portion 260, which defines a semi-tubular roof 231 to the dispensing channel 230 such that in combination the channel 230 and roof 231 thereof define a tubular dispensing flow path to the spout 232 end. The upper body portion 260 also defines a housing 262 for parts of the dose selection mechanism as described hereinafter. Divider paddle 240 rotatably mounts to the body 210 at pivot ends 242, 243 thereof and locates within the powder scoop portion 220 thereof. It will be appreciated that the divider paddle 240 acts such as to restrict entry access to only a defined part of the powder scoop portion 220. Scoop cover 226 also mounts to the body 210 at pivots 242, 243 and is arranged for rotation during powder dispensing to a position, in which it covers off the mouth of the scoop 220. A dose selection mechanism including user-accessible dose selection wheel 250 also mounts to the body 210 and couples to the divider wall 240 such that rotation of the dose selection wheel about rotational path A (e.g. by user thumb movement thereof) causes rotation of the divider wall 240. In more detail and by particular reference to Figure 8, the dose selection mechanism comprises dose selection wheel 250 having central spindle 251 , which rotationally mounts to body 210 at spindle mounting 252. A pulley coupling mechanism comprising first pulley band 253; pulley gear 254; and second pulley band 255 acts to couple rotational movement of the dose selection wheel 250 to that of the dose paddle 240 such that user selection of a rotational position of the wheel 250 allows for selection of a measuring position of the paddle 240 within the scoop 220. The wheel 250 and pulley mechanism 253, 254, 255 are enclosed by mechanism cover 256, which acts to cover off these moving parts from the scoop 220 and dispensing channel 230, thereby preventing powder contact therewith.

In use, the paddle 240 is movable from a measuring position, in which a measured portion volume of powder is defined in combination by an accessible part of the scoop portion 222 and the divider wall 240, to a dispensing position, in which the measured portion volume of powder may flow into the dispensing channel 230 for dispensing through the dispensing outlet 232. As may be seen by particular reference to Figure 10, various measuring positions (denoted rotated positions 1 to 24 on the dose wheel 250) are possible corresponding to different rotated positions of the divider paddle 240, which in turn allows for different portion volumes to be defined between the accessible part of the scoop portion 222 and the paddle 240 at each respective position. Marker notch 258 allows for accurate selection of each defined measuring position by alignment of a selected wheel position (i.e. from 1 to 24) of the dose wheel 250 with the notch 258.

In more detail, in a typical powder loading operation, the user holds the dispenser 201 in one hand by the outer walls 231 , 232 of the tubular pipe-form dispensing channel 230, which acts as a handle for the dispenser 201. By thumb movement of the user-accessible dose wheel 250 the user rotates the divider paddle 240 coupled thereto to a selected dose position (e.g. one of positions 1 to 24). Figure 10 shows the paddle 240 at selected measuring position 1 , but also shows in dotted line view X the paddle at measuring 'position 24'. The scoop portion 222 is then immersed in a bulk powder (e.g. powder in a bulk container) such that powder is accommodated in the measured portion volume defined in combination by the accessible part of the scoop portion 222 and the divider paddle 240. For best measuring accuracy, the powder is levelled off to the level of the top of the scoop rim 224 (e.g. using a knife or lamellar scraping tool). The scoop cover 262 is then rotated to close off the scoop 222 mouth. Then by thumb movement the user rotates the user-accessible wheel 250 and paddle 240 coupled thereto to the dispensing position with the paddle at position Y as shown at Figure 10, in which the measured portion volume of powder may now flow into the dispensing channel 230 for dispensing through the dispensing outlet 232 into the mouth of a baby bottle (not shown). Once the powder has been so dispensed the paddle 240 is reset to the same or another measuring position (again, by user rotation of the wheel 250) for use in another loading operation.

Figures 11 and 12; and Figures 13 and 14 respectively fourth 301 and fifth 401 dispensers herein that may be appreciated to be variants of the third dispenser and differing in essence, only in terms of the location of the dose wheel 350, 450 on the dispenser body 310, 410 and the details of the coupling mechanism between dose wheel 350, 450 and paddle 340, 440. All other aspects, including use aspects, correspond to those of the third dispenser 201 and for succinctness thus, only the differing aspects of these variants 301, 401 will be described in detail.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12, in the fourth dispenser 301 the dose wheel 350 may be seen to mount horizontally to the upper body part 360, which sits on the dispensing channel 330. The dose selection mechanism including dose selection wheel 350 couples to the divider paddle 340 such that rotation of the dose selection wheel causes rotation of the divider paddle 340. In more detail and by particular reference to Figure 12, the dose selection mechanism comprises dose selection wheel 350 having central spindle (not visible), which rotationally mounts to upper body part 360 at spindle mounting 352. A multi-gear coupling mechanism comprising first gear 353; second gear 354; and spindle gear 355 acts to couple rotational movement of the dose selection wheel 350 to that of the dose paddle 340 such that user selection of a rotational position of the wheel 350 allows for selection of a measuring position of the paddle 340 within the scoop 320. The wheel 350 and multi- gear mechanism 353, 354, 355 are enclosed by mechanism cover 356, which acts to cover off these moving parts from the scoop 320 and dispensing channel 330, thereby preventing powder contact therewith.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, in the fifth dispenser 401 the dose wheel 450 may be seen to mount in inclined fashion to the upper body part 460, which sits on the dispensing channel 430. The dose selection mechanism including dose selection wheel 450 couples to the divider paddle 440 such that rotation of the dose selection wheel causes rotation of the divider paddle 440. In more detail and by particular reference to Figure 14, the dose selection mechanism comprises dose selection wheel 450 having central spindle (not visible), which rotationally mounts to upper body part 460 at spindle mounting 452. A gear coupling mechanism comprising first gear 453; and spindle gear 455 acts to couple rotational movement of the dose selection wheel 450 to that of the dose paddle 440 such that user selection of a rotational position of the wheel 450 allows for selection of a measuring position of the paddle 440 within the scoop 420. The wheel 450 and multi-gear mechanism 453, 455 are enclosed by mechanism cover 456, which acts to cover off these moving parts from the scoop 420 and dispensing channel 430, thereby preventing powder contact therewith.

The application of which this description and claims form part may be used as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application. The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any feature or combination of features described therein. They may take the form of product, method or use claims and may include, by way of example and without limitation, one or more of the following claims: