IMPELLER DRIVEN METERING ASSEMBLY FOR A POWDER DISPENSER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/697,077 filed Sep. 20, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The field of this disclosure relates generally to powder dispensers and more particularly to a powder dispenser including an impeller driven metering assembly configured to dispense precise amounts of powder.

Powder dispensers are useful for preparing infant formula, drinks, food, or other powder-based mixtures. Powder dispensers typically include a metering assembly that dispenses a measured quantity of powder from a reservoir. For example, some powder dispensers include a plurality of discrete measuring compartments that are selectively positioned relative to the reservoir to dispense a measured quantity of powder from the reservoir. During or after dispensing, the dispensed powder may be mixed with a liquid such as water. Accordingly, the powder dispensers are useful for preparing mixtures requiring a predetermined volume of powder and liquid.

However, at least some powder dispensers can only dispense volumes of powder according to the volume of the measured compartments. In addition, the powder may become clogged or clumped within the powder dispenser and the powder dispensers may dispense inaccurate volumes of powder. As a result, the volume of powder dispensed by the powder dispensers may not be correct for recipe requirements. For example, the powder dispenser may dispense a lesser or greater amount of powder for infant formula than is prescribed by the formula recipe, resulting in an infant being under- or over-nourished.

Therefore, there is a need for a powder dispenser that dispenses a precise volume of powder and that can provide variable volumes of powder according to a mixture recipe.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a metering assembly for use with a powder dispenser generally comprises a reservoir subassembly including a bowl for holding a quantity of powder and having a slot extending from an interior portion of the bowl to an exterior portion of the bowl. A door plate is disposed adjacent the bowl and rotatable about an axis between an opened position and a closed position. The door plate generally comprises a bore formed on the door plate, the bore selectively alignable with the slot to form a through-passage in the opened position and misaligned with the slot in the closed position, and an abutment adjacent the bore. An impeller is disposed within the bowl and configured to rotate about the axis and engage the abutment to transition the door plate between the opened position and the closed position.

In another aspect a metering assembly for use with a powder dispenser generally comprises a reservoir subassembly including a bowl for holding a quantity of powder. The bowl generally comprises a slot that extends from an interior portion of the bowl to an exterior portion of the bowl, and an abutment adjacent the slot. A door arm is mounted for rotation about an axis between an opened position and a closed position, the door arm comprising a first leg including a planar surface conforming to a base of the bowl and a bore formed on a portion of the planar surface, wherein the bore is alignable with the slot in the opened position and the planar surface covering the slot in the closed position. An impeller is configured to rotate within the bowl and direct powder toward the slot.

In yet another aspect, a metering assembly for use with a powder dispenser generally comprises a reservoir subassembly including a bowl for holding a quantity of powder. The bowl generally comprises a slot that extends from an interior portion of the bowl an exterior portion of the bowl, and an abutment adjacent the slot. A door arm is mounted for rotation about an axis between an opened position and a closed position. The door arm generally comprising a first leg including a planar surface conforming to a base of the bowl and a bore formed on a portion of the planar surface, wherein the bore is alignable with the slot in the opened position and the planar surface covering the slot in the closed position, and a second leg including a slot. An impeller is configured to rotate within the bowl and direct a powder toward the slot, and a sensor is configured to detect an amount of powder dispensed through the bore and the slot.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated examples may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one suitable embodiment of a powder dispenser of the present disclosure, the powder dispenser includes a metering assembly and is configured to dispense powder or powder and liquid into a bottle (or other suitable container);

FIG. 2 is a front view of the powder dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the powder dispenser;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the powder dispenser showing the metering assembly attached to a housing of the powder dispenser;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the metering assembly removed from the powder dispenser, the metering assembly having a reservoir subassembly, a motor subassembly, and a mixing cup subassembly;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the metering assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the reservoir subassembly showing a lid, a bowl, an impeller, and a door plate;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the reservoir subassembly;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the impeller;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the impeller;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the impeller;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the door plate;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the door plate;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the door plate;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the door plate;

FIG. 16 is a simplified schematic diagram of a portion of the powder dispenser, illustrating flow of powder through the metering assembly;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the reservoir subassembly with the lid removed;

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the reservoir subassembly illustrating operation of the door plate;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the reservoir subassembly;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a portion of the powder dispenser;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the powder dispenser with the metering assembly removed revealing the motor subassembly;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the motor subassembly;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the mixing cup subassembly;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the mixing cup subassembly with the lid removed;

FIG. 25 is a side view of the mixing cup subassembly;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the impeller;

FIG. 27 is a top view of the second embodiment of the impeller;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the second embodiment of the impeller;

FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the impeller;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the reservoir subassembly showing a lid, a bowl, an impeller, and a door arm;

FIG. 31 is an exploded view of the reservoir subassembly of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the impeller;

FIG. 33 is a front view of the impeller;

FIG. 34 is a bottom view of the impeller;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the door arm;

FIG. 36 is a side view of the door arm;

FIG. 37 is a top view of the door arm;

FIG. 38 is a top view of the reservoir subassembly with the lid removed;

FIG. 39 is another perspective view of the reservoir subassembly illustrating operation of the door arm;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view of the reservoir subassembly;

FIG. 41 is a sectional view of a portion of the powder dispenser with the reservoir subassembly of FIG. 30; and

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the door arm and the door arm motor assembly.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided herein are meant to illustrate features of embodiments of this disclosure. These features are believed to be applicable in a wide variety of systems comprising one or more embodiments of this disclosure. As such, the drawings are not meant to include all conventional features known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be required for the practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Although specific features of various examples may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Any feature of any drawing may be referenced or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. The drawings are not to scale unless otherwise noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially”, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “processor” and “computer,” and related terms, e.g., “processing device,” “computing device,” and “controller” are not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, an analog computer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. In the embodiments described herein, “memory” may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium, such as a random-access memory (RAM), a computer-readable non-volatile medium, such as a flash memory. Alternatively, a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digital versatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, in the embodiments described herein, additional input channels may be, but are not limited to, computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as a touchscreen, a mouse, and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may also be used that may include, for example, but not be limited to, a scanner. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, additional output channels may include, but not be limited to, an operator interface monitor or heads-up display. Some embodiments involve the use of one or more electronic or computing devices. Such devices typically include a processor, processing device, or controller, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor, an ASIC, a PLC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processing (DSP) device, and/or any other circuit or processing device capable of executing the functions described herein. The methods described herein may be encoded as executable instructions embodied in a computer readable medium, including, without limitation, a storage device and/or a memory device. Such instructions, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor and processing device.

The following detailed description and examples set forth preferred materials, components, and procedures used in accordance with the present disclosure. This description and these examples, however, are provided by way of illustration only, and nothing therein shall be deemed to be a limitation upon the overall scope of the present disclosure.

The disclosed systems and methods are described, for clarity, using certain terminology when referring to and describing relevant components within the disclosure. Where possible, common industry terminology is employed in a manner consistent with its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise stated, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of the present application and the scope of the appended claims.

With reference now to the accompanying drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1, a powder dispenser according to one suitable embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated and indicated generally at 10. The powder dispenser 10 can be used to dispenser powder and prepare infant formula, drinks, food, or other powder-based mixtures. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the powder dispenser 10 is specifically configured to prepare infant formula. However, in other suitable embodiments, the powder dispenser 10 can be configured to prepare other powder-based mixtures besides or in addition to infant formula. As used herein, the term “powder” refers to a material comprised of a plurality of solid particles.

In the illustrated embodiment, the powder dispenser 10 includes a metering assembly indicated generally at 12 that is configured to dispense precise volumes of powder and is able to vary the volume of dispensed powder according to different recipes for powder-based mixtures. For example, the powder dispenser 10 is configured to dispense powder 14 (shown in FIG. 16) into a container such as a bottle. In some suitable embodiments including the illustrated embodiment, the powder 14 can be mixed with a liquid, such as water, to form a mixture. As seen in the illustrated embodiment, the metering assembly 12 includes a mixing cup subassembly 16 that receives the powder and the liquid and acts as a mixing compartment. The liquid can be dispensed into the mixing cup subassembly 16 from a liquid inlet 18 (shown in FIG. 5) connected to a liquid supply. In other suitable embodiments, the powder 14 may be dispensed by the powder dispenser 10 through the mixing cup subassembly 16 and into the bottle in a “dry” state, i.e., without liquid. The mixing cup subassembly 16 includes mixing cup 20 and a mixing cup lid 22 (shown in FIG. 5). The mixing cup 20 includes an outlet 24 for the powder or mixture to exit the mixing cup 20 and be dispensed into the bottle or other container. In some suitable embodiments, the liquid is warmed to a desired temperature prior to being dispensed to the mixing cup subassembly 16 for mixing with the powder.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the powder dispenser 10 includes a suitable housing, indicated generally at 26, for housing various working components such as a motor subassembly 28 (shown in FIG. 5). In suitable embodiments, the powder dispenser 10 includes a user interface 30 configured to display messages and receive inputs from a user. For example, the user interface 30 can be used to receive user inputs relating to amounts of powder to be dispensed or instructions relating to a mixture recipe. The user interface 30 can be incorporated with the housing 26 and/or may be located at least in part on a remote device such as a computing device (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, laptop). The user inface 30 is directly (via a wire connection) or indirectly (via a wireless connection) in communication with a computer and/or processor (not shown) containing programmed information related to the amount of powder to dispensed.

In addition, the metering assembly 12 of powder dispenser 10 according to one suitable embodiment of the present disclosure includes a reservoir subassembly 32 mounted on the housing 26 adapted to contain the powder 14 and a mixing cup subassembly 16 adapted to dispense the powder and liquid to a suitable container. The powder dispenser 10 also includes a stand 34 configured to support the container while the powder dispenser 10 dispenses the powder or a mixture through mixing cup subassembly 16 and into the container.

The reservoir subassembly 32 can have any suitable size and shape. Suitably and as seen in the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir subassembly 32 is a cylinder and has a diameter and a height. In some suitable embodiments, the diameter of the reservoir subassembly 32 is greater than the height of the reservoir subassembly 32. The arrangement of the reservoir subassembly 32 facilitates the metering assembly 12 receiving and storing the powder 14.

As seen in FIGS. 4-6, the illustrated exemplary metering assembly 12 includes the reservoir subassembly 32 for receiving and storing the powder 14, the mixing cup subassembly 16 for dispensing the mixture, and a motor subassembly 28 for driving the reservoir subassembly 32. In suitable embodiments, one or more components of the metering assembly 12 may be incorporated into the housing 26. Additionally, one or more components of the any of the subassemblies may be incorporated into any one of the other subassemblies.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir subassembly 32 is generally disposed above the motor subassembly 28 and behind the mixing cup subassembly 16. The metering assembly 12 dispenses the powder 14 from at least one slot 36 (shown in FIG. 17) in the reservoir subassembly 32 into the mixing cup subassembly 16 where the powder 14 can be mixed with a suitable liquid (e.g., water). The powder 14 or a mixture (such as powder mixed with water) is dispensed through the outlet 24 of the mixing cup subassembly 16 and into a bottle or other container. The reservoir subassembly 32 is disposed above the mixing cup subassembly 16 and the stand 34 such that powder 14 can flow at least in part via gravity from the powder reservoir, through the mixing cup subassembly 16, and into the bottle or other container positioned on the stand 34.

Now referring to FIGS. 7, 8, and 19, the illustrated reservoir subassembly 32 includes a bowl 38, a lid 40, a door plate 42, and an impeller 44. The bowl 38 is substantially cylindrical in shape with a circular base 46 and a sidewall 48 that extends upward from the perimeter of the base 46 creating a powder chamber 50 with an opening 52 opposite of the base. The lid 40 is sized and shaped to couple to the bowl 38 such that the lid selectively closes the opening 52 of the bowl 38. The lid 40 can be selectively removed from the bowl 38 by a user to fill the powder chamber 50 with powder. Once a suitable quantity of powder is placed in the powder chamber 50 of the bowl 38 by the user, the lid 40 can be reengaged with the bowl to close the opening 52.

The components of the reservoir subassembly 32 may be manufactured from any suitable food safe material. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, plastics such as HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP; and alloys like stainless steel, titanium, or aluminum. The components of the reservoir subassembly 32 may be manufactured from same or different material as one another. For example, the door plate 42 may be made of the same material as the impeller 44 or it may be of different material as the impeller. In the illustrated embodiment, the bowl 38 and lid 40 of the reservoir subassembly 32 are transparent or semi-transparent so that the user can visually observe the quantity of powder within the powder chamber 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interior contour of the base 46 includes a substantially horizontal portion 54 extending inward from around the outer most perimeter of the bowl 38. As seen in FIG. 19, the horizontal portion 54 of the base 46 defines an annular ring 56 having a width. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the width of the annular ring 56 is between 4 millimeters (mm) and 20 mm. It is understood, however, that the width of the annular ring 56 can have any suitable width without departing from some aspects of this disclosure.

The substantially horizontal 54 portion transitions into a moderately sloped conical portion 58 of the base 46. The moderately sloped conical portion 58 transitions into a frustum hub portion 60 with a bore 62 positioned in the center of the base 46. As described in more detail below, the bore 62 is sized and shaped to receive a drive shaft 64 of the motor subassembly 28. In some suitable embodiments, the contour of the base 46 of bowl 38 may not include the moderately sloped conical portion 58 and/or the substantially horizontal portion 54. That is, for example, the interior contour of the base 46 may by entirely flat or entirely sloped. With reference again to FIG. 19, in the illustrated embodiment, the moderately sloped conical portion 58 is sloped at an angle α of about 10 degrees. Suitably, the angle α is between 0 degrees and 60 degrees.

In the example embodiment, the door plate 42 is sized and shaped to fit within the powder chamber 50 of the bowl 38 where a bottom contour of the door plate 42 closely conforms to the interior contour of the base 46. Suitably, the bottom contour of the door plate 42 is in face-to-face engagement with the interior contour of the base 46 of the bowl (see FIG. 19). In the illustrated embodiment, both the top and bottom contours of the door plate 42 include a substantially horizontal portion 54 and a moderately sloped conical portion 58 of approximately the same dimensions as the base 46. That is, the door plate 42 is suitably sized and shaped to align with and overlie the interior contour of the base 46 of the bowl 38. The door plate 42 includes a circular opening 84 (see FIG. 12) positioned in the center of the door plate 42. The circular opening 84 is sized and shaped receive the frustum hub portion 60 of the base 46.

With reference still to FIG. 19, the impeller 44 is sized and shaped to fit within the powder chamber 50 of the bowl 38 above the door plate 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of the impeller 44 rests on the upper contour of the door plate 42. As seen in FIG. 19, the bottom contour of the impeller 44 closely conform to the contours of both the hub portion 60 of the base 46 as well as the top surface of the door plate 42. The impeller 44 is configured to rotate independently of the bowl 38, the door plate 42, and the lid 40.

As seen in FIGS. 9-11, the impeller 44 includes a central column 66 and a plurality of blades 68 extending outward from the central column. The central column 66 is sized and shaped to receive and engage the drive shaft 64 (shown in FIG. 20). In the illustrated embodiment, the blades 68 extend tangentially outward from the central column 66 to near (almost touching) the bowl sidewall 48. In some suitable embodiments, the blades 68 may extend radially outward from the central column 66. The blades 68 may any shape, including straight, as shown in the example embodiment, but may also be curved and or disjointed. The blades 68 include planar contact surfaces 70 that conforms to the contour of the top surface of the door plate 42. The blades 68 engage and fluidize the powder 14 and direct the powder 14 towards a bore 72 in the door plate 42. In some suitable embodiments, the impeller 44 includes shorter blades 68 that are arranged to provide alternate sweeps of the powder from outside-in and inside-out and to cross the entire surface of the powder 14. For example, the planar contact surfaces 70 of the blades 68 may extend at different, alternating lengths. In further suitable embodiments, the impeller 44 includes blades 68 disposed at different elevations along central hub 68. For example, the planar contact surfaces 70 of the blades 68 may be disposed at different, alternating elevations along the central column 66. The impeller 44 is configured to rotate generally about a central axis 74 (FIG. 19) and engage the powder within the reservoir subassembly 32 during rotation movement of the impeller.

With reference to FIGS. 12-15, the door plate 42, which is positioned immediately below the impeller 44, has at least one bore 72 that is selectively aligned with the slot 36 in the bowl 38, facilitating the formation of a through hole extending from the powder chamber 50 to the exterior of the bowl 38. The door plate 42 is rotatable by contact with the blades 68 of the impeller 44 between two positions. In the opened position, the bore 72 is aligned with the slot 36, allowing powder to be dispensed from the reservoir subassembly 32 into the mixing cup subassembly 16. When the door plate 42 is rotated to the closed position, the bore 72 and the slot 36 are misaligned, inhibiting the formation of a through hole extending from the powder chamber 50 to the exterior of the bowl 38, restricting powder 14 from being dispensed.

The door plate 42 has an abutment 76 adjacent the bore 72 that extends into the path of the blades 68 of the impeller 44. When rotated in a first direction (clockwise in the illustrated embodiment), the blades 68 of the impeller 44 engage the abutment 76 and rotate the door plate 42 to the opened position. Once the door plate 42 is rotated fully to the opened position, the blade 68 of the impeller flexes past the abutment. That is, the distal ends of the blades 68 are sufficiently flexible to pass the abutment with the door plate 42 in the opened position. When rotated in a second direction (counterclockwise in the illustrated embodiment), one of the blades 68 of the impeller engages the abutment 76 thereby rotating the door plate 42 to the closed position. Once the door plate 42 is fully in the closed position, the impeller 44 stops rotation such that the blade that caused the door plate to rotate is in resting engagement with the abutment between uses. Accordingly, the impeller 44 starts rotating from the same location.

The door plate 42 includes a key 78 that is sized and shaped to fit within the slot 36 in the bowl 38. The key 78 is configured to restrict the rotation of the door plate 42 between the opened and closed positions. In some suitable embodiments, the angle of rotation of the door plate 42 is limited to between 1° and 45° of rotation about the axis 74.

During use, one of the blades 68 of the impeller 44 is rotated in the first direction (clockwise in the illustrated embodiment) into contact with the abutment 76, which causes the door plate 42 to rotate in the direction of the impeller blade until the rotation of the door plate is restricted by the key 78. Once the rotation of the door plate 42 has been restricted, the impeller 44 may continue to rotate in the same direction. In this case, one or more of the blades 68 of the impeller 44 may contact the abutment 76 and sufficiently deflect or flex so that the blades pass the abutment.

The impeller 44 is rotated in the first direction for a predetermine number of rotations. During rotation, the blades 68 of the impeller 44 push or direct a desired quantity of powder through the bore 72 and the slot 36 in the bowl 38. As the impeller 44 rotates, the abutment 76 introduces an area of increased pressure behind the bore 72, causing the powder to travel downward through the bore 72 as the blades 68 approaches the abutment 76. The number of blades 68 of the impeller 44 passing the bore 72 and thus the slot 36 in the bowl 38 is directly related to the quantity of powder that is delivered to the mixing cup assembly 16 (Shown in FIGS. 23-25). After the impeller 44 has completed the predetermined number of rotations, the impeller rotates in the second direction until the at least one impeller blade 68 engages the abutment 76 and causes the door plate 42 to rotate to the closed position.

In some suitable embodiments, the door plate 42 also includes an engagement member (not shown) that is aligned with the bore 72 of the door plate 42. The engagement member maybe configured to direct the powder 14 being pushed by the impeller 44 through the bore 72 in the door plate 42.

In other suitable embodiments of the powder dispenser 10, the door plate 42 is fixed (i.e. cannot rotate) relative to the bowl 38. In this embodiment, the abutment 76 and key 78 are movable relative to both the door plate 42 and the bowl 38. The key 78 engages the bore 72 and or the slot 36 to restrict the position of the abutment 76 between an opened and a closed position. When the impeller 44 is rotated in the first direction, one of the blades 68 of the impeller 44 is configured to engage the abutment 76, selectively moving the abutment 76 to the opened position. When rotated in a second direction, one of the blades 68 of the impeller 44 engages the abutment 76 and pushes the abutment 76 to the closed position. In the opened position, the abutment 76 is aligned with the slot 36 of the bowl 38 and or the bore 72, allowing the powder 14 to be dispensed from the reservoir subassembly 32, into the mixing cup subassembly 16. When the abutment 76 is positioned in the closed position, the abutment 76 is misaligned with bore 72 and or the slot 36, restricting powder 14 from being dispensed. In further other suitable embodiments, the powder dispenser 10 does not include a door plate 42. In yet other suitable embodiments, the opening and closing of the slot 36 of the bowl and bore 72 can be controlled by an electronic switch.

In yet another suitable embodiment of the powder dispenser 10 does not include a door plate 42. In this embodiment the abutment 76, key 78, and bore 72 are located and fixed (i.e. cannot rotate) on, and in relation to, the substantially horizontal portion 54 of the bowl 38. The slot 36 is located on the housing 26, and the bowl 38 is configured to rotate between 1° and 45° transitioning between an opened and closed position. In yet still another suitable embodiment, a dedicated door feature could be mechanically operated with a separate motor/solenoid without reversing motion of the impeller component.

The motor subassembly 28, which is illustrated in FIGS. 20-22, includes a motor 80 and a drive shaft 64 that is operatively connected to the motor 80 for rotational movement in both the first and second directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive shaft 64 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) extends along the axis 74 and through the bore 62 in the reservoir subassembly 32. The drive shaft 64 is drivingly coupled to the impeller 44. The motor subassembly 28 may include transmission components, shafts, and/or gears extending between and drivingly connecting the drive shaft 64 and the motor 80.

As seen in FIGS. 16-18, during operation, the reservoir subassembly 32 is filled with powder 14. The motor subassembly 28, when activated, induces rotation of the impeller 44 so that the blades 68 of the impeller 44 within the reservoir subassembly 32 fluidize and distribute the powder 14 within the reservoir subassembly 32. The motor 80, in the illustrated embodiment, is configured to induce rotation of the impeller 44 at a constant speed via the drive shaft 64 in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In other suitable embodiments, the impeller 44 of the drive shaft 64 and thus the impeller 44 may be variable or only rotate in one of the clockwise or counterclockwise directions.

The blades 68 on the impeller 44 contact the powder as the impeller 44 rotates within the reservoir subassembly 32 to prevent clumping of the powder 14 and facilitate the powder 14 having a proper consistency and fluidity. In addition, the impeller 44 directs the powder towards the bore 72. The bore 72 is configured to contact portions of the powder 14 within the reservoir subassembly 32 as the impeller 44 rotates. The powder 14 that is collected above the door plate 42 fills the bore 72 and replaces powder 14 that is dispensed through the slot 36. The bore 72 and the slot 36 are sized to facilitate powder 14 flowing through the bore 72 and the slot 36. For example, the width of the bore 72 is between 4 mm and 20 mm wide and the abutment 76 may have a width less than or equal to the width of bore 72. The rotation of the impeller 44 regulates the volume of powder 14 that flows through the bore 72 and the slot 36.

The volume of powder 14 dispensed by the metering assembly 12 can be selectively varied to provide different volumes of powder 14 and prepare a broader range of mixtures than other powder dispensers. For example, the powder dispenser 10 has adjustability to a more exact amount than other powder dispensers and is not limited to large incremental adjustments because the metering assembly 12 does not rely on premeasured compartments. In particular, the bore 72 and the rotation of the impeller 44 facilitate infinite adjustments of the volume of powder 14 by adjusting the rotation of the impeller 44. For example, the volume of powder 14 is adjusted by changing the number of rotations and/or varying the angle of rotation of the impeller 44.

As seen in FIGS. 9-11 and 20, the central column 66 of the impeller 44 includes a bore 82 that is shaped to engage the drive shaft 64 and cause the impeller 44 to rotate with the drive shaft 64 when the drive shaft 64 rotates generally around the axis 74. For example, the bore 82 a cross shape which matches the shape of the drive shaft 64. The bore 82 is located at a center of the impeller 44. The bore 82 does not extend along the entire central column 66 and the top of the central column 66 is closed to prevent powder in the reservoir subassembly 32 from entering into the bore 82. The drive shaft 64 extends into the bore 82 and causes the impeller 44 to rotate and fluidize the powder.

As seen in FIGS. 20, during operation, the reservoir subassembly 32 is provided with a supply of powder 14. When power is supplied to the motor subassembly 28, the motor 80 induces rotation of the drive shaft 64 and the drive shaft 64 causes rotation of the impeller 44.

The number of rotations (either partial or full rotations) of the impeller 44 determines the volume of the powder 14 that is dispensed by the powder dispenser 10 and can be adjusted to change the volume of dispensed powder 14. For example, the volume of powder 14 dispensed per rotation of the impeller 44 is dependent on the size of the bore 72. The powder dispenser 10 determines a number of rotations of the impeller 44 that are required to provide a desired volume of powder 14 based on a user input and/or a preset recipe. In suitable embodiments, the number of rotations of the impeller 44 are adjusted to vary the dispensed volume of powder 14. Accordingly, the powder dispenser 10 provides precise volumes of the powder 14 for each use.

In addition, the powder dispenser 10 is adjustable to a greater degree than other dispensers. For example, the rotation of the impeller 44 can be divided into angular measurements that provide predetermined volumes of powder 14 based on the characteristics of the powder dispenser 10. The rotation of the impeller 44 is controlled by the motor 80 based on the rotations required to provide a desired volume of powder 14. For example, the motor 80 may be a stepper motor that divides the rotation into a number of steps and relates each step to an angular rotation of the impeller 44, a volume of powder 14 that will be dispensed, and/or a flow rate of the powder 14 through the bore 72. The powder dispenser 10 determines the number of steps that are required to provide a desired volume of powder 14 and operates the motor 80 to provide the volume of powder 14. The rotation of the impeller 44 is controlled by each step of the motor 80 and the impeller 44 is rotated such that the slot 72 removes the precise volume of powder 14 during the rotation. Thus, the metering assembly 12 provides graduated control of the volume of the powder 14 that is dispensed.

The powder 14 removed through the bore 72 from the powder chamber 50 flows through the slot 36 and into the mixing cup subassembly 16. The powder 14 may be mixed with liquid within the mixing cup subassembly 16. The predetermined volume of powder 14 and/or a mixture is dispensed through the outlet 24 of the mixing cup subassembly 16 into the bottle. Accordingly, the powder dispenser 10 dispenses a precise volume of powder 14 or mixture into the bottle. The powder 14 or mixture may be mixed within the bottle.

After the powder 14 is dispensed, the powder 14 within the reservoir subassembly 32 may need to be replenished to facilitate proper functioning of the powder dispenser 10. In some suitable embodiments, the powder dispenser 10 includes one or more sensors that detects the volume of the powder 14 within the reservoir, the powder 14 dispensed through the dispenser, and/or any other operating parameter of the powder dispenser 10. The powder dispenser 10 may provide an indication when the reservoir subassembly 32 needs to be replenished and/or the powder dispenser 10 may alter operation of the powder dispenser 10 based on the detected information. Suitably, the arrangement of the bore 72 facilitates proper operation of the powder dispenser 10 with a low level of the powder within the reservoir subassembly 32 because the powder is continuously directed into the bore 72 and the dispensed powder 14 is withdrawn from the continuously replenished bore 72.

A second exemplary embodiment of an impeller 144 is illustrated in FIGS. 26-29. In this embodiment, the impeller 144 is similar to the first impeller 44, and the description of the first impeller 44 applies to the second impeller 44 except as indicated otherwise. Similar to the impeller 44 shown in FIGS. 9-11, the impeller 144 includes a central column 166, a plurality of blades 168 extending from the central column 166, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades 168 includes a planar contact surface 170. The impeller 144 additionally includes supports 186 and a ring 188. The supports 150 extend radially outward from the central column 146 to the ring 148. The ring 148 is sized to fit within the bowl 38.

The blades 116 are disposed between the central column 146 and the ring 148 and are to and extend tangentially from the central column 146. The blades 168 include planar contact surfaces 170 that are arranged at angles relative to the supports 186. The blades 168 engage and fluidize the powder and direct the powder towards the abutment 76 and the bore 72. Suitably, the impeller 144 may include two of the blades 168 between each of the supports 186. In suitable embodiments, the impeller 144 may include longer blades 168 that are arranged to provide alternate sweeps of the powder from outside-in and inside-out and to cross the entire surface of the power. For example, the planar contact surfaces 170 of the blades 168 can extend at different, alternating lengths.

The supports 186 are disposed between the central column 166 and the ring 188 and are coupled to the ring 188. The supports 186 extend tangentially from the central column 146. The supports 188 engage and fluidize the powder 14. Suitably, the impeller 144 may include four of the supports 186 evenly distributed about the central column 166.

The ring 188 is deposed around the distal ends of the supports 186 and is sized and shaped to fit within the powder chamber 50 of bowl 38. The ring 188 extends downward from the supports 186. In suitable embodiments, the ring includes a planar contact surfaces 170 configured to contact the substantially horizontal portion 54 of door plate 42. The ring 188 engage and fluidize the powder and direct the powder towards the abutment 76 and the bore 72.

As seen in FIG. 29, the central column 166 of the impeller 144 includes a bore 182 that is shaped to engage the drive shaft 64 and cause the impeller 144 to rotate with the drive shaft 64 when the drive shaft 64 rotates generally around the axis 74 (seen in FIG. 19). For example, the bore 182 a cross shape which matches the shape of the drive shaft 64. The bore 182 is located at a center of the impeller 144. The bore 182 does not extend along the entire central column 166 and the top of the central column 166 is closed to prevent powder in the reservoir subassembly 32 from entering into the bore 182. The drive shaft 64 extends into the bore 182 and causes the impeller 144 to rotate and mix the powder.

Referring now to FIGS. 30-41 and more specifically to FIGS. 30, 31, and 40, another suitable embodiment of a reservoir subassembly 232 is illustrated. The reservoir subassembly 232 of this embodiment includes a bowl 238, a lid 240, a door arm 200, and an impeller 244. The bowl 238 is substantially cylindrical in shape with a circular base 246 and a sidewall 248 that extends upward from the perimeter of the base 246 creating a powder chamber 250 with an opening 252 opposite of the base 246. The lid 240 is sized and shaped to couple to the bowl 238 such that the lid 240 selectively closes the opening 252 of the bowl 238. The lid 240 can be selectively removed from the bowl 238 by a user to fill the powder chamber 250 with powder. Once a suitable quantity of powder is placed in the powder chamber 250 of the bowl 238 by the user, the lid 240 can be reengaged with the bowl 238 to close the opening 252.

The components of the reservoir subassembly 232 may be manufactured from any suitable food safe material. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, plastics such as HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP; and alloys like stainless steel, titanium, or aluminum. The components of the reservoir subassembly 232 may be manufactured from same or different material as one another. For example, the door arm 200 may be made of the same material as the impeller 244 or it may be of different material as the impeller 244. In the illustrated embodiment, the bowl 238 and lid 240 of the reservoir subassembly 232 are transparent or semi-transparent so that the user can visually observe the quantity of powder within the powder chamber 250.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 30-41 and as best seen in FIG. 40, the interior contour of the base 246 includes a substantially horizontal portion 254 extending inward from around the outer most perimeter of the bowl 238. As seen in FIG. 40, the horizontal portion 254 of the base 246 defines an annular ring 256 having a width. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the width of the annular ring 256 is between 4 millimeters (mm) and 20 mm. It is understood, however, that the width of the annular ring 256 can have any suitable width without departing from some aspects of this disclosure.

With reference still to FIG. 40, the substantially horizontal 254 portion transitions into a moderately sloped portion 258 of the base 246 at the outer circumference of the base 246. The substantially horizontal portion 254 transitions into a frustum hub portion 260 with a bore 262 positioned in the center of the base 246. As described in more detail below, the bore 262 is sized and shaped to receive a drive shaft 264 of the motor subassembly 228. In some suitable embodiments, the contour of the base 246 of bowl 238 may not include the moderately sloped portion 258 and/or the substantially horizontal portion 254. That is, for example, the interior contour of the base 246 may by entirely flat or entirely sloped. With reference again to FIG. 40, in the illustrated embodiment, the moderately sloped portion 258 is sloped at an angle α of about 10 degrees. Suitably, the angle α is between 0 degrees and 60 degrees.

As illustrated in FIG. 30, the bottom portion of the bowl 238 also includes a slot 236. The slot 236 forms an opening in the bowl 238 for the powder 14 to pass through to the mixing cup assembly 216. The slot 236 extends inward radially from the outer circumference of the bowl 238. In some suitable embodiments, the slot 236 is between about 15 mm to about 20 mm in length and has a width of about 5 mm. The bottom portion of the bowl 238 also includes an abutment 276 that extends about 3 mm above the bottom surface of the base 246 and extends along the length of the slot 236. The angle of the slot 236 and the abutment 276 is offset from the angle of the blades 268. For example, the length the slot 236 is offset 10 degrees from the blade 268 and the abutment 276 extending along the length of the slot 236. Offsetting the slot 236 from the angle of the blade 268 enables shearing of the powder relative to the abutment 276 and maintains movement of the powder 14. By offsetting the slot 276 from the blade 268 compaction of the powder is reduced as the powder travels through the slot 236 to the mixing cup assembly 216.

The door arm 200 of the reservoir subassembly 232, which can be viewed in FIGS. 31, 35-37, and 42, includes a first leg 202 and a second leg 204 positionable between an open position and a closed position. Each leg 202, 204 extends radially from a hub 283 defining a circular opening 284. The first leg 202 and the second leg 204 are spaced apart relative to the hub 283. In the illustrated embodiment, the first leg 202 and the second leg 204 are positioned on opposite sides of the hub 283. The hub 283 is sized and shaped to be received within the frustum hub portion 260 of the base 246.

The first leg 202 of the door arm 200 defines a generally planar upper surface 206 shaped to align with the exterior contour of the base 246 of the bowl 238. The first leg 202 includes a bore 272 defining an opening. When the door arm 200 is in the open position, the bore 272 is aligned with the slot 236 in the base 238 and the outlet 224 of the mixing cup assembly 216 to allow the powder to travel from the reservoir subassembly 232 to the mixing bowl subassembly 224. It is noted that the bore 272 is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the door arm 200. In other words, the bore 272 is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the door arm 200. In the closed position, slot 236 is aligned with the planar surface 206 to prevent powder from travelling from the reservoir subassembly 232 to the mixing bowl subassembly 224.

The second leg of the door arm 200 includes a slot 208 shaped to receive a pin 209 from the door arm motor assembly 213. As door arm motor assembly 213 moves the pin 209, the pin 209 travels along the slot 208 to cause rotation of the door arm 200 to transition between the closed position and the open position.

The door arm motor assembly 213, which is illustrated in FIG. 42, includes a motor 214 and a cam 215 that is operatively connected to the motor 214 for rotational movement in both the first and second directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 215 includes the pin 209 that extends through the slot 208 in the second leg 206 of the door arm 200. As the motor 214 rotates the cam 215, the pin 209 engages the slot 208 to rotate the door arm 200 between an open position and a closed position. For example, the motor 214 executes a partial rotation of the cam 215 in a first direction to transition the door arm 200 from the closed position to the open position. The motor 214 completes the rotation of the cam 215 to return the door arm 200 to the closed position.

In the example embodiment, the door arm 200 is sized and shaped to abut with a bottom exterior portion of the bowl 238. A top contour of the door arm 200 closely conforms to the exterior contour of the bowl 238. Suitably, the top contour of the door arm 200 is in face-to-face engagement with the exterior contour of the base 246 of the bowl (see FIG. 40). That is, the door arm 200 is suitably sized and shaped to align with and overlie the exterior contour of the base 246 of the bowl 238.

With reference to FIGS. 31-33, another suitable embodiment of an impeller 244 is illustrated. The impeller 244 is sized and shaped to fit within the powder chamber 250 of the bowl 238 such that the bottom of the impeller 244 rests on the base 246. A cap 243 sits on top of the impeller 244 between the impeller 244 and the lid 240. As seen in FIG. 40, the bottom contour of the impeller 244 closely conform to the contours of the base 246. The impeller 244 is configured to rotate independently of the bowl 238, the door arm 200, and the lid 240.

As seen in FIGS. 32-34, the impeller 244 includes a central column 266 and a plurality of blades 268 extending outward from the central column 266. In the illustrated embodiment, each of plurality of blades 268 include a broom 270 attached to the blade 268, such as an elastomeric broom. The broom 270 is flexible to maintain constant contact with the base 246 and deflect when contacting an abutment 276.

The central column 266 is sized and shaped to receive and engage the drive shaft 264 (shown in FIG. 41). In the illustrated embodiment, the blades 268 extend tangentially outward from the central column 266 to near (almost touching) the bowl sidewall 248. In some suitable embodiments, the blades 268 may extend radially outward from the central column 266. The blades 268 may be offset from the radial axis of the central column 266 to ensure movement of the powder in the bowl 238 towards the outer edge to align with the slot 236. For example, the blades 268 may extend at a 30 degree offset relative to a radial axis of the central column 266. The blades 268 may any shape, including straight, as shown in the example embodiment, but may also be curved and or disjointed. The blades 268 include brooms 270 that conform to the contour of the top surface of the door arm 200. For example, the brooms 270 are elastomeric brooms. The blades 268 engage and fluidize the powder 14 and direct the powder 14 towards a slot 236 in the base 246. In some suitable embodiments, the impeller 244 includes shorter blades 268 that are arranged to provide alternate sweeps of the powder 14 from outside-in and inside-out and to cross the entire surface of the powder 14. For example, the brooms 270 of the blades 268 may extend at different, alternating lengths. In further suitable embodiments, the impeller 244 includes blades 268 disposed at different elevations along central hub 268. For example, the brooms 270 of the blades 268 may be disposed at different, alternating elevations along the central column 266. The impeller 244 is configured to rotate generally about a central axis 274 (FIG. 40) and engage the powder 14 within the reservoir subassembly 232 during rotation movement of the impeller 244.

With reference to FIGS. 35-37, the door arm 200, which is positioned immediately below the base 246, has the bore 272 that is selectively aligned with the slot 236 in the bowl 238, facilitating the formation of a through hole extending from the powder chamber 250 to the exterior of the bowl 238. The door arm 200 is rotatable by a door arm motor subassembly 213 between two positions. In the opened position, the bore 272 is aligned with the slot 236, allowing powder to be dispensed from the reservoir subassembly 232 into the mixing cup subassembly 216. When the door arm 200 is rotated to the closed position, the bore 272 and the slot 236 are misaligned, inhibiting the formation of a through hole extending from the powder chamber 250 to the door arm 200, restricting powder 14 from being dispensed.

The base 246 has the abutment 276 adjacent the slot 36 that extends into the path of the blades 268 of the impeller 244. When rotated in a first direction (clockwise in the illustrated embodiment), the brooms 270 of the blades 268 engage the abutment 276. As the blades 268 continue to rotate, the brooms 270 of the impeller 244 flexes past the abutment 276. That is, the distal ends of the brooms 270 are sufficiently flexible to pass the abutment 276. Once the door arm 200 is fully in the closed position, the impeller 244 stops rotation such that the blade 268 is in resting engagement with the base 246 between uses. Accordingly, the impeller 244 starts rotating from the same location. In some suitable embodiments, the angle of rotation of the door arm 200 is limited to between 1° and 45° of rotation about the axis 274.

During use, the door arm motor assembly 213 transitions the door arm 200 from a closed position to an open position to align the bore 272 with the slot 236. Once the door arm 200 is in the open position, the motor subassembly 228 rotates the impeller 244 in the first direction to direct the powder 14 towards the slot 236. In this case, one or more of the blades 268 of the impeller 244 may contact the abutment 276 and sufficiently deflect or flex so that the blades 268 pass the abutment 276.

The impeller 244 is rotated in the first direction for a predetermine number of rotations by the motor subassembly 228. During rotation, the blades 268 of the impeller 244 push or direct a desired quantity of powder 14 through the slot 236 in the bowl 238 and the bore 272 of the door arm 200. As the impeller 244 rotates, the abutment 276 introduces an area of increased pressure behind the bore 272, causing the powder to travel downward through the bore 272 as the blades 268 approaches the abutment 276. The number of blades 268 of the impeller 244 passing the slot 236 and thus the bore 272 in the bowl 238 is directly related to the quantity of powder that is delivered to the mixing cup assembly 216. Once a desired quantity of powder 14 is delivered to the mixing cup assembly 216 the motor subassembly 228 stops rotation of the impeller 244 and the door arm motor assembly 213 rotates the cam 216 to transition the door arm 200 from the open position to the closed position.

In some suitable embodiments, the door arm 200 also includes an engagement member (not shown) that is aligned with the bore 272 of the door arm 200. The engagement member maybe configured to direct the powder 14 being pushed by the impeller 244 through the bore 272 in the door arm 200.

In other suitable embodiments, the powder dispenser 210 does not include a door arm 200. In such embodiment, for example, the abutment 276, key 278, and slot 236 are located and fixed (i.e. cannot rotate) on, and in relation to, the substantially horizontal portion 254 of the bowl 238. The bore 272 is located on the housing 226, and the bowl 238 is configured to rotate between 1° and 45° transitioning between an opened and closed position.

The motor subassembly 228, which is illustrated in FIG. 41, includes a motor 280 and a drive shaft 264 that is operatively connected to the motor 280 for rotational movement in both the first and second directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive shaft 264 (see FIGS. 40 and 41) extends along the axis 274 and through the bore 262 in the reservoir subassembly 232. The drive shaft 264 is drivingly coupled to the impeller 244. The motor subassembly 228 may include transmission components, shafts, and/or gears extending between and drivingly connecting the drive shaft 264 and the motor 280.

As seen in FIGS. 38-39, during operation, the reservoir subassembly 232 is filled with powder 14. The motor subassembly 228, when activated, induces rotation of the impeller 244 so that the blades 268 of the impeller 244 within the reservoir subassembly 232 fluidize and distribute the powder 14 within the reservoir subassembly 232. The motor 280, in the illustrated embodiment, is configured to induce rotation of the impeller 244 at a constant speed via the drive shaft 264 in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In other suitable embodiments, the impeller 244 of the drive shaft 264 and thus the impeller 244 may be variable or only rotate in one of the clockwise or counterclockwise directions.

The blades 268 on the impeller 244 contact the powder as the impeller 244 rotates within the reservoir subassembly 232 to prevent clumping of the powder 14 and facilitate the powder 14 having a proper consistency and fluidity. In addition, the impeller 244 directs the powder towards the slot 236. The slot 236 is configured to contact portions of the powder 14 within the reservoir subassembly 232 as the impeller 244 rotates. The powder 14 that is collected above the base 246 fills the slot 236 and replaces powder 14 that is dispensed through the bore 272 when the door arm 200 is in the opened position. The bore 272 and the slot 236 are sized to facilitate powder 14 flowing through the bore 272 and the slot 236. For example, the width of the bore 272 is between 4 mm and 20 mm wide and the abutment 276 may have a width less than or equal to the width of bore 272. The rotation of the impeller 244 regulates the volume of powder 14 that flows through the bore 272 and the slot 236.

As seen in FIGS. 32-34 and 41, the central column 266 of the impeller 244 includes the bore 282 that is shaped to engage the drive shaft 264 and cause the impeller 244 to rotate with the drive shaft 264 when the drive shaft 264 rotates generally around the axis 274. For example, the bore 282 a cross shape which matches the shape of the drive shaft 264. The bore 282 is located at a center of the impeller 244. The bore 282 does not extend along the entire central column 266 and the top of the central column 266 is closed to prevent powder in the reservoir subassembly 232 from entering into the bore 282. The drive shaft 264 extends into the bore 282 and causes the impeller 244 to rotate and fluidize the powder 14.

As seen in FIGS. 41, during operation, the reservoir subassembly 232 is provided with a supply of powder 14. When power is supplied to the motor subassembly 228, the motor 280 induces rotation of the drive shaft 264 and the drive shaft 264 causes rotation of the impeller 244.

The number of rotations (either partial or full rotations) of the impeller 244 determines the volume of the powder 14 that is dispensed by the powder dispenser 210 and can be adjusted to change the volume of dispensed powder 14. For example, the volume of powder 14 dispensed per rotation of the impeller 244 is dependent on the size of the slot 236. The powder dispenser 210 determines a number of rotations of the impeller 244 that are required to provide a desired volume of powder 14 based on a user input and/or a preset recipe. In suitable embodiments, the number of rotations of the impeller 244 are adjusted to vary the dispensed volume of powder 14. Accordingly, the powder dispenser 210 provides precise volumes of the powder 14 for each use.

In addition, the powder dispenser 210 is adjustable to a greater degree than other dispensers. For example, the rotation of the impeller 244 can be divided into angular measurements that provide predetermined volumes of powder 14 based on the characteristics of the powder dispenser 210. The rotation of the impeller 244 is controlled by the motor 280 based on the rotations required to provide a desired volume of powder 14. For example, the motor 280 may be a stepper motor that divides the rotation into a number of steps and relates each step to an angular rotation of the impeller 244, a volume of powder 14 that will be dispensed, and/or a flow rate of the powder 14 through the bore 272. The powder dispenser 210 determines the number of steps that are required to provide a desired volume of powder 14 and operates the motor 280 to provide the volume of powder 14. The rotation of the impeller 244 is controlled by each step of the motor 280 and the impeller 244 is rotated such that the slot 272 removes the precise volume of powder 14 during the rotation. Thus, the metering assembly 212 provides graduated control of the volume of the powder 14 that is dispensed.

The powder 14 removed through the slot 236 from the powder chamber 250 flows through the bore 272 and into the mixing cup subassembly 216. The powder 14 may be mixed with liquid within the mixing cup subassembly 216. The predetermined volume of powder 14 and/or a mixture is dispensed through the outlet 224 of the mixing cup subassembly 216 into the bottle. Accordingly, the powder dispenser 210 dispenses a precise volume of powder 14 or mixture into the bottle. The powder 14 or mixture may be mixed within the bottle.

After the powder 14 is dispensed, the powder 14 within the reservoir subassembly 232 may need to be replenished to facilitate proper functioning of the powder dispenser 210. In some suitable embodiments, the powder dispenser 210 includes one or more sensors that detects the volume of the powder 14 within the reservoir, the powder 14 dispensed through the dispenser, and/or any other operating parameter of the powder dispenser 210. The powder dispenser 210 may provide an indication when the reservoir subassembly 232 needs to be replenished and/or the powder dispenser 210 may alter operation of the powder dispenser 210 based on the detected information. Suitably, the arrangement of the slot 236 facilitates proper operation of the powder dispenser 210 with a low level of the powder within the reservoir subassembly 232 because the powder is continuously directed into the slot 236 and the dispensed powder 14 is withdrawn from the continuously replenished slot 236.

An example technical effect of the methods, systems, and apparatus described herein includes at least one of: (a) the ability to dispenses a precise volume of powder; (b) reduced cost due to lower part count compared to existing powder dispensers; and (c) simplistic operation.

The various aspects illustrated by logical blocks, modules, circuits, processes, algorithms, and algorithm steps described above may be implemented as electronic hardware, software, or combinations of both. Certain disclosed components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described in terms of their functionality, illustrating the interchangeability of their implementation in electronic hardware or software. The implementation of such functionality varies among different applications given varying system architectures and design constraints. Although such implementations may vary from application to application, they do not constitute a departure from the scope of this disclosure.

Aspects of embodiments implemented in software may be implemented in program code, application software, application programming interfaces (APIs), firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages (HDLs), or any combination thereof. A code segment or machine-executable instruction may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to, or integrated with, another code segment or an electronic hardware by passing or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, memory contents, or memory locations. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these systems and methods is not limiting of the claimed features or this disclosure. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods were described without reference to the specific software code being understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement the systems and methods based on the description herein.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is generally intended, within the context presented, to disclose that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Likewise, conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is generally intended, within the context presented, to disclose at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

The disclosed systems and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Rather, components of the systems or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other described components or steps.

This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments, which include the best mode, to enable any person skilled in the art to practice those embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences form the literal language of the claims.