1. * GB780132 (A)
Description: GB780132 (A) ? 1957-07-31
Improvements in and relating to powder-dispensing devices
Description of GB780132 (A)
COMPLETE SPECIFICAMON
Improvements in and relating to Powder-Dispensing Devices
I, WILLIAM JOHN HARRIS, a British Subject, of Betholm, Menin Way,
Farnham,
Surrey, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent
may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to
be particularly described in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to powder-dispensing devices, and aims at the
provision of simple means, more especially for domestic use, whereby
powder (e.g. a detergent) can be delivered from a container, such as a
carton, in successive, and reasonably uniform, amounts.
With this end in view the invention consists in a powder-dispensing
device, in the form of a separate unit detachably securable to one
side of a carton or like powder container, said dispensing device
comprising an enclosure provided with inlet and outlet apertures for
the powder, and a zig-zag or serpentine passage-way between said inlet
and out- let apertures through successive stages of which the powder
can be caused to pass by repeated tipping of the dispensing device.
Owing to the conformation of the passage way, some powder is admitted
into it upon an initial tipping of the powder container fitted with a
dispensing device. Upon a reverse tipping movement, some of this may
be returned to the container, but the remainder (or the whole if none
is returned) of the powder initially admitted proceeds further along
another section of its serpentine or zig-zag path.
By this means the amounts of powder successively passing through the
dispenser are maintained at a reasonably uniform value If desired the
dispenser may be provided with relatively adjustable parts allowing
variation as desired of the uniform amount successively dispensed.
Conveniently a dispenser according to this invention may be made of
cardboard or the like, and in a preferred form of the invention the

2. dispenser is formed from a single blank of cardboard cut to suitable
shape, and conveni ently scored and/or creased, so that it can be
folded up and secured (e.g. by adhesive edging) to form an enclosure,
with inlet and outlet apertures, and internal partition walls defining
a zig-zag or serpentine passage through which the inlet and outlet
apertures are in communication.
A dispenser according to the invention may be detachably secured to a
carton or like powder container by resilient means, (e.g. an elastic
band), springcatch or clip means, hook like means or a spout adapted
to puncture the container, or in any other convenient manner.
The invention will be clearly understood from the following
description of a few forms (given, however, merely by way of example)
which it may assume, and this description will be more readily
followed by reference to the drawings comprising Figures 1-9
accompanying the provisional specifications of Patent
Applications No. 9026/55 and Figures 10-13 accompanying the
provisional specification of
Patent Application No. 23286/55 herewith.
In carrying the invention into effect in one convenient manner as
shown in the aforesaid drawings, a powder dispenser, intended more
especially for domestic use, may be formed of a hollow truncated
wedge-shaped enclosure with a base 1, and upper wall 2 perpendicular
to the base 1, a lower wall 3 inclined towards the upper wall 2 and
side walls 4, 5. The upper wall 2 may be extended beyond the base 1 to
form a flap or ledge 6. The enclosure may be of substantially the same
width as a standard powder carom e.g. a detergent carton, used
domestically, so that the base 1 and ledge 6 can fit and engage the
top side of a carton 7 as seen in Figure 1. Means may be provided for
temporarily holding the enclosure on the carton in this position, and
in one convenient form these means may com- prise pins 8 or like
abutments from the side walls .4, 5 engageable by an elastic band 9
stretched round the carton 7.
The base 1 of the truncated wedge-shaped enclosure, (now forming the
rear walls of the
dispenser) is formed near to its upper edge
with an inlet aperture 10, conveniently rectangular, and the aperture
formed between the
outer edges of the convergent walls 2, 3 and the sides 4, 5, serves as
an outlet aperture 11.
Internally the enclosure is provided with partitions which restrict
the passageway thrcugh the enclosure and ensure that ny- thing such as
powder, passing from the inlet
10 to the outlet 11 must follow a Z-shaped, sinuous or serpentine
path. These partitions extend fully between the sides 4, 5 (to which

3. they may be rigidly secured), and comprises one partition 12 inclined
upwards from the rear wall 1 (which it meets adjacent to the lower
edge of the inlet 10), and another partition 13 inclined downwards
from the forward edge of the upper wall 2, and projecting into the
enclosure. The partitions 12, 13 may, as shown, be parallel to one
another and to the inclined wall 3 of the enclosure; and they
preferably overlap, but stop short of the walls (upper wall 2 and rear
wall I respectively) towards which they project.
When a dispenser such as described above is in use an aperture
corresponding to, or within the bounds of, inlet 10 of the dispenser,
is cut or pierced in the side wall of the carton 7 near to its top
edge, and the dispenser is then detachably secured to the carton, as
shown in Figure 1, with inlet 10 in register with this aperture in the
carton. The carton is then tipped so that the outlet 11 of the
dispenser is directed downwards, and it will be seen that fluent
powder from the carton enters the dispenser through the inlet 10 and
fills the wedge-shaped internal recess between the wall 2 and
partition 13, up to the level at which the edge of partition 12
approaches wall 2, whereafter further outflow of powder is arrested.
The carton is then raised to an erect position (Figure 1), and while
some powder is guided back into the carton by partition 12 it will be
clear that much or all of the powder in the recess between wall 2 and
partition 13 slides down the said partition to fill the recess between
the rear wall 1 and lower wall 3 at the base of the dispenser
enclosure. When the carton is tipped for a second time the powder in
this lastmentioned recess between the walls 1 and 3, slides down wall
3 and is discharged at outlet 11. It will be noted that during this
second act of tipping the carton, a second charge of powder flows into
the recess between partition 13 and wall 2, at the same time as the
first charge of pcwder is escaping through outlet 11, and when the
carton is next erected this second charge of powder falls to the
recess between walls 1 and 3. Thus it will be seen that each time the
carton is tipped up (after the initial tipping), nct only is one
charge cf powder delivered, but a second charge is measured out in
readiness for subsequent delivery. The amount of powder forming a
charge is determined approximately by the dimensions of the partition
13, the spacing between the edge
of partition 12 and wall 2, and the degree of overlap of the
partitions 12 and 13. These measurements can be prearranged to provide
dispensing of any desired amount of powder for each discharge.
A dispenser such as described above may be fabricated from sheets of
cardboard, wood, metal or plastic, or may be moulded from a synthetic
resin.
A slightly modified form of dispenser according to the invention which

4. can be simply and cheaply constructed from a single blank, e.g. of
cardboard or the like, suitably cut, creased and scored, as
illustrated in
Figures 3 and 4, and a blank for such a dispenser is illustrated in
Figure 5 of the drawings.
From Figures 3 and 4 it will be seen that partitions 12, 13 and lower
wall 3 cf the dispenser are not now parallel to one another.
Partition 12 projects from the rear of the enclosure into the angled
recess between partition 13 and the top of the enclosure, while
partition 13 extends downwards and inwards from the front edge of the
top of the enclosure to engage in the angled recess between the rear
and lower wall of she enclosure. The partitions are provided with
apertures 14, 15 respectively to allow passage of powder and these
are, as shown, misaligned in the enclosure, so that the passage way
communicating between the inlet and outlet of the enclosure is of
Z-shaped or zig-zag form. The side walls 4, 5 may be provided with
inclined slots 16 adapted to be engaged by an elastic band 9 for
holding the dispenser against a carton 7 (Figure 3), as previously
described, whereafter the operation of the dispenser is the same as
set out above.
In Figure 5 is shown a single-piece blank, e.g. of cardboard, which
may be folded and assembled to form a dispenser as shown in
Figures 3 and 4. The partition 12 with lower extension is folded down
about score line 17 to be at right angles to side wall 5, and the
partition bent inwards about score line 18 to align with chain line
19. The partition 13, with its extension, is folded down about line 20
to be perpendicular to side wall 5, and the partition folded in about
score-line 21 to be aligned with the chain-line 22. The lower wall 3,
side wall 4 and upper wall 26 can then be folded at their score-lines
down beneath up and over the folded partitions, and the rear wall 1
can be folded about its score line behind the lower extension of
partition 12. If desired the outer foldable portions, e.g. unper wall
2, and rear wall 1, may be provided with means, e.g. adhesive strips
23, whereby they can be secured in position when the dispenser is
appropriately folded and assembled.
According to a modified form Of the inven tion a powder dispenser,
constructed and operable substantially as described above, may be
adjustable in order to vary, at will, the amount of powder
incorporated in each charge delivered. One embodiment of this modified
form of the invention is shown in Figures 6 and 7 from which it will
be seen that, as in the forms of dispenser above described an
enclosure comprises an upper wall 2, with ledge 6, a rear wall 1, with
aperture 10, a lower wall 3, and partitions 12 and 13 which, as
before, define a zig-zag or serpentine passage through the enclosure.

5. In this case, however, the upper wall 2 is raised to be sub stan-
tially parallel to the partition 12, and the rectangular opening
formed between side walls 4, 5 and the free edges of partition 13 and
the upper wall 2, is closed by a cuboidal box like structure 24
telescopically fitted therein, as shown. It will be seen that when the
dispenser is fitted to a carton (as previously described), and the
carton is tipped forward, the amount of powder separated out in the
dispenser for the initial charge to be delivered is deteriraned mainly
bv the said between the outer end of partition i2, and the end wall of
the closure member 24. As seen in Figure 7 the member 24 can be
adjusted to modify this spacing and thereby to vary the amount of
powder included in each discharge. As before this dispenser may be
held to a carton by an elastic band engaging in slots 16, and
conveniently these slots extend beyond the edges of the member 24 so
that the elastic band 9 bears on the member 24, and holds it, by
friction, in any desired preset position.
A slightly modified form of the invention employing tubular elements
is illusltrated in
Figures 8 and 9. The dispenser here comprises a rear wall l, with
flange 6, and a circular aperture 10 in the rear wall over which is
attached an inner tube 25, over which is fitted an intermediate tube
26 of larger diameter, closed at its outer end, and outside this
intermediate tube 26 is fitted an outer tube 27 of yet larger
diameter. The three tubes are in line contact at their uppermost
points, and are preferably axially inclined upwards slightly in
reflation to the rear wall 1 as fitted to a carton 7. The lower side
of tube 26, near to rear wall 1, is formed with an aperture 28, and it
will be seen that this form of the invention operates and functions in
substantially the same way as previously described.
If desired the tube 26 may be formed of two telescoping portions,
relatively adjustable, as seen in Figure 9, to allow variation of the
dispensed amount of powder, as described with reference to Figures 6
and 7 above.
It has been found that in devices of the forms above described there
is a tendency for some powders therein to cake or form a crust when
standing unused for a while, and in further forms of the invention the
design is modified in order to reduce or eliminate this disadvantage.
Powder-dispensing devices incorporating these modifications are of the
same general character as described above insofar as they are
detachably securable to a carton, and comprise chamber-like spaces
disposed so that by an initial tipping of the qarton powder is
received from the carton by the upper chamber, and passes to the lower
chamber when the carton is thereafrer erected, later being delivered
from the lower chamber for use when the carton is next tipped. During

6. this subsequent tipping operation mare powder is; received by the
upper chamber3 in readiness for the succeeding cycle. The dimensions
of the chambers and/or the passages or apertures through which the
powder passes are selected so that approximately a prearranged
quantity of powder is delivered from the carton at each tipping, and
apportioning of the powder in this manner is pro cured by arranging a
serpentine or zig-zag path of prearranged dimensions to be followed by
the powder in stages during its passage of the carton.
In the modified forms of this invention aforesaid a powder-dispensing
device of the general character indicated above is formed with a lower
chamber of which opposite walls diverge from the bottom so that there
is greater freedom of flow of the powder to the dispenser outlet when
the carton is tipped forward. The base of this lower chamber may be of
curved, trough-like shape, or formed with a flat portion which is
substantially hcrizontal when the canon is upright, in order to avoid
an acute-angle recess between the chamber walls in which powder would
tend to be confined.
One modified form of the invention is shown in Figure 10 of the
drawings from which it will be seen that a powder dispenser is in the
form of a cuboidal or box-shaped casing having a rear wall 1, a " roof
" 2, and front wall 3, and a trough-shaped base 30, closed by end
walls 31. The rear wall 1, near to its upper edge is formed with an
inlet aperture 1Q and the lower part of the front wall 3 is formed
with an outlet aperture 11.
Downwardly inclined from the upper edge of outlet aperture 11 is a
partition 13 projecting into the casing towards the rear of the base,
and extending fully between the end walls 31, dividing the casing into
upper and lower chambers communicating by a gap or passage left
between the lower edge of the partition 13 and the rear wall 1 of the
casing.
Rearwardly from the inlet 10 extends a tube or spout 32, rigid with
the casing, which at its- free end is preferably formed with edges 33
in a plane inclined to the tube axis to provide a pointed tip suitable
for piercing the wall of a carton. Adjacent to the rear wall 1 the
tube 32 is formed with a ring groove 34 in which the edges of the
carton aperture engage to grip the tube when the latter is forced
through the carton wall. The spout 32 is preferably forced through the
carton side wall close to the top edge of the carton so that the upper
side of the spout 32 bears against the inner surface of the carton
roof, while the rear wall 1 bears against the exterior of the carton
side wall, and the whole, being held in position by the groove 34
engaged by the carton, is thus firmly affixed.
In use the dispenser shown in Figure 10 operates as previously
described, viz., when the carton is first tipped forwards a

7. prearranged quantity of powder passing from the carton through the
tube 32 is received by the upper chamber defined by the partition 13
with roof 2, front wall 1 and the closing end walls. When the carton
is erected this measured quantity of powder falls into the trough base
30, and when the carton is next tipped it escapes therefrom through
outlet 11, while a second charge of powder is being received in the
upper chamber.
A slightly modified form of the invention is shown in Figure 11 of the
drawings wherein the same details are identified by the references
shown in Figure 10. In this form of the invention the base of the
casing is modified, and, in place of the trough 30, is formed with a
flat, horizontal portion 35, and an upwardly inclined forward wall 36.
This form of base facilitates flow of powder to the outlet, and thus
reduces the disadvantages arising from the possibility that when left
standing for some time powder may tend to compact or cake, or form a
"crust" in the lower chamber.
In this, or in any other form of the invention, the danger that powder
in the lower chamber and/or in the carton may cake by absorbing
moisture may, if desired, be reduced by fitting to the outlet a flap
37 hinged sr 38 adapted to swing forward when the car ton is tipped,
and to close the outlet, as shown. when the carton is erect.
Referring to Figure 12 of the drawings herewith the tube or spout 32
of forms of the invention such as described above may, if desired, be
formed with a screw-thread 39 instead of the groove 34 so that by
screwing the spout into the carton an even firmer engagement therein
may be ensured.
In the forms of the invention shown in
Figures 10 and 11 herewith the tube or spout 32 is shown as integral
with the casing. In modified forms of the invention the tube or spout
32 may be detachablv secured to the casing, e.g. by being screwed into
the aperture 10. In this case, if desired, the tube 32 may project
into the casing and be adjustable, by screwing, to vary the distance
between the inner end of the tube 32 and the front wall 3. which
determines the measured quantity of powder received by the uDper
chamber at each tipping of the carton. This arrangement thus allows
adjustment, as desired, of the measured quantity of powder dispensed
at each discharge. The same result may be achieved by providing in the
tubular spout 32 (whether integral with or detachable from the
casing), and inner tube slidable therein to afford variation of the
spacing between the inner end of the slidable tube and the front wall
3.
The forms of the invention described with reference to Figures 10--12
may be formed of metal, mouldable plastic materials (which may, if
desired, be transparent), or any other convenient material.

8. A further simplified form of powderdispenser, according to the present
invention, which may be formed by folding a single blank of material,
e.g. a cardboard, is shown in Figures 13 and 14 of the drawings
herewith. A blank for such a dispenser is shown in Figure 13, wherein
the dotted lines represent scorings to facilitate folding. The rear
wall 1 is, as before, formed with inlet aperture 10, and is connected
by an inner side wall 40 to the partition 13 integral with which are
another inner side wall 41, the roof 2 with a flange 42 and side lugs
43. Extending from the other edge of the rear wall 1, and integral
therewith and with one another are the outer sioe walls 4, and the
front wall 3 of the dispenser, while the lower edge of the rear wall 1
has integral therewith a base 44 with side flaps 45.
In forming a dispenser from the blank shown in Figure 13 the side wall
40, partition 13 and side wall 41 are folded over so that the edge of
inner side wall 41 rests in the scored line between rear wall 1 and
outer side wall 4. The outer side walls 4 and front wall 3 are then
folded over to encase the folded partition 13, so that the free outer
side wall 4 is flush with the exterior of inner side wall 40.
The roof 2 is then folded down and by flaps 43 is secured e.g. by
adhesive externally to the outer side walls, and the base 44 folded up
and likewise secured in position by upturned lugs 45. The walls and/or
lugs of the blank. as desired, may be provided with gummed edges to
facilitate assembly. A dispenser having a cross-section as shown in
Figure 14 is provided by folding the blank as described above, and
this may be affixed to the carton by a rubber band, or by any other
convenient means, with the flange 42 overlapping the top edge of the
carton, and the inlet 10 aligned with an aperture in the carton side
wall. When fitted this dispenser operates as previously described.
It should be understood that any feature embodied in one or more forms
of the invention above described, (e.g. the spout 32 shown in Figures
10, 11, or 12, whether rigid with or detachably securable to the
casing, or the hinged flap 37 shown in Figure 11) may, if desired, be
incorPorated in other forms of the invention described (e.g. those
shown in
Figures 1-4 or Figures 6-9).
Any of the forms of the invention described above may, if desired, be
fitted with a layer of felt, or rubber, or other suitable sealing
material on the rear face of the rear wall 1, to prevent escape of
powder between this wall and the carton wall on to which it is
pressed.
From the above description it will be seen that the invention
provides, as a single unit suitable for detachably securing to a
powder carton or the like, a dispensing device suitable for domestic
and other use, but it should be understood that the invention is not

9. limited solely to details of the forms described above which may be
modified in order to meet various conditions and requirements
encountered, without departing from the scope of the invention.
What I claim is:1. 1. A powder-dispensing device in the form of a
separate unit detachably securable to one side of a carton or like
powder container, said dispensing device comprising an enclosure
provided with inlet and outlet apertures for the powder, and a zig-zag
or serpentine passage Way between said inlet and outlet apertures,
through successive stages of which the powder can be caused to pass by
repeated tipping of the dispensing device.
2. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the final
or outlet stage of said passage is a substantially linear conduit
adapted to be upwardly directed and either inclined from, or
substantially parallel to, the side wall of the carton in erect
position, when the device is secured thereto.
3. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 comprising a
box-like encloc sure having a powder-inlet aperture in one side wall
and a powder-outlet aperture in another wall remote from said inlet
aperture, and at least one partition wall inside the enclosure
intervsning between said inlet ard outlet apertures to prevent direct
passage of powder from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture.
4. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the
partition divides the enclosure into substantially separate
compartments which are in communication with one another only by way
of a comparatively limited passage between an edge of the partition
and the inner surface of a wall of the enclosure.
5. A powderAispensing device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the
substantially separate compartments are so located in relation to the
inlet and outlet apertures that upon tipping of the device one
compartment is substantially beneath the powder-inlet aperture and
receives powder therefrom, while the other compartment is
substantially above the powder-outlet aperture and discharges powder
therethrough.
6. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the
limited passage through which the compartments communicate with one
another is so located that when the device is re-erected after a
tipping the powder received during the tipping operation in the
compartment adjacent to the inlet aperture automatically passes into
the compartment adjacent to the outlet aperture in readiness for
discharge when the device is next tipped.
7. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim
wherein part of the zig-zag or serpentine passageway constitutes a
measuring compartment adapted to receive substantially a prearranged
amount of powder when the device is tipped for the passage of powder

10. into the device.
8. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim
wherein the enclosure is adjustable to allow variation as desired of
the amount of powder forming each discharge.
9. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 comprising a
tubular element adjustable in the enclosure.
10. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9
comprising sections of the passageway telescopically engaged and
adjustable, for the purpose of adjusting the dimensions of the
measuring compartment
11. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim
wherein the enclosure has a flat rear face to rest flush against the
side of a carton, with an aperture to register with an opening in the
side of the carton.
12. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the
enclosure is provided with a projection, e.g. a flange, perpendicular
to the flat rear face for resting on the top of the carton when the
device is fitted to the side thereof.
13. A powder-dispensing device has claimed in any preceding claim
fitted with a rigid spout or the like adapted ro pierce a hole in the
wall of a carton as the device is being fitted thereto.
14. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in any of Claims 1-6
comprising an articu- lated cover for the powder outlet adapted ro
close the outlet when a carton fitted with the dispensing device is
erect, and to open, allowing passage of powder, when the carton is
tipped.
15. A powder-dispensing device as claimed in any of claims 1-7, or in
Claim 11 or 12 when appendant to any of Claims 1-7, formed from a
single blank of cardboard or the like cut to suitable shape and
creased or scored along fold lines for folding into the form of a
powder-dispensing device.
16. A powder-dispensing device substantially as described herein. with
reference to
Figures 1-4. or Figures 6-9 of the drawings accompanying Provisional
Specil cation NoL gO26/55, or to Figures 10--12 of the drawings
accompanying Provisional Specification
No, 23286/55.
17. A blank for a powder-dispensing device substantially as described
herein with refer