Apparatus for dispensing a uniform volume of granular material

Abstract

An apparatus that consistently dispenses a predetermined volume of granular material into a receptacle, e.g., a coffee cup. The apparatus including container, guide, housing of three integral horizonal sections, plunger, spring and pin. Container stores granular material, e.g., sugar. Directly below container and secured tightly thereto cylindrical guide substantially same diameter as container neck and having vertically disposed opening therethrough. Guide can have funnel for directing granular contents toward opening. Directly below guide and tightly secured thereto is cylindrical housing. Upper section has guide way and stepped down opening in housing wall. Opposite this opening is pin partially embedded into housing wall and projecting into the guide way. Middle section of housing has vertically disposed outlet offset guide opening. Lower section of housing is substantially deep and has at least one perforation for directing steam out of housing. L-shaped plunger has vertically disposed passage of predetermined size. Thicker portion of plunger having passage fits tightly into guide way and push portion of plunger fits tightly into stepped down opening and projects outwardly from housing. Plunger has socket on interior end directly adjacent pin. In normal position, spring has one end seated in socket and other end around pin and seated in a groove, and plunger passage aligns with guide opening for granular material to drop into and fill. Pressure on push portion of plunger moves it inwardly in guide way until it abuts housing wall, compressed spring and pin fit into socket and groove, passage is aligned with outlet and contents drop out. Release of pressure on plunger allows spring to urge plunger back to normal or filling position.