A dispenser for granular material such as sugar and salt or other granular ingredients, including a collection portion and metering chamber. A metering cartridge located in the metering chamber includes a portion recess which collects a predetermined amount of granular material to be dispensed. The metering chamber is actuated and the granular material located in the portion recess is dispensed.

A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a dispenser having a hopper and a valve. The hopper is configured to hold a bulk material. The valve is configured to selectively connect to the hopper. The valve includes an actuator assembly operable between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper through the valve. A fixture includes a shelf configured to support the dispenser. A rail is at the front of the shelf. The dispenser is configured for pivotable engagement with the rail. A latch is configured to releasably retain the dispenser in an operative position on the shelf.

A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a dispenser having a hopper and a valve. The hopper is configured to hold a bulk material. The valve is configured to selectively connect to the hopper. The valve includes an actuator assembly operable between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper through the valve. A fixture includes a shelf configured to support the dispenser. A rail is at the front of the shelf. The dispenser is configured for pivotable engagement with the rail. A latch is configured to releasably retain the dispenser in an operative position on the shelf.

A system and method for a feed weighing system used for automated bulk product dispensing. The system comprises an airtight cartridge that utilizes a motorized paddle valve to control the flow of product into a secondary paddle feed weighing stage. Using a digital interface or a dispense button, consumers select a specified amount of bulk product to be dispensed (by weight, mass, volume or cost). The product is then dispensed into a receptacle container and the system calculates the quantity and corresponding cost that was dispensed into the receptacle container. Using an identification key system, consumers can activate the automatic dispensing system. The identification key may be used to track and store the user's dispensed bulk products. This information may be uploaded to a database that is later called upon at the time of checkout to tabulate the user's total cost of dispensed bulk products.

A system and method for a feed weighing system used for automated bulk product dispensing. The system comprises an airtight cartridge that utilizes a motorized paddle valve to control the flow of product into a secondary paddle feed weighing stage. Using a digital interface or a dispense button, consumers select a specified amount of bulk product to be dispensed (by weight, mass, volume or cost). The product is then dispensed into a receptacle container and the system calculates the quantity and corresponding cost that was dispensed into the receptacle container. Using an identification key system, consumers can activate the automatic dispensing system. The identification key may be used to track and store the user's dispensed bulk products. This information may be uploaded to a database that is later called upon at the time of checkout to tabulate the user's total cost of dispensed bulk products.

The present disclosures provides a dispensing device, comprising: a feeder portion configured to couple with a reservoir portion storing a material to be dispensed and to receive the material from the reservoir portion; a first rotatable gate disposed at an end of the feeder portion opposite the reservoir portion; an adjustable-volume measuring chamber disposed at an outlet side of the first rotatable gate; and a second rotatable gate disposed at an end of the adjustable-volume measuring chamber opposite the first rotatable gate. Each of the first and second rotatable gates are rotatable between open and closed position to permit or prevent the flow of material to be dispensed. The configuration of two rotatable gates ensure that only a desired amount/volume of the material to be dispensed can enter the adjustable-volume measuring chamber and be subsequently dispensed. A method of operating the dispensing device is also disclosed.

The present disclosures provides a dispensing device, comprising: a feeder portion configured to couple with a reservoir portion storing a material to be dispensed and to receive the material from the reservoir portion; a first rotatable gate disposed at an end of the feeder portion opposite the reservoir portion; an adjustable-volume measuring chamber disposed at an outlet side of the first rotatable gate; and a second rotatable gate disposed at an end of the adjustable-volume measuring chamber opposite the first rotatable gate. Each of the first and second rotatable gates are rotatable between open and closed position to permit or prevent the flow of material to be dispensed. The configuration of two rotatable gates ensure that only a desired amount/volume of the material to be dispensed can enter the adjustable-volume measuring chamber and be subsequently dispensed. A method of operating the dispensing device is also disclosed.

Some embodiments of the current invention relate to an automatic and/or sanitary dry goods dispenser. Optionally, a manual dispenser may be upgraded for automatic dispensing. For example, a motor optionally opens and/or closes a dispensing valve fully and/or partially. For example, the opening and closing may be adjusted to achieve a desired flow rate and/or dispensing volume. Optionally, the device may include a valve biased to a closed configuration. Optionally, a motor that opens the valve for a fixed time and/or for as long as a switch remains in an activated and/or oscillates the valve. Additionally or alternatively, a manual operation option is available. In some embodiments, the opening and/or closing may be preprogrammed. For example, a user will purchase goods and/or a program will be transferred to the dispenser according to his purchase.

A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. The hopper includes a mouth. A dispenser includes a valve operable between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper through an outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser is configured to selectively connect the valve to the mouth of the hopper.

A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. The hopper includes a mouth. A dispenser includes a valve operable between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper through an outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser is configured to selectively connect the valve to the mouth of the hopper.