A electrostatic powder feeder includes a body having a cavity. The cavity is shaped and sized to hold a supply of powder particles and is defined by a cavity wall. A diverter is disposed in the cavity and positioned away from the cavity wall so as to create a powder flow space between the diverter and cavity wall. The feeder includes an electrode and a powder landing surface connected to a power supply. The electrode is positioned remotely from the powder landing surface at a distance at which it can act upon powder resting upon the powder landing surface. An aperture through which powder particles may fall is disposed in or proximate to the powder landing surface. An insulator is positioned between the electrode and the powder landing surface. The power supply produces an alternating electric potential that creates an alternating electric field between the electrode and powder landing surface that causes powder particles to oscillate and eventually fall through the aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the powder landing surface is on a diaphragm connected to the body and disposed below the powder flow space. The diaphragm is sized and shaped to hold a quantity of powder falling from the powder flow space. The diaphragm includes an aperture. A vibration actuator is affixed to the diaphragm, which provides a vibratory force to the powder particles.

A device for dispensing spices and similar materials. The device includes a chamber member, an inner gate above the chamber member and an outer gate below the chamber member. The inner gate contains a filling aperture and the outer gate contains a dispensing aperture which is offset from the filling aperture. The chamber member contains dispensing chambers, each having an open top and an open base, and a non-dispensing chamber having a closed top. The inner and outer gates are linked together and can be rotated relative to the chamber member, so that material can be loaded through the filling aperture or dispensed through the dispensing aperture.

A bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A valve separates the compartment from an outlet. The valve operates to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet. An electromechanical motor is communicatively connected to a controller and mechanically connected to the valve. The controller operates in response to receipt of a dispense instruction input to produce a control signal to the electromechanical motor. The electromechanical motor operates to move the valve between a closed position and an open position to dispense a portion of the bulk food material.

A bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A valve separates the compartment from an outlet. The valve operates to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet. An electromechanical motor is communicatively connected to a controller and mechanically connected to the valve. The controller operates in response to receipt of a dispense instruction input to produce a control signal to the electromechanical motor. The electromechanical motor operates to move the valve between a closed position and an open position to dispense a portion of the bulk food material.

A flavouring dispenser for dispensing doses of flavouring is disclosed. The flavouring dispenser comprises a flavouring chamber for containing flavouring; a dosing member having a dosing volume for receiving flavouring from the flavouring chamber, the dosing member defining an opening to the dosing volume through which flavouring is received from the flavouring chamber. A reciprocating member is movable relative to the dosing member between a closed position, at which the opening is isolated from the flavouring chamber by the reciprocating member, to a first open position, at which the opening is partially exposed to the flavouring chamber such that an amount of flavouring may enter into the dosing volume via the opening, and back to the closed position, such that the flavouring may be dispensed by the dosing member. The first open position of the reciprocating member is adjustable such that degree to which the opening is exposed to the flavouring chamber may be changed so as to adjust the amount of flavouring received in the dosing volume.

A flavouring dispenser for dispensing doses of flavouring is disclosed. The flavouring dispenser comprises a flavouring chamber for containing flavouring; a dosing member having a dosing volume for receiving flavouring from the flavouring chamber, the dosing member defining an opening to the dosing volume through which flavouring is received from the flavouring chamber. A reciprocating member is movable relative to the dosing member between a closed position, at which the opening is isolated from the flavouring chamber by the reciprocating member, to a first open position, at which the opening is partially exposed to the flavouring chamber such that an amount of flavouring may enter into the dosing volume via the opening, and back to the closed position, such that the flavouring may be dispensed by the dosing member. The first open position of the reciprocating member is adjustable such that degree to which the opening is exposed to the flavouring chamber may be changed so as to adjust the amount of flavouring received in the dosing volume.

An improved system and device for dispensing a cleaning agent is provided. The system can include a dispenser and a removable chemical container having the cleaning agent. The dispenser can include a storage portion, a dispensing portion, and a metering chamber associated with the dispensing portion. The metering chamber can be configured to receive a metered amount of the cleaning agent from the storage portion and dispense the metered amount to an outlet associated with a channel. The metering chamber can be removable and/or selectively interchangeable with another metering chamber configured to dispense a different metered amount. A dispenser includes an inlet gate and an outlet gate adapted to be selectively opened and closed to permit the cleaning agent to enter and exit the metering chamber. The inlet gate can open simultaneously as the outlet gate closes. The device can be hand-held.

An improved system and device for dispensing a cleaning agent is provided. The system can include a dispenser and a removable chemical container having the cleaning agent. The dispenser can include a storage portion, a dispensing portion, and a metering chamber associated with the dispensing portion. The metering chamber can be configured to receive a metered amount of the cleaning agent from the storage portion and dispense the metered amount to an outlet associated with a channel. The metering chamber can be removable and/or selectively interchangeable with another metering chamber configured to dispense a different metered amount. A dispenser includes an inlet gate and an outlet gate adapted to be selectively opened and closed to permit the cleaning agent to enter and exit the metering chamber. The inlet gate can open simultaneously as the outlet gate closes. The device can be hand-held.

A volumetric metering device includes a hopper adapted to hold a supply of granular material, the hopper having an outlet; a rotating wheel located in communication with the outlet, the rotating wheel having an outer periphery and a plurality of metering cavities distributed around the outer periphery, each metering cavity having an open bottom portion; and a plurality of metering valves located around the outer periphery of the rotating wheel with each metering valve located in registry with one of the metering cavities. Each metering valve is movable between a loading position wherein the metering valve blocks the open bottom portion of the metering cavity, and an unloading position wherein the granular material dispenses from the metering cavity through the metering valve. Other features and related methods are also described.

A volumetric metering device includes a hopper adapted to hold a supply of granular material, the hopper having an outlet; a rotating wheel located in communication with the outlet, the rotating wheel having an outer periphery and a plurality of metering cavities distributed around the outer periphery, each metering cavity having an open bottom portion; and a plurality of metering valves located around the outer periphery of the rotating wheel with each metering valve located in registry with one of the metering cavities. Each metering valve is movable between a loading position wherein the metering valve blocks the open bottom portion of the metering cavity, and an unloading position wherein the granular material dispenses from the metering cavity through the metering valve. Other features and related methods are also described.