Freehand granule dispenser and kit with adhesive work surface

Abstract

A refillable granular material dispenser for making decorative patterns with the granular material on adhesive surfaces. The dispenser has a spring-loaded, pivotally mounted lever for opening and closing a cap over the end of the dispenser to control dispensing granular material. The granular material may be sand or granular, flowable food stuffs. In one embodiment, the dispenser is part of an art kit for painting an adhesive surface with granules of material including a multi-compartment tray holding the adhesive work surface, the dispenser and granular material supply containers. A method of making decorative patterns is also provided.

1 . A freehand granule dispenser comprising: 
 an elongated container having an inner chamber and an open lower end;    a granular material contained within said inner chamber;    a lever pivotally mounted to the container adjacent said open lower end; and    a cap on the lever adapted for covering said open lower end when the lever is in a first position and permitting the granular material to flow through the open lower end when the lever is in a second position.    
   
   
       2 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said container tapers from a wide upper segment to a narrow lower tip.  
   
   
       3 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein said container is stepped between the wide upper segment and the narrow lower tip and includes a center segment of intermediate width.  
   
   
       4 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the container has an open upper end, and further comprising removable sealing means adapted to fit said open upper end.  
   
   
       5 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 4 , wherein said removable sealing means is a stopper adapted to be fitted within the chamber at the open upper end of said container.  
   
   
       6 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein said stopper further comprises a lengthwise slot for dispensing said granular material.  
   
   
       7 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said lever is spring-loaded to bias the lever into the first position.  
   
   
       8 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the container has a cross-sectional shape that is one of circular, triangular and rectangular.  
   
   
       9 . A freehand granule dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said granular material is one of sand, glitter, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . A marking instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein said granular material is a decorative granular topping or condiment.  
   
   
       11 . A granule dispensing system comprising: 
 a dispenser having an elongated container defining an inner chamber containing granular material, open upper and lower ends, removable sealing means at said upper end, and a biased movable cap covering said lower open end; and    an adhesive surface for receiving said granular material.    
   
   
       12 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein said container tapers from a wide upper segment to a narrow lower tip.  
   
   
       13 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 12 , wherein said container is stepped between the wide upper segment and the, narrow lower tip and includes a center segment of intermediate width.  
   
   
       14 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein said removable sealing means is a stopper adapted to be frictionally fitted within said chamber at the open upper end of the container.  
   
   
       15 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 14 , wherein said stopper has a lengthwise slot for dispensing granules of a material.  
   
   
       16 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a spring-loaded lever pivotally connected to the container, the biased movable cap being carried at one end of the lever so that the cap is normally covering the lower open end of the container.  
   
   
       17 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein said removable sealing means is a cap adapted to engage the chamber of said dispenser.  
   
   
       18 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 11  wherein said granular material is one of sand, glitter, an edible granular topping or condiment, and combinations thereof,  
   
   
       19 . A granule dispensing system according to  claim 18 , wherein said adhesive material is one of contact paper and a sticky foodstuff.  
   
   
       20 . An art and decoration kit for decorating or painting an adhesive work surface with granules of material comprising: 
 a dispenser comprising an elongated container with an inner chamber and open lower end, a spring-biased lever pivotally mounted to the container adjacent said open lower end, a cap on the lever adapted for covering said open lower end when the lever is in a first position and exposing the open lower end when the lever is in a second position;    a multi-compartment tray holding an adhesive work surface; and    a granular material for selectively depositing on the adhesive work surface from the lower end of the dispenser.    
   
   
       21 . A kit according to  claim 20 , wherein the dispenser further comprises an open upper end and a removable stopper closing said open upper end.  
   
   
       22 . A kit according to  claim 21 , wherein said stopper has a lengthwise slot for dispensing the granular material through the stopper.  
   
   
       23 . A kit according to  claim 20 , wherein the container has a cross-sectional shape that is one of circular, triangular and rectangular.  
   
   
       24 . A kit according to  claim 20 , wherein said granular material is one of sand, glitter, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       25 . A kit according to  claim 24 , wherein the adhesive work surface is contact paper.  
   
   
       26 . A kit according to  claim 20 , wherein the lever is biased to the first position.