Tool for calibrating granular dispensers and method incorporating the same

Abstract

A tool is provided that is adapted to calibrate a dispenser operative to dispense a selected granular material received from the interior of a receptacle. The tool may include a handle extending longitudinally from a first handle end to a second handle end along a longitudinal axis and a positioning element located proximately to the second handle end. The positioning element is adapted to locate the flow control member associated with the dispenser at a selected position thereby to set a desired delivery rate of the granular material. The positioning element may be formed as an elongate projection extending upwardly from a location proximate to the second handle end or as a flat blade. A set of tools is also provided such that the dispenser can be set at alternative desired delivery rates. A method of calibrating the delivery rate of a dispenser is also provided.

1 . A tool adapted to calibrate a dispenser operative to dispense a selected granular material contained in the interior of a receptacle, said dispenser including a housing having a discharge aperture formed therethrough in fluid communication with the interior of said receptacle and a flow control member supported by said housing and movable relative thereto between a first position for a maximum flow rate and a second position wherein the flow of said granular material is minimized, said tool comprising:
 (A) a handle extending longitudinally from a first handle end to a second handle end along a longitudinal axis; and   (B) a positioning element extending from said second handle end along the longitudinal axis and adapted to locate said flow control member at a selected position between the first and second positions thereby to set a desired delivery rate of the granular material.   
   
   
       2 . A tool according to  claim 1  wherein said positioning element has a length extending between:
 (A) a first end portion; and   (B) a second end portion that is generally semi-circular in cross-section.   
   
   
       3 . A tool according to  claim 1  wherein said positing element is generally triangular in configuration. 
   
   
       4 . A tool according to  claim 1  wherein said positioning element is formed as an elongate projection extending upwardly from a location proximate to the second handle end. 
   
   
       5 . A tool according to  claim 1  including a hole formed through said handle at a location proximate to said first handle end. 
   
   
       6 . A tool adapted to calibrate a dispenser operative to dispense a selected granular material contained in the interior of a receptacle, said dispenser including a housing having a discharge aperture formed therethrough in fluid communication with the interior of said receptacle and a flow control member supported by said housing and movable relative thereto between a first position for a maximum flow rate and a second position wherein the flow of said granular material is minimized, said tool comprising:
 (A) a handle extending longitudinally from a first handle end to a second handle end along a longitudinal axis;   (B) a positioning element located proximately to said second handle end and adapted to locate said flow control member at a selected position between the first and second positions thereby to set a desired delivery rate of the granular material; and   (C) wherein said positioning element and said handle are formed as an integral one-piece construction.