Granule dispensers

Abstract

A granule dispenser for dispensing granules into a receiving cup, the granule dispenser including a dispenser and a base. The dispenser includes a collector rotatably mounted to the dispenser and configured to receive a predetermined volume of granules. The collector defines a cavity defining a dispensing volume and a port providing access to the cavity. The base supports the dispenser from underneath the dispenser and includes a chute, a support, and a catch plate. The support is configured to releasably mount the receiving cup beneath the chute in a position to receive granules from the chute. The catch plate is spaced beneath the support in a position below the receiving cup when the receiving cup is mounted to the support to catch granules that are not transferred to the receiving cup.

1 . A granule dispenser for dispensing granules into a receiving cup, comprising:
 a base configured to receive granules from a user, to direct the granules into the receiving cup, and to releasable support the receiving cup in a position to receive the granules, the base including:
 a chute having an inlet configured to receive granules from the user and an outlet configured to direct the granules out of the chute, 
 a support configured to releasably support the receiving cup beneath the chute adjacent the outlet of the chute in a position to receive granules from the chute; and 
   a catch plate spaced beneath the support in a position below the receiving cup when the receiving cup is mounted to the support to catch granules that are not transferred to the receiving cup.   
     
     
         2 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving cup includes an outer lip and the support defines a ledge complimentarily configured with the outer lip to support the receiving cup from below the outer lip. 
     
     
         3 . The granule dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the catch plate is spaced below the ledge a distance greater than the height of the receiving cup such that the receiving cup hangs freely from the support without the catch plate interacting with the receiving cup from below. 
     
     
         4 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the receiving cup includes an outer lip;   the base further comprises a dividing wall between the chute and the support; and   the dividing wall and the support collectively define a groove complimentarily configured with the outer lip to support the receiving cup from above and below the outer lip.   
     
     
         5 . The granule dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the groove extends along a curved path. 
     
     
         6 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the receiving cup defines a top opening and the outlet of the chute is substantially the same size as the top opening of the receiving cup. 
     
     
         7 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving cup defines a top opening and the size of the inlet of the chute is greater than the size of the top opening of the receiving cup. 
     
     
         8 . The granule dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the outlet of the chute is substantially the same size as the top opening of the receiving cup. 
     
     
         9 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a retaining wall extending from the catch plate along the periphery of a portion of the catch plate, the retaining wall retaining granules caught by the catch plate on the catch plate. 
     
     
         10 . The granule dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the retaining wall defines a wall opening through which granules on the catch plate can be removed. 
     
     
         11 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the chute defines an inlet area opening and the outlet of the chute defines an outlet area opening, the inlet area opening being larger than the outlet area opening. 
     
     
         12 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the chute includes a sidewall extending from the inlet of the chute to the outlet of the chute and the side wall tapers inwards from the inlet of the chute to the outlet of the chute. 
     
     
         13 . The granule dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising the receiving cup, where the receiving cup includes a brewing cup and a filter frame nested within the brewing cup. 
     
     
         14 . The granule dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the brewing cup includes a fluid outlet port configured to transfer a brewed liquid from inside the receiving cup to a user's beverage container. 
     
     
         15 . A granule dispenser for dispensing granules into a receiving cup, comprising:
 a base configured to receive granules from a user, to direct the granules into the receiving cup, and to releasably support the receiving cup in a position to receive the granules, the base including:
 a chute having:
 an inlet defining an inlet opening area and configured to receive granules from the user, 
 an outlet defining an outlet opening area smaller than the inlet opening area, the outlet being configured to direct the granules out of the chute, and 
 a sidewall extending from the outlet to the inlet and tapering inwards from the inlet to the outlet; 
 
 a support configured to releasably support the receiving cup beneath the chute adjacent the outlet of the chute in a position to receive granules from the chute; and 
   a catch plate spaced beneath the support in a position below the receiving cup when the receiving cup is mounted to the support to catch granules that are not transferred to the receiving cup.   
     
     
         16 . The granule dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the receiving cup Includes an outer lip;   the base further comprises a dividing wall between the chute and the support; and   the dividing wall and the support collectively define a groove complimentarily configured with the outer lip to support the receiving cup from above and below the outer lip.   
     
     
         17 . The granule dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the base includes a retaining wall extending from the catch plate along the periphery of a portion of the catch plate, the retaining wall retaining on the catch plate granules caught by the catch plate. 
     
     
         18 . The granule dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the, retaining wall defines a wall opening through which granules on the catch plate can be removed. 
     
     
         19 . A granule dispenser for dispensing granules, comprising:
 a receiving cup including a filter frame selectively nested within a brewing cup, the receiving cup defining a top opening defining a top opening area;   a base configured to receive granules from a user, to direct the granules into the receiving cup, and to releasably support the receiving cup in a position to receive the granules, the base including:
 a chute having:
 an inlet defining an inlet opening area and configured to receive granules from the user, 
 an outlet defining an outlet opening area smaller than the inlet opening area and substantially the same size as the top opening area of the receiving cup, the outlet being configured to direct the granules out of the chute into the receiving cup when the receiving cup is supported by the base, and 
 a sidewall extending from the outlet the inlet and tapering inwards from the inlet to the outlet; 
 
 a support configured to releasably support the receiving cup beneath the chute adjacent the outlet of the chute in a position to receive granules from the chute; and 
   a catch plate spaced beneath the support in a position below the receiving cup when the receiving cup is mounted to the support to catch granules that are not transferred to the receiving cup.   
     
     
         20 . The granule dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the receiving cup includes an outer lip proximate the top opening;   the support defines a ledge complimentarily configured with the outer lip to support the receiving cup from below the outer lip; and   the catch plate is spaced below the ledge a distance greater than the height of the receiving cup such that the receiving cup hangs freely from the support without the catch plate interacting with the receiving cup from below.