Media Dispenser

Abstract

Media dispensers are disclosed herein for storing and dispensing course or granular dry media via a hopper and valve.

1 . A media dispenser comprising;
 a substantially enclosed hollow volume having a decreased cross-section at the ventral-end portion thereof and an increased cross-section at the dorsal-end portion thereof thereby defining a hopper; a valve disposed upon the ventral-end portion of the hopper configured to regulate the flow of granular media, with the valve having its inlet at the interior of the hopper and a ventral-facing outlet thereby defining a port; a lever rotably coupled to the valve at the lever's ventral end, and slideably coupled to a recess in the dorsal-end portion of the hopper at the lever's dorsal end; whereby translation of the lever from one extreme of its motion to the other alternatively opens and closes the valve.   
     
     
         2 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is selected from one of the following;
 a ball valve, a butterfly valve, or an augur gearably coupled to the lever.   
     
     
         3 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a chute gearably coupled to the lever with a closed portion and an open portion, wherein the chute resides in a channel which in turn has an open portion and a closed portion, wherein translation of the lever along its path radially translates the chute relative to the channel aligning the open portions and thereby communicatively connecting the media inside the hopper with the area outside of the dispenser. 
     
     
         4 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a chute gearably coupled to the lever with a closed portion and an open portion, wherein the chute resides in a channel which in turn has an open portion and a closed portion, wherein translation of the lever along its path linearly translates the chute relative to the channel aligning the open portions and thereby communicatively connecting the media inside the hopper with the area outside of the dispenser. 
     
     
         5 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the hopped has substantially planar and parallel anterior and posterior faces. 
     
     
         6 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein there are wheels disposed upon the ventral-end portion of the hopper. 
     
     
         7 . The media dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the substantially planar faces of the hopper are selected from transparent or translucent polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the hopper is made translucent or transparent to allow the operator to visualize the fill-level of the hopper. 
     
     
         9 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein there is a chute extending in a forth from the ventral-end portion of the hopper. 
     
     
         10 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of contact points extending ventrally from the hopper and configured to rest upon a surface therebelow, thereby defining a base. 
     
     
         11 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein there is a cover sized and shaped to substantially enclose the otherwise open dorsal portions of the hopper. 
     
     
         12 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the media dispenser has an overall height between 4 inches and 38 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the media dispenser has a depth between 2 inches and 20 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The media dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the media dispenser has a width between 8 inches and 38 inches.