Dry food dispenser

Abstract

A dry food dispenser includes a base, a container, and an actuation mechanism. The base supports the dispenser, provides a cradle for receiving a food receptacle, and a trigger for interacting with the actuation mechanism. The container includes a lateral surface formed around an interior volume and a dispensing mechanism with a chute, an outlet, and a portioning mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is activated by the trigger through means of the actuation mechanism. The dispensing mechanism allows for example cereal to flow from the interior volume, through the chute, and out of the outlet. The portioning mechanism controls how much cereal is dispensed each time the trigger is engaged, ensuring a consistent volume of cereal deposited in the food receptacle. The amount of cereal in the container is indicated by measurement markings on a transparent section of the lateral surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dry food dispensing apparatus comprises:
 a base including a pair of curved arms projecting from the base configured for receipt of a bowl;   a container connected atop the base, the container comprising an interior volume, a lateral surface, a lid, a chute and an upwardly facing bowl-shaped outlet,
 the chute being positioned below and in fluid communication with the interior volume; 
 the outlet being positioned above the cradle, 
 the distal ends of the pair of curved arms are positioned beyond an end of the chute; and 
   a trigger button operatively coupled to a dispensing wheel configured to dispense foodstuff out the chute, the trigger button positioned behind one of the pair of curved arms and on the base.   
     
     
         2 . The dry food dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger is positioned in an indent on a rear of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The dry food dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a rack and pinion system coupling the trigger button to the dispensing wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The dry food dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger button is spring-loaded. 
     
     
         5 . The dry food dispensing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing wheel is a paddle wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The personal food dispensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing wheel includes paddle arms that are configured to provide a pre-defined volume between adjacent arms wherein a squeeze of the trigger button meters out a volume of foodstuff.