Granular dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing various predetermined volumes of a flowable product such as a granular or powdered product over a desired area by moving a handle-activated slider.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A dispenser for dispensing a flowable product, the dispenser having a closed position and an open position, the dispenser comprising:
 a body having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending upward from a periphery of the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the sidewall defining a compartment for holding the flowable product, the bottom wall defining a bottom opening;   a base attached to the body in stationary relationship therewith, the base comprising a platform, an upper portion and a chute, the platform spaced vertically from the bottom wall by the upper portion, the chute extending downwardly from the platform, the platform defining a dispensing opening directly above and in fluid communication with the chute;   a handle extending from and stationary with respect to the body;   a slider comprising an elongated slider body and a metering chamber extending downwardly from the slider body, the metering chamber defining an intake opening at its top end and an outflow opening at its bottom end, the metering chamber being sized so that the dispenser dispenses a predetermined amount of product with each use, the slider being reciprocally moveable between with respect to the body; and   a trigger operably connected to the slider; wherein   when the dispenser is in the closed position, product may flow from the product compartment into the metering chamber; and   when the dispenser is in the open position, product located in the metering chamber may flow through the chute; and further wherein   the dispenser is provided with multiple interchangeable reciprocally moving sliders, each having a metering chamber of a different volume.   
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 16  wherein:
 activating the trigger causes the dispenser to open. 
 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 17  wherein:
 the trigger is activated by squeezing the handle and the trigger together. 
 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a dispersion cone removably attachable to the base. 
 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 16  wherein:
 the slider further comprises at least one rib that extends upwardly from the slider body into the product compartment.