Handheld solids dispenser

Abstract

A handheld solids dispenser. The dispenser includes a housing defining an inlet passage and an outlet passage. A delivery mechanism is supported within the housing and is positioned between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. Actuation of the delivery mechanism causes the delivery mechanism to transport a desired amount of solids material from the inlet passage to the outlet passage. The delivery member may be in the form of a plunger slidably positioned within the housing. The delivery mechanism may be in the form of a screw conveyor driven by a drive motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld solids dispenser comprising:
 a housing defining an inlet passage and an outlet passage;   a delivery mechanism supported within the housing and positioned between the inlet passage and the outlet passage, and   an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the delivery mechanism, the actuation mechanism positioned relative to the housing such that the actuation mechanism is actuable by an operator utilizing the same hand in which the housing is held;   wherein actuation of the delivery mechanism causes the delivery mechanism to transport a desired amount of solids material from the inlet passage to the outlet passage.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the delivery mechanism is a delivery member defining a delivery chamber, the delivery member is positioned within the housing and moveable between a first position wherein the delivery chamber is aligned with the inlet passage and a second position wherein the delivery chamber is aligned with the outlet passage. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 2  wherein the delivery member is a plunger slidably positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 3  wherein a spring biases the plunger from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 4  wherein a stop member along the plunger engages a guide slot in the housing to maintain the plunger in the first position against the bias of the spring, the stop member defining the actuation mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 5  wherein disengaging of the stop member from the guide slot causes the plunger to automatically move to the second position whereat solids material within the delivery chamber are automatically delivered to the outlet passage. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 6  wherein returning the plunger to the first position automatically causes solids material in the inlet passage to fill the delivery chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 3  wherein a volume of the delivery chamber is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 8  wherein the delivery chamber is defined by a cross passage in the plunger and a slider member is positioned in the cross passage, wherein movement of the slider member adjusts the volume of the delivery chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 9  wherein the slider member is connected to an adjustment rod which extends from the plunger, wherein rotation of the adjustment rod causes the slider member to move within the cross passage. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the delivery mechanism is a screw conveyor driven by a drive motor. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 11  wherein a passage extends between the inlet passage and the outlet passage and the screw conveyor extends within the passage. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 12  wherein the screw conveyor includes a shaft with a helical screw blade extending therefrom, the shaft having a length and the helical screw blade having a diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein the passage has a diameter and length corresponding to the blade diameter and the shaft length. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 11  wherein the drive motor is supported within a primary housing and the housing is removably connectable to the primary housing. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 15  wherein the primary housing supports a switch in communication with the drive motor, the switch defining the actuation mechanism utilized to control actuation of the drive motor and thereby rotation of the screw conveyor. 
     
     
         17 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 11  wherein actuation of the drive motor in a first direction causes the screw conveyor to deliver material in a direction from the inlet passage to the outlet passage and actuation of the drive motor in a second, opposite direction causes the screw conveyor to deliver material in a direction from the outlet passage toward the inlet passage. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 11  further comprising a control mechanism which may be adjusted to adjust the speed of rotation of the drive motor. 
     
     
         19 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 15  further comprising a vibratory motor supported by the primary housing. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld solids dispenser according to  claim 19  further comprising a control mechanism which may be adjusted to adjust the vibration of the vibratory motor.