IP Library Granted Patent US 11,644,290
Granted Patent B2
US 11,644,290 · App. 17/564,161 · Granted May 9, 2023

Dual-barrel powder dispenser

Inventors: William Clark Hemeyer (Overland Park, KS); Joe Dunning (Gridley, CA)
Assignee: Bushnell Inc.
F42B33/0285
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,644,290
App. No.
17/564,161
Granted
May 9, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A powder dispensing device is provided including a housing; a hopper sized and shaped to engage the housing to form a reservoir; a first barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more first apertures and having a first internal diameter; a second barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via one or more second apertures and having a second internal diameter, wherein the first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter; at least one motor coupled to the first barrel and the second barrel, the at least one motor configured to rotate the first barrel and the second barrel; a scale electrically coupled to a scale plate, the scale plate disposed on the housing and below the first barrel and the second barrel; and a user interface in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the scale, the user interface configured to receive a user-input.

Claims (44)

1. A powder dispensing device comprising:

a housing;

a hopper sized and shaped to engage the housing to form a reservoir;

a first barrel having one or more first apertures and a first internal diameter, the first barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via the one or more first apertures;

a second barrel having one or more second apertures and a second internal diameter, the second barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via the one or more second apertures, wherein the first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter;

at least one motor coupled to the first barrel and the second barrel, the at least one motor configured to rotate the first barrel and the second barrel;

a scale electrically coupled to a scale plate, the scale plate disposed on the housing and below the first barrel and the second barrel;

a user interface in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the scale, the user interface configured to receive a user-input of a target weight; and

a controller electrically coupled to the at least one motor, scale and user interface, the controller configured to: operate the at least one motor according to the user input receive a measurement from the scale; and adjust the operation of the at least one motor according to the measurement from the scale, such that controller operates the first barrel to dispense powder until a first portion of the target weight is measured by the scale, and subsequently stop rotation of the first barrel and begin operating the second barrel until the target weight is measured by the scale.

2. The powder dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first apertures are larger than the one or more second apertures.

3. The powder dispensing device of claim 1 , further comprising comprising a drain assembly, the drain assembly comprising: a rotatable drain disk coupled to the housing and defining a drain hole, the drain disk rotatable between a first position wherein the drain hole is blocked from the reservoir and a second position wherein the drain hole is in communication with the reservoir.

4. The powder dispensing device of claim 3 , further comprising a fixed plate disposed between the reservoir and the drain disk, the fixed plate blocking the drain hole when the drain disk is rotated to the first position, the drain hole in fluid communication with the reservoir when the drain disk is rotated to the second position.

5. The powder dispensing device of claim 3 , further comprising a sensor transmitting a signal representative of a position of the drain disk.

6. The powder dispensing device of claim 5 , wherein the signal representative of the position of the drain disk is an audible signal.

7. The powder dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the at least one motor comprises a first motor configured to drive the first barrel and a second motor configured to drive the second barrel.

8. The powder dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the first barrel and the second barrel are disposed at a downward angle from the reservoir toward the scale plate.

9. A powder dispensing device comprising:

a housing;

a hopper sized and shaped to engage the housing to form a reservoir;

a first barrel having one or more first apertures and a first internal diameter, the first barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via the one or more first apertures;

a second barrel having one or more second apertures and a second internal diameter, the second barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via the one or more second apertures, wherein the first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter;

at least one motor coupled to the first barrel and the second barrel, the at least one motor configured to rotate the first barrel and the second barrel;

a scale electrically coupled to a scale plate, the scale plate disposed on the housing and below the first barrel and the second barrel;

a drain assembly, the drain assembly comprising: a rotatable drain disk coupled to the housing and defining a drain hole, the drain disk rotatable between a first position wherein the drain hole is blocked from the reservoir and a second position wherein the drain hole is in communication with the reservoir;

a sensor transmitting a signal representative of a position of the drain disk; and

a user interface in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the scale, the user interface configured to receive a user-input.

10. The powder dispensing device of claim 9 wherein the user input comprises a target weight, the at least one motor rotating the first barrel until the target weight is measured by the scale.

11. The powder dispensing device of claim 9 wherein the user input comprises a target weight, wherein the at least one motor rotates the first barrel until a first portion of the target weight is measured by the scale and the at least one motor rotates the second barrel until a second portion of the target weight is measured by the scale.

12. The powder dispensing device of claim 11 wherein the at least one motor rotates the first barrel at a first speed and rotates the second barrel at a second speed.

13. The powder dispensing device of claim 12 wherein the first speed is faster than the second speed.

14. A powder dispensing device comprising:

a housing;

a hopper sized and shaped to engage the housing to form a reservoir;

a first barrel having one or more first apertures and a first internal diameter, the first barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via the one or more first apertures;

a second barrel having one or more second apertures and a second internal diameter, the second barrel in fluid communication with the reservoir via the one or more second apertures, wherein the first internal diameter is greater than the second internal diameter;

at least one motor coupled to the first barrel and the second barrel, the at least one motor configured to rotate the first barrel and the second barrel;

a scale electrically coupled to a scale plate, the scale plate disposed on the housing and below the first barrel and the second barrel;

a user interface in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the scale, the user interface configured to receive a user-input of a target weight; and

a controller electrically coupled to the at least one motor, scale and user interface, the controller configured to: select an accuracy tolerance based on the target weight, operate the at least one motor according to the target weight at the accuracy tolerance.

15. The powder dispensing device of claim 14 wherein the user input comprises a target weight, wherein the at least one motor rotates the first barrel until a first portion of the target weight is measured by the scale and the at least one motor rotates the second barrel until a second portion of the target weight is measured by the scale.

16. The powder dispensing device of claim 14 wherein the at least one motor rotates the first barrel at a first speed and rotates the second barrel at a second speed.

17. The powder dispensing device of claim 16 wherein the first speed is faster than the second speed.

18. The powder dispensing device of claim 14 , further comprising a drain assembly, the drain assembly comprising: a rotatable drain disk coupled to the housing and defining a drain hole, the drain disk rotatable between a first position wherein the drain hole is blocked from the reservoir and a second position wherein the drain hole is in communication with the reservoir.

19. The powder dispensing device of claim 18 , further comprising a sensor transmitting a signal representative of a position of the drain disk.

Assignments (12)
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Sep 17, 2025
From: BUSHNELL INC.
To: BUSHNELL, LLC
Reel/Frame 072913/0594 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072238/0250 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC
To: FORTRESS CREDIT CORP., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069817/0586 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2024
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.
Reel/Frame 069459/0808 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2024
From: RCBS PRECISIONEERED RELOADING, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 068854/0730 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2024
From: VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: RCBS PRECISIONEERED RELOADING, LLC
Reel/Frame 068159/0216 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2024
From: BUSHNELL INC.
To: VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 068151/0891 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2024
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC
Reel/Frame 067315/0093 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 066959/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0747 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 061085/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2022
From: HEMEYER, WILLIAM CLARK; DUNNING, JOE
To: BUSHNELL INC.
Reel/Frame 060042/0167 →