IP Library Granted Patent US 9,671,271
Granted Patent B1
US 9,671,271 · App. 15/293,474 · Granted Jun 6, 2017

Measuring device

Inventor: John D. Alvey (Evansville, IN)
Assignee: Mead Johnson Nutrition Company
G01F19/002
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,671,271
App. No.
15/293,474
Granted
Jun 6, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a measuring device for a granulated product, including a top component comprising a leveling component and a clump-breaking component and a bottom component comprising a scoop and a handle. The measuring device allows a user to remove excess product from the scoop by moving the leveling component along the opening of the scoop. Further, the clump-breaking component serves to break the clump of product that forms in the scoop upon dispensing the product from the measuring device into a receptacle, which may contain a liquid. Breaking the clump of product improves the dissolution of the product into a liquid.

Claims (13)

1. A measuring device for a granulated product, comprising:

a top component comprising a leveling component and a tab, wherein the leveling component comprises an outer circumference, an inner circumference, and an opening interior to the inner circumference through which granulated product flows when dispensed from the measuring device; and

a bottom component comprising a scoop and a handle, wherein the scoop comprises an opening through which the granulated product is dispensed;

wherein the top component is capable of moving, relative to the bottom component, from a scooping position in which the leveling component is situated above a portion of the handle adjacent to the scoop, to a dispensing position in which the leveling component is situated above the opening of the scoop, wherein leveling component is capable of removing excess granulated product present at the opening of the scoop when moving from the scooping position to the dispensing position.

2. The measuring device of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises an attachment extension attached to the handle and configured to engage the tab of the top component, thereby connecting the top and bottom components.

3. The measuring device of claim 2 , wherein the attachment extension comprises a first attachment member extending upward from a first position on the handle and a second attachment member extending upward from a second position the handle, wherein the second attachment member is situated directly or indirectly across the width of the handle from the first attachment member.

4. The measuring device of claim 3 , wherein the first and second attachment members each comprise a groove for engaging the tab.

5. The measuring device of claim 1 , wherein the leveling component comprises an opening and the top component further comprises a clump-breaking component comprising at least one member situated across the opening of the leveling component, wherein when the leveling component is placed in dispensing position over the scoop, the clump-breaking component is positioned over the opening of the scoop.

6. The measuring device of claim 5 , wherein the clump-breaking component comprises at least two members situated across the opening of the leveling component.

7. The measuring device of claim 6 , wherein the two members are situated at a 90° angle relative to each other.

8. The measuring device of claim 5 , wherein the clump-breaking component extends upward from and at least partially across the opening of the leveling component.

9. The measuring device of claim 8 , wherein the clump-breaking component forms a cage-like structure situated above the opening of the leveling component and the opening of the scoop when the measuring device is in dispensing position.

10. The measuring device of claim 9 , wherein the clump-breaking component includes at least three members extending upward from the leveling component and across the opening of the leveling component.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2016
From: ALVEY, JOHN D.
To: MEAD JOHNSON NUTRITION COMPANY
Reel/Frame 040639/0684 →