Automated Dispenser Assembly

Abstract

An automated dispenser assembly includes a hopper that may be coupled to an outwardly facing surface of a door. The hopper contains a plurality of candies. A conveyor is positioned in the hopper and the conveyor selectively dispenses the candies from the hopper. A control unit is coupled to the hopper and the control unit detects motion. The control unit is electrically coupled to the conveyor. The control unit turns the conveyor on when the control unit detects motion. Thus, the control unit dispenses the candies.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIE THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

[0004] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

[0006] The disclosure and prior art relates to dispenser devices and more particularly pertains to a new dispenser device for automatically dispensing Halloween candy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a hopper that may be coupled to an outwardly facing surface of a door. The hopper contains a plurality of candies. A conveyor is positioned in the hopper and the conveyor selectively dispenses the candies from the hopper. A control unit is coupled to the hopper and the control unit detects motion. The control unit is electrically coupled to the conveyor. The control unit turns the conveyor on when the control unit detects motion. Thus, the conveyor selectively dispenses the candies when the hopper is approached.

[0008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0009] The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0010] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an automated dispenser assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a right side phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new dispenser device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the automated dispenser assembly 10 generally comprises a hopper 12 that may be coupled to an outwardly facing surface 14 of a door 16. The door 16 may be an entrance to a house or the like. The hopper 12 may contain a plurality of candies 18. The candies 18 may be Halloween candies or the like.

[0019] The hopper 12 has a bottom wall 20 and a peripheral wall 22 extending upwardly therefrom. The peripheral wall 22 has a distal edge 24 with respect to the bottom wall 20 and the distal edge 24 defines an opening 26 into the hopper 12. The peripheral wall 22 has a front side 28 and a back side 30. The front side 28 is hingedly coupled to the hopper 12.

[0020] The hopper 12 has a pair of dividers 32 and each of the dividers 32 extends between the front side 28 and the back side 30. Thus, the dividers 32 define a storage chamber 34, a conveyor chamber 36 and a dispensing chamber 38 in the hopper 12. The storage chamber 34 contains the candies 18. The front side 28 of the hopper 12 has an aperture 40 extending into the dispensing chamber 38.

[0021] A pair of hooks 42 is provided. Each of the hooks 42 is coupled to the back side 30 of the hopper 12. Each of the hooks 42 may engage a top edge 44 of the door 16. Thus, the hopper 12 is retained on the outwardly facing surface 14 of the door 16.

[0022] A lid 46 is hingedly coupled to the hopper 12 and the lid 46 selectively closes the hopper 12. The lid 46 is positioned on the distal edge 24 of the hopper 12. A lock 48 is coupled to lid 46 and the may be manipulated. The lock 48 engages the front side 28 of the hopper 12 when the lock 48 is locked. Thus, the lock 48 inhibits the candies 18 from being removed from the storage chamber 34. The lock 48 may be a keyed lock 48 or the like.

[0023] A conveyor 50 is provided. The conveyor 50 is positioned in the hopper 12. Moreover, the conveyor 50 selectively dispenses the candies 18 from the hopper 12. The conveyor 50 comprises a motor 52 that is positioned within the conveyor chamber 36. The motor 52 may be an electrical motor or the like.

[0024] A first roller 54 is rotatably coupled to the motor 52. The first roller 54 is aligned with an intersection of the conveyor chamber 36 and the dispensing chamber 38. A second roller 56 is rotatably coupled to the hopper 12. The second roller 56 is aligned with an intersection of the storage chamber 34 and the conveyor chamber 36.

[0025] A belt 58 extends around each of the first roller 54 and the second roller 56. Thus, the motor 52 turns the belt 58 when the motor 52 is turned on. The belt 58 has a plurality of grips 60 extending outwardly from the belt 58. Each of the grips 60 engages an associated one of the candies 18 in the storage chamber 34. Thus, the associated candies 18 may be transported into the dispensing chamber 38.

[0026] The belt 58 is oriented to angle upwardly between the storage chamber 34 and the dispensing chamber 38. Thus, the candies 18 are inhibited from moving between the storage chamber 34 and the dispensing chamber 38 without being transported on the belt 58. Alternatively, the conveyor 50 may comprise a paddled wheel or the like. A pair of first flaps 61 is provided and each of the first flaps 61 is coupled between the storage chamber 34 and the conveyor chamber 36. Each of the first flaps 61 guides the candy 18 onto the belt 58 such that the candy 18 is inhibited from falling between the storage chamber 34 and the dispensing chamber 38. A second flap 63 is provided and the second flap 63 is coupled between the dispensing chamber 38 and the belt 58. The second flap 63 guides the candy 18 into the dispensing chamber 38 when the candy 18 falls from the belt 58.

[0027] A control unit 62 is coupled to the hopper 12 and the control unit 62 detects motion. The control unit 62 is electrically coupled to the conveyor 50. The control unit 62 turns the conveyor 50 on when the control unit 62 detects motion. Thus, the control unit 62 dispenses the candies 18 when a user approaches the hopper 12. The user may be a child trick or treating on Halloween.

[0028] The control unit 62 comprises a processor 64 that is coupled to the hopper 12. The processor 64 selectively generates an audio sequence and a dispense sequence. The processor 64 is electrically coupled to the motor 52. Thus, the motor 52 is turned on when the processor 64 generates the dispense sequence.

[0029] An electronic memory 66 is coupled to the hopper 12. The electronic memory 66 is electrically coupled to the processor 64. Moreover, the electronic memory 66 store data pertaining to a verbal statement. The electronic memory 66 may be RAM memory or the like.

[0030] A plurality of light emitters 68 is provided. Each of the light emitters 68 is coupled to the front side 28 of the hopper 12 and each of the light emitters 68 emits light. Each of the light emitters 68 is electrically coupled to the processor 64. The processor 64 turns each of the light emitters 68 on when the processor 64 generates the dispense sequence.

[0031] A speaker 70 is coupled to the front side 28 of the hopper 12 and the speaker 70 emits audible sounds. The speaker 70 is electrically coupled to the processor 64. The speaker 70 emits the verbal statement stored in the electronic memory 66 when the processor 64 generates the audio sequence. The verbal statement is instructions pertaining to dispensing the candies 18.

[0032] A motion detector 72 is coupled to the front side 28 of the hopper 12. Thus, the motion detector 72 detects motion within a trigger distance of the hopper 12. The motion detector 72 is electrically coupled to the processor 64. Thus, the processor 64 generates the audio sequence when the motion detects motion. The motion detector 72 may be an electronic motion detector 72 or the like. Additionally, the trigger distance may be a distance ranging between approximately five feet and ten feet.

[0033] A button 74 is provided. The button 74 is coupled to the front side 28 of the hopper 12 and the button 74 may be manipulated. The audio sequence includes instructions to manipulate the button 74. The button 74 is electrically coupled to the processor 64. Thus, the processor 64 generates the dispense sequence when the button 74 is manipulated.

[0034] A power supply 76 is positioned in the hopper 12. The power supply 76 is electrically coupled to the processor 64. The power supply 76 comprises at least one rechargeable battery 78. A battery cover 80 is removably coupled to the hopper 12 and the power supply 76 is positioned beneath the battery cover 80. A tray 82 is coupled to the front side 28 of the hopper 12. The tray 82 is aligned with the aperture 40 in the hopper 12. Thus, the tray 82 receives the dispensed candies 18 thereby facilitating the dispensed candies 18 to be retrieved.

[0035] A camera may be provided and the camera may be coupled to the front side of the hopper. Thus, the camera may capture images and video of the user. A transceiver may be provided and the transceiver may be coupled to the hopper. The transceiver may be electrically coupled to the processor. Moreover, the transceiver may be in electrical communication with an extrinsic electronic device. The extrinsic electronic device may be a smart phone or the like. Thus, the camera may be remotely monitored.

[0036] In use, the hopper 12 is hung on the door 16. The lid 46 is opened and the candies are poured into the storage chamber 34. The lid 46 is closed and the lock 48 is locked. The processor 64 generates the audio sequence when the user approaches the hopper 12. Thus, the speaker 70 emits the instructions to manipulate the button 74. The user depresses the button 74 and the conveyor 50 dispenses the candies 18 to the tray 82.

[0037] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0038] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. An automated dispenser assembly being configured to be attached to a door during holiday celebrations thereby facilitating said assembly to dispense candy, said assembly comprising: a hopper being configured to be coupled to an outwardly facing surface of a door, said hopper being configured to contain a plurality of candies; a conveyor being positioned in said hopper wherein said conveyor is configured to selectively dispense the candies from said hopper; a control unit being coupled to said hopper, said control unit including a processor being coupled to said hopper, said processor selectively generating an audio sequence and a dispense sequence, said dispense sequence activating said conveyor, and a motion detector being coupled to said front side of said hopper wherein said motion detector is configured to detect motion within a trigger distance of said hopper, said motion detector being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor generating said audio sequence when said motion detects motion; a button being coupled to said hopper wherein said button is configured to be manipulated, said button being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor generating said dispense sequence when said button is manipulated; an electronic memory being coupled to said hopper, said electronic memory being electrically coupled to said processor, said electronic memory storing data pertaining to a verbal statement to manipulate said button; and a speaker being coupled to a front side of said hopper wherein said speaker is configured to emit audible sounds, said speaker being electrically coupled to said processor, said speaker emitting the verbal statement stored in said electronic memory when said processor generates said audio sequence.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hopper has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, said peripheral wall having a distal edge with respect to said bottom wall, said distal edge defining an opening into said hopper, said peripheral wall having a front side and a back side, said front side being hingedly coupled to said hopper.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said hopper has a pair of dividers, each of said dividers extending between said front side and said back side to define a storage chamber, a conveyor chamber and a dispensing chamber in said hopper, said storage chamber being configured to contain the candies, said front side having an aperture extending into said dispensing chamber.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of hooks, each of said hooks being coupled to said back side of said hopper, each of said hooks being configured to engage a top edge of the door thereby facilitating said hopper to be retained on the outwardly facing surface of the door.

5. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a lid being hingedly coupled to said hopper such that said lid selectively closes said hopper, said lid being positioned on said distal edge of said hopper.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a lock being coupled to lid wherein said lock is configured to be manipulated, said lock engaging said peripheral wall of said hopper when said lock is locked wherein said lock is configured to inhibit the candy from being removed from a storage chamber.

7. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein said conveyor comprises: a motor being positioned within said conveyor chamber; and a first roller being rotatably coupled to said motor, said first roller being aligned with an intersection of said conveyor chamber and said dispensing chamber.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, further comprising: a second roller being rotatably coupled to said hopper, said second roller being aligned with an intersection of said storage chamber and said conveyor chamber; and a belt extending around each of said first roller and said second roller, said motor turning said belt when said motor is turned on, said belt having a plurality of grips extending outwardly from said belt wherein each of said grips is configured to engage an associated one of the candies in said storage chamber thereby facilitating the associated candy to be transported into said dispensing chamber.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said conveyor includes a motor; and said processor being electrically coupled to said motor such that said motor is turned on when said processor generates said dispense sequence.

10. (canceled)

11. The assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of light emitters, each of said light emitters being coupled to a front side of said hopper wherein each of said light emitters is configured to emit light, each of said light emitters being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor turning each of said light emitters on when said processor generates said dispense sequence.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a power supply being positioned in said hopper, said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor, said power supply comprising at least one battery.

16. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a tray being coupled to said front side of said hopper, said tray being aligned with said aperture in said hopper wherein said tray is configured to receive the dispensed candy thereby facilitating the dispensed candy to be retrieved.

17. An automated dispenser assembly being configured to be attached to a door during holiday celebrations thereby facilitating said assembly to dispense candy, said assembly comprising: a hopper being configured to be coupled to an outwardly facing surface of a door, said hopper being configured to contain a plurality of candies, said hopper having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly therefrom, said peripheral wall having a distal edge with respect to said bottom wall, said distal edge defining an opening into said hopper, said peripheral wall having a front side and a back side, said front side being hingedly coupled to said hopper, said hopper having a pair of dividers, each of said dividers extending between said front side and said back side to define a storage chamber, a conveyor chamber and a dispensing chamber in said hopper, said storage chamber being configured to contain the candies, said front side having an aperture extending into said dispensing chamber; a pair of hooks, each of said hooks being coupled to said back side of said hopper, each of said hooks being configured to engage a top edge of the door thereby facilitating said hopper to be retained on the outwardly facing surface of the door, a lid being hingedly coupled to said hopper such that said lid selectively closes said hopper, said lid being positioned on said distal edge of said hopper; a lock being coupled to lid wherein said lock is configured to be manipulated, said lock engaging said peripheral wall of said hopper when said lock is locked wherein said lock is configured to inhibit the candy from being removed from said storage chamber; a conveyor being positioned in said hopper wherein said conveyor is configured to selectively dispense the candies from said hopper, said conveyor comprising: a motor being positioned within said conveyor chamber, a first roller being rotatably coupled to said motor, said first roller being aligned with an intersection of said conveyor chamber and said dispensing chamber, a second roller being rotatably coupled to said hopper, said second roller being aligned with an intersection of said storage chamber and said conveyor chamber, and a belt extending around each of said first roller and said second roller, said motor turning said belt when said motor is turned on, said belt having a plurality of grips extending outwardly from said belt wherein each of said grips is configured to engage an associated one of the candies in said storage chamber thereby facilitating the associated candy to be transported into said dispensing chamber; a control unit being coupled to said hopper wherein said control unit is configured to detect motion, said control unit being electrically coupled to said conveyor, said control unit turning said conveyor on when said control unit detects motion wherein said control unit is configured to dispense the candies, said control unit comprising: a processor being coupled to said hopper, said processor selectively generating an audio sequence and a dispense sequence, said dispense sequence activating said conveyor, said processor being electrically coupled to said motor such that said motor is turned on when said processor generates said dispense sequence, a button being coupled to said front side of said hopper wherein said button is configured to be manipulated, said button being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor generating said dispense sequence when said button is manipulated, an electronic memory being coupled to said hopper, said electronic memory being electrically coupled to said processor, said electronic memory storing data pertaining to a verbal statement to manipulate said button, a plurality of light emitters, each of said light emitters being coupled to said front side of said hopper wherein each of said light emitters is configured to emit light, each of said light emitters being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor turning each of said light emitters on when said processor generates said dispense sequence, a speaker being coupled to said front side of said hopper wherein said speaker is configured to emit audible sounds, said speaker being electrically coupled to said processor, said speaker emitting the verbal statement stored in said electronic memory when said processor generates said audio sequence, a motion detector being coupled to said front side of said hopper wherein said motion detector is configured to detect motion within a trigger distance of said hopper, said motion detector being electrically coupled to said processor, said processor generating said audio sequence when said motion detects motion, and a power supply being positioned in said hopper, said power supply being electrically coupled to said processor, said power supply comprising at least one battery; and a tray being coupled to said front side of said hopper, said tray being aligned with said aperture in said hopper wherein said tray is configured to receive the dispensed candy thereby facilitating the dispensed candy to be retrieved.