Patent · US Expired

Capsule dispenser

US4782980A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
4References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 5, 1987
Grant dateNov 8, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 5, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D2583/0477
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A dispenser for capsules or the like utilizes a turnstile member rotatable in only a single direction to transport the capsules from a reservoir to an exit port. Fingers on the turnstile arms interleave with corresponding fingers on the dispenser housing to prevent a capsule from being rotated beyond the exit port and back into the housing. A propeller member in the reservoir orients the capsules in a predetermined orientation before they are fed into the turnstile member. A cap on the exterior of the housing which rotates the turnstile member utilizes a bayonet-type detent mechanism to bias the cap into successive dispensing positions. The cap must be pushed toward the housing to be rotatable to the next dispensing position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.