Universal dispensing apparatus for stacked articles
US5065897A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 1990 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G1/08
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dispensing device is provided for dispensing a plurality of articles such as cigarette boxes. The device includes two levels of individual dispensing modules. Each dispensing module includes a plurality of vertical stack holders mounted on a support plate having an open center. A dispensing mechanism selectively withdraws an article from one of the stack holders and conveys the article to the open center such that the article drops through the open center for conveyance to a final destination. The dispensing mechanism includes a shuttle plate also having an open center and a mechanism for moving the shuttle plate beneath the support plate for the vertical stack holders. One or more solenoid-activated engagement pins on the shuttle plate selectively engage one or more of the articles held in the stack holders such that, as the shuttle plate moves, the engaged article or articles moves with the shuttle plate. The individual modules are arranged in two levels such that the open centers of top and bottom level modules are aligned to thereby allow articles dispensed from top level modules to fall through the open center of a corresponding bottom level module.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.