Article dispensing apparatus
US6082580A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/42
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing unpackaged articles includes a guide shaft to carry the articles, a pushing element that advances the plurality of articles along the guide shaft, and a feed screw engagable with the pushing element and driven by a motor. While the articles to be dispensed are moved collectively as a group, the apparatus provides for the controlled dispensing of individual articles. A sensor is provided to identify when an article has been dispensed and to subsequently stop movement of the plurality of articles. Also, an iris including a yieldable opening sized to allow passage therethrough of an article in a staggered manner is provided to facilitate the individual dispensing of articles and to prevent the inadvertent dispensing of articles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.