Mixing and dispensing system
US6484902B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D90/54
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dispensing system having a hopper with at least one wall moveable to form a dispensing opening at the base of the hopper. At least one air knife is provided which blasts air upwardly into the hopper to lift, levitate, and mix the product within the hopper. Upon termination of the air blast, the product falls downwardly into the base for the hopper, and a selected number of items fall through the dispensing opening. The remaining items tend to bridge the dispensing opening, thereby blocking further dispensing of the product. During subsequent air blasts, the product is repeatedly levitated, agitated, and allowed to drop through the dispensing opening to ultimately dispense the entirety of the product from the hopper.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.