Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles
US8499967B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2009 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/0092
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and at least one vacuum source. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet defining a dispensing flow path therebetween. The vacuum source is adapted to provide a vacuum pressure and induce a gas flow in the housing. The apparatus is configured to generate a forward drive gas flow from the vacuum pressure and induced gas flow, and the forward drive gas flow conveys articles through the dispensing channel along the dispensing flow path in a direction from the inlet to the outlet to dispense the articles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.