Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles
US9296545B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/0092
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles includes a housing and a drive system. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles, a dispensing outlet, and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet. The drive system includes a belt and a belt actuator operable to drive the belt. The dispensing apparatus is configured such that articles disposed in the hopper chamber are directed onto the belt and the belt, when driven by the belt actuator, conveys the articles received from the hopper chamber in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.