Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining;
a hopper chamber to hold the articles;
a dispensing outlet; and
a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet;
a drive system operable to convey the articles in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; and
a rotatable singulating wheel operable to pick up articles at a pick up location and sequentially deposit the articles downstream from the pickup location to thereby singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed;
wherein;
the singulating wheel includes a pair of transport wheels having respective opposed engagement surfaces defining an annular article receiving slot therebetween;
in operation, the articles are captured in the article receiving slot to singulate the articles; and
the engagement surfaces are formed of a polymer.
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Accused Products
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.
68 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining; a hopper chamber to hold the articles; a dispensing outlet; and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet; a drive system operable to convey the articles in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; and a rotatable singulating wheel operable to pick up articles at a pick up location and sequentially deposit the articles downstream from the pickup location to thereby singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; wherein; the singulating wheel includes a pair of transport wheels having respective opposed engagement surfaces defining an annular article receiving slot therebetween; in operation, the articles are captured in the article receiving slot to singulate the articles; and the engagement surfaces are formed of a polymer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for dispensing articles, the method comprising:
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providing a dispensing apparatus including; a housing defining; a hopper chamber to hold the articles; a dispensing outlet; and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet; a drive system operable to convey the articles in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; and a rotatable singulating wheel; using the drive system, conveying the articles in the dispensing direction along the dispensing path and through the singulating opening; and using the singulating wheel, picking up articles at a pick up location and sequentially depositing the articles downstream from the pickup location to thereby singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; wherein; the singulating wheel includes a pair of transport wheels having respective opposed engagement surfaces defining an annular article receiving slot therebetween; in operation, the articles are captured in the article receiving slot to singulate the articles; and the engagement surfaces are formed of a polymer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining; a hopper chamber to hold the articles; a dispensing outlet; and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet; a drive system operable to convey the articles in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; and a rotatable singulating wheel operable to pick up articles at a pick up location and sequentially deposit the articles downstream from the pickup location to thereby singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; wherein; the singulating wheel includes a pair of transport wheels having respective opposed engagement surfaces defining an annular article receiving slot therebetween; in operation, the articles are captured in the article receiving slot to singulate the articles; and the opposed engagement surfaces are disposed at an oblique angle with respect to one another. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining; a hopper chamber to hold the articles; a dispensing outlet; and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet; a drive system operable to convey the articles in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; and a rotatable singulating wheel operable to pick up articles at a pick up location and sequentially deposit the articles downstream from the pickup location to thereby singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; wherein; the singulating wheel includes a pair of transport wheels having respective opposed engagement surfaces defining an annular article receiving slot therebetween; in operation, the articles are captured in the article receiving slot to singulate the articles; and wherein the engagement surfaces are formed of an elastomer.
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21. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining; a hopper chamber to hold the articles; a dispensing outlet; and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet; a drive system operable to convey the articles in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; and a rotatable singulating wheel operable to pick up articles at a pick up location and sequentially deposit the articles downstream from the pickup location to thereby singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; wherein; the singulating wheel includes a pair of transport wheels having respective opposed engagement surfaces defining an annular article receiving slot therebetween; in operation, the articles are captured in the article receiving slot to singulate the articles; and the engagement surfaces are formed of an open cell foam.
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22. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles, the dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining; a hopper chamber to hold the articles; a dispensing outlet; and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet; a drive system operable to convey the articles in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; and a rotatable singulating wheel operable to pick up articles at a pick up location and sequentially deposit the articles downstream from the pickup location to thereby singulate the articles as the articles are conveyed along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed; wherein; the singulating wheel includes a pair of transport wheels having respective opposed engagement surfaces defining an annular article receiving slot therebetween; in operation, the articles are captured in the article receiving slot to singulate the articles; at least one of the wheels is a multi-layer structure including an engagement layer and a support layer; the engagement layer forms the engagement surface; and the support layer has a greater stiffness than a stiffness of the engagement layer.
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Specification