METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SOLID ARTICLES
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway;
a gate system including a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position;
wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; and
wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; a gate system including a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position; wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; and wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for dispensing solid articles, the method comprising:
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providing an apparatus including; a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; and a gate system including a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position; wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; and wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions; transitioning the gate member from the closed position to the open position and, with the gate member in the open position, passing the articles along the dispensing pathway, through the portal, and past the gate member; and transitioning the gate member from the open position to the closed position such that the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; a drive mechanism including a flow generator configured to generate at least one drive gas flow to pass the articles along the dispensing pathway; and a gate system including; a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position;
wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; anda gate actuator operable to selectively transition the gate member between the open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A method for dispensing solid articles, the method comprising:
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providing an apparatus including; a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; a drive mechanism including a flow generator configured to generate at least one drive gas flow to pass the articles along the dispensing pathway; and a gate system including; a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; and a gate actuator operable to selectively transition the gate member between the open and closed positions; generating at least one drive gas flow using the flow generator to force the articles along the dispensing pathway; and selectively transitioning the gate member between the open and closed positions using the gate actuator. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification