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METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SOLID ARTICLES

  • US 20100006584A1
  • Filed: 06/26/2009
  • Published: 01/14/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:

  • a housing defining a hopper chamber to hold the articles and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber, the dispensing channel having an inlet and an outlet defining a dispensing flow path therebetween; and

    at least one vacuum source adapted to provide a vacuum pressure and induce a gas flow in the housing;

    wherein 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.

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