APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING SOLID ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising a manifold assembly including:
- a manifold having a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum; and
a door assembly including;
a door panel selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port; and
a shield defining a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold and a door assembly. The manifold has a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum. The door assembly includes a door panel and a shield. The door panel is selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port. The shield defines a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising a manifold assembly including:
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a manifold having a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum; and a door assembly including; a door panel selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port; and a shield defining a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for dispensing solid articles, the method comprising:
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providing a dispensing apparatus including a manifold assembly, the manifold assembly including; a manifold having a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum; and a door assembly including; a door panel selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port; and a shield defining a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel; and selectively moving the door panel between the open and closed positions to control airflow through the inlet port. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a manifold assembly including; a manifold having a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum; and a door assembly including; a door panel selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port; and at least one integral manifold guide feature; and a dispensing bin having a dispensing bin port and including at least one integral dispensing bin guide feature; wherein the dispensing bin is removably mounted on the manifold assembly such that; the at least one integral manifold guide feature releasably engages the least one integral dispensing bin guide feature to align the dispensing bin with the manifold assembly; when the door panel is in the closed position, the door panel restricts airflow through the dispensing bin port; and when the door panel is in the open position, the door panel permits airflow through the dispensing bin port.
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Specification