DISPENSER WITH METERING SYSTEM

• US 3,724,715 A
• Filed: 09/24/1970
• Issued: 04/03/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PTC Aerospace Incorporated Bantam CT 06750 A Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nicholas A. Auriemma
• Inventors: Auriemma, Nicholas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kocovsky, Thomas E.
• Application Number:
  US05/075,016
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 312/71 221/2,4-8,279,307
• US Class Current: 221/4
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/07 the upper article of a pile being always presented at the same predetermined level
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/14 with means for raising the stack of articles to permit delivery of the topmost
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

A dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of stacked articles having a metering system for determining the amount of articles remaining within the dispenser. The dispenser includes a tubular member having an open end and a spring means which urges the articles through the open end. A stopping means temporarily prevents the articles from passing through the open end and permits the removal of the uppermost article. A movable indexed tape means connects to the movable end portion of the spring means, its movement being in direct relationship to the movement of the end portion of the spring means. A reference means is located adjacent a portion of the indexed tape means to gauge the position of the indexed tape means and thus to gauge the amount of stacked articles remaining within the tubular member.

Claims

1. A dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of stacked articles, having a metering system for determining the amount of articles remaining in said dispenser which comprises in combination:

a. an elongated hollow tubular member for containment of said stacked articles, said tubular member having an open end thereof;

b. spring means located within said tubular member for urging said articles through the open end thereof;

c. deformable stopping means adjacent to the open end of said tubular member for restraining and temporarily preventing the passing of said articles through the open end thereof and for permitting the removal of the uppermost stacked article from said tubular member;

d. an external indexed tape means rotatably supported about a pulley means at each end and connected to the movable end portion of said spring means for metering the movement of the end portion of said spring means, said pulley means at each end having stationary axes, said tape means including a movable tape having externally visible calibrated indices thereon, said indices corresponding exactly to the number of stacked articles within said tubular member; and

e. reference means adjacent to a portion of said indexed tape for gauging the position of the tape with respect to said indices and thus for gauging the amount of stacked articles within said tubular member.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 further characterized in that said reference means comprises a window means disposed on said hollow tubular member.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 further characterized in that said indices comprise alternate calibrated numerals thereon for measuring the supply of stacked articles of different sizes.