Apparatus for dispensing solid articles and methods for using same
First Claim
Patent Images
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
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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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.
40 Citations
19 Claims
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1. 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. 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; 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 a dispensing bin having a dispensing bin port, wherein the dispensing bin is removably mounted on the manifold assembly such that, 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; wherein; the dispensing bin includes at least one integral dispensing bin guide feature; and the door assembly includes at least one integral manifold guide feature releasably engaging the least one integral dispensing bin guide feature to align the dispensing bin with the manifold assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for dispensing solid articles, the method comprising:
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providing a dispensing apparatus including; 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; and removably mounting the dispensing bin on the manifold assembly such that; 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; and selectively moving the door panel between the open and closed positions to control airflow through the inlet port; wherein removably mounting the dispensing bin on the manifold assembly includes releasably engaging the least one dispensing bin guide feature with the at least one manifold guide feature to align the dispensing bin with the manifold assembly. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification