Passive device for staging and dispensing objects
First Claim
1. A dispensing chute assembly, comprising:
- a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet;
a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet, the passive dispensing unit having a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing, the staging portion including a gate member movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit;
the dispensing unit further including a release member, the release member being coupled with the gate member, such that movement of the release member from a staging position to a dispensing position moves the gate member from its staging position to its release position;
wherein the release member defines an axis for a direction of dispensing and the release member moves in concert with the chute along the axis as the release member moves between the staging and dispensing positions.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A dispensing chute assembly, comprising:
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a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet, the passive dispensing unit having a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing, the staging portion including a gate member movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit; the dispensing unit further including a release member, the release member being coupled with the gate member, such that movement of the release member from a staging position to a dispensing position moves the gate member from its staging position to its release position; wherein the release member defines an axis for a direction of dispensing and the release member moves in concert with the chute along the axis as the release member moves between the staging and dispensing positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A dispensing chute assembly, comprising:
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a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet, the passive dispensing unit having a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing, the staging portion including a gate member movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit; the dispensing unit further including a release member, the release member being coupled with the gate member, such that movement of the release member from a staging position to a dispensing position moves the gate member from its staging position to its release position; wherein the gate member moves perpendicular relative to the chute as the gate member moves from the staging position to the dispensing position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A dispensing chute assembly, comprising:
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a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet, the passive dispensing unit having a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing, the staging portion including a gate member movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit; the dispensing unit further including a release member, the release member being coupled with the gate member, such that movement of the release member from a staging position to a dispensing position moves the gate member from its staging position to its release position, and a spout positioned downstream of the staging portion that is attached to the release member; wherein the release member moves in concert with the chute as the release member moves between the staging and dispensing positions. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification