Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway;
a gate system including a substantially rigid gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway and a flexible spring flap downstream of and adjacent to the gate member, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position;
a drive mechanism operable to pass the articles along the dispensing path;
wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal;
wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions; and
wherein the flexible spring flap biases the gate member toward the closed position and is responsive to a drive gas flow to draw the gate member into the open position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; a gate system including a substantially rigid gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway and a flexible spring flap downstream of and adjacent to the gate member, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position; a drive mechanism operable to pass the articles along the dispensing path; wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions; and wherein the flexible spring flap biases the gate member toward the closed position and is responsive to a drive gas flow to draw the gate member into the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for dispensing solid articles, the method comprising:
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providing an apparatus including; a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; a gate system including a substantially rigid gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway and a flexible spring flap downstream of and adjacent to the gate member, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position; and a drive mechanism operable to pass the articles along the dispensing path; wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; and wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions; transitioning the gate member from the closed position to the open position and, with the gate member in the open position, passing the articles along the dispensing pathway, through the portal, and past the gate member using the drive mechanism; and transitioning the gate member from the open position to the closed position such that the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; wherein the flexible spring flap biases the gate member toward the closed position and is responsive to a drive gas flow to draw the gate member into the open position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; a drive mechanism including a flow generator configured to generate at least one drive gas flow to pass the articles along the dispensing pathway; and a gate system including; a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position;
wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; anda gate actuator operable to selectively transition the gate member between the open and closed positions; and a controller operative to selectively actuate the gate actuator to transition the gate member between the open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for dispensing solid articles, the method comprising:
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providing an apparatus including; a controller; a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway; a drive mechanism including a flow generator configured to generate at least one drive gas flow to pass the articles along the dispensing pathway; and a gate system including; a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal; and a gate actuator operable to selectively transition the gate member between the open and closed positions; generating at least one drive gas flow using the flow generator to force the articles along the dispensing pathway; and using the controller, selectively actuating the gate actuator to transition the gate member between the open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification