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 affixed to the manifold, the 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
an integral 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 configured to be 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 manifold assembly and the dispensing bin are configured such that the shield remains affixed to the manifold when the dispensing bin is removed from the manifold assembly.
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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.
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Citations
20 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 affixed to the manifold, the 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 an integral 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 configured to be 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 manifold assembly and the dispensing bin are configured such that the shield remains affixed to the manifold when the dispensing bin is removed from the manifold assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. 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 affixed to the manifold, the 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 an integral 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; removably mounting the dispensing bin on the manifold assembly; thereafter selectively moving the door panel between the open and closed positions to control airflow through the inlet port, wherein 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 thereafter removing the dispensing bin from the manifold assembly, wherein the shield remains affixed to the manifold when the dispensing bin is removed from the manifold assembly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. 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 affixed to the manifold, the 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; wherein; the door assembly includes a body and an integral door gasket mounted on the body; the door gasket surrounds the inlet port and forms an airtight seal between the body and the door panel when the door panel is in the closed position; and the door gasket includes; a first gasket portion configured to form the airtight seal between the body and the door panel when the door panel is in the closed position; and a second gasket portion configured to engage a dispensing bin when the dispensing bin is mounted on the manifold assembly and to thereby form an airtight seal between the body and the dispensing bin.
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Specification