Article dispenser

Details Article dispenser Article dispenser

1999-02-24

2001-03-27

Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)

Article dispensing

Simulations

C221S201000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206232

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to article dispensers. More particularly, the present invention relates to article dispensers for dispensing articles, such as candy, from a storage chamber located below the dispensing opening.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Devices for storing and dispensing articles, such as candy, are well known in the art. Generally, prior art article dispensers include a storage chamber located above a dispensing opening. A retractable door is typically positioned between the bottom of the storage chamber and the dispensing opening. When the door is closed, articles stored in the storage chamber rest against the door. When the door is retracted, gravity forces the articles stored in the storage chamber to drop through the dispensing opening thus dispensing the articles for use by the operator.
One problem with these prior art article dispensers is that articles can become jammed in the opening between the storage chamber and dispensing opening preventing the articles from flowing out of the dispensing opening. Another problem with the prior art article dispensers is that it is difficult to control the amount of articles dispensed.
Thus, there is a need for an improved article dispenser that dispenses articles in a controlled manner preventing article jams and easily allowing the desired amount of articles to be dispensed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These needs and other needs are satisfied by an article dispenser according to the present invention, which comprises a storage chamber, a flipping plate, a flipper arm, a dispensing slide and an actuator for causing the flipping plate and flipper arm to vibrate.
The storage chamber is configured for storing articles, such as candy. The flipping plate forms the bottom of the storage chamber. The flipping plate is inclined and articles that are stored in the storage chamber rest upon the flipping plate.
The flipper arm is located near the bottom edge of the flipping plate. The dispensing slide is located adjacent to the flipper arm and above the bottom edge of the flipping plate. A dispensing opening is located at the end of the dispensing slide opposite the flipper arm.
The actuator is configured to cause the flipping plate and the flipper arm to vibrate causing articles stored in the storage chamber to move down the inclined flipping plate onto the flipping arm. The flipping arm flips articles onto the dispensing slide and out the dispensing opening thus dispensing the articles for use by the operator.
In a preferred embodiment, a first cam is connected to the actuator. The actuator causes the first cam to rotate thus causing the flipping plate to vibrate. A spindle connects the actuator to a gear, which is connected to the first cam by an axle. The spindle includes a threaded connection section for connecting the spindle to the gear.
A second cam is connected to the actuator and the flipper arm such that the actuator causes the second cam to rotate thus causing the flipper arm to vibrate. A lever is connected to the flipper arm and the second cam. The axle extends through the gear connecting the second cam to the gear. The second cam periodically contacts the lever connected to the flipper arm causing the flipper arm to vibrate.
Preferably, the flipper arm comprises a primary flipper arm and a plurality of secondary flipper arms. A flipper head is connected to the primary flipper arm and each of the secondary flipper arms.
Upon activation the actuator causes the spindle, the gear, the first cam, the axle, the second cam and the lever to rotate thus causing the flipping plate and primary and secondary flipper arms to vibrate. Articles resting on the flipping plate slide down the flipping plate incline toward the flipper arms due to the vibration of the flipping plate. The flipper heads connected to the secondary flipper arms contact the articles forcing them toward the primary flipper arm. The flipping head on the primary flipper arm flips the articles up onto the dispensing slide causing articles to slide out the dispensing opening one at a time.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the article dispenser is in the shape of a toy car. The article dispenser includes an additional storage compartment in the hood compartment of the toy car for storing addition articles.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1859635 (1932-05-01), Rose
patent: 2302142 (1942-11-01), Pettit
patent: 2973604 (1961-03-01), Digirolamo et al.
patent: 3038586 (1962-06-01), Bonanno
patent: 3746211 (1973-07-01), Burgess
patent: 3747810 (1973-07-01), Graser
patent: 4145981 (1979-03-01), Jimenez
patent: 4733520 (1988-03-01), Rabbi
patent: 4932559 (1990-06-01), Stein
patent: 5547113 (1996-08-01), Chen
patent: 5931338 (1999-08-01), Hoeting et al.
patent: 746559 (1933-03-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Article dispenser does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Article dispenser, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Article dispenser will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2546853