Article dispensing – Cellular magazine type – Conveyer type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-01-30
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Cellular magazine type
Conveyer type
C221S277000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179160
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a squirrel cage-type article dispenser. In the prior art, article dispensers are well known of various types, sizes and shapes. Article dispensers are employed to dispense a variety of diverse articles. Applicant is unaware of any such article dispenser having all of the features and aspects of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a squirrel cage-type article dispenser. The present invention is intended to be used to individually dispense pre-packaged cellular telephones or any other product of equivalent size. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features:
1. In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates a fixed housing including a tube having an upwardly open slot defined by parallel spaced edges. The slot leads to an angled ramp that conveys products to a semi-cylindrical chamber in the tube.
2. A rotary squirrel cage includes an outer cylindrical wall and a plurality of radially inwardly extending rectangular ribs that have respective inner extents configured such that the inner edges of the ribs slidably engage the outer surface of the tube when the squirrel cage is assembled thereover. Adjacent ribs define, with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall and the outer surface of the tube, individual sub-chambers sized and configured to store articles to be dispensed. The spacing between the inner edges of adjacent ribs corresponds to the width of the open slot in the tube. A rear cover completely overlies rear portions of the tube and squirrel cage, and a removable cover overlies front portions of the squirrel cage.
3. A drive shaft is connected to the squirrel cage at one end and to a drive motor at the other end. The drive motor is designed to index the squirrel cage in a manner such that each indexing step aligns a successive sub-chamber with the open slot in the tube.
4. A check control mechanism is operatively connected to the drive motor so that upon receipt of the required amount of money, the motor is activated to index the squirrel cage such that the next successive sub-chamber is aligned with the open slot in the tube so that a product contained within that sub-chamber will drop through the open slot and into the inner chamber of the tube, whereupon the product can be removed therefrom by the purchaser.
Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a squirrel cage-type article dispenser.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device having a tube with an upwardly open slot that aligns with sub-chambers in a rotary squirrel cage to dispense articles.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device wherein the squirrel cage is coupled to a rotary indexing motor.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device wherein a check control mechanism controls operation of the motor.
These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3791553 (1974-02-01), Aidlin et al.
patent: 5709266 (1998-01-01), Kruse
Noland Kenneth W.
Opal Manufacturing Ltd.
Spiegel H. Jay
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