Chip dispenser and method of operating the same

Abstract

A chip dispenser and method of operating the same are provided. The chip dispenser includes a chip case and a dispensing device. The chip case includes a base unit and a cover unit coupled to define cylindrical accommodating areas for receiving chips, and includes a chip discharge port and a pusher inlet. The dispensing device includes a pusher member and a driving unit configured to linearly reciprocate the pusher member. In operation, the chip case is mounted on the dispensing device, and the pusher member enters the pusher inlet to push a chip inside the chip case so that the chip is discharged through the chip discharge port. A sensor unit may detect the position of the pusher member, and the driving unit may be controlled so that one chip is discharged per cycle. The dispenser improves loading workability and accurate chip dispensing while reducing chip damage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.