Method and apparatus for dispensing bowl-shaped objects of a thin material one at a time

Abstract

The invention discloses an improved method and apparatus for separating the lowermost object from a firmly packed pile of bowl-shaped objects consisting of plastic film and having a bottom and a conical side wall and a brim projecting from the free edge of the side wall. Said pile is being supported at the brim of the lowermost object, the bottoms of the bowl-shaped objects facing downwardly. A suction means arranged for reciprocal movement is applied against the bottom of the lowermost object of the pile for pulling it off in a downward direction from the pile. Due to the suction effect of the suction means and the presence of an annular groove in the contact surface of the suction means, an annular downwardly directed bead is formed on the underside of the bottom of the lowermost bowl-shaped object in the area of the side wall at the same time as the brim of the lowermost object is being eased by the lifting up of said pile. The lowermost object of the pile is released from the pile and support means in a dispenser when the pile is lifted by means of the suction means. During the downward stroke of the suction means the lowermost object is pulled off from the pile.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.