Circuitry and system for controlling multi-use article dispensing cells

Abstract

A circuit and system is presented for controlling operation of a cell or hopper for dispensing controlled quantities of similarly shaped but different small articles. Copending patent application Ser. No. 533,255 filed on Dec. 16, 1974, by Hurst et al., discloses an article dispensing system providing a plurality of rotatable dispensing hoppers or cells each for dispensing during rotation a different article, specifically a drug tablet or capsule; the number to be dispensed being freely selectable. The present invention provides a modification of such system permitting a single cell to dispense several different items without fear of intermixing items. Pursuant thereto, a cell is filled with more articles than required and the system put into operation. The circuitry for each cell terminates dispensing of an article when the selected number of articles have been delivered to a dispensing chute. Upon removal of the counted articles from the chute, the cell is again rotated until it is sensed that all articles are dispensed. The cell is then rendered inoperative. Upon removal of the excess articles from the chute, the cell is put in a standby position for further operation as desired.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.