Apparatus for retrieving randomly organized articles

A dispensing apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a cabinet supported by the frame and having an inner compartment;
• a bin having an inner cavity for storing randomly placed articles;
• a pickup head having a plurality of spaced suction cups;
• a positioning assembly operably coupled with the pick-up head and moveably supported relative to the frame for selectively positioning the pick-up head relative to the inner cavity of the bin for retrieving articles;
• a chute connecting the inner compartment of the cabinet to the exterior of the dispensing apparatus for dispensing an article;
• a vacuum source coupled to each suction cup for supplying suction pressure to each suction cup to attract articles stored in the bin towards the suction cups;
• and
• means for sensing whether an article is coupled to each of the suction cups;
• and
• a vacuum control assembly for selectively supplying suction pressure from the vacuum source to each suction cup, the vacuum control assembly being operably coupled to the vacuum source and the means for sensing for selectively controlling suction pressure to each suction cup, the vacuum control assembly supplying suction pressure to each suction cup to attract articles to the suction cup and releasing suction pressure in response to the means for sensing having detected that at least one suction cup has an article coupled thereto, the vacuum control assembly releasing suction pressure to all but one designated suction cup having an article coupled therewith to dispense a single article.

A method for retrieving randomly placed articles stored in an inner cavity of a bin, comprising the steps of:

• providing a pickup head having a plurality of spaced suction cups;
• positioning the pickup head relative to first and second axes of the bin;
• providing a suction pressure to the individual suction cups;
• lowering the pickup head to a lowered position to align with articles stored in the bin;
• sensing a vacuum in each of the suction channels connected to the plurality of spaced suction cups;
• releasing suction pressure to all but one of the suction cups having a sensed vacuum therein to retain a single article coupled to the pick-up head;
• maintaining the pick-up head in its lowered position for a pre-determined period;
• and
• raising the pick-up head prior to sensing a vacuum and releasing suction pressure.