Method and system for high-speed discrete object counting and dispensing

A discrete object dispensing system for dispensing discrete objects, comprising:

• a) n chambers, where n is greater than five, with 20, 21, 22, . . . , 2n−1 objects provided respectively in said n chambers;
• b) means for selecting a number of said objects to be dispensed from said n chambers;
• and
• c) control means for determining a combination of said n chambers from which the objects therein add up to the selected number of objects to be dispensed.

A discrete object dispensing system, comprising:

• a) a plurality of cells including,
• i) a plurality of chambers provided with a discrete and predetermined number of objects,
• ii) a bulk object storage location, and
• iii) means for feeding said objects from said bulk storage location to said plurality of chambers,
• wherein said bulk object storage location of each of said cells stores a different type of object;
• b) means for inputting a type and number of said objects to be dispensed;
• and
• c) means for releasing the predetermined number of discrete objects of the input type from a subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers of a respective cell from supply to a container, the addition of the predetermined number of objects from said subset of said plurality of chambers from said respective cell equalling said number of objects to be dispensed.

An object dispensing system, comprising:

• a) a plurality of chambers each having a fill gate at an upper portion of said chamber and an exit gate at a lower end of said chamber, said fill and exit gates movable between open and closed positions;
• b) a fill chute in communication with any of said plurality of chambers having a fill gate in an open position;
• c) an exit chute in communication with any of said plurality of chambers having an exit gate in an open position;
• d) gate control means for individually opening and closing said fill and exit gates of said plurality of chambers;
• e) a bulk storage means for storing bulk quantities of discrete objects;
• f) a feeder means for feeding discrete objects from said bulk storage means to said fill chute;
• g) a counter means for counting discrete objects fed by the feeder;
• h) means for inputting a number of said objects to be dispensed;
• and
• i) dispensing control means for controlling said gate control means to release a predetermined number of discrete objects from a subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers for supply to a container, wherein the addition of the predetermined number of objects from said subset of said plurality of chambers equalling said number of objects to be dispensed.

A method of dispensing objects, comprising:

• a) providing a plurality of chambers, each including a discrete and predetermined number of objects;
• b) inputting a number of said objects to be dispensed;
• c) selecting a subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers which together contain the input number;
• d) emptying the predetermined number of discrete objects from the subset of at least two of said plurality of chambers;
• e) dispensing the released objects into a container;
• and
• f) refilling the emptied subset of said plurality of chambers.

A discrete object dispensing system for dispensing descrete objects, comprising:

• a) a plurality of chambers, each including a discrete and predetermined number of objects;
• b) means for inputting a number of said to be dispensed;
• and
• c) means for releasing the predetermined number of discrete objects from a subset of said plurality of chambers, the addition of the predetermined number of objects from sdaid subset of said plurality of chambers equalling said number of objects to be dispensed;
• d) a fill chute with which each of said plurality of chambers can be in communication to receive objects into said plurality of chambers;
• and
• e) an exit chute with which each of said plurality of chambers can be in communication to empty the objects from the subset of chambers.