Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles

A method for dispensing solid articles, the method comprising:

• providing an apparatus including:
• a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway;
• and
• a gate system including a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position;
• and
• a latch assembly including a latch member and a latch actuator;
• wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal;
• and
• wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions;
• transitioning the gate member from the closed position to the open position and, with the gate member in the open position, passing the articles along the dispensing pathway, through the portal, and past the gate member;
• transitioning the gate member from the open position to the closed position such that the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal;
• selectively operating the latch actuator to lock the gate member in the closed position.

An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway;
• a gate system including a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position;
• wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal;
• wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions;
• wherein the gate member is substantially rigid;
• wherein the gate system further includes a flexible spring flap downstream of and adjacent to the gate member, wherein the flexible spring flap biases the gate member toward the closed position and is responsive to a drive gas flow to draw the gate member into the open position;
• and
• wherein the gate system includes a substantially rigid latch panel, wherein:
• the latch panel includes a latch structure that engages the housing to prevent the gate member from opening;
• and
• the latch panel is responsive to a drive gas flow to permit the gate member to transition into the open position.

An apparatus for dispensing solid articles, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing defining a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway;
• a gate system including a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway, the gate member being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position;
• wherein, when the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal;
• wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions;
• wherein the gate member is substantially rigid;
• wherein the gate system further includes a flexible spring flap downstream of and adjacent to the gate member, wherein the flexible spring flap biases the gate member toward the closed position and is responsive to a drive gas flow to draw the gate member into the open position;
• and
• wherein:
• the gate system includes a latch mechanism positionable in each of a latched position wherein the latch mechanism prevents the gate member from opening, and an unlatched position, wherein the latch mechanism permits the gate member to transition into the open position;
• and
• the latch mechanism includes a flexible latch flap responsive to a drive gas flow to transition the latch mechanism from the latched position to the unlatched position.