# US 8,464,901 B2 · Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,901 B2 - Document ID: US8464901B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/349,287 - Filed: 2009-01-06 - Published: 2009-11-05 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-05 - Assignees: Parata Systems, LLC - Applicants: Edward Joseph Karwacki, Jr.; Bryan Patrick Farnsworth; Dennis Vaders; John Richard Sink; Jody DuMond; Daniel Gardiner - Inventors: Edward Joseph Karwacki, Jr.; Bryan Patrick Farnsworth; Dennis Vaders; John Richard Sink; Jody DuMond; Daniel Gardiner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464901B2 ## CPC - B65H 3/08: using pneumatic force {(B65H3/40, B65H3/42 take precedence)} - B65B 1/16: by pneumatic means, e.g. by suction - B65B 5/103: {for packaging pills or tablets} - B65B 57/20: Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles (other applications B65B65/08) - G07F 11/44: in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk - G07F 17/0092: {for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles (medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00)} - A61J 7/0084: {for multiple medicaments} - B65B 35/02: Supply magazines - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE ## Abstract An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. 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. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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; 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; wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions; and wherein the latch actuator is selectively operable to lock the gate member in the closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 including a drive mechanism operable to pass the articles along the dispensing path. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the drive mechanism includes a flow generator configured to generate at least one drive gas flow to pass the articles along the dispensing path and the at least one drive gas flow forces the gate member from the closed position to the open position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable from the closed position to the open position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable from the open position to the closed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gate system is configured such that the gate member is biased toward the closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the gate member is formed of an elastically deformable material and is bendable to assume the open position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the gate system further includes a crossbar mounted on the housing adjacent the portal, wherein the gate member is mounted on the crossbar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the gate member is directly captured and supported by the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the gate system includes a magnet and the gate member is biased toward the closed position by the magnet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gate member is formed of an elastically deformable material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the elastically deformable material of the gate member has at least one of a non-uniform density, durometer, and cross-sectional thickness to provide the gate member with a desired force profile. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gate member is formed of a flexible material and includes a supplemental reinforcing and/or biasing member mounted on the flexible material to provide the gate member with a desired force profile. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gate member is substantially rigid. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gate member includes holes defined therein. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the latch actuator includes a solenoid. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the portal are selectively adjustable. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 including a nozzle member disposed downstream of the dispensing channel and the portal, wherein: the nozzle member defines a curvilinear nozzle channel forming a part of the dispensing pathway; and the gate member is disposed between the dispensing channel and the nozzle channel and is configured and positioned to intercept and absorb kinetic energy from the articles as the articles travel from the portal to be dispensed. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 including: a hopper chamber to hold the articles, wherein the hopper chamber is in fluid communication with the dispensing channel; an access door to permit access to the hopper chamber to introduce the articles into the hopper chamber, the access door being selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position; and a lock assembly to selectively secure the access door in the closed position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 including a sensor disposed along the dispensing pathway to detect the articles passing along the dispensing pathway. ### Claim 24 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. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 including generating at least one drive gas flow using a flow generator to force the articles along the dispensing pathway and to force the gate member from the closed position to the open position. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the articles are pharmaceutical articles. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the latch actuator includes a solenoid. ### Claim 28 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. ### Claim 29 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.