Patent ID: 6179160
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
An improved article dispenser, comprising:a) a fixed housing including a cylindrical tube having an outer surface and a slot at an upper location thereon, said slot defined by spaced edges and leading to a dispensing chamber within said tube;b) a rotatable squirrel cage mounted on said housing and including an outer wall to which are attached a multiplicity of spaced radially inwardly extending ribs;c) each of said ribs having inner edges slidably engageable with said outer surface of said tube, adjacent pairs of ribs together with said outer surface of said tube and an inner surface of said outer wall defining a sub-chamber adapted to receive an article to be dispensed into said tube;d) a drive motor coupled to said squirrel cage, whereby said squirrel cage may be rotated to index successive sub-chambers in alignment with said slot so that an article may fall through said slot and enter said dispensing chamber.