Patent ID: 6702151
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
A bulk item dispensing module for displaying bulk items and selectively dispensing a designated quantity of the bulk items from a multiplicity of the bulk items upon demand, the dispensing module comprising:a bin for containing a multiplicity of bulk items in a volume of the bulk items, the bin having a lower bottom, an upper top spaced vertically upwardly from the bottom, a first end and a second end opposite the first end and spaced horizontally from the first end; a dispensing outlet at the first end of the bin, adjacent the top of the bin; a conveyor within the bin, the conveyor including a first leg extending generally horizontally between the first and the second end of the bin, adjacent the bottom of the bin, and a second leg extending generally vertically between the first leg of the conveyor and the dispensing outlet, adjacent the first end of the bin, such that the multiplicity of bulk items will rest against the conveyor and will be located between the conveyor, the top of the bin and the second end of the bin; and a drive arrangement for selectively driving the first leg of the conveyor in a direction from the second end toward the first end of the bin, and the second leg of the conveyor in a direction from the bottom toward the top of the bin for moving bulk items from the volume of bulk items to the dispensing outlet, in response to a demand, while simultaneously tumbling the bulk items within the volume to separate the bulk items from one another for delivery of the designated quantity of individual, discrete selected bulk items to the dispensing outlet.