Patent ID: 7306200
Filing Date: 2007-12-11
Classification: B65D,F16K

Abstract:
1. A feeder system comprising: a plate assembly housing with an inlet and an outlet which are connected together by at least one passage; a seat plate assembly moveable to any position between covering and exposing the inlet, wherein a surface of the seat plate assembly which is adjacent to the inlet in the plate assembly housing is substantially smooth; a backseat plate assembly positioned adjacent to and moveable with the seat plate; at least one biasing device positioned between the seat plate assembly and the backseat plate assembly which biases the seat plate assembly and the backseat assembly apart and biases the seat plate assembly against an inner surface of the plate assembly housing and the backseat plate assembly against another inner surface of the plate assembly housing, wherein the plate assembly housing further comprises a seat with the inlet and a backseat positioned adjacent to and spaced from the seat, the biasing device biases the seat plate assembly against the seat and the backseat plate assembly against the backseat; wherein at least one position of the seat plate assembly exposes a portion of an opening covered by the seat plate assembly to the inlet to provide passage directly past the seat plate assembly into the opening while the at least one biasing device biases the seat plate assembly against an inner surface of the plate assembly housing to cover a remaining portion of the opening; wherein the outlet is located between the seat plate assembly and the backseat plate assembly; and an actuator assembly that moves the seat plate assembly to any position between covering and exposing the inlet.