Patent ID: 8281955
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: B65B,G07F

Abstract:
1. A passive dispensing chute assembly, comprising: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; a plurality of staging members, each of the staging members being suspended from and pivotally interconnected with the chute, the staging members being coupled to move together between a staging position, in which lower ends of the staging members are drawn together to form an impassable cone, and a dispensing position, in which the lower ends of the staging members radially withdraw from each other to permit passage of objects therethrough; and a plurality of contact members, each of the contact members having an upper end that is suspended from and pivotally interconnected with a respective lower end of a staging member, wherein in the staging position, the upper ends of the contact members define a circle having a first circumference, and in the dispensing position, the upper ends of the contact members define a circle having a second circumference that is greater than the first circumference; wherein contact from underneath forces the contact members to move from the staging position toward the dispensing position.