Patent ID: 6079592
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B01F,G07F

Abstract:
An apparatus for creating a blended stream of promotional articles, including:a housing;a gravity-feed storage hopper positioned within said housing;anti-pilferage means positioned within said housing in association with said storage hopper to deter removal of articles from within an upper extent of said housing;a vibratory-driven metering tray which receives articles from the storage hopper by gravity, including orientation means for orienting articles received from said storage hopper;a dispensing actuator for receiving articles from said orientation means for dispensing one-at-a-time; andfirst and second sensors at said dispensing actuator, said first sensor detecting that an article is present for dispensing, said second sensor providing a signal verifying that an article has been dispensed attendant to operation of said dispensing actuator.