Patent ID: 7581658

Claim:
An apparatus for feeding capsules in beverage vending machines, said apparatus comprising: a storage chamber adapted to hold the capsules in a random arrangement; pick-up means for picking up the capsules; a capsule transfer device provided with one or more compartments for the capsules; at least one unloading conveyor for unloading the capsules; wherein, between said storage chamber and said at least one unloading conveyor, said apparatus comprises: a first orientating device adapted to orientate the capsules according to at least a substantially horizontal-axis position; and a second orientating device adapted to arrange the capsules according to a substantially vertical-axis position, wherein one of said first and second orientating devices comprises at least a portion which is movable relative to the other of said first and second orientating devices, and wherein said first orientating device comprises: a first member provided with a plurality of dividing elements defining a plurality of open cavities, each of the plurality of open cavities being capable of accommodating one or more of the capsules; and a second member comprising a plurality of first apertures arranged in a position facing said one or more compartments.