Patent ID: 7367472

Claim:
A machine, for selectively dispensing a plurality of items, which comprises: at least one tubular cartridge, said cartridge forming an elongated channel having a frontal dispensing aperture, a back-loading aperture, and a cross-section commensurate with a maximal cross-section of one of said items; at least one item engaged into said cartridge; means for generating a continuous flow of pressurized air from said back-loading aperture to said frontal aperture, and for applying said flow of air to said item, propel it toward said frontal aperture, and eject it out of said cartridge; said means comprising a source of pressurized air and conduit means for feeding said pressurized air to said back aperture; a first barrier movable from a closing position across a first fraction of said frontal aperture to a releasing position clear of said channel; a second barrier movable from a clearing position clear of said channel to a retaining position across a second fraction of said frontal aperture rearwardly from said first fraction; said first and second barriers being togglably linked to alternately move said second barrier to said retaining position when said first barrier is moved into said releasing position, and to said clearing position when said first barrier is moved into said closing position; and wherein said flow of air propels said item past each of said barriers in their respective releasing position and ejects it out of said cartridge.