Patent ID: 8464900

Claim:
A device for selectively dispensing a plurality of items, wherein each of said items has a carrier uniformly shaped and dimensioned with respect to others of said items, said device comprises: at least one elongated track for carrying a queue of said items, said track comprising: an elongated channel having a frontal dispensing aperture, a back loading aperture, and a cross-section commensurate with a cross-sectional dimension of said carrier; and, a ratcheting mechanism alternately allowing dispensing of a first one of said items through said frontal aperture and holding back a second one of said items next in line behind said first one; wherein said ratcheting mechanism comprises: a first rack slidingly and reciprocatingly secured with respect to said track, said first rack having a drive motion and a reset motion; said first rack carrying a plurality of spaced apart prominences; a drive sled arranged to successively engage at least one of said prominences and drive forward said carriers while said first rack moves in said drive motion; and, a friction structure retaining said carriers from moving backward while said first rack moves in said reset motion.