The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 1990
Filed:
Jun. 28, 1988
Applicant:
Inventor:
Larry E Hieb, Fresno, CA (US);
Assignee:
The Vendo Company, Fresno, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
221 67 ; 221194 ; 221289 ;
Abstract
A ramp apparatus for causing a plurality of containers disposed in a staggered stack column to converge into a single stack column for subsequent dispensing by a single column dispensing mechanism, the ramp apparatus having an upper edge of a configuration such as not to contact a substantial portion of a container passing thereover at any one time and a supporting surface operable to cause the containers to converge to form the single stack column in a minimum of vertical distance while simultaneously inhibiting the containers from bridging with adjoining containers.