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:
Jan. 18, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 17, 2008
Richard D. Michelli, Raleigh, NC (US);
Andrew Kirk Dummer, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Bryan Patrick Farnsworth, Wake Forest, NC (US);
Christopher Todd Hilliard, Bath, NC (US);
Richard D. Michelli, Raleigh, NC (US);
Andrew Kirk Dummer, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Bryan Patrick Farnsworth, Wake Forest, NC (US);
Christopher Todd Hilliard, Bath, NC (US);
PARATA Systems, LLC, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a dispensing channel, a housing and an article supply regulation system. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet and defines a dispensing path therebetween. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles. The hopper chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet of the dispensing channel. The housing includes a floor. The article supply regulation system includes a first divider wall, a second divider wall and a third divider wall configured and positioned in the hopper chamber to define, in combination with the housing: a front region between the inlet and the first divider wall; a first rear region between the first divider wall and the second divider wall; a second rear region between the second divider wall and the third divider wall; and a third rear region on a side of the third divider wall opposite the second rear region. The first divider wall forms a front choke passage between the front region and the first rear region and between the first divider wall and the floor. The second divider wall forms a first rear choke passage between the first rear region and the second rear region and between the second divider wall and the floor. The third divider wall forms a second rear choke passage between the second rear region and the third rear region and between the third divider wall and the floor and/or a side wall of the housing.