Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF DISPENSING ITEMS
John Baranowski
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No.
10/601,675
entitled "Control Systems and Methods of Dispensing Items," which vsras filed
on June 24, 2003,
and claims priority from U.S: Provisional Patent Application No. '60/390,363
entitled "Control
Systems and Methods of Dispensing Items," and filed on June 24, 2002, and U.S.
Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/454,645 entitled "Control Systems and Methods of
Dispensing Items,"
and filed on March 17, 2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein
by reference in
their entirety.
1o BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002) The present invention relates generally to control systems and methods
of
controlling;the dispensing of items. In particular, the present invention
relates to control systems
and methods of controlling the dispensing of items from a vibratory dispenser.
is 2. Description o~Related Art
[0003] Known control systems and methods of controlling the dispensing of
items may
be used to operate dispensers that receive and dispense a plurality of items.
Known control
systems and methods may operate dispensers, so that dispensers may dispense a
plurality of
items at different rates. Moreover, known control systems and methods may
count dispensed
2o items, so that items may be dispensed in predetermined quantities. Known
control systems may
measure a physical characteristic of dispensed items; e.g:, known control
systems may weigh
dispensed items.
[0004) In known control systems, however, the accuracy of the count of
dispensed items
may be affected by operation of known dispensers. For example, the ability of
known control
25 systems to operate dispensers to dispense items singularly, e~Q., in a
single file,.may improve the
accuracy of the count of dispensed items. If two or more items are dispensed
simultaneously,
known control systems ,may count the items as a single item, thereby
undermining the accuracy
of the count of dispensed items. Thus, known dispensing control systems may
reduce or limit
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
the rate at which items are dispensed in order to improve the accuracy of a
count of dispensed
items.
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A need has arisen for dispensing control systems and methods of
controlling the
dispensing of items, so that a plurality of items may be received and
dispensed by ~ dispenser in
a riianner that improves the accuracy of a count or a measurement, or both of
dispensed items.
More specifically, a need has arisen for control systems and methods of
controlling . the
dispensing of items from a rotary, vibratory dispenser, such that items may be
dispensed
singularly, ~ in a single file or the like, at greater rates than in known
dispensing systems and
method.
[0006] A-further..~eed-bas arisen-Por-dispensing--control systems and methods
that may
1'0 accurately count or measure, or both, items dispensed from a dispenser.
For example, a further
need has arisen for a control system and method of dispensing items that
measures a physical
characteristic, e.~., a weight, a volume, a density, or the like, of each
dispensed item, so that
predeterriiined quantities of items may be dispensed and so that each item in
a predetermined
quantity of items may have a measured physical characteristic that is within a
predetermined
range of measurements
[0007] A dispenser of the present invention may be used to dispense
predetermined
quantities of a variety.of food items, e.~., dried food items, frozen food
items, thawed'food items,
or the like. For example, such a dispenser may dispense dried food items, such
as dried pasta,
dehydrated vegetables, or the like. Moreover, a dispenser according to the
present invention may
2o be used to dispense frozen food items, e. e., frozen meat, frozen
vegetables, or the like. The
dispenser of the present invention may dispense items of varying physical
characteristic,
weight, volume, density, temperature, or the like, including non-food items.
For example, the
dispenser of the present invention may dispense fasteners, hardware, medical
items, electronic
parts, mechanical parts, metallic and non-metallic items, or the like.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, a control system for regulating a
rotary,
vibratory dispenser comprising a feeder bowl and a plurality of dispensing
paths comprises a
control unit. The control unit controls each of a rotation drive for rotating
the feeder bowl, a
feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at least one
dispensing path
vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, so that the feeder bowl
may receive a
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
plurality of iterizs and supply those items uniformly to each of the
dispensing paths, and so that
the dispensing paths may dispense the items singularly.
[0009) In a another erilbodiment of the invention, a method of controlling the
dispensing
of items comprises the steps of delivering items onto a feeder; bowl at a
predetermined rate of
delivery, rotating a feeder bowl at a predetermined rotational speed,
vibrating the feeder bowl at
a predetermined feeder bowl vibrational setting, so that the items are
dispensed uniformly to a
plurality of dispensing paths positioned around the feeder bowl, and vibrating
the dispensing
paths at a predetermined dispensing path vibrational setting, so that the
dispensing paths dispense
the items singularly.
to [0010) In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a control system
for
regulating a dispenser which comprises a feeder bowl and :a plurality of
dispensing paths
comprises a control unit. The control unit controls a rotation drive for
rotating the dispensing
paths, a feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at
least one dispensing
path vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, such that the feeder
bowl receives a
plurality of items and supply the items uniformly to each of the dispensing
paths, and the
dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.
[0011 ] In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, a control
system for
regulating a dispenser, in which the dispenser comprises a feeder bowl and one
or more
dispensing paths, comprises a control unit. The control unit controls each of
a feeder bowl
2o vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, a rotation drive for
rotating the one or more
dispensing paths, and at least one dispensing path vibration device for
vibrating the one or more
dispensing paths. The control system also comprises one or more dispensing
heads. Each of the
one or more dispensing heads receives iteriis from at least one of the one or
more dispensing
paths, and comprises a dispensing chute for directing a first plurality of the
received items
toward the dispenser, in which at least one physical characteristic of each of
the first plurality of
the received items is within a predetermined range of physical
characteristics. Each dispensing
head also comprises a diversion chute for directing a second plurality of the
received items away
from the dispenser.
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.4206
[0012] Other objects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present
invention
will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from the following
description of preferred
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention may be understood more readily with reference to
the
following drawings.
[0014] Fig. l shows a rotary, vibratory dispenser for use with a control
system, according
to ail embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Fig. 2a shows a cross-sectional view of a dome-shaped feeder bowl
according to
1o an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Fig. 2b shows a cross-sectional view of a conical-shaped feeder bowl
according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Fig. 2c shows a cross-sectional view of a sloped feeder bowl according
to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018) Fig. 3 shows a control system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
{0019] Fig. 4a shows a top view of a channel according to the present
invention.
[0020] Fig. 4b shows an end view of the channel of Fig. 4a, according to the
present
invention
2o [0021] Fig. 4c shows a perspective view of the channel of Fig. 4a,
according to the
present invention.
(0022] Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a control method according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] Figs. 6a-6b show an operation of a dispensing head according to an
embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] Fig. 7 shows a dispenser for use with a control system, .according to
another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Figs. 8a-8b show an operation of a dispensing head according to another
embodiment of the present invention
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBOD>ZvJENTS
[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, a rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 for use with the
control
system of the present invention includes a feeder bowl 102 for receiving a
plurality of items to be
dispensed from rotary, vibratory dispenser 100, a plurality of dispensing
paths 103 positioned
around feeder bowl 102 for receiving items supplied by feeder bowl 102, a
feeder bowl rotation
drive 108 for rotating feeder bowl 102, a feeder bowl vibration device 109 for
vibrating feeder
bowl 102, and one or more dispensing path vibration devices 110 for vibrating
each dispensing
paths .103, so that dispensing paths 103 may dispensing items singularly,
sensing units 117 for
measuring a physical characteristic, e.Q., a volume, a weight, a density, or
the like; of each
singularly-dispensed item, and dispensing heads 105 for receiving items
dispensed from each
dispensing path 103 and for directing predetermined quantities of items to
containers. A bulk
delivery apparatus 104, ~, a hopper, a conveyor, or the like, may deliver
items to rotary,
vibratory dispenser 100, e;~., to feeder bowl 101 of rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100.
[0027] Rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 may be used to receive and dispense a
variety of
i5 food items, ~ dried food items, frozen food items, thawed food items, or
the like. For
example, rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 may dispense dried . food items, such
as dried pasta,
dehydrated vegetables, or the like. Moreover, rotary, vibratory dispenser 100
may be used to
dispense frozen food items, e.~., frozen meats, frozen vegetables, or the
like. Rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100 may be used to dispense items of varying physical
characteristic, ~ varying
Weight, volume, density, temperature, or the like, including non-food items of
varying physical
characteristic. For example, the rotary, vibratory dispenser may dispense
fasteners; hardware,
medical items, electronic parts, mechanical parts, metallic and non-metallic
items, or the like.
. [0028) Fig. 1 shows a feeder bowl 102 with an attenuated conical shape and a
flat
peripheral edge 2a. Feeder bowl 102 may be substantially dome-shaped,
substantially conical
shaped, substantially flat, or the like (not shown). Each configuration of
feeder bowl may
include a flat peripheral edge. Fig. Za shows a cross-section of a dome-shaped
feeder bowl 102'
with a substantially planar peripheral edge 102a'. Fig. 2b shows a cross-
section of a conical-
shaped feeder bowl 102" with a substantially planar peripheral edge 102a".
[0029) Fig. 2c shows a feeder bowl 102"' according to yet another embodiment
of the
present invention. Feeder bowl 102"' may comprise a plurality of sloped
portions, and each of
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
the sloped portions may be separated. by a substantially cylindrical portion.
For example, feeder
bowl 102"' may comprise a first sloped portion 202 and a second sloped portion
204 connected to
first sloped portion 202 via a substantially cylindrical portion 206.
Cylindrical portion 206 may
form a vertical drop between first sloped portion 202 and second sloped
portion 204. In an
embodiment, a thiclmess of cylindrical portion 206 may be selected, such that
a distance between
fast sloped portion 202 and second sloped portion 204 is about 25.4 mm (about
1 inch).
Moreover, first sloped portion 202, second sloped portion 204, and
substantially cylindrical
portion 206 may be stationary portions, i.e., non-rotating portions, or
vibratory portions, or both.
First sloped portion 202 and second sloped portion 204 may gradually
accelerate the fall of items
to dispensed by bulk delivery apparatus 106 to feeder bowl 102"'.
Specifically, a slope S1 of .
second sloped portion 204 may be greater than a slope S2 of first sloped
portion 202; such that
an item's speed increases between first sloped portion 202 and second sloped
portion 204. In a
preferred embodiment, first sloped portion 202 may be inclined in a downward
direction relative
to a first horizontal plane 250, and slope Sl of first sloped portion 202 may
be about 9.5° relative
to first horizontal plane 250. Moreover, second sloped portion 204 ~riay be
inclined in a
downward direction relative to a second horizontal plane 260 which is parallel
to first horizontal
plane 250, and slope S2 of second sloped portion 204 may be about 12°
relative to second
horizontal plane 260. This preferred embodiment achieved superior performance
with most
items tested. Nevertheless, in yet another embodiment, slope S 1 of first
sloped portion 202 and
2o slope S2 of second sloped portion 204 may be varied, depending on the type
of item dispensed
from bulk delivery apparatus 106.
[0030] Feeder bowl 102"' also may comprise a sloped member 208 fixed to
dispensing
paths 102, such that sloped member 208 may rotate with dispensing paths 102.
Sloped member
208 may be separate from second sloped portion 204, such that a gap 210 is
formed between
second sloped portion 204 and sloped member 208. In an embodiment, sloped
member 208 niay
be inclined in a downward direction relative to a third horizontal plane 270
which is parallel to
second horizontal plane 260. In operation, items fall from second sloped
portion 204 onto the
surface of sloped member 208 and, subsequently may become airborne. A slope S3
of sloped
member 208 relative to third horizontal plane 270 may be selected to reduce
the amplitude of the
3o airborne items. For example, slope S3 of sloped portion 208 may be between
about 1 ° and about
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PATENT
. Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
15°; and in a preferred embodiment, slope S3 of sloped portion 208 is
about 15°. Moreover,
dispensing paths 103 may be inclined in a downward direction, such that a
slope of dispensing
paths 103 is about the same as slope S3 of sloped member 208. Although in Fig.
2c sloped
member 208 is depicted as a single portion member, sloped member may be
divided into a
plurality of sloped portions having varying slopes, such as described above
with respect to~first
sloped portion 202, second sloped portion 204, and substantially cylindrical
portion 206.
[0031] Referring again to Fig. 1, dispensing paths 103 may be positioned
around. feeder
Bowl 102, ~ around a periphery of feeder bow1.102. Dispensing paths 103 may
receive items
supplied by feeder bowl 102. As described in more detail below, dispensing
paths 103, in turn,
operate to position items in single file along a longitudinal axis of each
dispensing path 103, so
tliatdispensing paths 103 may dispense items singularly from a distal end of
each dispensing
path 103. Moreover, each dispensing path 103 may include -one or more item-
dispensing
channels (not shown) for dispensing the items singularly from each channel.
[0032] A bulk delivery apparatus 104 may be used to deliver items to rotary,
vibratory
IS dispenser 100. Bulk delivery apparatus 104 may be positioned adjacent to
rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100, as shown in Fig. 1, to deliver items to rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100, ~ to
feeder bowl 102 of rotary, vibratory dispenser 100. Bulk delivery apparatus
104 may include a ,
eT~., a vibration device, a motor, or the like, for controlling a rate of
delivery of items from Bulk
delivery apparatus 104 to rotary, vibratory dispenser 100. Adjustment of
enables adjustment of
the rate of delivery of items from bulk delivery apparatus 104.
[0033] As shown in Fig. 1, bulk delivery apparatus 104 may include a hopper
104 and
hopper vibration device 104a for vibrating hopper 104, so that items may be
delivered at
different rates to feeder bowl 102 of rotary, vibratory dispenser 100. Such
hopper vibration
devices 104a may include Syntron~ Electromagnetic Vibrators, which are
available from FMC
2~ Technologies Material Handling Solutions of Homer City, Pennsylvania. Other
hoppers 104 and
hopper vibration devices 104a may include the Skako Comassa Feeders, which are
available
from Skako, Inc. of Faaborg, Denmark.
[0034] 1n another embodiment of the invention, bulk delivery apparatus 104 may
include
a conveyor or the like for delivering items to feeder bowl 102 of rotary,
vibratory dispenser 100.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the rate of delivery of items from
bulk delivery
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
apparatus 104 to rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 may be regulated by adjusting
an apeiture, or
the like, of bulk delivery apparatus 104.
[0035) Bulk delivery apparatus 104 may include a sensing unit 104b for
counting or
measuring items delivered from bulk delivery apparatus 104 to feeder bowl 102.
Sensing unit
104b iriay include a scale, ~ a strain gauge, for weighing items in bulk
delivery apparatus 104
and for determining a weight of items delivered from bulk delivery apparatus
104 to feeder bowl
102 in a given time period. ~ Sensing unit 104b may include one or more optic
sensors, infrared
vsensors, electromagnetic radiation sensors, proximity sensors, capacitative
sensors, or the like,
such as are available from IFM Efector, Inc., Exton, Pennsylvania. Sensing
unit 104b may be
l0 positioned at bulk delivery apparatus ;106 to count, e.,g_, to. sense or
the like, items dispensed
from bulk delivery apparatus, so that :bulk delivery apparatus 104 may deliver
items to rotary,
vibratory dispenser 100 at a rate sufEcient to enable rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100 to dispense a
predetermined number of items to containers or the like at a desired rate, e.
Q., at a desired
number of containers per minute, or the like.
[0036] Dispensing paths 103 may be positioned around feeder bowl 102 to
receive items
supplied,by feeder bowl 102. Dispensing paths 103 may be positioned around a
periphery of
. feeder bowl 102 and extend radially from the periphery of feeder bowl 102,
as shown in »g. 1,
to receive items supplied by feeder bowl 102. The length of each dispensing
path 103 may vary
depending upon a variety of factors, such as the space available for the
rotary, vibratory
2'o dispenser, a physical characteristic of items to be dispensed, a desired
dispensing rate, a
rotational speed of the dispensing paths 103, or the like. The number
of.dispensing paths 103
may vary. For example, forty-eight (48) dispensing paths 103 may be positioned
around feeder
bowl 102. According to one embodiment of the invention, one hundred (100)
dispensing paths
103 may be positioned around feeder bowl 102. In another embodiment of the
invention, twelve
dispensing paths 103 may be positioned around feeder bowl 102. However, any
number of
dispensing paths 103 may be positioned around feeder bowl 102.
[0037) Each dispensing path 103 may comprise one or more item-dispensing
channels,
each of which channels may receive items supplied by feeder bowl 102 and
dispense items
singularly. For example, each dispensing path 103 may comprise a single
channel. However,
3o each dispensing path 103 may include two or more channels, each of which
channels may
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
dispense items singularly to a dispensing head 105. Thus, according to an
embodiment of the
'invention in which rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 is configured with forty-
eight (48) dispensing
paths 103 and each dispensing path 103 includes two channels, rotary,
vibratory clispenser 100
may dispense items from each of the ninety-six (96) channels. The number of
channels may
vary depending upon the number of containers to be filled at a rotary,
vibratory dispenser, the
number of dispensing heads 105 and sensing units 117, or the like.
[0038] Each channel may have a substantially constant width and extend
radially from
feeder bowl 102, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4a shows a pair of channels 403 of
increasing width.
. Each channel 403 has a portion of narrower width 403a at one end and a
portion of greater width
403b at another end. The portion of narrower width 403a of each channel 403
may be positioned
adjacent to feeder bowl 102 to receive items supplied from feeder bowl 102.
Depending upon
the number of channels 403 positioned around feeder bowl 102 and the
dimensions of each
channel 403, outer edges 405 of adjacent channels 403 may contact. In this
way, the plurality of
channels 403 may form a. continuous item-dispensing surface extending from a
periphery of
feeder bowl 102 to receive a plurality of items supplied by feeder bowl 102.
[0039] Each channel 403 may have a substantially V-shaped cross-section, such
that a
pair of channels 403 may have a substantially W-shaped cross-section, as shown
in Figs. 4b and
4c. Each channel may have a U-shaped, so that a pair of such channels has a
double-U-shaped
crass-sectional configuration. Further, a depth of each channel 403 may
increase as each channel
403 extends from a portion of narrower width 403a to a portion of greater
width 403b, as shown
in Fig. 4c. Thus, a depth of each channel 403 may increase as each channel 403
extends radially
from a periphery of feeder bowl 102.
[0040] The angle of offset a of adjacent sides of a channel 403 may vary, as
well. For
example, the angle of offset a may be about 90°, as shown in Fig. 4b.
However, the angle of
offset a may be an acute angle or an obtuse angle, depending upon a physical
characteristic, e.~.,
a weight, a volume, a density, or the like, of items to be dispensed. The
cross-sectional
configuration, depth, and angle of offset a of each channel 403 may vary
according to a physical
characteristic of items to be dispensed, so that each channel 403 may receive
a plurality of items
supplied by feeder bowl 102, sort the items into a single file as the items
travel along each
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No: 016354.0206
channel 403, and dispense the items sizlgularly from a distal end of each
channel 403 to improve
the accuracy of a count or a measurement or both of each dispensed item.
[0041] A sensing unit 117 may be positioned at each dispensing path 103 of
rotary,
vibratory dispenser 100 to measure a physical characteristic, ~ a weight, a
volume, a density,
or the like, or each item dispensed from a dispensing path 103. In embodiments
of the invention
in which a dispensing path 103 may include two or more item-dispensing
channels, a sensing
unit 117 may be positioned at each channel, ~ at a distal end of each channel
of a dispensing
path 103, so that each sensing unit 117 may measure a physical characteristic
of each item
°ilispensed from each channel, so that an accurate count of dispensed
items may be obtained. As
shown in Wig. 1, a sensing unit 117 may be positioned at each dispensing head
105, e.g_, at an
opening of each dispensing head 105.
[0042] Sensing unit 117 may include optic seHSeared-sensors;-eapaei-t~ti-ve-
sensofs,
:photoelectric sensors, laser sensors, fiber optic sensors, proximity sensors,
or the like, such as are
available from IFM Efector, Inc., Exton, Pennsylvania. For example,
capacitative sensors may
detect the presence of conductive and non-conductive items, so that an
accurate count may be
made of items dispensed from each dispensing path 103 or channel. Optic
sensors may detect
each item as items are dispensed from each dispensing path 103 or channel. A
sensing unit 117
according to this embodiment of the invention may be positioned at a distal
end of each item-
dispensing channel for counting each item dispensed from each channel.
2o [0043] Sensing unit 117 may include a scale, or the like, for measuring a
weight of each
item dispensed from each channel. In another embodiment of the invention,
sensing unit 117
may include an optic sensor or an electromagnetic radiation sensor, such as
those available from
Batching Systems, Inc., Prince Frederick, Maryland, for measuring a volume of
each dispensed
item. Each electromagnetic radiation sensor may include a source of
electromagnetic radiation
directed onto an electromagnetic radiation detector, so that a volume of each
item passing
between the electromagnetic radiation source and electromagnetic radiation
detector may be
determined based on fluctuations in the amount of electromagnetic radiation
detected as each
item passes between the electromagnetic radiation source and the
electromagnetic radiation
detector.
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[0044] : According to a still further embodiment of the present invention,
each sensing
unit 117 may include a pair of sensing units. For example sensing unit 117 may
inchtde a scale
and an electromagnetic sensor for measuring a weight and a volume,
respectively, of each
iiispensed item. Sensing unit 117 may include an optical or proximity sensor
and a scale for
counting and measuring a weight, respectively, of each dispensed item. Thus,
such a dual
sensing unit may further improve the accuracy of a count, or a measurement, or
both of each
dispensed item.
:,[0045] A dispensing head 105 may be positioned at each dispensing path 103,
adjacent to a distal end of each dispensing path 103, to receive items
dispensed from each
;vdispensing path 103 and its associated item-dispensing channel. In
embodiments of the
invention in which a dispensing path 102 may include more than one item-
dispensing channel, a
dispensing head 105 may be positioned adjacent to each channel, ~ adjacent to
a distal end of
each channel of a dispensing path 102, to receive items dispensed from each
channel.
[0046] Dispensing head 105 may include a bifurcation device 106 for directing
received .
.15 items to a first chamber 106a or a second chamber 106b of each dispensing
head 105. Moreover,
each dispensing head 105 may include a holding chamber 107. Holding chamber
107 may be
positioned at a lower portion of each dispensing head 105. Holding chamber,
107 may be
selectively reconfigured to direct items within dispensing head 105 in a first
direction, e.g.,
toward a container. or the like, or to divert items in a second direction, ~
away from a
container or_ the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, holding
chamber 107 may
include a pair of doors 107x, 107b, as shown in Fig. 1.
[0047] Referring to Figs. 6a-6h, in a modification of this embodiment of the
present
invention, holding chamber 107 may be replaced by a first holding charriber
107' and a second
holding chamber 107", door 107a~may be replaced by a first door 107a', and
door 107b may be
replaced by a guide wall 107b' and a second door 107b". First holding chamber
107' may be
positioned below second holding chamber 107", and when second door 107b" is in
a closed
position, holding chambers 107' and 107" may form a continuous chamber.
Nevertheless, when
second door 107b" is in an open position, second door 107b" may prevent the
items from
reaching first holding chamber 107'. Specifically, bifurcation device 106 may
receive the items
3o which pass through the opening in dispensing head 117, such that the items
are positioned within
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Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
first chamber 106a or second chamber 106b. When bifurcation device 106
receives a
predetermined number of items which have acceptable physical characteristics,
e~, physical
characteristics which are within a predetermined range of physical
characteristics, bifizrcation
device 106 may direct the received items into first holding chamber 107' via
second holding
chamber 107". First door 107x' then may move from'a closed positioned to an
open position,
such that the items received by first holding chamber 107' are directed toward
the container.
Nevertheless, if bifurcation device 106 receives any item which does not have
acceptable
~.chazacteristics, e~Q., physical characteristics which are greater than or
less than the predetermined
range of physical characteristics, second door 107b" may move from the closed
position to the
io open position, and bifiircation device 106 subsequently may direct the
received items into second
holding chamber 107". When bifurcation device 106 directs the received items
into second
holding chamber 107 "; bifurcation device 106 may receive new items, such that
the new items
inay be. positioned within first chamber 106a or second chamber 106b.
Moreover, when the
received items reach second holding chamber 107", second door 107b" may direct
the received
items away from the container. Consequently, when bifizrcation device 106
receives an
unacceptable item, each of the items received by the bifurcation device 106
may be diiected
away from the container without having to wait for bifiucation device 106 to
receive the
predetermined number of items. Moreover, the new items may be received by
bifurcation device
106 without having to wait for second door 107b" to direct the received items
away from the
2o container.
[0048) Referring to Flgs. 13a and 13b, in another modification of the
embodiment of the
present invention depicted in Wig. l, bifurcation device 106 may be replaced
by a first directional
gate 106' and a second directional gate 106 ", and holding chamber 107 may be
replaced by a
first holding chamber 1107a and a second holding chamber 1107b. In this
embodiment, door
107a may be replaced by an accept door 107a", door 107b may be replaced by a
recirculate door
107b", and dispensing head 105 may comprise means for releasing items from
second holding
chamber 1107b. For example, the means for releasing may comprise a roller 810
connected to
recirculate door 107b". Moreover, dispenser 100 may comprise means for
separating items,
~, a first strainer (not shown) and/or a second strainer (not shown).
Specifically, the first
strainer may be operationally positioned between bulk delivery apparatus 104
and dispensing
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
head 105, such that the first strainer may prevent items having a diameter
which is greater than a
first predetermined diameter from entering dispensing head 105. The second
strainer may be
operationally positioned between second holding chamber 1107b and bulk
delivery apparatus
104, such that the second strainer prevents items which are released from
second holding
chamber 1107b and have a diameter which is less than a second predetermined
diameter from
reentering dispensing head 105.
[0049] In operation, first directional gate 106' may receive the items which
pass through
the first strainer and an opening (not numbered) in dispensing head 105, such
that the items are
-positioned within first chamber 106a or second chamber 106b. When first
directional gate 106'
receives a predetermined number of items which passed through at least the
first strainer and
have acceptable physical characteristics, e.~., physical characteristics which
are within a
predetermined range of physical characteristics, second directional gate 106"
is positioned in a
first position and first directional gate 106' may direct the received items
into first holding
chamber 1107a. The container then may move to a position which is
substantially, vertically
aligned with first holding chamber 1107a, and accept door 107a" then may move
from a closed
positioned to an open position, such that the items received by fi=st holding
chamber 1107a are
directed toward bulk delivery apparatus 104 and into the container. When first
directional gate
106' directs the received items into first holding chamber 1107a, first
directional gate 106' may
receive new items, such that the new items may be positioned within first
chamber 106a or
second chamber 106b.
[0050] Nevertheless, if first directional gate 106' receives any item which
does not have
acceptable characteristics, ~ physical characteristics which are greater than
or less than the
predetermined range of physical characteristics, second directional gate 106"
may move from
the first position to a second position, and first directional gate 106'
subsequently may direct the
received items into second holding chamber 1107b. When first directional gate
106' directs the
received items into second holding chamber 1107b, first directional gate 106'
may receive new
items, such that the new items may be positioned within first chamber 106a or
second chamber
106b. Moreover, dispensing head 105 may orbit around bulk delivery apparatus
104, and the
means for releasing may further comprise means for altering an angle of roller
810, such that
. when the angle of roller 810 is altered, recirculate door 107b" opens. For
example, the means
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 0163$4.0206
far altering the angle of roller 810 may comprise a raised portion (not
shown). When roller 810
contacts the raised portion, roller 810 may move in an upward direction, and
rec~irculate door
I07b" automatically opens, such that the items in second holding chamber 1107b
are directed
away from bulk delivery apparatus 104 and onto a conveyer (not shown). The
second strainer
j then separates the items on the conveyer having a diameter less than the
second predeteriiiined
diameter from the items on the conveyer having a diameter greater than or
equal to the second
predetermined diameter. Moreover, the items on the conveyer having a diameter
greater than or
equal to the second predetermined diameter are delivered to bulk delivery
apparatus 104.
Consequently,.when a batch of items is unacceptable because one of the items
in the batch does
.not have acceptable characteristics, those items in the batch which have
acceptable
characteristics may be redelivered to dispensing; head 105 via bulk delivery
apparatus 104, such
that the number of acceptable items which dispenser 100 disposes of may be
reduced. Moreover,
bvcaltse the items which are not dispensed into containers are directed away
from bulk delivery
apparatus 104, these items may not adversely affect the components of
dispenser 100. For
example, the food items may not contact or adhere to the components of
dispenser 100. Further,
because the items which are not dispensed into containers are directed away
from bulk delivery
apparatus 104, the need to clean dispenser 100 may occur less frequently, and
dispenser 100
more easily may be cleaned.
[0051] Referring again to Fig. l, in another embodiment of the present
invention, holding
2o chamber 107 may include two pairs of doors for directing items to a
container or for diverting
items away from a container. Based on a measurement and count of each
dispensed item by
sensing units 117, each dispensing head 105 may be activated to direct
predetermined quantities
of items, each of whose measured physical characteristics is within a
predetermined range, of
measurements, to a container or the like. Moreover, based on measured values
of each dispensed
item, dispensing heads 105 may direct predetermined volumes, weights, or the
like, to a
container. Dispensing heads 105 may be activated to divert dispensed items
whose measured
physical characteristic is greater than or less than a predetermined range of
measurements away
from a container or the like.
[0052] Feeder bowl rotation drive 108 may rotate feeder bowl 102 at different
rotational
3o speeds. Moreover, feeder bowl rotation drive 108 may rotate feeder bowl 102
and dispensing
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
paths 103 at a rotational speed that corresponds to a desired rate of filling
containers at rotary,
vibratory dispenser 100. For example, feeder bowl rotation drive 108 may
rotate a frame that
supports feeder bowl 102 and dispensing paths 103, as shown in Fig. 1. If
rotary, vibratory
iiispenser 100 includes 48 dispensing paths 103 and each dispensing path 103
includes twb iteni~
S ~ dispensing channels, and rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 must fill 480
containers per minute,
feeder bowl rotation drive 103 may rotate feeder bowl 101 and dispensing paths
103 at five (5)
revolutions per minute (rpm), so that rotary, vibratory dispenser may dispense
items to 480
containers per minute: If each dispensing path 103 include a single item-
dispensing channel,
. feeder bowl rotation drive 108 may rotate feeder bowl 102 and dispensing
paths 1:03 at ten (10)
ib ten rpm, so that rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 may dispense items to 480
containers per minute.
[0053] According to an embodiment of the invention in which dispensing paths
103 may
rotate independently of feeder bowl 102, feeder bowl rotation drive 108 may
rotate dispensing
paths 103 at a substantially similar rotational speed as feeder bowl 102, or
feeder:bowl rotation
drive 108 may rotate dispensing paths 103 at a different rotational speed than
feeder bowl 102,
15 e.g_, via a transmission (not shown), so that a rotational speed of
dispensing paths 103 may be
' varied relative to a rotational speed of feeder bowl 102. In a still further
embodiment of the
invention, feeder bowl rotation drive 108 may rotate dispensing paths 103 in a
direction of
rotation that is opposite to a direction of rotation of feeder bowl 102. In
each embodiment,
feeder bowl rotation drive 108 may rotate dispensing paths 103 at a rotational
speed that
2o corresponds to a desired rate of filling containers at rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100.
[0054] , Feeder bowl vibration device 109 may vibrate feeder bowl 102 at
different
vibrational settings, e.Q., at different vibrational magnitudes, at different
vibrational frequencies,
in different vibrational planes, or combinations thereof. Feeder bowl
vibration device may
vibrate feeder bowl at different vibrational settings in a first plane, a
second plane, or both, so
25 that feeder bowl 102 may supply items uniformly to each of the dispensing
paths 103 positioned
around feeder bowl 102. First plane may be generally vertical, while second
plane may be
generally horizontal, or first plane may be transverse to second plane. Such
feeder bowl
vibration devices 109 may include Syntron~ Electromagnetic Vibrators,
available from FMC
Technologies Material Handling Solutions of Homer City, Pennsylvania.
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
[0055] By selectively vibrating feeder bowl 102 at different vibrational
settings, feeder
bowl vibration device 109 enables feeder bowl 102 to receive a plurality of
items, ~ from a
bulk delivery apparatus 104, and to supply those items uniformly to each of
the dispensing paths
. ~ 103 positioned around feeder bowl 102. Moreover, feeder bowl vibration
device 109 may
vibrate feeder bowl 102 at different vibrational settings that are
proportionate to a physical
characteristic of each item, ~ a weight, a density, a volume, a temperature,
or the like of each
item. Depending upon a physical characteristic of each item, ~ a weight, a
density, a volume,
~a temperature, or the like, a rate at which items are delivered to feeder
bowl 102, and a desired
date of supplying items from feeder bowl 102 to dispensing paths 103; feeder
bowl vibration
IO device 109 vibrates feeder bowl 102 at different vibrational settings, so
that feeder bowl 102 may
supply items uniformly to each dispensing path 103.
[0056] One or more dispensing path vibration devices 110 may vibrate each
dispensing
path 103, e.Q., each channel of each dispensing path 103. Dispensing path
vibration devices 110
may vibrate each dispensing path 103 and channel at different vibrational
settings; ~ at
15 different vibrational magnitudes, at different vibrational frequencies, in
different vibrational
planes, or combinations thereof. Each dispensing path vibration device 110 may
vibrate one or
more dispensing paths 103 and associated item-dispensing channels at different
vibrational
ettings in a first plane or a second plane or both. First and second plane may
be a generally
horizontal and a generally vertical plane, respectively, or first and second
planes may be
2o transverse to one another. Such dispensing. path vibration devices 110 may
include Syntron~
Solid Mount Linear Drives, which are available from FMC Technologies Material
Handling
Solutions of Homer City, Pennsylvania.
[0057] By vibrating each dispensing path 103 at different vibrational
settings, dispensing
path vibration devices 110 enable each dispensing path 103 to receive a
plurality of items
25 supplied from feeder bowl 102, to singulate items, ~ to position items in
single file along a
longitudinal axis of each dispensing path 103, and to dispense the items
singularly from each
dispensing path 103. Moreover, dispensing path vibration devices 110 may
vibrate each
dispensing path 103, according to a physical characteristic, e.~., a weight, a
density, a volume, a
temperature, or the like of each item, so that each dispensing path 103
dispenses items singularly,
3o era., in single file, in a spaced relation, or the like. Depending upon a
physical characteristic of
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
each item, e.g_, a weight, a density, a volume, a temperature, or the like, a
rate at which items are
supplied by feeder bowl 102 to dispensing paths 103, and a desired rate of
dispensing items from
each dispensing path 103, dispensing path vibration devices 110 may vibrate
each dispensing
path 103 at vibrational settings, so that each dispensing path 103 may
dispense items singularly.
w5 [0058] A separate dispensing path vibration unit 110 may vibrate each
dispensing path
103 and associated channels) independently of every other dispensing path 103,
~ at different
vibrational settings, and independently of a vibration of feeder bowl 102 by
feeder bowl
vibration device 109. Iii another embodiment of the invention, each dispensing
path vibration
~riit 110 may vibrate two or more dispensing paths 103 and associated channels
at similar
1o vibrational settings. If each dispensing path 103 includes two or more item-
dispensing channels,
a dispensing path vibration unit 110 may vibrate two or more channels of a
respective di~pe>isiiig
path 103 at a similar vibrational setting, or dispensing path vibration device
110 may vibrate
each channel of a dispensing path 103, ~ one, two, three, four, or more
channels of a
respective dispensing path 103 at a similar vibrational settings, ~ in of
along similar
15 vibrational axes, at similar vibrational magnitude, at similar vibrational
frequencies, or
coriibinations thereof. Moreover, dispensing path vibration devices 110 may
vibrate each
dispensing path 103 independently of other dispensing paths 103, so that each
dispensing path
103 may receive items supplied by feeder bowl 102 and dispensing items
singularly.
[0059] Fig. 3 shows a control system according to the present invention for
use with a
20 rotary, vibratory dispenser. The control system may include a processor
111, a memory (not
shown), and an input device 112. Processor 111 may be a microprocessor, a
general purpose
piogram logic control (PLC), or the like. Memory may be separate from
processor 111, or
rrieinory may be included with processor 111, or both. Input device 112 may
include a keyboard,
a touch screen interface, a wireless I/O communication port, or the like.
Processor 111 may be
25 positioned on rotary, vibratory dispenser 100, e.Q., on a frame ofrotary,
vibratory dispenser 100.
[0060] A plurality of rotational and vibrational settings for each of feeder
bowl rotation
drive 108, feeder bowl vibration device 109, dispensing path vibration device
110, and may be
stored in the control system. For example, memory may store one or more
rotational speed
settings for feeder bowl rotation drive 108. Feeder bowl 102 rotational speed
settings may
3o correspond to a desired rate of filling containers at rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100, a desired rate
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PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
of delivery of items from bulk delivery apparatus 104 to feeder bowl 102, or
to a desired rate of
dispensing items from dispensing paths 103. In embodiments of the invention in
which feeder
bowl rotation drive 108 rotates dispensing paths 103, memory may store one or
more rotational
speed settings for dispensing paths 103. The rotational speed settings may
correspond to a
desired rate of filling containers at rotary, vibratory dispenser 100.
[0061] Vibrational settings for feeder bowl vibration device 109 may be stored
in
memory. Each vibrational setting may include a magnitude of vibration, a
frequency of
vibration, or both, in a first plane, in a second plane, or both. Each
vibrational setting may
correspond to a rate at which bulk delivery apparatus 104 delivers items to
rotary, vibratory
to ' dispenser 100, a rate of supplying items from feeder bowl 102 to
dispensing paths 103, or both.
Each vibrational setting may be proportionate to a physical characteristic,
,e.~., a volume, a
density, a temperature, a weight, or the like, of items to be dispensed.
[0062] Vibrational settings for dispensing path vibration devices 1109 may be
stored in
memory. Each vibrational setting may include a magnitude of vibration, a
frequency of
vibration, or both, in a first plane, in a second plane, or both. Each
vibrational setting may
correspond to a rate at which feeder bowl 102 supplies items to dispensing
paths 103, a desired
rate of dispensing items from each dispensing path 103, or both: Each
vibrational setting may be
proportionate to a physical characteristic, e.~., a volu~ne,.a density, a
temperature, a weight, or
the like, of items to be dispensed.
[0063] Vibrational settings for may be stored in memory. Each vibrational
setting may
include a magnitude of vibration, a frequency of vibration, or both, in a
first plane, in a second
plane, or both. Each vibrational setting may correspond to a rate at which
bulk delivery
apparatus 104 delivers items to feeder bowl 102, a desired rate of dispensing
items from each
dispensing path 103, or both. Each vibradonal setting may be proportionate to
a physical
characteristic, ~ a volume, a density, a temperature, a weight, or the like,
of items to be
delivered by Bulk delivery apparatus 104.
[0064] A predetermined range of one or more physical characteristics of each
item to be
dispensed may be stored in memory. For example, a predetermined range of
weights, densities,
or volumes may be stored for a particular item. Processor 111 may use a
parkicular
predetermined range of one or more physical characteristics of an item to
identify each dispensed
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' PATEIV'T
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
item the measured value of which is within a predetemlined range and to
identify each dispensed
items the measured value of which is greater than or less than the
predetermined range for that
item. For example, each sensing unit 117 may measure a volume of each item
dispensed from a
dispensing path 103 or item-dispensing channel and h~ansmit each measurement
to control unit.
~ Control unit may compare each measurement to a predetermined range of
volumes for that
particular item to determine whether the measured volume of each item is
within the
predetermined range of volumes for that particular item, or whether the
measured volume for an
item is greater than or less than the predetermined range of volumes for the
item.
[0065] By receiving a measurement of a physical characteristic of a 'dispensed
iterii from
tb sensing unit 117 and comparing each measurement with a predetermined range
for that physical
characteristic, processor 111 may identify each item the measured physical
characteristic of
which is within specification, i-e., within a predetermined range for that
item. This identificatiow
enables processor 111 to control dispensing of items, ~ via control of
dispensing heads 105, so
that each dispensing head 105 may direct predetermined quantities of items,
the measured
physical characteristic: of each. of which is within a predeternzined range
for that item, to a
container. Moreover, processor 111 may control dispensing heads 105, so that
each dispensing
head 105 may divert items the measured value of which is greater than or less
than a
predetermined range for that item away from a container. Comparison of a
measurement of a
physical characteristic of a dispensed item to a predetermined range for that
physical
. characteristic enables processor 111 to determine whether each dispensing
path 103 is dispensing
items singularly.
[0066] Processor 111 may receive instructions from one or more input devices
112.
Input device 112 may enable remote control of, and communication with,
processor 111. Input
device 112 may enable selection of one or more operational settings of rotary,
vibratory
dispenser 100, ~ selection of a rotational speed of feeder bowl rotation drive
108, selection of
a vibrational magnitude and frequency in one or more planes of feeder bowl
vibration device 109
..or dispensing path vibration device 110, so that rotary, vibratory dispenser
100 may be operated
at a variety of operational settings.
{0067] Each operational setting may be stored in a memory of control system
and
selected via input device 112. For example, input device 112 may enable
selection of a
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket Na. 016354.0206
rotational speed of feeder bowl 102, a rotational speed ~of dispensing paths
103, a vibrational
magnitude and frequency_of feeder bowl 102 in one ~or more planes, a
vibrational magnitude and
fi~equency of one or more dispensing paths 103 in one of more planes, or the
like. Selection of
these operational settings via input device 112 enables processor 111 to
control a rotational speed
of feeder bowl rotation drive 108, a vibrational magnitude and frequency of
feeder bowl
vibration device 109, one or more vibrational magnitudes or frequencies of
dispensing path
vibration devices 110, a drive setting for , or the like. 'Input device 112
may enable entry of
various operational settings in addition to selection of operational settings
stored in memory.
Input device 112 may enable modification of stored operational settings, as
well. Input device
lti 112 also enables selection of a desired dispensing rate, a desired fill
rate for containers, or the
like.
[0068] Referring to Fig. 3, . processor 111 may communicate with feeder bowl
rotation
drive 108, feeder bowl vibration device 109, dispensing path vibration devices
110, and , via
various communication means, ~ hard wire, wireless transmission, or the like,
or . a
combination of these communication means, so that processor 111 may control
operation of
rotary, vibratory dispenser 100. Moreover, processor 111 may communicate with
a feeder bowl
rotation sensor 114, a feeder bowl vibration sensor 115, dispensing path
vibration sensors 116,
sensing units 117 and a bulk delivery sensor 104b that detects, _eg, weighs,
counts, or the like,
items delivered from bulk delivery apparatus 104 to rotary, vibratory
dispenser 100.
[0069] Feeder bowl rotation sensor 114 detects; ~ measures, a rotational speed
of
feeder bowl 102. Rotation sensor 114 may detect a rotational speed of feeder
bowl 102 directly,
eTi~., by being positioned adjacent to feeder bowl 102 to sense a rotation of
feeder bowl 102, or
indirectly, e.~., by being positioned at rotation drive 8 to detect a
rotational speed of rotation
drive 8. Rotation sensor 114 transmits signals corresponding to a rotational
speed of feeder bowl
102 or a rotational speed of feeder bowl rotation drive 108, or both, to
processor 111.
[0070] Feeder bowl vibration sensor 115 detects, e.~., measures, a vibration
of feeder
bowl 102. Feeder bowl vibration. sensor 115 may detect a frequency of
vibration of feeder bowl
102, a magnitude of vibration of feeder bowl 102, or both. Moreover, feeder
bowl vibration
sensor 115 may detect the frequency of vibration of feeder bowl 102, the
magnitude of vibration
of feeder bowl 102, or both, in a first plane, a second plane, or both. Feeder
bowl vibration
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
sensor 11 S may be positioned in direct contact with feeder bowl 102 to
measure a vibration of
feeder bowl 102. Feeder bowl vibration sensor 115 may be positioned at feeder
bowl vibration
device 109 for measuring a vibration of feeder bowl vibration device 109. For
example, feeder
bowl vibration sensor 115 may transmit signals corresponding to one or more of
a frequency of
vibration, a magnitude of vibration, and a direction or plane of vibration of
feeder bowl 1 U2, or
feeder bowl vibration device 109, or both to processor 111.
[0071] Dispensing path vibration sensors 116 may detect, ~ measure, one or
more of a
;'frequency of vibration of each dispensing path 103, a magnitude of vibration
of each dispensing
path 103, or a direction of vibration of each dispensing path 103. Moreover,
each dispensing
to path vibration sensor lI6 may detect a frequency of vibration of dispensing
paths 103, a
magnitude of vibration of dispensing paths 103, or both, in a first plane, a
second plane, or both.
Each dispensing path vibration sensor 116 may detect a vibration of one or
more dispensing
paths.103. Dispensing path vibration sensors 116 may measure a vibration of
each dispensing
path 103 directly, ~ by being positioned at a dispensing path 103. Dispensing
path vibration
sensors 116 may measure a vibration of each dispensing path 103 indirectly;
e.~, by being
positioned at a dispensing path vibration device 110 to measure a vibration of
each dispensing
path vibration device 110.
[0072) If a dispensing path 103 includes two or more item-dispensing channels,
a
dispensing path vibration sensor 116 may measure a vibration of each item-
dispensing channel
2o directly, indirectly, or both. If each dispensing path vibration device 110
vibrates multiple
channels, dispensing path vibration sensors 116 may measure a vibration of
each individual
channel or a vibration of the multiple channels vibrated by a respective
dispensing path vibration
device 110. Each dispensing path vibration sensor 116 transmits signals
corresponding to
measured vibrations of one or more dispensing paths 103, dispensing path
vibration devices 110,
or both, to processor 111. Moreover, dispensing path vibration sensors 116 may
transmit signals
corresponding to one or more of a frequency of vibration, a magnitude of
vibration, and a
direction of vibration of one or more channels of each dispensing path 103 to
processor 111.
[0073] Sensing units 117 may measure a physical characteristic, e.~.. a
weight, a volume,
a density, or the like, of each dispensed item and transmit signals
corresponding to the
3o measurements of each dispensed item to processor 111. Sensing units 117 may
be positioned at
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
each dispensing path 103, ,e.~., adjacent to a distal end of each dispensing
path to measure items
dispensed from each dispensing path 103. In an embodiment of the present
invention, sensing
units 117 may be positioned at a dispensing head 105, ~ at an opening of a
dispensing head
.105, as shown in Wig. 1, to measure items received by dispensing head 105.
Sensing units 117
inay be positioned at a distal end of each item-dispensing channel of each
dispensing path 103.
[0074] Sensing units 117 may include inductive sensors, capacitative sensors,
photoelectric sensors, optical sensors, electromagnetic radiation sensors,
proximity switches, or
the like for riieasuring one or more physical characteristic of each dispensed
item. For example,
an electromagnetic radiation sensor or an optic sensor, such as those
available from Batching
to systems, Inc., Prince Frederick, Maryland, may measure a volume of each
dispensed item by
directing electromagnetic radiation from a source of electromagnetic radiation
onto a detector
and calculating a volume of each item passing between the electromagnetic
source and detector
based on a change in the amount of electromagnetic radiation detected by the
detector as each
item passes between the electromagnetic source and the detector. Such sensing
units 11'7 are
is disclosed, e.Q., in U.S. Patent No. 5,454,016 to Holmes and U.S. Patent No.
5,313,508 to Ditman
et al., the contents of both patents are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
[0075) . Sensing units 117 may include a scale, ~ a strain gauge, for
measuring a weight
of each singularly dispensed item. Further, sensing units 117 may include an
optic sensor or
scanning unit for measuring a volume of each singularly-dispensed item.
Sensing units 117 may
20 include a proximity such for detecting each singularly dispensed to provide
a count of each
dispensed item.
[0076] According to another embodiment of the invention, a pair of sensing
units 117
rriay be positioned at each dispensing path 103 or item-dispensing channel.
Each pair of sensing
units 117 may measure two physical characteristics of each dispensed item. For
example, a pair
25 of sensing units 117 may measure a weight and a volume of a each dispensed
item, so that
processor 111 may calculate a density of each dispensed item. ~ Thus, this
dual sensing unit may
further improve an accuracy of a count, or a measurement, or both of each
dispensed item.
[0077] Processor 111 also may control operation of bulk delivery apparatus
104. For
example, processor 111 may communicate with a bulk delivery sensing unit 18, ~
a scale, or
3o the like, and a bulk delivery drive sensor 19, e,T~., a sensor positioned
at a bulk delivery drive
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
104a of bulk delivery apparatus 104. Bulk delivery sensing unit 18 may
transmit signals
corresponding to a physical characteristic, e.g., a weight, a volume, a count,
or the like, of items
contained within bulk delivery apparatus or items delivered from bulk delivery
apparatus 104, or
both, so that processor 111 may calculate a quantity of items delivered by
bulk delivery
apparatus 104 to rotary, vibratory dispenser. Moreover, bulk delivery drive
sensor 19 may
transmit signals corresponding to a vibration, a rotational speed, or the like
of bulk delivery drive
104a, so that processor 111 may control a rate at which bulk delivery
apparatus 104 delivers
items to rotary, vibratory feeder, e.~., to feeder bowl 102 of rotary,
vibratory dispenser.
Processor 111 may receive an input of one or more settings of bulk delivery
drive 104a, so that
1'0 processor I l I may control delivery of items from bulk delivery apparatus
104 to feeder bowl
102 to correspond to a desired or expected rate of dispensing items from
rotary, vibratory
dispenser.
[0078] With reference to Fig. 5, a control program, ~ a control routine, is
disclosed.
Processor 111 receives input, ,e.~., via input device 112, regarding one or
more operational
settings of rotary, vibratory dispenser (step S1). In one embodiment of the
invention, the settings
may be preset and stored in a memory of processor 111, so that one or more
settings may be
selected by input device 112. Alternatively, settings for one or more of
feeder bowl rotation
drive 108; feeder bowl vibration device 109, dispensing path vibration, device
110, bulk delivery
drive 104a may be entered into processor 111, via input device 112.
2o [0079] Feeder bowl rotational drive settings (step S8) may correspond to a
desired or
expected fill rate of containers to be received and filled at rotary,
vibratory dispenser. Feeder
bowl vibrational settings (step S9) may be dictated or driven by a physical
characteristic of items
to be dispensed, a rotational speed of feeder bowl 102, a rate of delivery of
items from bulk
delivery device 4, or a desired rate of supplying items from feeder bowl 102
to, each dispensing
path 103.
[0080) Dispensing path vibrational settings (step S3) may be dictated or
driven by a
physical characteristic of items to be dispensed or to a desired dispensing
rate of items. In
response to the input settings, processor 111 may control operation of feeder
bowl rotation drive
108, feeder bowl vibration device 109, dispersing path vibration device 110,
and bulk delivery
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
drive 104a (not shown), so that rotary, vibratory dispenser receives a
plurality of items and
dispenses the items singularly from each dispensing path 103.
[0081] Moreover, processor 111 may continuously monitor and regulate, e.~.,
via a
control routine, feed back loop, or the like (not shown), feeder bowl rotation
drive 108, feeder
bowl vibration device 109, and dispensing path vibration devices 110, in
response to signals
received from feeder bowl rotation sensor 114, feeder bowl vibration sensor
115, and dispensing
path vibration sensor 116, so that feeder bowl rotation drive 108, feeder bowl
vibration device
:'109, and dispensing path vibration devices 110 operate at desired
operational settings.
[0082] Sensing units 117 measure a physical characteristic of each item
dispensed fi'om
: v each dispensing path 103 or item-dispensing channel and transmit signals
corresponding to each
measurement to processor 111 (step SS). Based on these received signals,
processor 111
determines, for each dispensing path 103, whether items are being dispensed
singularly (step S6).
Tf processor. l l l determines that items are being dispensed singularly from
each dispensing path
103, processor 111 next determines whether items niay be dispensed singularly
at an increased
' rate (step S7).
[0083] If processor 111 determines that items may be dispensed singularly at
an
increased rate, processor 111 adjusts one or more of bulk delivery drive 104a
(step S10), feeder
bowl vibration device 109 (step S9), or dispensing path vibration devices 110
(step S8), so that
items may be dispensed singularly at an increased rate. Processor 111 then
receives signals from
20~ : sensing units 117 corresponding to each item or items dispensed from
each dispensing path 103
(step SS) and determines whether items are being dispensed singularly from
each dispensing path
103 at the increased dispensing rate.
[0084] If processor 111 determines that items are not being dispensed
singularly, ~ if
processor 111 receives measurements from sensing unit 117 indicating that
items are being
dispensed in pairs or in an overlapped relationship from one or more
dispensing paths 103 (step
S6), processor 111 may adjust one or more of bulk delivery drive 104a (step
S13), feeder bowl
vibration device 109 (step S 12), or dispensing path vibration devices 110
(step S 11), so that
items may be dispensed singularly from each dispensing path 103. For example,
processor 111
may adjust bulk delivery drive 104a (step S 13) to reduce the rate at which
items are delivered to
3o feeder bowl 102. Alternatively or additionally, processor 111 may adjust
feeder bowl vibration
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 416354.0206
device 109 (step S 12), or one of more dispensing path vibration devices 110
(step S 11 ), so that
items may be delivered uniformly from feeder bowl 102 to dispensing paths 103
and so that each
dispensing path 103 may dispense items singularly.
[0085] In response to measurements received from sensing units 117, processor
111 may
continue to adjust one or morev of bulk delivery drive 104a (step S 13),
feeder bowl vibration
device 109 (step S 12), or dispensing path vibration devices 110 (step S 11),
as necessary, until
iteiris are dispensed singularly from each dispensing path 103. Moreover,
processor 111 may
'adjust a frequency of vibration, . a magnitude of vibration, or both, in a
first direction, a second
direction, or both, of feeder bowl vibration device (step S 12), dispensing
path vibration devices
1I0 (step 511), and bulk delivery drive 104a (step S13) (if applicable), so
that dispensing paths
103 dispense items singularly, ~ in response to signals received from sensing
units 117. Once
processor 111 determines that items are dispensed singularly from each
dispensing path 103,
processor 111 continues to monitors operation of rotary, vibratory dispenser
(step 514).
[0086] Processor 111 also counts each item dispensed from each dispensing path
103, so
that predetermined quantities ofitems may be directed to containers or
packages. For example,
processor 111 may. count each°. item dispensed from a dispensing path
103 or channel to a
respective dispensing 'head 105 and activate each respective dispensing head
105 to direct
predetermined quantities of items, the measured physical characteristic of
each of which items is
within a predetermined range. of physical characteristics, to a container or
package.
fo [0087] Processor 111 may activate a dispensing head 105 to divert
quantities of items in
which at least one item has a measured physical characteristic that is greater
than or less than a
predetermined range of physical characteristics, so that containers or
packages are not filled with
defective items, ~ items whose weight, volume, shape is not within a
predetermined range of
measurements. Alternatively, processor l l l may increment a count of a
predetermined quantity
25 of items for each item the measured physical characteristic of which is
greater than or less than a
predetermined range of physical characteristics, so that dispensing heads 105
dispense at least a
predetermined quantity of items, each with a measured physical characteristic
that is within a
predetermined range of physical .characteristics.
{0088] In a further embodiment of the present invention, processor 111 may
define a
3o predetermined range of physical characteristics for one or more physical
characteristics of an
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CA 02490667 2004-12-22
PATENT
Attorney Docket No. 016354.0206
item to be dispensed liy rotary, vibratory dispenser 100. For example,
processor 111 may
operate rotary, vibratory dispenser 100 to dispense items singularly from each
dispensing path
103 and measure a physical characteristic of each singularly dispensed item.
Processor 111 may
then establish a predetermined range of physical characteristics of one or
more physical
. 5 characteristics of each dispensed item based on the measure values of each
item transmitted to
processor 111 from sensing units 117. Moreover, processor 111 may store define
predetermined
range in a memory for future use.
- [0089) Referring to I~g. 7, a dispenser 100' for use with the control system
of the present
invention is depicted. The features and advantages of dispenser 100' are
substantially siinilat~ to
the features and advantages of dispenser 100. Therefore, the similar features
and advantages of
dispenser 100 and dispenser 100' are not discussed further with respect to
dispenser 100'.
l5ispenser 100' may comprise feeder bowl 102, dispensing paths '103
positioned. around feeder
bov~rl 102, a dispensing path rotation drive 108' for rotating dispensing
paths 103, feeder bowl
vibration device 109, and the one or more dispensing path vibration devices
110 for vibrating
i5 each dispensing path 103. In this embodiment of the present invention,
feeder bowl vibration
device 109 may vibrate feeder bowl 102, the one or more dispensing path
vibration devices 110
may vibrate dispensing paths 103, and dispensing path rotation drive 108' may
rotate dispensing
piths 103 around feeder bowl 102. For example, an edge of dispensing paths 103
may be
. positioned below and may overlap a portion of feeder bowl 102, such that at
least one vertical
2o plane includes both dispensing paths 103 and feeder bowl 102. Moreover, in
this embodiment of
the present invention, feeder bowl 102 does not rotate. Consequently, a
lighter motor may be
used, there are fewer moving parts is dispenser 100', and dispenser 100' may
have increased
control.
[0090) While the invention has been described in connection with preferred
25 eriibodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art
that other variations and
modifications of the preferred embodiments described above may be made without
departing
from the scope of the invention. Moreover, other embodiments of the present
invention will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the
specification or a practice
of the invention disclosed herein, or both.
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