Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

(A) The word "dispensing" is of such broad connotation in both dictionary definition and in the language of the published art relative to material handling that it is too indefinite to serve as a base for defining the limits and nature of a technological classification. Therefore a series of limits are set forth in detail to outline a definition of the phrase "article dispensing" as it is used in this class. Subsequent reference to the phrase "article dispensing" always refers to devices within such limits.

(B) Article dispensing in a broad sense is that type of material handling which deals with certain types of methods of structures which allow or cause permissive or compulsive separation or a discrete article or articles from a source of supply of such articles which includes more articles than the number removed in any one operation. There must always be a supply container or other source means for providing a plurality of articles to be handled, and the article or articles must be handled by mechanism or be subject to manual handling, as a discrete solid entity, as distinguished from a fluent mass. The source means must be one in which there is an accumulation of articles and may be a skeletal chute structure or a mere support for a stack of articles.

(C) The types of means controlling separation of articles from sources of supply included in this class are described in the following subsections. Processes and apparatus not within limits of subject matter therein described are not considered to be dispensers under this class definition and are classified in appropriate other existing classifications. Article dispensers which are included are characterized by the subject matter of the following sections:

Discharge Outlet Means

Supply source Container or Holder Structure (Static Structure)

Releasing Means Structure

Discharge Assisting Means

Cellular Magazine Type (Miscellaneous)

(1) Discharge Outlet Means

A mere opening coextensive with some dimension of articles to be dispensed, or larger with a normal mode of operation involving mere manual removal or gravity discharge, is not enough to characterize a dispenser for this class. An outlet having means to retard successive articles is considered to be a dispensing type outlet characteristic of article dispensers properly classifiable in this class.

The means to retard must be something other than the first article and something other than mere static outlet opening shapes and includes arrangements wherein an article is deformed in passing a rigid outlet or vice versa, i.e., the outlet is too small to pass the article in any of its dimensions as stored, either the article or the edges of the outlet being deformed.

The above limitations are not affected by the presence or absence of a closure member. Thus, a supply source provided with outlet means as described in the preceding paragraphs, and having also closure means is proper subject matter for this class, whereas a source of supply (container) provided with a conventional opening and a closure therefor is proper subject matter for the appropriate receptacle or support class.

(2) Supply Source Container or Holder Structure (Static Structures)

Devices in which the configuration or internal structure of the container or holder for the articles to be dispensed is specialized to the problem of the separation of articles being dealt out from a source, are considered to be dispensers and are included in this class. Examples of such structures included in this class with the limits thereof are:

(a) Internal structure of supply receptacles, as means at or near the outlet for retarding a succeeding article while the leading article is removed or for imparting a transverse article segregating motion to the articles.

(b) Trap chamber structure, that is, supply container configuration which creates identifiable trap means to isolate the leading article from the remainder of the articles for ease of removal. It is usually characterized by abrupt change of direction of the path of movement of the articles to hold back otherwise freely sliding or rolling succeeding articles in contact with the article or articles available for removal at one operation.

(c) Container, chute or rack structures of nonrectilinear configuration may be included in this class under certain circumstances such as (1) when the curve or angular turn in the container, chute or rack is such as to change the nature of a stack or arrangement of articles (as from end to end to side by side, or from a double row to a single row) so that article removal from the ultimate arrangement is easier than it would otherwise have been or, (2) when the curve or angular turn is specifically modified at or near the egress point to present an article or articles in such a way that they are relatively easily removable, as by changing the relative bearing on such article or articles of the succeeding articles on such article or articles. In this connection it is noted that it is common for article supporting rack structure to be curved or angular for purposes of space conservation or for controlling the direction or disposition of the inlet and/or outlet, and it is not intended that such structures should be classified in this class. It is also recognized that as a rack structure approaches a horizontal disposition the relative ease of removing articles increases, but this is considered to be a mere incident to the rack problem of space conservation and directional disposition and not to warrant classification in this dispensing class.

(3) Releasing Means Structure

A source of supply of articles having an outlet or outlet path provided with mechanical means to control the movement of articles through the outlet or along the path by releasing the foremost article or articles for unassisted gravity movement while restraining movement of succeeding articles is a dispenser under this class. In the cellular magazine type this release may be effected by the progressive collapse of a collapsible or flexible cellular structure.

(4) Discharge Assisting Means

A source of supply of articles having means to assist discharge from the source by separation of an article or articles from the source, is a dispenser classifiable in this class, unless otherwise classified. For this purpose, any nongravity means for urging articles toward or through an outlet opening or for removing the remainder of the articles away from the article or articles to be segregated, is a discharge assistant.

For example, an ejector element acting directly on an article to be dispensed to force it through a related outlet is a discharge assistant. Agitating or vibrating means acting on articles in a supply container may also be considered to be discharge assistant means.

A follower or a conveyor element acting on the entire supply of the source at one time may serve to establish a dispensing combination for this class if a discharge outlet or other arrangement is provided whereby actuation of the conveyor or follower is effective to affirmatively separate an article or articles from the remainder of the supply. However, a supply container having a follower which urges articles simultaneously toward an outlet but which does not have some other feature which is recognized as characteristic of a dispenser in this class is not classifiable herein. Operation of the follower to cause successive affirmative separation of an article or articles from a source of supply as by the article falling off its support is considered a dispensing characteristic which meets the requirements of "General Statement of Class Subject Matter"C "(1) Discharge Outlet Means", and such devices are classified as a dispenser in this class.

(5) Cellular Magazine Type (Miscellaneous)

The special type of article dispenser which has a supply source container in which each article is retained in a separate compartment, cell or holder, and which is designated a "cellular magazine" in this class (see subclasses 25 and 69+) presents certain problems in its relationship to the various cabinet and receptacle arts and requires some deviation from the general pattern described hereinabove. Cellular sources or magazines are included in this class if:

(1) a common discharge assistant operates at different times or to different degrees in more than one of the compartments;

(2) a unitary control is provided for discharging means operating at different times or to different degrees on articles in more than one of the compartments;

(3) a single discharge outlet of less extent than the combined width of all the cells is common to more than one of the compartments and articles are released (as by unassisted gravitational movement without inversion of the apparatus), impelled (as by a discharge assistant), or carried by relative movement of the said magazine to or through an outer housing outlet so that manual grasping thereof is enhanced by such movement, or are at least partially released or ejected therefrom; or

(4) movement of the cellular structure, or portions thereof relative to an enclosure or support (including collapse of the cell structure) results in gravity or nongravity discharge of articles from the cells.

Generally the failure to include at least one of the features outlined in the preceding paragraph or in subsections (1) to (4) is evidence that classification is not in this class but in appropriate other cabinet, support or rack classification. For example, cellular sources or magazines, with the various cells movable past an outlet door or opening in an enclosing cabinet or casing, in which articles are removed by reaching inside and grasping the articles are not included, nor are such devices requiring inversion or other bodily movement to cause or allow the removal of articles. Such devices are classified elsewhere in the various other receptacle classes (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks, and Other Static Structures" below).

The type of article dispenser in which articles are released to or discharged upon an article catching member or trap for manual removal is treated as a special type. In general, such devices are included in this class on the basis of the inclusion of at least one of the dispensing features described in subsections (1) to (4) of this section of the class definition. However, as a special case, combinations in which a mere closure, which is not of a dispensing type, controls release of articles to a trap for manual removal therefrom are classified in this class (221). This placement of art is predicated upon the proposition that the trap is an element which goes beyond mere receptacle-closure structure and is better classified in a dispensing art.

In general the heading "miscellaneous" is restricted because at least one of the separation or segregation means mentioned in subsections (1) to (4) of this section of the class definition is actually present in most of the "special types" of article dispensers included in this class.

Dispensers of the captive article type and of the article orienting type are classifiable in this class subject only to the general limitations of preceding subsections (1) to (4). Dispensers of the type in which flexible articles are distorted concurrently with their separation from the supply source (subclasses 33+) are similarly classifiable in this class subject to the general limitation of the subsections (1) to (4), it being noted that the underlying and characterizing feature of this entire group is expressed in the second paragraph of subsection (1). Dispensers of the type in which the supply container is movably mounted for dispensing (subclasses 186+) are characterized in that, in some cases, the relative movement required to effect release or ejection of articles is effected by movement of the supply container relative to releasing or discharge assisting means which may be stationary, such relative motion resulting in a mode of operation which fulfills the requirement of one of the subsections (1) to (4).

EXPLANATORY NOTES ON SCOPE OF CLASS

This class is intended to provide a residual classification for the basic subject matter defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" of this class definition and takes such subject matter where not otherwise provided for.

This class also takes combinations of article dispensers with other subject matter not otherwise provided for. In this connection it should be noted that the basic subject matter herein provided for is found in many other arts, including the manufacturing, material treating and material handling arts, as a subcombination, per se, and as an included part of more comprehensive combinations provided for in such classes.

Other Sections of this class definition, particularly "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)" and "Article Assorting And/Or Orienting", specifically outline the relationships of this class to the various manufacturing, treating and handling classes and to other related classes and the statements of class lines contained therein is indicative of present classification and placement of art.

It is contemplated that the various combination classes and related material handling classes will eventually be cleared of subcombinations which are within the class subject matter of this class as defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" of this definition. As such classes are cleared of such art the statement of the line between such classes and this class (221) will be altered to indicate the disposition of the art.

ARTICLE TREATMENT OR MODIFICATION (INCLUDING ASSEMBLY)

Article dispensers are found in all classes dealing with the manufacture or treatment of articles, and particularly in classes having feeding, magazine or article handling subclasses. In general, the assignment of patents in manufacturing and article treating classes has been on the basis of the nondispensing operation, when the means or steps for performing the nondispensing operation are claimed in any detail. When the means or steps for performing the nondispensing operation are not claimed or are claimed broadly assignment has been and will continue to be to the class taking the disclosed operation when magazine and work material or article feeding subclasses occur in such art class and are designated and defined to receive such patents. Classes not having special subclasses of this type will continue to take article dispensers which are not claimed in significant combination with, or as structurally specifically adapted for, the machines or work of the art classes, only when such classes have large bodies of art on dispensing, per se. In the absence of such large bodies of art or special subclasses of the type mentioned, classification is in the appropriate subclass of this class (221).

Means or steps for performing the material modifying or treating operation are not considered to be claimed significantly when they are included only nominally or merely as a means for receiving or supporting a separated or segregated article. Thus, inclusion of a holder, turret, arbor or receiver of some other nature, disclosed as an element of a work modifying or treating machine parts and/or their working relationship with one another are included, classification is in the appropriate work modifying or treating art.

Many dispensers include means to manipulate articles after the segregation of articles from the supply, and such organizations are common as subcombinations of work modifying and treating combination disclosures. This class (221) takes article feeders under its class definition including subsequent manipulation to and from disclosed work stations where such work stations are included by name only. This class will also take article feeders including such manipulation of the work as is considered to involve simple movement of the article characteristic of general utility handling as distinguished from specialized work modifier feeding. As examples, this class will take article feeders which bodily move articles along a rectilinear or a simple curved path, either continually or intermittently, towards or through the position of a nominally included tool. However, movement of the tool, axial rotation of the articles for purposes other than segregation, orienting or mere handling, retrograde motion, combined oscillation and forwarding motion, and other complex motions of the articles having utility only in combination with a disclosed tool are excluded and devices having such motion are classified in the appropriate work modifying class.

Class 221 provides for article feeding including delivery of articles to a claimed work holder or to a hold-down means (see Subclass References to the Current Class). Subject to otherwise existing class lines, therefore, Class 221 will take such subject matter disclosed as a subcombination of an article modifying or treating combination.

Article dispensing means within the class definition combined with a nominal work modifying machine and including a mere common drive or simple synchronization are included in this class. But where a modifying machine is nominally included and there is some automatic intercontrol between the modifying machine and the dispenser, classification is in the appropriate work modifying class.

(1) Note. Classes dealing with article treatment or modification are each subject to the general line note as expressed hereinabove in this section of the class definition. In the SEARCH CLASS notes below referencing this section, a specific statement of the class line indicating that this class (221) takes such subcombinations is an indication that the art class involved does not have subclasses relating to article feeders, per se, which are adapted to general article handling utility and does not contain an appreciable body of art relating to such subject matter.

Lines with other classes and within this class

COMBINATIONS WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER OF OTHER CLASSES

Combinations with article treatment or modification classes (including assembly) are fully treated in the section "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)". Article dispensers involving article handling, assorting and/or orienting are considered to be species of article handling rather than combinations and are elsewhere treated (See sections "Article And Material Handling" and "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures").

Other combinations of the subject matter of this class with that of other classes are classified in this class when no other existing classification provides for such combinations. It should be noted that the mere fact of the combination is not conclusive, since in many cases, the degree of inclusion of details of either the outside subject matter or the article dispenser has been and is now determinative of the classification. The lines stated in the following Search Class note indicate, insofar as is known, the disposition of such combinations in other arts and therefore the degree to which this class (221) may provide for them.

ARTICLE AND MATERIAL HANDLING

This class (221) is the residual classification for the types of article handling defined as article dispensing in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class". As such, it may be properly considered a species under generic article or material handling Class 214. This class therefore, takes article handling of the dispensing type, as defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" and in the combinations and special types set forth in "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)", subject to the limitations and class line notes of the aforementioned sections, where it is not otherwise provided for.

This class includes combinations of dispensing as defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" with means to further handle or manipulate the segregated articles subsequent to the separation from the source of supply, where such subsequent handling or manipulation is not otherwise provided for. In this connection attention is directed to subclasses 171+, 290+ and particularly subclasses 224+ of this class. This subject matter is related to article treatment or modification combination disclosures and is fully treated in "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)," above.

The SEARCH CLASS notes in References To Other Classes that reference this section list known loci of related article and material handling art.

ARTICLE ASSORTING AND/OR ORIENTING

Article handling, as defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" of this class definition, including means to arrange or align asymmetric articles so that the variations for symmetry are all turned (oriented) in a desired direction, is considered to be a special type of article dispensing and is included in this class, unless otherwise provided for.

Orienting, when separation from a supply as provided for in this class is involved, is distinguishable from assorting, which is generally provided for in Class 209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, in that assorting involves the separation of articles one from the other based upon an actual physical difference of such articles, while orienting deals with similar articles (asymmetric in nature) on the basis of the alignment of one or more axes of the articles. Class 221 includes both the separation of articles from the supply on the basis of the different relative orientation of articles in a confused mass, so that only articles having a desired position are separated, and also the orienting of articles as a manipulation following dispensing of the type provided for in this class and Class 222.

When a construction or claims are generic to assorting and orienting, as when oversize or improperly positioned articles are both prevented from passing through shaped outlets, classification is in Class 209.

RECEPTACLES, CABINETS, RACKS AND OTHER STATIC STRUCTURES

This class is the residual classification for the types of article dispensing identified in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" of this class definition. Therefore, relative to the package, receptacle, cabinet, rack and static structure arts, this class takes dispensing structures, unless the existence in one of such classes of a body of art or of a subclass directed to similar dispensing means indicates that the particular dispensing structure is classified there. In this connection particular attention is directed to subsection (2) of "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter", C of this class definition for a discussion of static structures and the nature of the structural variations therein which are considered to be characteristic of article dispensing.

If a closure means does not, of itself, incorporate a feature requiring classification in this class (as set forth in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class"). Its presence or absence does not affect classification as between this class and the appropriate receptacle class. See the final paragraph of "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter"C "(1) Discharge Outlet Means" of this class definition.