(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.
SECTION II - 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.
SECTION III - SUBCLASS REFERENCES TO THE CURRENT CLASS
for 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.
for device or for a structural arrangement for the
oriented withdrawal of articles from random supply (compare with
subclasses 163+) (see "Article Assorting and/or
Orienting" above).
for a device for eliminating the misoriented one of
seriatim advancing articles (typically, returning them to the random
supply), leaving only those properly oriented on the conveyor for
continued advance; (compare with subclasses 159+).
for means to receive and support segregated articles
after they have been dispensed by the discharge means and have some
work holding or hold-down means.
for device to receive and support segregated articles
after they have been dispensed by the discharge means and have some
work holding or hold-down means.
Metal Working, especially
subclasses 809+ for magazines, supply means for assembling and disassembling
apparatus. (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including
Assembly)" above).
Cutlery,
subclass 40 for razors claimed in combination with blade holding
magazines. (See "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other
Classes" above).
Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, appropriate subclasses for exhibitors where no significant dispensing
features are claimed, even though a dispenser is named as operating
the exhibitor, and especially
subclasses 380+ , 476, 491+, and 508+ for exhibitors
having display handling means in the nature of dispensers. See
the class definition of Class 40, which also states the line between
the classes. (See "Combinations With the Subject Matter
of Other Classes" above).
Firearms, various magazine subclasses for cartridge magazines
and combinations thereof with guns. (See "Combinations
With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Gas: Heating and Illuminating, particularly
subclass 47 for acetylene gas generators having means to feed
carbide cartridges. (See "Article Treatment Or Modification
(Including Assembly)" above).
Package Making, as between Classes 53 and 221, Class 221 takes article
feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the limitations
of the class definition of Class 221. See
subclasses 384.1+ and 571+ of Class 53 for devices for dispensing
and opening bags. (See "Article Treatment or Modification
(Including Assembly)" above).
Refrigeration, see the class definition of Class 62 for a statement
of the line between the classes. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Glass Manufacturing,
subclasses 138+ for glassworking apparatus for making electronic envelope
headers, terminals, or stems including means to dispense parts thereto,
and subclasses 146+ for means to feed diverse material
to glassworking apparatus. (See "Article Treatment or
Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Textiles: Fluid Treating Apparatus, particularly
subclass 210 for loaders and unloaders for textile fluid treating
apparatus. (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including
Assembly)" above).
Metal Deforming, for plastic deformation of metal combined with work
and/or product feed. As between Classes 72 and 221 takes article
feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the limitations
of the class definition of Class 221. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses. As between Classes 221
and 73, the combination of an article dispenser and means to test
some quality of the article other than its mere presence, is classified
in appropriate subclasses of Class 73. However, the mere inclusion,
in an article dispenser, of means to sense the presence or absence
of an article is properly classifiable in this class (221). (See "Combinations
With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Turning, particularly
subclasses 124+ for lathes having work feeding and/or
removing means included therewith. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making, particularly
subclasses 45+ and 47+ for feeding devices and for cartridge
packing including feeding devices, respectively. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Ordnance, appropriate subclasses, for article feeding or dispensing
structures specific to the purpose of the apparatus provided for
in that class, and see specifically
subclasses 33.01+ for subcombinations involving cartridge feeding
to guns and for nominal combinations with such guns. Class 89,
has its own article subcombination subclasses and as between Classes 221
and 89, Class 89 takes such subcombinations. (See "Combinations
With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
subclass 450.1 , for an edible laminated product (e.g., pie, sandwich,
etc.), making apparatus including means to feed edible preforms
to an assembly or stacking station. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Presses, particularly
subclasses 215+ for press structures having means to deposit material thereon
and subclass 218 for means to eject material therefrom. As between
Classes 100 and 221, Class 221 takes article feeding subcombinations
and combinations (see "Article Treatment or Modification
(Including Assembly)" above).
Printing, particularly
subclasses 11 , 37, 40, 43, and 44, for special article feeding
and delivering. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including
Assembly)" above)
Ammunition and Explosives,
subclass 504 for line carrying or filamentary material distributing
projectiles. (See "Combinations With the Subject Matter
of Other Classes" above).
Planting, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclasses 34+ for dispensing devices combined with means for
loosening the soil or forming cavities therein or otherwise treating the
soil. The class lines are set forth in the class definition of
Class 111 and in (2) Note thereto. (See "Combinations
With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Planting,
subclasses 104+ for a plant dispenser claimed in combination with
a plant setting machine; and subclasses 170+ for seed dispensers
claimed in combination with drilling machines. (See "Article
and Material Handling" above).
Sewing, particularly
subclasses 106 and 113 for feeding devices in combination with
article attaching machines. (See "Article Treatment Or
Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
Signals and Indicators, for signal structure combined with article dispensing where
no significant dispensing features are claimed, even though a dispenser
is named as operating the signal or indicator. Class 221 takes combinations
of dispensers under the class definition with signaling means except
in such cases where the article dispensing means is not specifically
defined and is claimed as associated with specific signal means.
See
subclass 32 of Class 116 for devices for releasing identification
tags on vehicle collision. (See "Combinations With the
Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Coating Apparatus,
subclasses 209+ for solid applicator type coating apparatus including work
handling or work supporting means, and subclasses 500+ for
coating apparatus including work holders or handling devices. For
a statement of the line between the classes see the class definition
of Class 118. (See "Article Treatment or Modification
(Including Assembly)" above).
Mechanical Guns and Projectors,
subclasses 45+ for projectile feeding magazines or mechanical
projecting devices, and subclasses 51.1+ for magazines
operating to feed projectiles mechanically into position to be projected by
other mechanical means. As between Class 221 and Class 124, subcombinations
disclosed for use in a Class 124 combination remain in that class,
since Class 124 has such magazine feeding subcombination subclasses.
(See "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Tobacco,
subclass 74 for tube filling type of cigar or cigarette making
machines with means to feed the tubes to be filled to such machines, and
subclass 250.1 for article dispensers combined with cigar or cigarette
end cutters. (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, as between Classes 134 and 221, Class 221 takes article
feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the limitations
of the class definition of Class 221. The line is also stated in the
class definition of Class 134. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Wireworking,
subclasses 27 , 38, 53, and 54 for magazine feeders for feeding
slats, wire, etc. (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including
Assembly)" above).
Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver
Coacting Means,
subclasses 173+ for combinations of receiver dispensers and fluent material
dispensers where the apparatus includes means for relating the dispensed receiver
to the fluent material dispenser, and see the definition of that
class (141). (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Woodworking, particularly
subclass 61 for match box filling machines; subclass 64 for hopper
feed of match splints for filling, dipping and frames; subclass
66 for miscellaneous match splint feeding machines; and subclass 245
for blank feeders. (See "Article Treatment Or Modification
(Including Assembly)" above)
Merchandising,
subclasses 38+ and 52+, respectively, for article dispensers
combined with or included in dining room or store service combinations.
See "Article and Material Handling" above).
Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways,
subclasses 32 and 40 for chutes having means for retarding the
velocity of articles therein, which means may release the articles
successively. (See "Article and Material Handling" above).
Check-Actuated Control Mechanisms, for article dispensing devices having specific check-control
mechanism. The class lines of Class 194 are expressed in the class
definition of that class (194), and particularly in (2) Note. thereof.
(See "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Conveyors: Power-Driven,
subclasses 311 , 359+, and 523+ for a power-driven
conveyor combined with a gravity conveyor such as a hopper or chute;
subclass 373 for a conveyor having means for changing the attitude
of the conveyed load relative to the conveying direction; subclass
418 for a system of plural conveyors for establishing and moving
a group of items; and subclass 434 for a system of plural conveyors
of arranging or rearranging a stream or streams of items. (See "Article
and Material Handling" above).
Conveyors: Power-Driven,
subclasses 373+ for a conveyor having means for changing the attitude
of the conveyed load relative to the conveying direction, particularly
subclasses 393 and 396+ for the withdrawal of articles
from a scrambled supply; and subclass 395 for a control means responsive
to the sensing of an improperly oriented item, 234+, for
a device for orienting articles in the seriatim progress along the
conveyor; compare the subclasses 171+ in this instant class
(221). (See "Article Assorting and/or Orienting" above).
Type Casting, particularly
subclasses 15+ , 19+, 44+ for type casting machines
with magazines. (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including
Assembly)" above).
Special Receptacle or Package, appropriate subclasses for a container particularly
configured to hold a specific article or material. Class 206 also
provides for any container including an article (s) or material
(s) put up as a mercantile unit. Although some subclasses in Class 206
(e.g., 233) have "dispensing" titles, Class 221
takes article dispensers identifiable as such according to "General
Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory
Notes On Scope Of Class" of this (221) class definition
the "dispensers" for fluent material or articles
in Class 206 do not come within the class limitation of Class 221.
(See "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above).
Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
subclasses 509+ for assorting devices including article feeding
or discharging. The distinction between orienting and assorting
is set forth in the second paragraph of "Article Sorting And/Or
Orienting" of the class definition of this class (221).
Processes and apparatus for feeding or dispensing articles will
be classified in Class 209 when claimed in combination with assorting
means provided for in Class 209, or when generic to assorting and
orienting by disclosure. (See "Article Assorting and/or
Orienting" above).
Supports: Racks, appropriate subclasses for rack structures designed
to support articles. For a statement of the line between the classes, see
the class definition of Class 211. (See "Receptacles,
Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above).
Bottles and Jars, appropriate subclasses for bottle and jar receptacle
structures. (See "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static
Structures" above).
Receptacles,
subclasses 578+ for an internal closure-like member that rests
on the unused contents of a container; appropriate subclasses for
metallic receptacle structures. (See "Receptacles, Cabinets,
Racks And Other Static Structures" above).
Dispensing, appropriate subclasses, for fluent material dispensing
devices and see the class definition of that class (222) and the
notes thereto for the disposition of other fluent material handling
disclosures. The line between Class 221 and Class 222, is as follows:
Article Dispensers for Class 221 are arrangements to
dispense articles one at a time, or a definite number less than
the total available at the source of supply at a time. Where the
dispenser handles articles in heterogeneously intermingled bulk and
dispenses them in bulk without regard to their shape or relative
position the dispenser is considered to be a fluent material dispenser
and is classified in Class 222. Where the dispenser has features
specialized to engage the discharged articles as individual units
as by gripping, impaling, etc., or is otherwise structurally limited
to the handling of discrete articles (e.g., orienting) the dispenser
is classified as an article dispenser in Class 221.
The trap chamber or segregating chamber type of dispenser,
even though disclosed only for dispensing a single article, is not
classified as an article dispenser in the case where the trap is
a closed trap of a type from which fluent material could not escape
where there is nothing special to the shape of the trap relative
to the shape of a single article, and where no other feature specific
to the handling of articles is included. All other segregating
chamber type dispensers are classified in Class 221, on the basis
of the disclosure that a discrete article or group of articles is
dispensed.
The dispensing by trap chamber discharge assisting means,
of elongated (cylindrical) articles which have been prearranged
according to one axis thereof, is considered to be subject matter for
Class 221 even though the trap chamber used to dispense such articles
is a closed chamber.
Dispensers capable of use with either articles or fluent material
of granular, plastic, or liquid forms are classified in Class 222,
that class being generic to the concept of the two classes. Dispensing devices
involving material guiding means and outlet means of a type adapted
to handling either articles or fluent material and not including
any other feature to clearly indicate classification in either of
Classes 221 and 222 are considered to present a special problem.
Class 221 takes such apparatus when it is disclosed for use with
discrete articles and when the disclosed arrangements are such that
the articles are previously arranged at least as to one dimension.
As examples, cylindrical articles with their lengths reposed in
one direction, or pills in a flat pill box of a thickness smaller
than the largest dimension of the pills, having claimed interior guide
means and outlet means are proper subject matter for Class 221.
Class 222 takes similar dispensing apparatus where there is no
such disclosed or claimed arrangement of the articles.
(d) Article dispensers of the types provided for in this class
(221), claimed in combination with fluent material dispensers of
the type provided for in Class 222 are classified in this class
(221). See subclass 96 of Class 221 for such subject matter. (See "Article
and Material Handling" above).
Dispensing,
subclasses 424.5 , 454+ and 457, for fluent material dispensers
provided with stationary structures defining trap chambers and subclass
564 for such dispensers having static interior material guide means
or restricting means. (Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks, and Other
Static Structures).
Package and Article Carriers,
subclass 196 , 600+ and cross reference art collection
931 for magazine type cartridge carriers. (See "Combinations
With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Advancing Material and Indeterminate Length, appropriate subclasses for methods of, and apparatus
for, feeding material without utilizing the leading or trailing
ends to effect movement of the material. As between Class 221 and
Class 226 it should be noted that Class 226 is limited to the handling
of indeterminate-lengths and that if there is a claimed source of supply
of a plurality of lengths of material, the lengths of the pieces
must be considered to be determinate and classification is in Class
221 if the process or apparatus is under the definition of Class
221. (See "Article and Material Handling" above).
Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus,
subclasses 107+ , for magazine dispensing combined with apparatus
to apply a member, e.g., nail. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus,
subclasses 107+ , for apparatus for arranging and feeding loose
member, e.g., nails, combined with apparatus to apply a member.
(See "Article Assorting and/or Orienting" above).
Envelopes, Wrappers, and Paperboard Boxes,
subclass 122.1 for a paperboard box intended to permit removal
of articles gravity fed to the egress opening, even if the lead
article must be lifted over a lip to be withdrawn. The inclusion of
dispensing fractures recited in "General Statement Of Class
Subject Matter"C, of this class
definition would result in classification in this Class 221, Article
Dispensing. (See "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static
Structures" above).
Deposit and Collection Receptacles, appropriate subclasses, for deposit and collection
receptacles. Unless a body of dispensing art exists in a special
use subclass in Class 232, to indicate the existence of a home for
a particular type of article dispenser, classification of deposit
and collection receptacles embodying recognized dispensing features
is in Class 221. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And
Other Static Structures" above).
Registers, appropriate subclasses, especially
subclass 98 , for registers combined with article dispensing
means when the article dispensing means is not specifically defined
and is claimed as associated with specific register structure.
When the article dispensing means is significantly or specifically
claimed classification is in subclasses 2+ and particularly
in subclass 7 of this class (221). (See "Combinations
With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,
subclasses 521 and 522+ for cutting followed by convolute
winding of an elongated material. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Railway Switches and Signals,
subclasses 210+ for torpedo mechanism including torpedo feeders,
subclasses 212+ providing for magazine type torpedo feeders
in this combination. (See "Combinations With the Subject
Matter of Other Classes" above).
Supports, appropriate subclasses for supports for article dispensers
where the dispensing means is not significantly or specifically claimed.
Casing or support structure is considered incidental to the basic
subject matter of this class (221) and significant article dispensing
combined with casing or support structure as provided for in
subclasses 282+ of Class 221. (See "Combinations With
the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above).
Supports, appropriate subclasses, for supports, per se, and in combination
with the devices supported thereby, when the latter are nominally
included. Class 221 provides for the specific combination in
subclasses 45+ and 282+. (See "Receptacles,
Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above).
Sheet Feeding or Delivering, for apparatus for forming stacks of sheets and for
apparatus for delivering sheets from a stack to a point of use. (See "Article
and Material Handling" above).
Amusement Devices: Games,
subclasses 108+ , 119+, 129, and 317+for devices
for projecting various aerial or surface projectiles; and subclasses
139+ and 144+ for chance devices having dispensing
features. (See "Combinations With the Subject Matter of
Other Classes" above).
Typesetting, for type setting apparatus with magazine type feeders,
particularly
subclasses 3 , 4, 15, and 45. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Brush, Broom, and Mop Making,
subclass 4 for brush making machines including tuft feeding
means. (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including
Assembly)" above).
Supports: Cabinet Structure, for cabinet and support structures adapted to house and
support article dispensing devices and not including article dispensing
features characteristic of this class (221). See particularly
subclasses 35+ for removal facilitating magazine type article containing
cabinet structures. The line between the classes is stated in the
class definition of Class 312. (See "Combinations With the
Subject Matter of Other Classes" and "Receptacles,
Cabinets, Racks, and Other Static Structures" above).
Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Consumable
Electrodes,
subclass 5 for electric lamps and discharge devices having
electrode magazines. (See "Combinations With the Subject
Matter of Other Classes" above).
Recorders, appropriate subclasses for recorder structure where no
significant dispensing features are claimed even though a dispenser
is named as operating the recorder. This class (221) provides for
the combination of recorder and article dispenser where the article
dispenser is significantly or specifically claimed, (see
subclass 2 ). (See "Combinations With the Subject
Matter of Other Classes" above).
Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval,
subclass 172 for stylus changers in sound recording and reproducing
apparatus and subclasses 178.01-212 for record changers.
Photography,
subclasses 360+ for magazine camera structure which feeds photos:graphic plates
to an exposure position. (See "Combinations With the Subject
Matter of Other Classes" above).
Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for apparatus wherein carriers are
pneumatically dispatched between stations or terminals. See particularly
subclasses 108+ for 221 type dispensers which serve as intakes
to fluid current conveyors.
Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing, particularly
subclasses 72 and 145+ for a milling machine including
means for placing or removing a blank or work feeding means, respectively.
(See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 110+ for a machine for making a composite product in
a molding cavity including means to feed preforms to the cavity.
(See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Combustion, appropriate subclass for a residual combustion or igniting
device. The combination of such device with an article dispenser of
the type provided for in Class 221, is classified in Class 221,
in
subclasses 136+ thereof. (See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including
Assembly)" above).
Amusement Devices: Toys,
subclass 168 for marble runways, subclass 403 for a cane for detonating
explosives and including a magazine for explosives, and subclass
475 for other toys having a dispenser.
Abrading, particularly
subclasses 331+ for a work feeder, per se, used for abrading.
(See "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Coin Handling, particularly
subclasses 1+ and 18+ for various coin dispensers.
The line between the classes is stated in the class definition of
Class 453. (See "Article and Material Handling" above).
Threaded, Headed Fastener, or Washer Making:
Process and Apparatus,
subclasses 164+ for distributors and feeders for articles of the type
provided for therein and specialized for use in machine operations
on such articles. As between Class 470 and Class 221, Class 221 takes
article feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the
limitations of the class definition of Class 221. (See "Article Treatment
or Modification (Including Assembly)" above).
Tool Changing,
subclasses 58+ for a tool storage means combined with a tool transfer
means which bodily moves a tool to or from the storage mean. (See "Article
and Material Handling" and "Receptacles, Cabinets,
Racks, and Other Static Structures" above).
SECTION V - GLOSSARY
DISCHARGE ASSISTANT
Any means (other than the weight of the article alone) which
affirmatively segregates, separates or moves an article from a supply
to a point of egress. All of the supply less one article may be
moved to leave a segregated or separated article in discharge position
or subject to further manipulation.
DISCHARGE MEANS
Any means which either (1) affirmatively segregates, separates
or moves an article from a supply to a point of egress or (2) permits
separation or segregation of articles by gravitational movement
thereof. A discharge means may be either a discharge assistant
or a releaser.
EJECTOR
Any discharge assistant which acts directly upon an article
or articles to be dispensed at any one operation to segregate or
separate the same from the remainder of the supply. Followers are
discharge assistants which are not included in this term since they
exert force through the entire supply rather than directly on the
articles to be dispensed.
HOPPER
A container, bin or receptacle for retaining a quantity
of articles in a jumbled mass.
OUTLET CLOSURE
A means associated with the egress opening of a dispenser
which obstructs, inhibits, or prevents passage of articles out of
the dispenser in one position, such means being down stream of the
point of separation or segregation of the articles.
RESILIENT
A means permitting segregation or separation of articles by
unassisted gravitational movement thereof, supports or restraining
means being rendered inoperative as to the articles to be dispensed
and operative as to those to be retained, with return to the previous
state after the dispensing operation. Such means are permissive
as distinguished from discharge assistants which are affirmative
force applying means (compulsive).
RELEASER
This term as used herein includes elastic means (spring form)
and spring biased means as well.
SOURCE (SUPPLY SOURCE)
Any means for supporting or retaining a quantity of articles
either in an orderly fashion or arrangement or as a jumbled mass
such as provided by a magazine, hopper, stack, compartment, container,
bin or receptacle.
STACK
A single, contiguous, continuous, orderly sequence or linear
arrangement of articles which may constitute an article supply or
result from operation on articles previously disposed as a jumbled
mass.
WITH RECORDER, REGISTER, INDICATOR, SIGNAL OR EXHIBITOR:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Dispensers having (1) signals, indicators, registers, recorders
or gauges for indicating a condition, or the position of a dispenser part
such devices consisting of relatively movable changeable, or audible
information giving parts, or (2) changeable indicia bearing or display
devices which are operable by the movement of dispenser parts.
(1)
Note. For classification in this subclass there must be either
an indicia or audible signal of some type. Relative to visual indicia,
there must be graduations or markings in the disclosure as claimed and,
for display devices, some visual indication, sign or disposition
of material (other than the source of supply). Where it is indicated
that the mere position of a dispenser part is indicative of a condition of
the dispenser, classification is in the appropriate subclass below
unless some cooperating indicia are included. A mere transparent
viewing means is not considered to be a signal, indicator or display
device in the absence of indicia, and such dispensers are classified
in subclass 155 of this class.
Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, appropriate subclass for exhibitors where no significant
dispensing features are claimed, and see the reference to that class
in section V of the class definition of this class (221).
Signals and Indicators, appropriate subclasses for signal structure combined
with article dispensing where no significant dispensing features
are claimed even though a dispenser is named as operating the signal
or indicator. See the class definition of this class (221) for
a statement of the class lines.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Devices having means giving information as to the position
or range of motion of a movable or adjustable dispenser element.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4. Dispensers in which the position or range of motion of the
dispenser element indicates a selection from one of a plurality
of articles or of sources of supply of articles.
for devices for dispensing articles from plural
sources and not including selection indicating means, particularly
subclasses 119+ and 123+ which involve combinations
in which means for selecting from plural sources is usually present.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Devices having an information device of the type which counts
and gives an indication or total of the number of occurrences of
some function of the apparatus.
Dispensing,
subclasses 23+ for fluent material dispensing devices having recorders,
registers, indicators, signals or exhibitors associated therewith, and
especially subclasses 24 and 27 which relate specifically to such
combinations including register means.
Registers, appropriate subclasses for register structure where
no significant article dispensing features are claimed, even though
an article dispenser is named as operating the register.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2. Devices having changeable indicia bearing or display devices
which are operable by the movement of dispenser parts.
for display devices combined with article dispensers
when the display devices do not indicate a dispenser condition or
are not activated by dispenser operation.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means to sense a condition (or
absence thereof) or a change of condition, which condition may or
may not change, said means causing operation or control of a separate
device for effecting a control function on the dispenser.
(1)
Note. Machines which operate on a repeating cycle of operation
are not considered to be "automatic" even though they
are often so designated in the art, unless there are included means
sensitive to conditions subject to change, from cycle to cycle,
and separate means controlled thereby to effect a control function
on the machine. Thus, a machine including means to sense condition changes
which necessarily take place to the same degree at the same time
in each cycle of operation are not included in this subclass.
(2)
Note. Where the means responsive to condition change directly
effect a control function, i.e., where the sensing and the control
means are the same instrumentality, the device has been considered
to be condition responsive rather than automatic in the sense intended
in this and the indented subclasses. See subclasses 17+,
21, 22+, 107+, and 151+, for example.
Registers,
subclasses 379 , 380, 381, and 383 for banking and credit card systems
and mechanized stores, respectively, wherein either money or merchandise
is released upon the sensing of a valid credit card and including
means to debit the account of the individual receiving the money or
merchandise.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Devices in which the device which is operated or controlled
is a means for feeding of replacement articles to the supply container
of the dispensing device.
This subclass is indented under subclass 10. Devices in which the condition sensed is the depletion of
articles in a supply portion which is a single, continuous orderly
sequence or linear arrangement of such articles and the feeding
is one which operates to cause another similarly arranged new supply
portion of articles to become available to be dispensed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Devices in which the device which is operated is a gate
member which is removable or interposable in the path of the articles
as they are dispensed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 9. Devices in which the device which is operated or controlled
is a means to affirmatively segregate, separate or move the articles
from a supply source toward a point of egress.
for plural source article dispensing devices in
which the discharge assistant to a succeedingly available stack is
directly actuated by means responsive to the depletion of supply
of a previous stack.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means which substantially limits
or retards the period of operation of a discharging means or the
period between successive operations of a discharging means to a
predetermined time interval.
(1)
Note. Devices in which the time for complete cycles of operation
is predetermined solely by the speed at which the actuator for the
discharging means is operated are excluded and are classified in
appropriate subclasses below. However, the specific provision of
structure having the disclosed function of causing a pause or retardation
of motion during a portion of each cycle is included. The provision
for lost motion in an actuating linkage is not considered to be
delay mechanism within the meaning of this subclass definition,
it being required for classification here that some structure other
than the actuating linkage or mechanism itself be provided to cause
and/or control a time delay in the operation of the device.
Dispensing,
subclasses 638+ for fluent material dispensers having timing or
delay mechanism and see the notes thereto for further related search fields;
and see also subclass 477 for fluent material dispensers having means
for retarding the normal rate of operation of discharge controllers
or closures.
This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Devices in which the means which affects discharge of the
articles is braked or retarded by a fluid damping or checking device.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means which senses depletion of
the entire source of supply and in which the same means directly
effects control of the actuation of an article segregating means
or of a supply receptacle locking or unlocking function.
(1)
Note. Those devices having a plurality of stacks or sources
of supply and having means to feed from a subsequent stack or source
upon depletion of the initial source are not considered to have
means responsive to depletion of the entire supply and are not classified
in this or indented subclasses unless means responsive to depletion
of the final stack or source are also included. Such subject matter
is classified in subclasses 103+, and especially in subclass
108.
and 14, for article dispensers having means responsive
to the depletion of a stack or the entire supply, respectively,
having separate means controlled thereby to effect a control or
a cut-off of the dispenser.
Dispensing,
subclasses 64+ , for fluent material dispensers having material
level control means and particularly subclasses 65 and 66 for full
and/or empty interlocks and empty container cut-offs, respectively.
for plural source dispensing devices having separate
discharge means for each source and lockout means to inhibit motion
or operation of the discharge means of nonselected sources.
for article dispensers having means for blocking
or disabling the ejector or releaser means thereof but not involving
an empty supply source responsive means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Devices in which the motion inhibiting sensing means is
a catch type fastening or holding means which acts to inhibit motion
of the discharge means in response to the empty supply source condition.
for article dispensers having means for blocking
or disabling the ejector or releaser thereof by engagement with
a slot, notch or protuberance on such ejector or releaser.
This subclass is indented under subclass 19. Devices in which an element of the catch type fastening
or holding means is on a discharge assistant of the type which applies
a force which is exerted through all of the articles tending to
move the entire supply in the direction of the egress opening.
for dispensers for flexible articles having a follower,
and a replenishment interlock in the form of a means to fasten or
hold the follower in retracted position while refilling the source
of supply.
for article dispensers having follower disabling,
retracting or releasing means, neither of the aforementioned subclasses
including devices involving empty supply source responsive means.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means which senses failure of
a dispenser to perform a desired function properly and directly
effects stopping of the operation of the dispenser or effects a
correction of the improperly performed function by the operation
of auxiliary means or by changing the mode of operation of the dispenser.
for lost motion devices in actuators for discharge
assistant type dispensers and for yieldable confining means for the
contents to provide for relief or escape of articles which have
been segregated from a supply and see the search notes thereto for
relief of jamming and over-supply conditions in handling devices
generally.
SUBSEQUENT ARTICLE SEPARATING MEANS ACTUATED BY ARTICLE REMOVAL:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having article segregating means so associated
with a supply source receptacle that the removal of a previously
segregated article from the device is effective to activate the
segregating means to act directly on the next available article
in the supply receptacle to segregate it from the supply.
and 47+, for dispensers in which interleaved
flexible articles are concurrently separated and distorted and in
which by virtue of the interleaving, the leading fold of a subsequent
article is pulled from the supply receptacle by movement of the
first article.
for devices in which article delivery is dependent
upon the insertion of a replacement article. These patents are distinguished
from the patents in this subclasses 22+ in that the former
do not have segregating means (other than, or in addition to the
articles themselves) which act on the second article as the first
article is removed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 22. Devices in which the segregating means is one which applies
an affirmative segregating force to the article and is activated
by an affirmative force applied thereto by the previously segregated
article in the course of removal of said article from the device.
for similar devices in which the removal of the
leading article is sensed by means which in turn actuate separate
control means for a discharge assistant.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having claimed features of external configuration
which imitate or assume the appearance of some object.
Amusement Devices: Toys,
subclasses 268+ for a figure toy which may include a dispenser
(e.g., egg-laying chicken), and subclass 475 for other article dispensing
toys.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which the source of supply of articles
is a continuous carrying or conveying means which is in the form
of a structure by which material is removably retained in or on
such structure by individual compartment or holding means, such
compartment or holding means being (a) a separate means affixed
to the carrying or conveying means or (b) being formed in or by
elements of the carrying or conveying means, and in which the carrying
or means, in either case, is progressively demolished as by detachment
of sections thereof, so that the detached sections of the compartment
or carrying means with the contained material and/or separate
means is dispensed as a discrete article.
(1)
Note. Demolishment, in the sense in which it is used in this
definition means complete destruction so that the cell structure
cannot be reused. Examples of types elsewhere classified in this
class in which the cell structure has relatively movable compartments
which are removable to collapse the structure to release the articles
are to be found in subclasses 70+ and 84+, and
especially in subclasses 86 and 89+.
(2)
Note. The demolishment must be by virtue of the action of
or by cooperation with structure provided for the performance of
such a function. Receptacle structure adapted to be destroyed solely by
the application of manual force is classified in the appropriate
receptacle art.
Severing by Tearing or Breaking, appropriate subclasses, for devices having fixed
blades for dispensing web or strand material from a supply source
by manually tearing portions of the material thereagainst.
Manufacturing Container or Tube From Paper; or
Other Manufacturing From a Sheet or Web,
subclasses 340+ for device for feeding and cutting web or sheet
material.
WITH ARTICLE TEARING OR DEFORMING SUPPLY RETAINING MEANS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means associated with the supply
receptacle which either (1) pass through the articles so that the
articles must be severed or deformed to be removed or (2) clamp
a portion of the articles so that the portion to be removed must
be torn from the retained portion.
for captive article type article dispensing devices
which are similar in construction but in which the article is not permanently
removed from the source of supply but remains associated therewith.
Severing by Tearing or Breaking,
subclass 106 for web or strand dispensers with means to restrain
the web so as to create a stress when the work is pulled to effect
a severance of the work at a weakened zone.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which the articles are retained in
position on an element of the supply container or on a support associated therewith
so that they cannot be separated therefor, the articles being removed
from the supply source or receptacle, used and left in an attached
state, in the normal use of the device.
(1)
Note. It is considered that removability of an entire supply
source or stack with or from the element to which the articles are
attached for replacing stacks of used articles is a normal incident
to the subject matter of this subclass and does not preclude classification
herein.
(2)
Note. This subclass is not intended to take devices which
hold captive only a part of an article, allowing a portion to be
removed (as the contents of a captive receptacle). The entire article
must be made available for use and remain attached to the supply
source. Devices for feeding captive bottles, opening and dumping
them are classified in Class 312, in subclasses 35 and 36.
for structures which are similar but in which the
article is torn or deformed and actually disconnected permanently
from the source of supply when it is separated therefrom.
Supports: Racks,
subclasses 6 and 16 for racks designed to hold a supply of towels
locked thereon. This class (Class 221) takes such structures combined
with dispensing means.
Supports: Cabinet Structure,
subclasses 34.1+ for similar combinations not including a dispensing
feature but including cabinet structure. See also subclasses 35
and 36 in connection with (2) Note above.
This subclass is indented under subclass 27. Devices having affirmative means to withdraw or move the
captive articles from the station or location at which they are
used after having been dispensed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 27. Devices in which the articles are locked on a supporting
guide in such a manner that the entire article may be moved relative
to the guide in a direction along the guide.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means in addition to the supply
container or its wrapping to pierce, slit, rupture or otherwise
penetrate or sever the material of which said supply container or
its wrapping is constructed by passing from one side of said material
to the other.
(1)
Note. For classification in this group to be proper there
must be a dispensing feature present. Cutters and/or punches,
per se, are classified in appropriate other arts, as Class 30, Cutlery
and Class 81, Tools, for example.
for dispensers combined with means for cutting or
punching articles as an article treatment or modification, when
no other existing classification provides for such subject matter.
This subclass is indented under subclass 30. Devices in which the cutting or punching means acts on the
supply container or its wrapping to form an article egress opening.
Dispensing,
subclasses 80+ for similar devices for fluent material dispensers,
and particularly subclasses 81+. See the search notes
to subclass 80 for related fields of search.
This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Devices in which the cutting means is in the form of a piece
of flexible strip material in addition to the supply container or
its wrapping but so related thereto that movement of the strip rips
or tears the supply container or its wrapping.
for article dispensers having frangible elements
for the outlets and not including the breaking or cutting means,
the distinction being that in patents classified in that subclass, frangibility
may be due to weakening of the material of the supply container or
its wrapping rather than to the presence of another attached element.
CONCURRENT SEPARATION AND DISTORTION OF FLEXIBLE ARTICLE (E.G.,
NAPKIN HOLDERS):
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers for dispensing articles, which by nature
are capable of changing shape and having means effective to cause
a change in the shape of such articles simultaneously with the segregation
thereof from a supply source.
(1)
Note. Many devices which are disclosed for dispensing articles
which by nature are deformable are in fact of such structure as
to be equally well adapted to dispense rigid articles. Patents
are not placed in this and the indented subclasses unless the mode
of operation of the claimed structure is such that the deformation
of the dispensed article must occur as an incident to separation from
the supply.
(2)
Note. Articles which are distorted from their normal shape
for storage in a dispensing magazine and assume their normal shape
upon being separated from the magazine due to their inherent resilience are
here.
Toilet,
subclasses 330+ for "bobbypin" and "hairpin" dispensers
combined with means for separating or spreading the pin as by wedging action
concurrently with the dispensing thereof.
Sheet Feeding or Delivering, appropriate subclasses for sheet feeding or delivering
devices having similar structures and modes of operation, for feeding
sheets from a stack to a point of use.
Supports: Cabinet Structure,
subclasses 50+ for cabinet structures having article removal facilitating
means especially adapted for stacked cards or sheets.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices having, for concurrently separating and distorting
flexible articles.
(1)
one or more additional article dispensing devices of either
similar or dissimilar nature
(2)
one or more additional receptacles or compartments for receiving
material or articles, or
(3)
a jacket surrounding the article dispenser and spaced therefrom,
at least impart, to provide a material or article receiving space.
(1)
Note. This subclass is parallel to subclasses 92+ and
the explanatory and search notes to that subclass apply to searches
made herein insofar as they are applicable to particular search
problems relating to details of plural compartment devices involving
the concurrent separation and distortion of flexible articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 34. Devices in which there are an even number of dispensers
for concurrently separating and distorting articles and in which
the article egress outlets are disposed as pairs which open diametrically
away from one another.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices having discharge assisting means which directly
engages and applies a force to the article being separated to distort
said article and force it from the source of supply towards or through
an egress outlet.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Devices in which the supply source container is a receptacle
having at least one movable wall portion and this portion is so
connected to the discharge assisting means that, in the normal operation
of the device, movement of the wall portion results in operation
of the discharge assistant to discharge an article.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Devices for dispensing flexible articles which are each
bent upon themselves at least once, and in which such articles are
stacked in such a manner as to have the resulting bent portions interfolded
with one another, the discharge assisting means acting on the leading
fold of the leading article.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Devices having means, either apart from, or incorporated
in the discharge assisting means for moving the article in a direction
away from the egress opening before urging it toward the egress
opening.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Devices in which the discharge assistant partakes of more
than one character of motion, either simultaneously or successively,
in the normal operation thereof, to discharge articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 36. Devices having deflecting means for altering the direction
of travel of the leading edges of articles as they are forced to
the egress outlet by the discharge assistant.
for similar dispensers for flexible article having
stationary guide or abutment means acting on noncoextensive folds
but not including ejecting means in the combination.
This subclass is indented under subclass 42. Devices in which the discharge assistant is an element of
circular cross-section which has peripheral surface contact with
the articles to assist their movement to an egress outlet.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices in which the dispenser or some portion thereof is
so constructed that the dispenser is capable of selective use with
articles of different proportions.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices having either (1) an outer covering enclosing the
dispenser or the supply receptacle in whole or in part or (2) particular
means for maintaining a dispenser unit or entity against the force
of gravity, such means being more than the mere means of sustaining
one part of the device relative to another or mere nominal base
or pedestal means.
for general type article dispensers having casings
or supports and see the notes to subclass 282 for a discussion of
the nature of the subject matter involved and for other related
search fields.
This subclass is indented under subclass 45. Devices in which the supply receptacle is so related to
a surrounding enclosure or to the specific supporting structure
that it is at least partially displaceable therefrom for refilling
or replacement.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices for dispensing flexible articles which are bent
upon themselves at least once, and in which one of the resulting
bent portions is urged to a position at least partially removed, and
from which it may be more readily removed, the portion so urged
being either of a length different from a connected portion or portions
of the article or being deformed, as by flexing, from the connected
portion or portions of the article.
This subclass is indented under subclass 47. Devices in which the articles are stacked in such a manner
as to be interfolded with one another and in which an unequal fold
or deformed portion of each successive article is urged or pulled
to the position of more ready removal by virtue of the coordination
of the portion of the preceding article which is interfolded therewith.
This subclass is indented under subclass 48. Devices in which the supply of articles is in the form of
a prearranged stack of interfolded articles contained in an outer
wrapping and designed to be placed within a supply container to
be dispensed.
(1)
Note. This subclass also takes refill packages, per se, as
used in combinations identified by the subclass definition.
(2)
Note. The package, per se, is never adapted to be used as
a dispenser except in conjunction with a supply receptacle which
has the necessary dispensing feature. Where the package is a complete dispenser,
i.e., has a covering embodying a dispensing outlet, or has a discharge assistant,
etc. and an outer casing or support for such a package is claimed
classification is in subclass 46 of this class. Where the package
outer wrapper has dispensing features so that the package may be
used as a dispenser without the use of other structure, classification
is based on the nature of the dispensing combination so formed.
(3)
Note. Where the outer holder, casing, or wrapper of a "prearranged" stack
is a removable part of a dispenser organization which must be taken
out, refilled and replaced, the filled part is not considered to
be a refill package, but is merely a removable supply magazine. See
subclass 46.
This subclass is indented under subclass 48. Devices in which the stack of articles has associated therewith
an independent element which cooperates with the first available
article to withdraw a fold thereof from the supply receptacle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 48. Devices in which the interfolded stack is either formed
of articles which are normally of a curved configuration relative
to the longitudinal axis of the stack or of normally flat articles which
have been flexed to a similar curved configuration and in which
the articles are removed from the side of the stack which comprises
the inner face of the curve.
This subclass is indented under subclass 48. Devices having means to apply a force which is exerted through
all of the articles tending to move the entire supply relative to
article enclosing supply container structure in a direction towards
an egress opening.
This subclass is indented under subclass 48. Devices having means in addition to a mere article supporting
surface to push back or hold back subsequent articles as the first
article is removed so that the normal constraining force of the
stack of articles on the article being removed is reduced.
This subclass is indented under subclass 53. Devices in which the pushing or holding means has motion
relative to the portion of the device on which it is mounted.
This subclass is indented under subclass 47. Devices in which the means urging noncoextensive folds of
the articles to a removal position are a static directing or restraining
means in the normal path of removal of the articles.
for dispensers for flexible articles in which ejecting
means cooperate with stationary guide or abutment means to distort
and/or direct such articles upon discharge.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices having means to apply a force which is exerted through
all of the articles tending to move the entire supply relative to
article enclosing supply container structure in a direction towards
an egress opening.
This subclass is indented under subclass 56. Devices having means associated with the follower and the
supply receptacle to cause the follower to be held in a retracted
position for facilitating the replacement of the supply of articles
when depleted.
This subclass is indented under subclass 56. Devices in which the follower is resiliently urged in a
direction to force the articles towards the egress opening.
This subclass is indented under subclass 59. Devices in which the resiliently biased follower is mounted
for angular motion relative to means which support it in or on the
supply receptacle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices in which the supply container has, in addition to
an egress outlet, some other opening, the latter opening being for
replacing the supply when depleted, or for affording admittance
for some other purpose.
(1)
Note. The "other" opening may be merely
a larger openable panel which contains the egress opening.
for similar structures which include also a follower
and in which there is an interlock between the follower and the
operation of the replenishment means.
for article dispensers in general, having a source
container cover (for an opening other than the outlet opening) with
related discharge assisting means.
Dispensing,
subclasses 478+ for fluent material dispensers having plural outlets.
In this collection of art one of the outlets may be for replenishment or
access for other purposes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 61. Devices in which the replenishment opening is formed by
movement or removal of a receptacle wall or closure portion which
has angular motion relative to the means which connects it to the
receptacle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Devices in which the supply containers have egress outlets
which are of lesser cross-section than that of the articles as presented
thereto so that the articles are distorted thereby as they are segregated
from the supply.
for article dispensers having outlets which are
distorted as the articles are withdrawn therethrough, this organization
representing a reversal of the mode of operation of this subclass
63.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which the article supply receptacles
have one or more walls or portions thereof which may be distorted
or deflected by application of a force, such distortion or deflection
being effective to release or expel articles from such receptacles.
(1)
Note. The flexibility must be in at least some wall portion
other than or in addition to flexibility of an article dispensing outlet.
Resilient type article dispensing outlets are classified in subclasses
307+.
Dispensing,
subclasses 92+ for fluent material dispensers having collapsible wall
type supply containers, and subclasses 206+ for fluent
material dispensers having resilient walls.
WITH COLLAPSIBLE OR TELESCOPING SUPPLY CONTAINER WALLS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which the supply receptacle decreases
in size or contracts as articles are dispensed therefrom, by sliding
of the container walls within one another or by otherwise reducing
the container wall structure area.
(1)
Note. Supply containers having followers are not included
herein. See subclasses 279+.
ARTICLE DELIVERY DEPENDENT UPON INSERTION OF REPLACEMENT ARTICLE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus in which addition of an article to the supply
or movement of an article through a supply inlet is a necessary
concurrent incident to the ejection, release, or removal of an article
therefrom or to the movement of the leading article in a direction
axially towards the outlet.
(1)
Note. Where a replacement article is pushed into or through
a source of supply inlet and acts through all the articles to eject
the leading article or to move it axially towards an outlet, it
is considered to be a discharge assistant and included herein as
a special case, even though no dispensing type outlet is claimed.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which a plurality of superposed articles
are disposed in a single continuous orderly sequence and in which alternate
articles are interdigitated with contiguous articles and are misaligned
therewith in such fashion that they are partially but not completely
coextensive therewith so that each of said articles helps to support
the adjacent superposed article.
PLURAL DISPENSING STACKS FORMED FROM SINGLE SOURCE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which articles from a single supply
of such articles are formed into a plurality of continuous, orderly,
linear sequential arrangements, each such arrangement having means
associated therewith for separating, segregating or discharging
articles therefrom.
(1)
Note. For purposes of classification in this subclass, the
dispensing means associated with each orderly arrangement or stack
of articles may be disclosed but not necessarily claimed.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which the source of supply is in the
form of a structure in which each article is individually retained
in or by a separate compartment or holding means.
(1)
Note. See "General Statement of the Class Subject
Matter" C, subsection 5 of the class definition for a discussion
of cellular magazine type devices and the features combined therewith
which constitute dispensers under the class definition of this class
and for class lines with the various receptacle and cabinet arts.
This subclass is indented under subclass 69. Devices in which the holding means or compartments are contained
on or in or are formed by a coiled or bent flexible strip which
is of substantial length but is not continuous.
Advancing Material or Indeterminate Length, appropriate subclasses for methods of, and apparatus
for, feeding material without utilizing the leading or trailing
ends to effect movement of the material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices in which the movement of the flexible strip is such,
relative to other structure, as to cause or allow the articles to
be separated or released from the holding means or compartments
in which they are carried.
This subclass is indented under subclass 72. Devices in which the articles are held to the flexible strip
by adhesive means which cause abutting portions of the strip and
the articles to cohere and having means to engage the article, the
strip, or the line of adhesion, to separate the articles from the
strip.
This subclass is indented under subclass 71. Devices having means to directly engage the articles in
the cells to move them in a direction of discharge from the cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 69. Devices in which the cellular structure is such that the
articles are moved from one compartment or holding means to another
in the normal operation of the device.
(1)
Note. A spiral surface, which is so arranged, per se, or
in combination with other structure, that separately retained articles
move progressively along the surface thereof to a point of discharge
is included in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 69. Devices in which the cellular source of supply is mounted
for movement relative to a support so that the articles may be carried
from point to point as the cellular structure is moved.
This subclass is indented under subclass 76. Devices having a plurality of belts, cables, ropes, or the
like, arranged side by side to form a movable cellular supply source,
either by themselves, or in combination with other structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 77. Devices having also force applying means acting directly
upon the articles in the cells to move such articles from the cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 76. Devices having means to apply an affirmative force to the
articles to segregate, separate, or move such articles from the
various cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Devices in which the force applying means is substantially
rigidly mounted on the support to be contacted by the articles in
the cells as the cell structure advances.
for supply containers movably mounted for dispensing,
such supply containers being of the noncellular magazine type and
often involving movement relative to a stationary article releasing
or discharge assisting structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 79. Devices having means to cause movement of the cellular source
of supply, said means being operatively connected to the ejecting
means for relative manipulation therewith.
This subclass is indented under subclass 76. Devices in which the articles are carried to a point at
which, by virtue of their own weight, they fall from their respective
compartments, or holding means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 82. Devices having movable gate means to normally prevent the
gravity discharge of articles from the cells and having means to
cause movement of the cellular source of supply, the movable gate
means being operatively connected either (1) to said means to cause
movement of the cellular source of supply; or (2) to a means for
locking the cellular source of supply against movement.
This subclass is indented under subclass 82. Devices in which the cellular source of supply is incorporated
in or supported upon a nonrigid continuous or endless member.
This subclass is indented under subclass 84. Devices in which the nonrigid continuous or endless member
is so disposed that the article carrying compartments or cells carried
thereby have motion in a horizontal direction for at least a part
of their path of movement.
This subclass is indented under subclass 82. Devices in which the articles are released for gravity discharge
by motion relative to one another of either the compartments or
holding means, or of the structural parts comprising such compartments
or holding means.
for cellular magazine type article dispensers in
which the cellular magazine is not of the conveyor type but in which
articles are discharged by relative movement of cell structure components.
This subclass is indented under subclass 69. Devices having means affirmatively applying a force to the
articles in the cells to cause discharge of such articles from the
cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 87. Devices in which the means affirmatively applying a force
is a single instrumentality which is adapted at different times,
to apply discharging forces on the articles in each of the cells.
78 and 79+, for special types of cellular
magazine type article dispensing devices having ejectors, in many
of which a single ejector acts on all of the various cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 69. Devices in which the separate compartments or holding means
each includes a portion or component which has motion relative to
another portion which supports an article, the separation of the
article being effected by relative movement between such portions.
This subclass is indented under subclass 89. Devices in which the movable portion or component is a shelf
or door which has angular motion about its support.
This subclass is indented under subclass 89. Devices in which the separate compartments or holding means
each has an opening, the movable supporting portion or component
comprising a single gate member which closes all the openings and
has sliding motion relative to the remainder of the cell structure
to progressively release articles therefrom.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having (1) Two or more separate supply
compartments, sources or stacks, at least one of which delivers
to an article dispensing means (2) Two or more containers claimed
in combination, at least one being an article dispensing container
and the other or others being material or article receivering means,
or (3) an article dispensing container which has a jacket surrounding
the same and spaced therefrom, at least in part, to provide a material
or article receiving space.
(1)
Note. Where the dispenser is divided or sectioned to provide
a spaced jacket for the reception or holding of the dispenser actuating
mechanism or the like such compartment has been considered as a casing
or support feature. Such structures not otherwise including a second source,
stack or compartment are classified in subclasses 282+ of
this class.
(2)
Note. The plural sources, stacks or compartments of this
and indented subclasses are not disposed in series arrangement for
feeding from one source, stack or compartment to another. For such
series arrangement see subclasses 68, 174 or 175+.
for similar combinations in which at least one compartment
embodies a dispenser of the type which concurrently separates and
distorts flexible articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices arranged so that at each operation of the dispensing
means, dispensing takes place from at least two sources.
for plural source article dispensing devices having
lockout means to permit dispensing from one, only, of the sources.
This subclass 94 has similar devices in which dispensing takes place
from a plurality of sources less than all of the sources available.
This subclass is indented under subclass 93. Devices in which one, only of an article releasing or force
applying segregating means moves to receive articles in turn from
plural sources.
Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
subclass 450.4 for a similar combination in a machine for making
a composite edible (e.g., sandwich, etc.), from preforms.
Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver
Coacting Means,
subclass 174 for combinations including means for dispensing
a drinking cup and means for dispensing a beverage thereto.
Dispensing, appropriate subclasses, for fluent material dispensers,
per se, and especially
subclasses 129+ for plural source fluent material dispensing devices.
See section VI of the class definition of this class (221), for a
statement of the line between Classes 221 and 222 relative to such subject
matter.
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices in which two or more containers are claimed in combination,
at least one being an article dispensing container and at least
one being a material or article receiving means which has no dispensing
means associated therewith.
(1)
Note. For classification in this subclass the type source
must have neither article dispensing means of the type required for
classification in this class nor fluent material dispensing means
of the type recognized by Class 222.
This subclass is indented under subclass 97. Devices in which the material or article containing or receiving
means partakes of motion relative to or may be withdrawn from the
article receptacle from which articles are dispensed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 98. Devices in which the nondispensing compartment is an open
topped box or container which slips or is guided in ways.
This subclass is indented under subclass 97. Devices in which a member serving as a partition between
the article dispensing container and the other compartment means
may have motion or may be withdrawn from therebetween.
This subclass is indented under subclass 97. Devices in which the nondispensing compartment is a material
receiving compartment for items to be disposed of such articles
before use having been dispensed by the dispensing device.
for article dispensers which retain the article
against complete removal after dispensing and which may conduct the
used article to a collection or storage compartment.
Deposit and Collection Receptacles, appropriate subclasses for deposit and collection
receptacles for devices in which articles, including used articles, are
placed in receptacles from time to time to be there collected for
simultaneous removal at a later time. Such subject matter represents
a subcombination of the subject matter classified in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices in which each of the separate supply sources is
exhausted in turn, i.e. one source is exhausted before a subsequent
source is made available.
(1)
Note. In this subclass are placed patents which include plural
aligned sources from which the bottom article in each of the several
sources is first dispensed by the movement of the bottom article
of the most remote stack against the said bottom articles as it
passes under the several sources in reaching the egress opening.
Thereafter the rearmost source is exhausted and so on through the
several sources in turn from the rearmost to the most proximate
relative the egress opening.
for similar devices having means responsive to the
depletion of one stack of articles to actuate a separate control
for means for causing a replacement stack to replace the depleted
stack. If the sensing means and the control are the same element or
instrumentality, classification is in this and the indented subclasses,
and especially in subclasses 108+.
This subclass is indented under subclass 103. Devices in which a subsequent stack or source has or may
have motion relative to an article releasing or ejecting means for
establishment of an operative relationship with such means upon
depletion of a preceding source.
for single source article dispensing devices in
which the supply container is movably mounted for movement into
or out of position for cooperation with a discharge assistant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Devices in which the replacement source or stack supply
means has a hingedly swinging movement about a fixed axis.
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Devices in which the replacement source or stack supply
means moves as a unit in one direction only in a straight line.
This subclass is indented under subclass 103. Devices in which articles present in the normal flow path
between the dispensing stack and an egress outlet of the dispenser
hold back or control means to block other possible replenishment
or additional sources.
for plural source dispensers in which replacement
sources or stacks move relative to the discharge means and in some
of which such movement may take place prior to the complete discharge
of the original or preceding stack so that initial dispensing from the
replacement stack is prevented by the remaining articles of the
preceding stack.
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Devices having means preventing feeding of articles from
other sources, such means being directly controlled by the articles
in the discharge path.
for similar automatic devices. See the note to
subclass 11 in the Search Class Notes of subclass 103 for a full
discussion of the distinction between automatic and condition responsive means
in devices of this type.
This subclass is indented under subclass 108. Devices in which the means preventing feeding are gate-like
members individual to at least three sources which members operate
in turn.
This subclass is indented under subclass 103. Devices in which the plurality of separate supply compartments,
sources or stacks are associated with a plurality of force applying
article separators, segregators or force appliers, which are made
effective one after the other in turn to discharge articles from
the plurality of supply compartments, sources or stacks.
for similar devices having automatic means responsive
to depletion of supply in a primary source to control operation
of discharge assistant means for a succeeding source.
This subclass is indented under subclass 103. Devices in which the articles present in the dispensing
stack preclude dispensing from subsequent stacks.
for plural source dispensers in which replacement
sources or stacks move relative to the discharge means and in some
of which such movement may take place prior to the complete discharge
of the original or preceding stack so that initial dispensing from the
replacement stack is prevented by the remaining articles of the
preceding stack.
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices having means or some arrangement which assures that
the articles are dispensed (one from each source) from the several sources
in a fixed order.
Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
subclass 450.4 for a similar combination in a machine for making
a composite edible (e.g., sandwich, etc.), from preforms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 112. Devices in which the several sources are supported to have
turning movement about an axis relative to a single egress opening.
for rotatably mounted assemblies without regard
to the order of dispensing, and particularly subclasses 121+ in
which such assemblies rotate relative to single common outlet means.
Supports: Cabinet Structure, in appropriate "rotatable" or "rotating" subclasses
for cabinet structures involving rotation of the article or material
handling portion thereof, and see particularly
subclass 97.1 for cabinets of the removal facilitating magazine
type which are of a rotating nature.
This subclass is indented under subclass 112. Devices in which individual article separating or ejecting
means are provided for each source of supply and are so interrelated
the the normal cycle of operation of the device necessarily results
in sequential dispensing from the various sources.
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Devices in which the article separating or ejecting means
are arranged in side by side relation along a common axis.
Dispensing,
subclass 139 for plural source fluent material dispensing devices
in which plural discharge assistants for the various sources are coaxially
arranged and have a rotary or swinging type of motion.
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Devices in which there are two article separating or ejecting
means which operate one after the other in order, each on its own
source of supply, whereby each acts to eject an article on every
second operation of the device.
This subclass is indented under subclass 116. Devices having article egress outlets which are diametrically
disposed either away from or toward each other.
This subclass is indented under subclass 116. Devices having the sources arranged in two side by side
columns of similar articles, said articles of one column being staggered
with respect to those of the other column along the longitudinal
axes of the columns.
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices in which the plural sources, stacks or compartments
are mounted upon a rigid support in such a manner as to have turning
movement as a group about an axis or are mounted upon a continuous
web for movement as a group along a path traversed by the web.
Supports: Cabinet Structure,
subclasses 97 and 97.1 for cabinet structures having article
removal facilitating means including endless belt carried and rotatably
mounted source assemblies, respectively.
This subclass is indented under subclass 119. Devices having plural circularly arranged and radially spaced
sources, such arrangement being about and longitudinally of the
axis of rotation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 119. Devices in which the dispenser rotates relative to a single
egress opening for passage of the articles to the exterior of the
dispenser.
for plural source article dispensing devices in
which the sources rotate relative to a common outlet for sequential
dispensing from such plural sources.
This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Devices having means to properly orient the source receptacle
or the like with respect to the egress opening to thereby prevent
a mismatching or jamming of the mechanisms.
(1)
Note. The means assuring alignment as hereinbefore defined
must be other than the mere means, if any, to rotate the assembly.
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices in which each of the supply sources has associated
therewith a means to separate, segregate, or move articles toward
an egress outlet, either by the application of a force to or by
permissive release of such articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Devices in which each source has its own separate discharging
means and actuation initiator and a means available to all such
separate means to prevent operation of the others upon operation
of any one of said initiating means.
(1)
Note. Selective connection of an actuating element with the
individual discharge means of plural sources does not constitute
lockout means. Such arrangements are classified in subclasses 126+, of
this class.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Devices in which the force appliers or releasing means have
actuator initiating means selectively related thereto by a manual
control means common to more than one source.
Dispensing,
subclass 144.5 for plural source fluent material dispensing devices
having selecting means, including means common to the plurality
of sources.
This subclass is indented under subclass 127. Devices in which selectivity and actuation are effected
by motion of the actuator-selector in opposite directions in a substantially
fixed path.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Devices in which two or more dispensers each complete with
its own discharge means, actuator and outlet are similarly oriented
and placed one upon the other.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Devices in which two or more dispensers, each complete with
its own discharge means, actuator and outlet are arranged in side
by side linear relationship.
This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Devices in which at least three dispensers, each complete
with its own discharge means, actuator and outlet are similarly
arranged about a point in a place.
This subclass is indented under subclass 92. Devices in which the plural sources, stacks or compartments
discharge articles to a common ultimate outlet path.
WITH MEANS TO SELECT INTERMEDIATE ARTICLES FROM STACKS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means operative with respect to
the articles of an orderly sequence or supply arrangement to remove
one or more of the articles from the arrangement without regard
to consecutive order.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having some additional provision or means
to bring about a physical or chemical change in the articles either
before or after separation from the source.
(1)
Note. See "Article Treatment or Modification" of
the class definition of this class (221), which is devoted to article dispensing
as included in treating or modifying combinations.
Toilet,
subclasses 330+ for "bobbypin" and "hairpin" dispensers
provided with means for spreading the pin either concurrently with
or subsequent to dispensing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 135. Devices in which the change effecting means either assists
in or directly brings about ignition of the article.
(1)
Note. This subclass is the home for nominally claimed combinations,
or merely associated flint or other type lighters and dispensers
without requiring an interrelationship of the two devices.
Tobacco,
subclass 7 for match-scratching surfaces combined with cigars
and cigarettes, and subclasses 185, 234 and 249 for match-scratching
surfaces combined with tobacco users" appliances.
Special Receptacle or Package,
subclasses 85+ for a tobacco container with an igniter of the
tobacco content and subclasses 98+ for a match packet,
container or holder with a striker surface in withdrawal path of match.
Supports: Cabinet Structure,
subclass 86 for article magazines having removal facilitating
means for slender articles in combination with igniting means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Devices in which the friction surface partakes of movement
which is affirmatively controlled by some motion transmitting means
to cause ignition of the match.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Devices in which the friction surface and an egress opening
or a separated match retaining means are so arranged that the manual
withdrawal of the match through or by said opening or retaining
means results in the contacting of the match head with the said
friction surface to ignite said match.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Devices having an affirmative means to segregate, separate
or move a match from the source of supply, said means additionally
moving the match against the friction means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 140. Devices in which the motion of the discharge assistant and
the arrangement of the matches in the receptacle cause the match
to move in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of
the match.
This subclass is indented under subclass 140. Devices in which the motion of the discharge assistant and
the arrangement of the matches in the receptacle cause the match
to move in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the match.
This subclass is indented under subclass 143. Devices in which the electrical igniting means is caused
to be made operative by the act of dispensing an article from the
said article dispenser.
This subclass is indented under subclass 136. Devices in which a lighter of the fire striking flint type
and a dispenser are so related that the said lighter is made active
by the act of dispensing an article from the dispensing assembly.
This subclass is indented under subclass 148. Devices in which the lighter action and the dispenser operation
are brought about by the motion of some article receptacle part
relative to the dispenser.
This subclass is indented under subclass 135. Devices in which the change producing means effects the
temperature of the articles either to positively elevate or lower
such temperature.
WITH MEANS FOR BLOCKING OR DISABLING EJECTOR OR RELEASER:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having a mechanical linkage or other
means to apply a force to operate an article discharging instrumentality
other than a follower and having also separate means to interpose
a solid member in the path of a portion of said linkage, the force
applying means, or the discharging instrumentality; to remove a
force translating member from the linkage or force applying means,
or to otherwise divert the action of the article discharging instrumentality.
(1)
Note. Dispensers having a discharge assistant which is biased
to discharging position and which may be cocked or latched in the
article receiving or retracted position and then released to discharge
an article under the influence of the biasing means are not included
in this or indented subclasses but are classified in subclass 271.
for similar devices which also have means responsive
to depletion of the entire source of supply to directly cause the
blocking or disabling of the operation of the discharge means.
for plural source article dispensers having lockout
means under control of an actuating initiator whereby discharge
means of all but a selected source are locked against operation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 151. Devices in which the solid member enters or engages a cut-out,
groove or projection in or on the linkage, force applying means
or discharging instrumentality.
WITH LOCK, LATCH, OR SEAL FOR CONTAINER AND/OR
SUPPORT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having (1) means to prevent or deter
unauthorized separation, removal, or access to or into a dispensing receptacle
or its means of support, (2) a catch type holding or fastening means
for a dispensing receptacle part or support.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having a claimed transparent sight means
whereby the dispenser operation or its contents may be observed,
in whole or in part.
(1)
Note. Disclosure that a claimed element is transparent is
not enough to warrant classification in this subclass. The feature
must be specifically set forth in the language of the claims.
Dispensing,
subclasses 154+ for fluent material dispensing devices having inspection
means including sight openings and transparent containers or flow
line sections.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers for articles which are each similarly
asymmetric about at least one axis and having means to align, arrange,
or selectively engage such articles so that the variations from
symmetry are all turned in a desired direction or directions.
(1)
Note. The characteristics claimed must include the specific
means for effecting the orienting. The broad inclusion of an element
of general dispensing utility, even though disclosed as an orienting element
is not enough to warrant classification in this subclass or the
indented subclasses.
(2)
Note. To be classified in this subclass and the indented
subclasses, a patent must include a claimed disclosure of a dispensing
combination under the class definition of this class which includes the
orienting feature. Where the orienting feature is claimed, per
se, classification is in the appropriate other article handling
class. There must be an actual rearrangement or turning of the
articles as distinguished from a mere perfecting of the alignment
of substantially similarly oriented articles to warrant classification
in this and the indented subclasses.
for article dispensing devices having means to form
stacks of articles from sources in which the articles are differently
arranged, including hoppers. Many of such devices disclose but
do not claim the orientation of the articles dispensed, and the
modes of operation, insofar as the article handling means are concerned,
are the same.
Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
subclasses 485+ for apparatus especially adopted for treating food
under the class definition, note especially subclasses 549+ for
removing core-pits wherein the food is particularly oriented
Conveyors: Power-Driven,
subclasses 373+ for a conveyor having means for changing the attitude
of the conveyed load relative to the conveying direction.
Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, appropriate subclasses, and especially in
subclasses 509+ for methods and apparatus, including dispensing,
for assorting physically unlike articles. If a device is in fact
a dispenser under the class definition of Class 221 and all the
articles handled are physically alike and means are provided for
either turning the articles in a desired direction or for dispensing selectively
only those which are in a desired orientation, classification is
in Class 221. See (2) Note above. The line between Classes 209
and 221 is stated in section VII of the class definition of this
class (221).
This subclass is indented under subclass 156. Devices in which the asymmetric articles are arranged one
behind the other in a continuous row and having means for dividing
the continuous row of articles according to desired orientation
and removing either the properly or the improperly oriented articles
from the continuous row.
Conveyors: Power-Driven,
subclasses 234+ , for a device for orienting articles on conveyors,
generically, including the nonpower conveyors normally found in
Class 193, Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways. This class
(198) will include the turning of articles, referred to in the preceding
search note (i.e., to Class 193) which amounts to orientation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 157. Devices in which articles removed from the continuous row
of articles are returned to the remainder of the row to reform a
single continuous row, usually after turning the articles in either
group so that all the articles in the reconstituted row are faced
in the same direction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 157. Devices having means to return to a source of supply such
of the articles as are not oriented as desired.
This subclass is indented under subclass 159. Devices in which the means to return improperly oriented
articles to supply is positioned either to overhang the supply source
receptacle or within the bounds thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 160. Devices in which the means to return improperly oriented
articles to supply has motion relative to an egress opening through
which properly oriented articles finally pass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 161. Devices in which the means to return improperly oriented
articles to supply is a wheel or a brush which is mounted to have
movement about an axis in one direction only.
This subclass is indented under subclass 156. Devices in which the source of supply retains the asymmetric
articles to be dispensed in a jumbled mass and articles are segregated
from the source by means which choose or allow passage of only such
articles as are turned in the desired direction as they contact
or are contacted thereby.
This subclass is indented under subclass 163. Devices in which the segregation of only such articles as
are turned in the desired direction is effected by movable segregating
means which engage and support such properly positioned articles
by a slot, notch, hole or protuberance in such articles and lift
them from the source of supply.
(1)
Note. The construction is such that articles lacking the
head, slot notch, etc., could not be handled therein.
especially subclass 170, for dispensers having shaped
outlets, which may be formed by pins which lift the article, but
by surrounding it or forming a shaped passage for it.
for article dispensing devices in which movable
elements within hopper sources of supply raise articles to be dispensed
above the mass of articles in such hoppers, as an incident to the segregation
and dispensing of such articles.
for article dispensing devices in which a discharge
assistant moves through a hopper to separate and elevate articles as
an incident to the dispensing of such articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 164. Devices for handling articles which have a body and an enlarged
end in which the means permitting or compelling passage engage under the
enlarged end portions to lift them from the source of supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 164. Devices in which the segregating means reaches into or passes
through the source of supply and removes articles one at a time
from the source of supply when such articles are properly oriented.
This subclass is indented under subclass 163. Devices in which articles are segregated from the source
of supply by means which has a rotary or oscillatable motion about
a point approximately at its center, which means may be a rotary
or oscillating supply container, a rotary or oscillating discharge
assistant within a stationary supply container or any combination
of movable and stationary members.
(1)
Note. Segregation is usually effected by the articles being
compelled or allowed to pass through egress openings which are of
such dimensions and irregular form as to permit passage of only
such articles as are properly oriented.
This subclass is indented under subclass 167. Devices, having in addition to the rotary or oscillating
discharge means one or more of the following means, which may or
may not be rotary; (1) an agitator within the supply container,
(2) means operating on articles which have passed through at least
one segregation-orientation stage to forward them along or through
the discharge path, which means may perform a second orienting operation,
(3) means operating on the articles to take care of an over supply
or jamming of articles which have passed through at least one segregation-orientation
stage, whether they remain in the confines of the supply container
or have passed into a chute or stack holder.
for lost motion devices to relieve actuator pressure
on discharge means when the outlet is blocked and for mere expansible
chutes or outlets to relieve jamming, and see the search notes thereto
for overload relief searches generally.
This subclass is indented under subclass 167. Devices in which a plurality of shaped egress openings are
provided between or in wall-forming elements of the dispenser which
have rotary or oscillating motion, so that the openings pass successively
by the point or points at which the oriented articles are diverted
into chutes or stacks.
(1)
Note. Shaped egress openings are those of irregular form
corresponding to that of the articles so that only those articles having
the desired orientation can pass through.
This subclass is indented under subclass 169. Devices, in which the shaped egress openings are formed
by pins or applied projections carried by or opposed to a rotary
member. The pins may be more closely spaced than the width of the
articles being handled, with one pin entering in a cavity of the
article as it passes between the pins on either side.
for pins which pick up and carry a cupped or hollowed
article by entering the depression therein and thus carry only properly
oriented articles to the exit.
This subclass is indented under subclass 156. Devices in which the articles are turned in the desired
direction or directions by means acting individually on each article
as it passes, if such article is not turned in the desired direction.
This subclass is indented under subclass 171. Devices in which the articles are moved along a path of
travel by the force of gravity and in which the means acting to
turn the articles are stationary elements which are interposed in said
path of travel and which successively engage and turn such of said
articles as are not oriented as desired.
for article dispensers having stationary interior
guiding means, and see the notes thereto for other collections of
art relating to stationary deflector elements in article dispensing
devices.
This subclass is indented under subclass 171. Devices in which the means acting to turn the articles is
a mechanical instrumentality which has motion relative to the path
of movement of the articles and successively engages and turns such
of said articles as are not oriented as desired.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Articles dispensers in which a source of supply delivers
articles to a receptacle in which they are retained in a nonstacked
or disorderly fashion, said receptacle having means to discharge
said articles.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means other than or in addition
to supply container configuration to affirmatively cause articles
from a supply container or other supply source to be formed into
a single, continuous, orderly sequence, or linear arrangement which
is different as to type or as to direction of orientation than the
arrangement of the articles prior to the operation of said means.
(1)
Note. There must be an actual formation of a stack from some
substantially different arrangement to warrant classification in
this and the indented subclasses. Therefore, means to merely perfect
the alignment of a stack as by mere straightening are not included
herein.
This subclass is indented under subclass 175. Devices in which the stack forming means includes a movable
supply source receptacle which has angular back and forth movement about
an axis, said axis being in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the normal line of flow of the articles through the receptacle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 175. Devices in which the stack forming means includes an article
guideway, channel, way or the like to receive the orderly sequence
of articles, all or part of which has motion for the stated function.
This subclass is indented under subclass 178. Devices in which the moving chute or part thereof has such
motion within the physical bounds of the supply receptacle.
Threaded, Headed Fastener, or Washer Making:
Process and Apparatus,
subclasses 164+ for distributors and feeders specialized to the
purpose of Class 470 or combined with Class 470 machines in which
inclined chutes (sometimes movable) are operated to remove articles
from a source of supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 179. Devices in which the moving chute or part thereof has motion
in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the said chute.
This subclass is indented under subclass 175. Devices in which the stack forming means includes a member
which has rotary or to-and-fro movement about a fixed axis, which
axis is angularly disposed to the horizontal.
(1)
Note. The "member" may be the entire supply
source container, a portion thereof, or any other structure for
performing the stack forming function.
This subclass is indented under subclass 175. Devices in which the stack forming means includes a shaking
or stirring means co-related with, operated by, or fixedly supported
on or within the structure of means which applies an affirmative
force to or permits release of an article.
Dispensing,
subclasses 226+ for fluent material dispensing devices having agitators
followed by discharge assistants and/or interconnected
discharge controllers.
(1)
means especially adapting them to be carried and supported
by the body, or
(2)
means providing for the mobility of the said dispensers over
the surfaces on which they are supported.
(1)
Note. The means especially adapting the article dispenser
to be carried and supported by the body must be an additional claimed
structure over and above that which is essential to the dispensing
operation.
Package and Article Carriers, appropriate subclasses for body and belt catch devices,
and see particularly
subclass 196 for magazine type cartridge carriers.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means supporting a supply means
or receptacle for articles for motion relative to such support,
the motion imparted to the said receptacle being effective to separate,
segregate or move the articles from the receptacle to a point of
egress.
(1)
Note. Substantially all of the articles and the immediate
supporting or confining means move as a unit either with a discharge
assistant or relative to a discharge assistant, the supply quantity
being substantially determinate and varied only by the number of
articles dispensed.
for article dispensers of the cellular magazine
type, in which the cellular magazine sources of supply are mounted
on conveyors for movement relative to a support.
for article dispensers having plural rotatably mounted
supply sources movable as a unit past common outlet means for sequential
dispensing from the plural sources.
for movably mounted supply containers which move
the entire supply with respect to a discharge assistant as an incident
to dispensing, the container movement however, not being effective
to separate or segregate the articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 186. Devices provided with an article manipulator or other motion
directing means which causes the article to have movement in a direction
at right angles to the normal direction of dispensing movement of
the supply container.
This subclass is indented under subclass 188. Devices in which the supply container moves with respect
to a fixed article compartment or holding means to deposit the article
therein and which compartment or means substantially embraces the
separated article.
This subclass is indented under subclass 186. Devices in which the receptacle has relative up and down
movement, such movement raising or lowering all but the segregated
articles, thereby isolating said articles for removal.
for orienting type article dispensers in which articles
are selectively separated from supply by movably lifting means which
have movement relative to the source of supply to relatively lift
the selected articles from said supply.
DISPENSER DELIVERING TO STATIONARY ARTICLE SUPPORT FOR
MANUAL REMOVAL:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having a fixed supporting surface or
shelf which is positioned to receive the dispensed articles and
hold such articles so that they can be removed by the hand of an
operator.
(1)
Note. The supporting surface or shelf must not be that part
of a discharge assistant, an article releaser or a dispensing type
outlet which causes or controls article segregation.
(2)
Note. Articles retained for manual removal by article adhering
or gripping type discharge assistants are elsewhere.
(3)
Note. Articles retained for manual removal by a relatively
movable closure after ejection from the source of supply by a claimed
ejector are elsewhere.
(4)
Note. Articles retained for manual removal by an article releaser
element are classified with the appropriate article releasing combination.
See the search notes below.
(5)
Note. See the search notes below for articles retained for
manual removal by a dispensing type outlet.
(6)
Note. Segregated articles delivered to hold-down means are
not in this or the indented subclasses but may be found elsewhere
when included in combinations involving discharge assistant means,
or where segregated articles may release holddown means. See the
search notes below.
for articles retained for manual removal by a relatively
movable closure after ejection from the source of supply by a claimed
ejector. See (3) Note above.
This subclass is indented under subclass 191. Devices in which the fixed supporting surface or shelf is
disposed above the level of the point of separation of the article
from the source and the article is deposited thereon either by the discharge
assistant or by some additional manipulating means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 191. Devices in which the entrance or the path leading to the
supporting means is provided with a static means for contact with
a moving article approaching such support for the purpose of arresting
at least part of its velocity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 191. Devices in which separated articles are free to fall to
the stationary article support without the intervention of an affirmative
carrying means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 194. Devices in which an affirmative means causes the separation
of the article from the source prior to its deposit on a support.
This subclass is indented under subclass 195. Devices in which the affirmative separating means is provided
with a compartment or cooperates with relatively fixed structure
to form a compartment which substantially embraces the articles
being discharged.
WITH SUPPLY CARTRIDGE OR CONTAINER REMOVABLE FROM ENCLOSING
CASING:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which the receptacle for the articles
to be dispensed is so related to a surrounding enclosure which has
a discharge means or a dispensing type outlet that it is separable
therefrom for either refilling or to be replaced by a full supply
receptacle.
for article dispensers in which the articles are
enclosed by a supply container which is removable from the remainder
of the structure either with the articles or separate therefrom.
This subclass is indented under subclass 197. Devices having a force applying member operative through
the articles in the separable and replaceable supply receptacle
to urge such articles to a point of egress.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers (1) claimed in combination with features
other than the supply container structure, the casing or support
therefor, and discharge assisting or controlling means and not provided
for in other classes or in preceding subclasses of this class; or
(2) having means or parts capable of structural rearrangement or
modification to selectively provide either a dispenser of some other
kind or a device of some other description.
(1)
Note. This class is residual as to combinations of article
dispensers and subject matter classifiable in other classes and takes
such combinations only when such other classes do not provide for
them. Examples of such combinations which are included in this
subclass are; capped bottle dispensers with bottle uncapping means
and straw delivery to the said bottle, substance penetrating and
capsule feeding, dispensers with lubricating means, dispensers combined
with a tray (such tray not qualifying as a second compartment),
dispensers with fixed nondispenser operated display means, dispensers
combined with article cleaning (e.g., air draft) means, and dispensers combined
with certain art devices which serve as supports or means for mounting such
dispensers. SeeRefernces to Other Classes of the class definition
of this class for a listing of other classes which provide for article
treating and modifying combinations which include article dispensing
and note also a listing of classes having related material handling combinations.
WITH MEANS TO AGITATE, VIBRATE OR JAR ARTICLES IN SUPPLY
CONTAINER:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means to shake or stir either
the supply container or the articles therein to impart either a
small or large amplitude of motion to the articles relative to one another
for the purpose of facilitating passage of the articles towards
the discharge means.
(1)
Note. The agitating means must be means other than a discharge
assisting means. Thus, a dispenser having an element which applies
an affirmative force to segregate articles from a supply container
and which is so constructed that it inherently agitates articles
in the supply container and does not have any structural addition
or modification to perform an agitating function, is classified
in the appropriate subclass under subclasses 208+. See
for example, subclass 254 in which are classified dispensers having discharge
assistants movable through hoppers to elevate articles, such discharge
assistants having an inherent incidental agitating function.
for orienting type article dispensing devices, in
which it is common to provide agitating means to stir a jumbled mass
of articles in causing the orientation and dispensing of such articles.
See particularly subclasses 167+ directed to rotatable
or oscillatable means for agitating and discharging the articles.
for dispensers having means to form stacks of articles
from sources of supply of articles originally otherwise arranged,
and in which, generally, either the supply container or the outlet
path is agitated or shaken.
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Devices which include at least three serially acting agitating,
vibrating or jarring means and/or means applying an affirmative
force to push articles towards a point of egress, there being at
least one agitating, vibrating or jarring means in the combination.
Dispensing,
subclass 227 for similar combinations in fluent material dispensers,
and subclass 254 for fluent material dispensers in which three or more
discharge assistants are included.
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Devices in which the shaking or stirring means is fixedly
supported on or included in or within the structure of means which
applies an affirmative force to articles to push them towards a point
of egress.
This subclass is indented under subclass 202. Devices in which the discharge assistant and the associated
shaking or stirring means are mounted to have movement about a fixed
axis in one direction only.
Dispensing,
subclass 242 for rotary coaxial agitator-discharge assistant constructions
in which the agitator is rigidly mounted on the discharge assistant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Devices in which the shaking or stirring of the articles
in the supply container is caused by means imparting motion to one
portion of the container structure relative to another portion thereof.
for dispensers having stack forming means in which
a portion of the supply hopper or an element associated with the
outlet is movable to stir or shake the article and/or form
a stack thereof.
Dispensing,
subclasses 198 through 203for fluent material dispensing devices involving
jarring and/or vibrating of the fluent material in the operation
of such dispensing devices and in which, in various ways, container
sections are moved to effect such jarring and/or vibrating.
This subclass is indented under subclass 204. Devices in which the portion of the container structure
which is moved has angular back and forth motion about a point of
mounting.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means to selectively vary the
number of articles delivered as a result of a single operating cycle.
Dispensing,
subclasses 14+ for fluent material dispensers having means to terminate
material discharge, such mechanism being preset at the desired volume
before discharge begins.
This subclass is indented under subclass 206. Devices in which the means to selectively vary the number
of articles delivered per cycle is by a rearrangement of the relative
position or size of parts of the dispenser organization.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having means to affirmatively segregate,
separate or move the articles from a supply source toward a point
of egress.
(1)
Note. The weight of the articles, alone, is not considered
as an affirmative means for this and the indented subclasses. The application
of a force other than gravity tending to move an article or articles
relative to other articles to effect a segregation or separation
is necessary.
(2)
Note. Where an element applying a force to segregate articles
has an agitating function as an incident thereof and has combined
therewith some other discharge assisting means classification is in
subclasses 200+. See also the note to the definition
of subclass 200.
(3)
Note. Included in this group (see subclass 246 as an exception
to the requirement that an affirmative force be applied to the article
to effect segregation) are devices in which the sliding movement of
the cover of a supply receptacle effects segregation of an article
from the remainder of the supply, but does not necessarily affirmatively
move any of the the articles.
(4)
Note. See "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter"C subsection (4) of the class definition
for a discussion of discharge assisting means as provided for in this
class.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the supply source is mounted upon a support
for motion relative thereto and for positioning or alignment relative
to the discharge assistant whereby the supply as a whole may be
selectively positioned with respect to or advanced toward the discharge
assistant to place the supply of articles, or a portion thereof,
in the operative path of the discharge assistant.
(1)
Note. Substantially all of the articles and the immediate
confining means move as a unit relative to the discharge, the supply
quantity being substantially determinate and varied only by the
number of articles dispensed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant is provided with
means or is of such form as to affirmatively hold articles during
separation thereof from the supply as, for example, by gripping, piercing,
adhesion, etc., as distinguished from structures which rely upon
gravity or attitude or relatively stationary walls of the dispensing device
to maintain the articles and discharge assistant in cooperative
relationship.
(1)
Note. Oppositely disposed discharge assistants having ever-changing
surface contact with opposite sides of articles as they are dispensed
are not considered to be grippers for this and the indented subclasses
and are classified in other appropriate subclasses, see for example subclass
259.
for orienting type article dispensing devices in
which articles are selectively separated from the source of supply
by movable lifting means engageable with portions of such articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 210. Devices in which the affirmative holding means operates
by reducing the air or other fluid pressure on at least a part of
articles to be engaged, the articles being thus affirmatively held
thereto by the pressure of surrounding air or other fluid pressure
medium.
Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements,
subclasses 64.1+ for handling, hand and hoist-line implements in
which the load engaging means is in the nature of a vacuum-cup element.
This subclass is indented under subclass 210. Devices in which the affirmative holding means is in the
form of an element which penetrates the articles for transfer and
discharge.
for article dispensers including cutter or punch
means for forming dispensing openings and for other purposes not
related to a discharge assisting function.
for orienting type article dispensing devices in
which selective separation of properly oriented articles from supply
is effected by individual picker fingers entering apertures or depressions,
etc., in such articles.
for discharge assistants which frictionally engage
surfaces of the articles to discharge same and which may have projections
or be roughened but do not penetrate the articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 214. Devices in which either a stripper element or an impaling
element is actuated by a cam to impart motion relative to the normal
position or path of travel of the other, to perform a stripping
function.
This subclass is indented under subclass 214. Devices in which the means to disengage or remove the articles
is a stripper element which is supported in a fixed position to
a stationary part of the dispenser.
This subclass is indented under subclass 210. Devices in which the affirmative holding means engage the
articles by pressure on several opposite sides of their exterior
to transfer them for discharge and in which such holding means are
mounted upon either a revolving or continuous member to be conveyed
thereby through the transfer and discharge cycle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 217. Devices in which the article holding means comprises article
engaging elements which are mounted for swinging motion and to which
relative motion is imparted by contact with tapered or curved surfaces.
This subclass is indented under subclass 210. Devices in which the affirmative holding means comprise
elements made of elastic material which exert a return pressure
when bent out of their normal rest position.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which there are two or more discharge assistants
positioned at spaced points about the periphery of the discharge
path of the articles and acting on the same articles at the same
time to compel discharge of the articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 221. Devices in which the multiple discharge assistants each
has movement about a fixed axis in one direction only.
This subclass is indented under subclass 221. Devices in which the discharge assistants each has movement
which is alternately forward and backward, to and fro, in alternate
direction in an arcuate path.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices having two or more discharge assistants or having
at least one discharge assistant combined with article handling
means which apply force to cause nongravity movement of the articles.
(1)
Note. Plural similar instrumentalities which are actuated
by a common power source or linkage to concurrently engage one article
and apply a discharging force to that article are considered to
be a single discharge assistant and are excluded from this and the
indented subclasses and are classified in appropriate subclasses
below. Similarly, unitary or substantially unitary devices having pluralities
of article engaging and discharge assisting surfaces (i.e., endless belt
carried discharge assistants as in subclass 253, segregating chamber
structures having plural chambers as in subclasses 263+,
etc.) in which the surfaces carry successive articles through the same
path to the outlet are excluded and placed in other appropriate
classifications as indicated.
for devices in which an article is dispensed in
response to motion of a supply container, means being provided to
subsequently move the dispensed article in a direction normal to
that of the movement of said supply container.
This subclass is indented under subclass 224. Devices having three or more distinct discharge assistants
or manipulating means arranged to serially act on the articles.
(1)
Note. One of the discharge assistants may be a follower.
Dispensing,
subclass 254 , for similar combinations in fluent material dispensers,
and subclass 227 for such combinations in which the first of the series
is an agitator.
This subclass is indented under subclass 224. Devices in which one of the discharge assistants is for
the type which applies a force which is exerted through all of the
articles tending to move the entire supply toward the egress outlet,
and which is movable relative to other supply supporting or containing
structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Devices having (1) means to render the follower useless,
(2) means to draw the follower back into the supply container, or
(3) means to disengage the follower from movement obstructing means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Devices in which the supply receptacle has an opening and
a lid or closure therefor, and a discharge assistant which cooperates
with or operates in said closure or lid to segregate articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 228. Devices in which the cooperation between the lid or closure
and the discharge assistant is such that in the normal operation
of the device, actuation of the discharge assistant to discharge articles
is effected by movement of the closure or lid.
for dispensers for concurrently separating and distorting
flexible articles in which movement of a wall portion causes ejector
operation, no follower being included.
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Devices in which the follower and at least one other discharge
assistant are provided with separate actuating means which are physically connected
together so as to give controlled relative motion to the follower
and discharge assistant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Devices in which a discharge assistant which has motion
about a fixed axis in one direction only to act directly upon the
article being separated to force the article from the source is included
in combination with the follower.
This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Devices in which a discharge assistant which has a backward
and forward, or to and fro motion to act directly upon the article
bring separated to force the article from the source of supply is
included in combination with the follower.
Cutlery,
subclass 40 for razors claimed in combination with dispensing
type blade magazines, many of which include reciprocating discharge
assistant means combined with followers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 224. Devices having a discharge assistant in the form of a movable
compartment which embraces articles as they are separated from the
supply source, and having other means to exert a force to discharge
such articles from the compartment.
This subclass is indented under subclass 233. Devices in which the segregating chamber and the means to
exert a force to discharge the articles therefrom are physically
connected together.
This subclass is indented under subclass 233. Devices in which the means to exert a force to discharge
the articles is a movable element which is capable of extending
into the segregating chamber and is gravity or spring biased so
as to be normally so extended.
This subclass is indented under subclass 224. Devices in which the plurality of discharge assistant or
handling means act individually and serially upon the articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Devices in which the plurality of discharge assistant and/or
handling means each has movement about a fixed axis in one direction only.
Dispensing,
subclasses 236+ for fluent material dispensing devices in which
a rotary agitator or discharge assistant is followed by another
rotary discharge assistant to cause discharge of the fluent material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Devices in which the plurality of discharge assistants and/or
handling means each has a character of motion which is alternately
forward and backward, to and fro, or in alternate directions.
Dispensing,
subclasses 243+ for reciprocating (including oscillating) agitators
or discharge assistant means followed by other reciprocating or oscillating
discharge assistant means in fluent material dispensing devices.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices having means to receive and support segregated articles
after they have been dispensed by the discharge assisting means
and having associated therewith some means to detachably clamp or
grip such articles.
(1)
Note. See References to Other Classes of the class definition
for a discussion of the relationship of this subclass and of Class
221 in general to the various work modifying and work feeding classes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant exerts its force
either on irregularities or protuberances on the general outlines
of the articles or upon portions of the articles which are doubled over
upon the remainder of the articles or upon the material connecting
such doubled over portions.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes discharge assistants which cooperate
with a preformed hole or aperture in the articles.
for dispensers which segregate and orient articles
with respect to irregularities or (protuberances) in the shapes
of the articles, and especially subclasses 164+, wherein
the articles are selectively separated from the supply by means
engaging such irregularities.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which means are provided to selectively vary
the dimensions of the dispenser or some part thereof to thereby
accommodate different size articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices wherein the connection between the actuating means
and the discharge assistant is such that during part of its discharge
assisting actuating travel the actuator or a part thereof may move
without producing any movement of the discharge assistant, or wherein
a wall or walls of the outlet area or receiving area for the dispensed
articles are movably mounted and biased to normal position, yielding
under pressure of jammed or over supplied articles to provide additional
space for articles or to allow some of them to escape from the desired
dispensing path.
(1)
Note. The lost motion in the actuator may be for delay or
correlation of operations, although its usual purpose is to avoid
breakage if the articles jam or an over-supply accumulates.
for article dispensers with malfunctioning responsive
means which (1) supply the deficiency of articles by means other
than restoring the device to operative condition, (2) change the mode
of operation of the device to overcome the difficulty or (3) stop
the operation of the dispenser.
for means for removing improperly positioned articles
from a previously aligned row in a dispenser for orienting and discharging
asymmetrical articles.
Dispensing,
subclass 318 for discharge assistants for fluent material which
have means to return dispensed material to the supply; subclasses 337+ and
512 for fluent material dispensers having material confining walls
which are yieldably mounted and normally biased to joint sealing position;
subclasses 345+ for striking or cleaning means for movable
or conveyor type trap chambers for dispensing fluent materials.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assisting means is of such
a nature and is so supported that it changes its position of rest
relative to the container and the plane of its action in order to engage
successive article as the supply is progressively depleted.
Dispensing,
subclass 405 for fluent material dispensing devices having discharge
assistants in which the discharge of material is from the top of the
supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant includes means
to prevent retrograde motion prior to completion of a full discharging
cycle to insure a full stroke of the mechanism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the supply container is a receptacle having
an opening and lid or closure which has sliding motion across the
said opening and in which segregation is caused by the sliding motion
of the lid or closure.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes devices in which sliding movement
of the cover acts to segregate an article from the remainder of
the supply, but does not necessarily affirmatively move any of the
article. See (3) Note to the definition of subclass 208.
for article dispensers combined with igniting means
in which movement of a container part initiates operation of the
lighter and dispenser combination.
Special Receptacle or Package,
subclasses 37+ and 38+ for a pocket type receptacle not
including discharge assistant means, or other structure of a nature
to define an article dispenser under the class definition of Class 221.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant directly engages
and pushes the article to be dispensed toward an egress outlet,
the egress outlet having a closure member which operates independently
of the segregating function and which has motion relative to the
ejector.
for article dispensing devices in which segregation
is caused by sliding movement of a cover element relative to the
container, and see the search notes thereto.
This subclass is indented under subclass 247. Devices in which (1) the discharge assistant and the closure
means are physically interconnected so as to have controlled movement
relative to one another or to the egress opening, or (2) the discharge
assistant is so arranged as to prevent operation of the closure
in certain positions of its operating cycle.
for article dispensing devices in which discharge
assisting means are so related to a sliding container cover that
movement of the cover causes segregation of articles from the source of
supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 248. Devices in which the connection between the closure and
the discharge assistant is such that, in the normal operation of
the device, movement of the closure results in operation of the discharge
assistant to discharge articles.
for dispensers for concurrently separating and distorting
flexible articles in which movement of a wall portion causes ejector
operation, no follower being included.
This subclass is indented under subclass 247. Devices in which the closure is opened by a force imparted
to it through an emerging article by a discharge assistant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices having means other than the discharge assistant
or the edge of the egress opening for engaging articles other than
the article to be discharged to restrain such articles from movement
in an egress direction.
for dispensers having multiple, simultaneously acting
and circumposed discharge assistants which are mostly for separating
and dispensing stacked cup shaped articles and usually include holdback
means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices having a plurality of points of egress towards which
the discharge assistant forces the article to be dispensed.
(1)
Note. One egress point may be a pressure operated release
for surplus article discharged or those which are rejected by the
discharge assistant, through which articles leave the system.
for article dispensing devices having discharge
assistant means and in which yieldable walls are provided in the
outlet path which move under the pressure of jammed or over supplied articles
to allow such articles to escape from or be removed from the discharge
path, and see the search notes to that subclass.
Dispensing,
subclasses 330+ for fluent material dispensers provided with discharge
assistants and having plural material outlets, and subclasses 478+ for
such dispensers not having claimed discharge assistants.
Conveyors: Power-Driven, appropriate subclasses for conveyor formed of or including
in their structure, an endless belt; particularly
subclasses 688.1+ for an endless belt having load adhering or friction
enhancing means; subclasses 701+ for an endless belt carrying
buckets; subclasses 793+ for an endless belt carrying platforms; and
804+ for an apron type endless belt conveyor supporting
a load on a surface thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant comprises means
movable within the supply container and through the supply to segregate
and raise articles to a point of discharge, said point of discharge
being at a higher elevation than the articles in the container.
for orienting type article dispensing devices in
which movable lifting means engage the articles and lift them to
separate them from the source of supply.
for stack forming article dispensers in which movable
chutes or parts thereof within the supply hopper lift the articles
therefrom in dispensing them and forming stacks thereof.
for dispensers having a vertically movable supply
container which may have a normally stationary ejector extending
into the supply container to segregate an article in response to
the vertical movement.
for endless belt carried discharge assistants which
move through a supply hopper to separate articles and raise them
to an elevated point of discharge.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant has means or a
surface other than the means or surface which imparts the segregating
motion to articles for supporting or holding the segregated articles
for removal by hand after their removal from the source of supply.
(1)
Note. The surfaces of a trap chamber of the single inlet
and outlet type, as provided for in subclass 266 serve variously to
push the article in a segregating direction and to support the article.
Accordingly, such devices are classified in subclass 256, indented
under this subclass, when they retain the articles for manual removal.
for devices having a discharge assistant which separates
and raises articles to an elevated point of discharge, the discharge
assistant usually retaining the article for manual removal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 255. Devices in which the discharge assistant has a recess or
pocket for holding the articles for manual removal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 256. Devices wherein the discharge assistant is so formed as
to facilitate ready removal of an article from the recess or pocket
as, for example, with a finger receiving slot.
Dispensing,
subclasses 333+ for motor-operated discharge assistants for fluent
material dispensers, and see the search notes thereto for other
subclasses in Class 222 which may involve motor operation of such
dispensers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices wherein the discharge assistant applies force to
an article only by frictional contact with a surface of the article,
the force being substantially tangent or parallel to the surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant or the actuator
therefor includes at least one member which is flexible, such member
necessarily flexing incident to the discharge operation.
(1)
Note. A spring biased discharge assistant as distinguished
from a spring form discharge assistant is not here included, but
is classified elsewhere in this group according to the type of discharge
assistant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant acts directly upon
the article being separated and pushes the article against a guide
to alter its direction of travel.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant in discharging
articles partakes of more than one character of motion, either simultaneously
or successively, in the normal operation thereof (as rotating and
reciprocating or reciprocating and swinging, etc.) or partakes of
motions which are discontinuous and in different unaligned paths
if of the same character.
(1)
Note. Rotation is considered to be only one character of
motion.
for article dispensers with discharge assistants
which have impaling means and which strip articles from the impaling
means by a motion of the discharge assistant which may be a compound
motion.
Dispensing,
subclass 357 for fluent material dispensing devices having trap
chamber structures which partake of a compound movement in performing
the dispensing function, and subclass 404 for fluent material dispensers
having other types of discharge assistants with compound motions.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant is provided with
a compartment or cooperates with relatively fixed structure to form
a compartment which substantially embraces the article being discharged
for at least a portion of the discharge movement.
(1)
Note. See the reference to Class 222, paragraph (d) in search
class notes to section VI of the class definition of this class
(221) for a statement of the line between Classes 222 and 221 as
to trap (segregating) chamber structures.
(2)
Note. The compartment may be of skeleton or lattice form.
for pivotally mounted supply containers delivering
to fixed trap chambers, the relative motion and the nature of the
elements being similar to those classified in this and the indented
subclasses.
for article dispensers of the type in which articles
are released for gravity deposit on a support for manual removal
and in which the articles are so released by movable segregating chamber
discharge assisting means.
for article adhering or gripping type discharge
assistants in which the articles are affirmatively held or gripped as
they are removed from the source of supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 263. Devices in which the segregating chamber has both an ingress
and egress which are in line so as to provide a through passage.
This subclass is indented under subclass 263. Devices in which the segregating chamber has one opening
which serves both for the ingress from the supply and for discharge.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the egress is provided with elastic or
spring biased means which serve to retain and hold back the articles
in the supply source and against which means articles are successively
brought to bear by an ejector as they are discharged.
for ejector combinations involving relatively movable
closure means, which closure means act to release articles only
after they have been segregated from the supply source.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant has a character
of motion which is alternately forward and backward, to and fro,
or in reverse directions in the same path.
for stack forming article dispensers in which oscillating
pivoted chute sections operate within the supply hopper to assist
discharge of articles therefrom.
for article dispensers in which articles which have
been segregated by gravity release means are acted upon by force
applying means to cause a reciprocating movement thereof.
Dispensing,
subclasses 409+ for fluent material dispensers having reciprocating
(including oscillating) discharge assistants, and see the search
notes thereto.
This subclass is indented under subclass 268. Devices in which the egress opening is provided with a closure,
the closure, and the discharge assistant being rigidly connected.
for dispensers which concurrently separate and distort
flexible articles and in which ejecting means are actuated by source
container section movement.
for article dispensers having follower structures
combined with ejecting means in which the ejecting means is interrelated
with the source container cover for cooperation therewith.
This subclass is indented under subclass 268. Devices in which the discharge assistant includes an article
engaging part or section which is drawn back toward or within its
supporting means to avoid jamming or interference with other articles
on its return stroke.
This subclass is indented under subclass 268. Devices in which a discharge assistant is resiliently urged
to discharge an article in its return to rest position.
This subclass is indented under subclass 268. Devices in which the motion of the discharge assistant is
imparted by means having motion relative to the discharge assistant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 272. Devices in which motion of the discharge assistant is imparted
by the movement of a tapering or eccentrically curving body.
This subclass is indented under subclass 272. Devices in which motion of the discharge assistant is imparted
by the movement of rigid linkages turnable on pivots.
This subclass is indented under subclass 272. Devices in which the motion of the discharge assistant is
imparted by the movement of a rotatable body by rolling contact.
Dispensing,
subclasses 336+ for fluent material dispensers having biasing means
generally, and see particularly subclasses 340+ for such
devices in which the biasing means is for a reciprocating piston
or follower type material impelling device.
for article dispensers of the stack forming type
in which members rotatable or oscillatable about inclined axes are
effective to segregate articles from a source of supply.
Dispensing,
subclasses 630+ for fluent material dispensing devices having fluid
flow discharge means, and subclasses 394+ for fluid pressure
discharge assistant means in fluent material dispensers.
Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for apparatus wherein carriers are
pneumatically dispatched between stations or terminals. See particularly
subclasses 108+ for 221 type dispensers which serve as intakes to
fluid current conveyors.
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Devices in which the discharge assistant applies a force
which is exerted through all of the articles tending to move the
entire supply of articles toward the egress outlet, and has motion
relative to other structure which supports or contains the supply
of articles.
for article dispensers in which latch means on a
follower engage a discharge means to inhibit further actuation of
the discharge means when the source of supply is empty.
This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Devices including additional static means in the path of
the moving supply serving to effect movement of the leading articles
sidewise of the said supply toward the outlet.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which a supply container or dispensing
means associated therewith has an egress opening and some other opening,
the latter opening being for replacing the supply when depleted,
or for affording admittance for some other purpose, as for example,
for adjustment or for clearing of jams.
(1)
Note. Shifting or removal of the container or a part thereof
to give access to the handling means is included.
for article dispensers of the type which concurrently
distort articles as they are dispensed and which are provided with
separate replenishment inlet means.
for other source container covers which additionally
include a discharge assistant which cooperate with or operate in
said cover to segregate articles.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having either (1) an outer covering enclosing
the dispenser in whole or in part or (2) particular means for maintaining
a dispenser unit or entity against the force of gravity, such means
being more than the mere means of sustaining one part of the device
relative to another or mere nominal base or pedestal means.
(1)
Note. The maintaining or supporting means or the exterior
casing must be in addition to the wall structure of the article
holding container or magazine and its discharge means. Thus, if
the casing serves directly as a magazine or hopper and its extended
sidewall merely houses the actuating means or an outlet chute or spout,
classification is not in this group but in appropriate other subclasses.
Conversely, if supporting means or casing structure in addition
to that which merely houses the articles or dispensing means is
significantly claimed, or if a particular supporting or maintaining means
or casing structure is claimed, classification is in this and the
indented subclasses.
Dispensing,
subclasses 173+ for fluent material dispensing combinations including
casing or support structures, subclasses 325+ for fluent
material dispensers having cartridges or removable chambers as the
supply source thereof, and subclass 179 for foot pedal operated
fluent material dispensers.
Supports: Cabinet Structure, appropriate subclasses for cabinet structures including
article holding means of types not involving dispensing under this
class definition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 282. Devices in which the article dispensing device is supported
in its operative position, by either (1) means of greater height
than the dispensing device and from which the dispensing device
is hung, or (2) by a frame member attachable to the dispensing device
and, at one side thereof, to a wall or other supporting surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 282. Devices in which the support has weight means incorporated
therein to stabilize the structure against movement.
This subclass is indented under subclass 282. Devices in which the support is of such structure that the
receptacle which forms the source of supply is held in a position
in which its longitudinal axis is inclined to the horizontal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 282. Devices in which the casing or outer covering is of such
proportions and so positioned relative to the dispenser as to provide
an intervening space between the casing and the dispenser.
(1)
Note. The space between the dispenser and the outer casing
must not be for removable storage of articles or other material
but merely for dead air or nonremovable material. Where such a
space stores matter for dispensing or for other types of removal,
classification is in this class, in subclasses 92+ and
especially in subclasses 97+ where the spaced covering
provides a nondispensing compartment.
Dispensing,
subclass 131 for fluent material dispensers having at least
one compartment, container or spaced jacket which is not for dispensing,
and subclass 183 for jacketed fluent material dispensers.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having a receptacle disconnectibly associated
with dispensing, release or outlet means in such a manner as to house
the articles to be dispensed.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers having a segregating chamber so connected
to the source of supply that the organization must be tilted either
to segregate an article to place it in the chamber or to discharge
the article therefrom.
(1)
Note. The distinction between this subclass 288 and subclasses
186+ is that in the patents placed in the latter group there
must be a claimed mounting for the container.
for dispensers, usually of the pill-box type, in
which the receptacle cover and container are slidingly moved relative
to one another to segregate an article, and the dispenser is then
titled to discharge the article.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which articles to be dispensed are
segregated from a source of supply by the alternate interposition
and removal of means in the path of normal gravitational movement
of the articles.
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Devices having means for applying a force to cause nongravity
movement of the segregated articles subsequent to the segregation
of such articles from the source of supply.
and 171+, for dispensing devices including
article orienting means and especially subclasses 171+ for
orienting by the manipulation of successive individual articles
which have been previously segregated from a source of supply.
This subclass is indented under subclass 290. Devices in which the means for applying a force is of a
type which rotates the vertical axis of the articles through substantially
180°.
This subclass is indented under subclass 292. Devices in which the means interposable and removable from
the path of the articles to effect segregation thereof and the means
to apply a force to subsequently move said articles are mechanically
co-related so as to have controlled movement relative to one another.
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Devices having means to receive and support segregated articles
after they have been dispensed by the releasing or separating means and
having associated therewith some means to detachably clamp or grip
such articles.
for similar devices in which article segregation
is caused by discharge assisting means and see the class definition
for a discussion of the relationship of this subclass and of Class
221 in general to the various work modifying and work feeding classes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Devices having a blocking means preventing the operation
of the article segregating means, such latter means in the normal
gravitational path of movement of the articles being operated by
the weight of the articles.
for means blocking or disabling an ejector or releaser
and having a force applying means operative to affirmatively operate
said ejector or releaser, and see the search notes thereto.
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Devices in which the means interposable and removable from
the path of the articles is so arranged, either by the placing of
pluralities of such elements or otherwise, as to result in the segregation
of more than one article at each cycle of operation of the device.
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Devices in which there are two or more sets of removable
and interposable members, the sets being positioned at spaced points
about the periphery of the discharge path of the articles, and acting
on the same article at the same time to control the release of the
articles.
for article dispensers having multiple discharge
assistants which are similarly placed and actuated, i.e., multiple,
simultaneously acting and circumposed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Devices having a plurality of interposable and removable
members which are separately mounted at positions spaced along the
discharge path of the article and which have movement relative to
each other.
This subclass is indented under subclass 289. Devices having a plurality of alternately interposable and
removable members which are spaced along the discharge path and
are immovably connected with one another by virtue of attachment
to a common supporting element.
for discharge assisting movable segregating chambers,
some of which are in the form of plural integral transversely acting
article embracing members which not only control gravity movement
of articles but also impart an affirmative segregating force thereto.
Dispensing,
subclasses 451+ for fluent material type dispensers having stationary
trap chambers with rigidly interconnected or unitary cut-offs for both
the inlets and outlets thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 299. Devices in which there are at least three commonly supported,
interposable and removable members spaced along the path of egress.
This subclass is indented under subclass 299. Devices in which the supporting element is so mounted as
to have angular back and forth movement about the point of mounting.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which the egress opening for the articles
is provided with means which initially block passage of article
through said opening and which must be broken, torn, or otherwise
ruptured to allow the passage of articles therethrough.
for article dispensers having frangible outlets
in which a separate instrumentality is included in combination with the
frangible or knockout portion, to cut, pierce or break it.
Receptacles,
subclass 265 for frangible or knockout type closures for metallic
receptacles, and subclass 260 for opening devices of the closures
of metallic receptacles which are combinations of cutting, puncturing
or ripping means with weakened or frangible portions of such receptacles.
Dispensing,
subclasses 541.1+ for dispensing devices of the fluent material type
provided with frangible elements for the outlets thereof, and subclasses
81+ for combinations of such structures with cutters or punches
to form dispensing openings in the containers.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers comprising an egress opening of lesser
extent than the dimensions of the articles to be delivered as stored,
or having some other means whereby succeeding articles are successively
retarded or held back from escape therethrough.
(1)
Note. See "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter"C "(1) Discharge Outlet Means" subsection
(1) for a discussion of discharge outlet means as provided for in
this class.
for dispensers for flexible articles in which the
outlet openings are of lesser extent than the articles and in which the
articles are distorted as they are separated.
This subclass is indented under subclass 303. Devices in which the dispensing unit is initially in substantially
planar knock-down form, and which is folded to form the dispensing
assembly.
This subclass is indented under subclass 303. Devices in which the egress opening is provided with elastic
means which tend to return to normal shape after being distorted
by the withdrawal of an article.
(1)
Note. In this and the indented subclasses, "resilient" or "elastic" is
construed to include spring biased article retaining or hold back
means which means is effective on each article successively.
for yieldable wall structures for emergency release
of articles being forcibly discharged, in case of jamming or over-supply
by the discharge assistant.
This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Devices comprising a plurality of elastic means which are
spaced along the discharge path to successively engage the articles
upon withdrawal thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Devices in which the egress opening is relieved exposing
a portion of the article to thereby permit grasping of the article
for removal.
(1)
Note. These devices are by disclosure mostly adapted for
slender, cylindrical articles, such as matches.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers in which a means to conduct the dispensed
articles to a discharge point in provided with a portion near said
point which abruptly deviates from the normal direction of the conducting
means in order to dispose the last article or articles in a more accessible
location or position.
(1)
Note. See "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" C, subsection 2 (c) and "Receptacles,
Cabinets, Racks, and other Static Structures"of the class
definition for further discussions of this subject matter, including
statements as to the lines with other classes.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Article dispensers not otherwise provided for.
(1)
Note. For example, in this subclass are accumulated, as originals
and cross-references, interior guiding means for directing articles
to the outlet as in a thin stream, etc.
for dispensers of the concurrent separation and
distortion type having stationary guide or abutment means to deflect
the leading edges of flexible articles as they are moved toward
or through a discharge outlet.
for article dispensers in which an ejector acts
directly on an article being separated and pushes the article against
a guide to alter the direction of travel.
for article dispensers in which a follower and a
static means in the path of the moving supply causes movement of
the leading article sideways of said path towards an outlet point.
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