Title:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARTICLE CONTACT DETECTION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001096142
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
An article dispensing apparatus, as in a vending machine (10), including a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser (220) for retrieving articles (223) from a storage area (215). In one embodiment, a sensor (600) having an output (508) responsive to changes in partial pressure inside the air hose (220), such that an airflow sensor (600) coupled to the suction-hose (224), can initially act to sense the timing of contact of the suction-hose (224) with an article (223) to be dispensed. As long as suction is provided to the gripping end of the suction-hose (224) to the hose contacting the article (223) to be retrieved, the airflow inside the hose (224) will change dramatically as the gripping end of the suction-hose (224) contact with the article (223).
Inventors:
CHIRNOMAS MUNROE (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/016916
Publication Date:
May 02, 2002
Filing Date:
May 23, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
CHIRNOMAS MUNROE (US)
International Classes:
G07F5/18; G07F9/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/10; G07F11/16; G07F11/62; (IPC1-7): B65G59/00
Foreign References:
| US5240139A | 1993-08-31 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1289865A4
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