Dispensing System

摘要

A dispensing system includes a container securing mechanism configured to secure a container in a fully engaged position suitable for dispensing a substance held within the container and further configured to release the container from the fully engaged position upon the actuation of a container release actuator. The system further includes a container stop mechanism configured to stop the container in a disengaged position upon release of the container from the container securing mechanism, the disengaged position being between the fully engaged position and a position in which the container is fully released from the system.

主权项

1. A dispensing system comprising, in combination:
a container securing mechanism configured to secure a container having an elongated container axis in a fully engaged position suitable for dispensation of a substance in the container and further configured to selectively alternatively support said container in said fully engaged position or release the container from the fully engaged position; a container release actuator operatively associated with said container securing mechanism to release the container from the fully engaged position and allow said container to fall downwardly under the influence of gravity along a path of movement substantially corresponding to the elongated container axis; and a container stop mechanism below said container securing mechanism configured to halt downward movement of the container along said path of movement under the influence of gravity and locate the container at a disengaged position upon release of the container from the container securing mechanism responsive to actuation of said container release actuator, the disengaged position being between the fully engaged position and a fully released position in which the container is fully released from the dispensing system, said container stop mechanism operable to releasably engage said container whereby a downwardly directed force of sufficient magnitude exerted on said container while releasably engaged by the container stop mechanism will be operable to cause complete separation of said container from said stop mechanism and allow further movement of said container along said path of movement to said fully released position, the container moving along the same path of movement both when the container is inserted into said dispensing system and when the container is removed from said dispensing system.