| 摘要 |
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).
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