Flexible ejector mechanism for a cartridge dispenser in an automated order system.

摘要

A flexible belt ejector mechanism (300) for dispensing products (500a) from a product cartridge (400) onto a conveyor (201) in an automated order system (AOS). The flexible belt (301) is disposed in an L-shaped guide track (305,307) that is mounted adjacent to the cartridge (400) with the ejector and dispenser oriented at a compound angle with respect to the underlying conveyor (201) for efficient operation and resupply of the system. A pneumatic actuator (329) is coupled to the belt (301) to cause the belt (301) to travel along the L-shaped track (305,307) and eject the bottom-most product (500a) from the cartridge (400). The L-shape of the ejector (301) minimizes the space required for the ejector mechanism (300) enabling more product dispensers (400) to be installed in the AOS over a given fixed conveyor (201) length. <IMAGE>