Method and apparatus for positioning an article handling device

Abstract

An article dispensing device of the type having a housing for defining an internal volume. The internal volume having a dimension along a first axis which has at one end of the dimension an article storage sub-volume, and at an opposing end of the dimension adjacent a dispensing end of the article storage sub-volume, an article dispensing sub-volume. An article storage structure is positioned in the article storage sub-volume and stores therein articles in columns along a plurality of longitudinal axes paraxially aligned with the first axis. An article dispensing mechanism includes a head adapted to engage and secure to an article stored in the article storage structure. The dispensing mechanism includes a substantially non-compressible tube connecting the head to a source of article securing energy. A feeder displaces the tube so as to move the head along the first axis (Z) and a first positioning device moving the feeder along a second axis different from the first axis. All the while, the article storage sub-volume utilizes 75 percent or more of said internal dimension along the first axis of the cabinet.

1 . An article dispensing device, comprising: 
 a housing for defining an internal volume therein, said volume having a dimension along a first axis which has at one end of the dimension an article storage sub-volume, and at an opposing end of the dimension adjacent a dispensing end of the article storage sub-volume, an article dispensing sub-volume;    an article storage structure positioned in the article storage sub-volume, said article storage structure storing articles in columns along a plurality of longitudinal axes paraxially aligned with the first axis; and    an article dispensing mechanism, including,    a head adapted to engage and secure to an article stored in the article storage structure;    a substantially non-compressible tube connecting the head to a source of article securing energy;    a feeder displacing the tube so as to move the head along the first axis (Z); and    a first positioning device moving the feeder along a second axis different from the first axis; wherein    the article storage sub-volume utilizes 75 percent or more of said internal dimension along the first axis of the cabinet.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said tube comprises a suction-conducting tube, and said source of article securing energy comprises a source of suction.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a second positioning device for moving the first positioning device along a third axis (X).  
   
   
       4 . The article handling device of  claim 3 , wherein movement of the head with respect to the first, second and third axes corresponds to movement in a Cartesian (X, Y, Z) coordinate system.  
   
   
       5 . An article dispensing device, comprising: 
 a housing for defining an internal volume therein, said volume having a dimension along a first axis which has at one end of the dimension an article storage sub-volume, and at an opposing end of the dimension adjacent a dispensing end of the article storage sub-volume, an article dispensing sub-volume;    an article storage structure positioned in the article storage sub-volume, said article storage structure storing articles in columns along a plurality of longitudinal axes paraxially aligned with the first axis; and    an article dispensing mechanism, including,    a head adapted to engage and secure to an article stored in the article storage structure;    a substantially non-compressible tube connecting the head to a source of article securing energy;    a feeder displacing the tube so as to move the head along the first axis (Z); and    a first positioning device moving the feeder along a second axis different from the first axis; wherein    the article dispensing sub-volume utilizes 25 percent or less of said internal dimension along the first axis of the cabinet.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said tube comprises a suction-conducting tube, and said source of article securing energy comprises a source of suction.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , further including a second positioning device for moving the first positioning device along a third axis (X).  
   
   
       8 . The article handling device of  claim 7 , wherein movement of the head with respect to the first, second and third axes corresponds to movement in a Cartesian (X, Y, Z) coordinate system.  
   
   
       9 . An article dispensing device, comprising: 
 a housing for defining an internal volume therein, said volume having a dimension along a first axis which has at one end of the dimension an article storage sub-volume, and at an opposing end of the dimension adjacent a dispensing end of the article storage sub-volume, an article dispensing sub-volume;    an article storage structure positioned in the article storage sub-volume, said article storage structure storing articles in columns along a plurality of longitudinal axes paraxially aligned with the first axis; and    an article dispensing mechanism, including,    a head adapted to engage and secure to an article stored in the article storage structure;    a substantially non-compressible tube connecting the head to a source of article securing energy;    a feeder displacing the tube so as to move the head along the first axis (Z); and    a first positioning device moving the feeder along a second axis different from the first axis; wherein 
 when the first positioning device moves the head along the second axis, the positioning device including the head moves at all times in a portion of said internal dimension that is less than a given percentage of said internal dimension, and the feeder is able to displace the head along the first axis by an amount that is greater than three times the given percentage.  
   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said tube comprises a suction-conducting tube, and said source of article securing energy comprises a source of suction.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said source of article securing energy comprises a blower motor.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of claims  9 , further including a second positioning device for moving the first positioning device along a third axis (X).  
   
   
       13 . The article handling device of  claim 12 , wherein movement of the head with respect to the first, second and third axes corresponds to movement in a Cartesian (X, Y, Z) coordinate system.