Disc dispenser

Claim 2

A disc dispenser for dispensing discs from cartridges to a compartmented container having an array of compartments having top openings for insertion of said discs, said dispenser comprising a base fixture, a dispensing table mechanism mounted upon said base fixture, said dispensing table mechanism having an array of upper and lower holes offset a predetermined distance from each other, cartridge-supporting means disposed on said dispensing table mechanism for holding said cartridges above said upper holes for successively dispensing discs into them, an apertured dispensing plate means mounted in said dispensing table mechanism for sliding movement from alignment with said upper holes to alignment with said lower holes, drive means connected to said dispensing table mechanism for moving said dispensing plate means from one said alignment to the other whereby discs received from said upper holes are carried and dropped into said lower holes, a compartmented container-receiving chamber disposed under said dispensing table mechanism and within said base fixture for holding said compartmented container with its apertures aligned with said lower holes to cause said discs dispensed through said lower holes to drop into said compartments in said container, and auxiliary apertures in said dispensing table mechanism subatantially aligned with said lower holes to permit visual verification of dispensed discs and to facilitate clearing discs which may jam in said lower holes.

Claim 3

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dispensing table mecHanism comprises a pair of upper and lower spaced parallel apertured plates, said array of upper holes being disposed in said upper apertured plate and said lower holes being disposed in said lower apertured plate, said dispensing table mechanism also comprising an apertured dispensing plate mounted inbetween said spaced parallel apertured plates for sliding movement from alignment with said upper holes to alignment with said lower holes.

Claim 4

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cartridge-supporting means comprises a top apertured plate disposed a short distance above said spaced parallel plates.

Claim 5

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 3 wherein said auxiliary apertures are provided in said top apertured plate.

Claim 6

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dispensing table mechanism has a plurality of sockets for receiving individual disc dispensers, an individual disc dispenser being disposable in each of said sockets, each of said individual disc dispensers incorporating said upper and lower holes, a locking means on the dispensing table mechanism for engaging said individual disc dispensers in said sockets and securing them to said dispensing table mechanism said drive means being connected with said individual disc dispensers whereby said disc dispensers are simultaneously operated to dispense discs from each of the individual disc dispensers and discharge them into said compartmented container.

Claim 7

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said disc dispensers incorporates a body extending laterally therefrom, and said sockets being constructed and arranged for disposing the bodies of disc dispensers installed in said sockets in alternate directions whereby space is provided therebetween for actuating said dispensers.

Claim 8

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein said dispensing table mechanism incorporates a top apertured receiving plate and a lower base plate for holding the bodies of said dispensers and supporting them.

Claim 9

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 7 wherein a sliding locking plate having a plurality of locking surfaces is incorporated in said dispensing table mechanism for engaging said individual dispensers and holding them securely in position for dispensing discs.

Claim 10

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said individual dispensers has a locking projection extending laterally from it, and said sliding locking plate comprises a locking frame plate member having a plurality of locking lugs disposed within it for engaging said locking projections on said individual dispensers.

Claim 11

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 9 wherein said locking frame plate member has a plurality of L-shaped lugs extending inwardly within it.

Claim 12

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said individual disc dispensers has an actuating pin, and said drive means comprises a sliding cam plate having a plurality of cam elements with one of said cam elements operatively engaging each of said actuating pins.

Claim 13

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 10 wherein said sliding cam plate comprises a substantially rectangular cam frame plate, said cam elements comprise sloped surfaces extending inwardly within said cam frame plate.

Claim 14

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 12 wherein a framed locking plate having a plurality of locking lugs extending inwardly thereform is disposed adjacent said cam frame plate, said framed locking plate having a plurality of L-shaped lugs extending inwardly within it.

Claim 15

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein said drive means comprises a plunger, end supports on said base fixture, a channel in one of said supports for receiving said plunger, and a connecting drive linkage connected between said dispensing table mechanism and said plunger for actuating said dispensing table mechanism.

Claim 16

A disc dispenser as set forth in claim 14 wherein said connecting drive linkage comprises a flexible cable.

Claim 17

A disc dispenser as seT forth in claim 5 wherein said compartmented container-receiving chamber comprises a lower base plate spaced below said dispensing table mechanism a sufficient distance to receive said compartmented container therebetween, and aligning lugs on said base plate for holding said compartmented container in alignment with the holes in the dispensing table mechanism.

Claim 18

A ganged antibiotic disc dispenser for supplying antibiotic discs from cartridges to a compartmented container having an array of compartments each having an aperture for insertion of said antibiotic discs, said dispenser comprising a base, a pair of upper and lower parallel spaced apertured plates mounted upon said base, said pair or parallel spaced apertured plates each having an array of holes offset a predetermined distance from each other, an apertured dispensing plate mounted inbetween said spaced plates for sliding movement from alignment with one of said array of holes to alignment with the other, drive means on said base for moving said dispensing plate from one said alignment to the other whereby discs received from said upper spaced plate are carried and dropped into said lower spaced plate, a compartmented container receiving chamber disposed between said base and said lower spaced plate for holding said compartmented container with its apertures aligned with the apertures in said lower spaced plate to cause said disc dispensed through said lower spaced plate to drop into said compartment in said container, cartridge supporting means disposed on said base above said spaced plates for holding said cartridges above the apertures in said upper spaced plate to successively dispense discs into it, and auxiliary apertures in the said upper spaced plate substantially aligned with said apertures in said lower spaced plate to facilitate clearing discs which may jam in said apertures of said lower spaced plate.

Claim 19

A ganged antibiotic disc dispenser for supplying antibiotic discs from cartridges to a compartmented container having an array of compartments each having an aperture for insertion of said antibiotic discs, said dispenser comprising a base, a pair of upper and lower parallel spaced apertured plates mounted upon said base, said pair or parallel spaced apertured plates each having an array of holes offset a predetermined distance from each other, an apertured dispensing plate mounted inbetween said spaced plates for sliding movement from alignment with one of said array of holes to alignment with the other, drive means on said base for moving said dispensing plate from one said alignment to the other whereby discs received from said upper spaced plate are carried and dropped into said lower spaced plate, a compartmented container receiving chamber disposed between said base and said lower spaced plate for holding said compartmented container with its apertures aligned with the apertures in said lower spaced plate to cause said disc dispensed through said lower spaced plate to drop into said compartment in said container, cartridge supporting means disposed on said base above said spaced plates for holding said cartridges above the apertures in said upper spaced plate to successively dispense discs into it, and auxiliary apertures in the said upper spaced plate substantially aligned with said apertures in said lower spaced plate to facilitate clearing discs which may jam in said apertures of said lower spaced plate.

Claim 20

A ganged antibiotic disc dispenser as set forth in claim 17 wherein said cartridge supporting means comprises an upper apertured plate disposed a short distance above said spaced plates.

Claim 21

A ganged antibiotic disc dispenser as set forth in claim 18 wherein said base and said upper apertured plate are comprised of a pair of horizontal plates joined by a substantially vertical wall to comprise a channel, said pair of spaced plates and said drive means being connected to said substantially vertical wall, and an access opening being provided in said channel to provide access to said auxiliary apertures for inspection and clearing.

Claim 22

A ganged antibiotic disc dispenser as set forth in claim 19 wherein upper and lower slotted bars are provided in said receiving space for aligning said apertures in said compartmented container under said spaced parallel spaced plates.

Claim 23

A ganged antibiotic disc dispenser as set forth in claim 17 wherein said drive means comprises a splined shaft engaged with a pair of racks connected to the sides of said apertured dispensing plate.