US PATENT CLASS 221
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 221/
GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER
(A) The word "dispensing" is of such broad connotation in both dictionary definition and in the language of the published art relative to material handling that it is too indefinite to serve as a base for defining the limits and nature of a technological classification. Therefore a series of limits are set forth in detail to outline a definition of the phrase "article dispensing" as it is used in this class.
Subsequent reference to the phrase "article dispensing" always refers to devices within such limits.
(B) Article dispensing in a broad sense is that type of material handling which deals with certain types of methods of structures which allow or cause permissive or compulsive separation or a discrete article or articles from a source of supply of such articles which includes more articles than the number removed in any one operation. There must always be a supply container or other source means for providing a plurality of articles to be handled, and the article or articles must be handled by mechanism or be subject to manual handling, as a discrete solid entity, as distinguished from a fluent mass. The source means must be one in which there is an accumulation of articles and may be a skeletal chute structure or a mere support for a stack of articles.
(C) The types of means controlling separation of articles from sources of supply included in this class are described in the following subsections. Processes and apparatus not within limits of subject matter therein described are not considered to be dispensers under this class definition and are classified in appropriate other existing classifications. Article dispensers which are included are characterized by the subject matter of the following sections:
Discharge Outlet Means
Supply source Container or Holder Structure (Static Structure)
Releasing Means Structure
Discharge Assisting Means Cellular Magazine Type (Miscellaneous)
(1) Discharge Outlet Means
A mere opening coextensive with some dimension of articles to be dispensed, or larger with a normal mode of operation involving mere manual removal or gravity discharge, is not enough to characterize a dispenser for this class. An outlet having means to retard successive articles is considered to be a dispensing type outlet characteristic of article dispensers properly classifiable in this class.
The means to retard must be something other than the first article and something other than mere static outlet opening shapes and includes arrangements wherein an article is deformed in passing a rigid outlet or vice versa, i.e., the outlet is too small to pass the article in any of its dimensions as stored, either the article or the edges of the outlet being deformed.
The above limitations are not affected by the presence or absence of a closure member. Thus, a supply source provided
with outlet means as described in the preceding paragraphs, and having also closure means is proper subject matter for this class, whereas a source of supply (container) provided with a conventional opening and a closure therefor is proper subject matter for the appropriate receptacle or support class.
(2) Supply Source Container Or Holder Structure (Static Structures)
Devices in which the configuration or internal structure of the container or holder for the articles to be dispensed is specialized to the problem of the separation of articles being dealt out from a source, are considered to be dispensers and are included in this class. Examples of such structures included in this class with the limits thereof are:
(a) Internal structure of supply receptacles, as means at or near the outlet for retarding a succeeding article while the leading article is removed or for imparting a transverse article segregating motion to the articles.
(b) Trap chamber structure, that is, supply container configuration which creates identifiable trap means to isolate the leading article from the remainder of the articles for ease of removal. It is usually characterized by abrupt change of direction of the path of movement of the articles to hold back otherwise freely sliding or rolling succeeding articles in contact with the article or articles available for removal at one operation.
(c) Container, chute or rack structures of nonrectilinear configuration may be included in this class under certain circumstances such as (1) when the curve or angular turn in the container, chute or rack is such as to change the nature of a stack or arrangement of articles (as from end to end to side by side, or from a double row to a single row) so that article removal from the ultimate arrangement is easier than it would otherwise have been or, (2) when the curve or angular turn is specifically modified at or near the egress point to present an article or articles in such a way that they are relatively easily removable, as by changing the relative bearing on such article or articles of the succeeding articles on such article or articles. In this connection it is noted that it is common for article supporting rack structure to be curved or angular for purposes of space conservation or for controlling the direction or disposition of the inlet and/or outlet, and it is not intended that such structures should be classified in this class. It is also recognized that as a rack structure approaches a horizontal disposition the relative ease of removing articles increases, but this is considered to be a mere incident to the rack problem of space conservation and directional disposition and not to warrant classification in this dispensing class. (3) Releasing Means Structure
A source of supply of articles having an outlet or outlet path provided with mechanical means to control the movement of articles through the outlet or along the path by releasing the foremost article or articles for unassisted gravity movement while restraining movement of succeeding articles is a dispenser under this class. In the cellular magazine type this release may be effected by the progressive collapse of a collapsible or flexible cellular structure.
(4) Discharge Assisting Means
A source of supply of articles having means to assist discharge from the source by separation of an article or articles from the source, is a dispenser classifiable in this class, unless otherwise classified. For this purpose, any nongravity means for urging articles toward or through an outlet opening or for removing the remainder of the articles away from the article or articles to be segregated, is a discharge assistant.
For example, an ejector element acting directly on an article to be dispensed to force it through a related outlet is a discharge assistant. Agitating or vibrating means acting on articles in a supply container may also be considered to be discharge assistant means.
A follower or a conveyor element acting on the entire supply of the source at one time may serve to establish a dispensing combination for this class if a discharge outlet or other arrangement is provided whereby actuation of the conveyor or follower is effective to affirmatively separate an article or articles from the remainder of the supply. However, a supply container having a follower which urges articles simultaneously toward an outlet but which does not have some other feature which is recognized as characteristic of a dispenser in this class is not classifiable herein. Operation of the follower to cause successive affirmative separation of an article or articles from a source of supply as by the article falling off its support is considered a dispensing characteristic which meets the requirements of "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" C "(1) Discharge Outlet Means", and such devices are classified as a dispenser in this class.
(5) Cellular Magazine Type (Miscellaneous)
The special type of article dispenser which has a supply source container in which each article is retained in a separate compartment, cell or holder, and which is designated a "cellular magazine" in this class (see subclasses 25 and 69+) presents certain problems in its relationship to the various cabinet and receptacle arts and requires some deviation from the general pattern described hereinabove. Cellular sources or magazines are included in this class if:
(1) a common discharge assistant operates at different times or to different degrees in more than one of the compartments;
(2) a unitary control is provided for discharging means operating at different times or to different degrees on articles in more than one of the compartments;
(3) a single discharge outlet of less extent than the combined width of all the cells is common to more than one of the compartments and articles are released (as by unassisted gravitational movement without inversion of the apparatus), impelled (as by a discharge assistant), or carried by relative movement of the said magazine to or through an outer housing outlet so that manual grasping thereof is enhanced by such movement, or are at least partially released or ejected therefrom; or (4) movement of the cellular structure, or portions thereof relative to an enclosure or support (including collapse of the cell structure) results in gravity or nongravity discharge of articles from the cells.
Generally the failure to include at least one of the features outlined in the preceding paragraph or in subsections (1) to (4) is evidence that classification is not in this class but in appropriate other cabinet, support or rack classification. For example, cellular sources or magazines, with the various cells movable past an outlet door or opening in an enclosing cabinet or casing, in which articles are removed by reaching inside and grasping the articles are not included, nor are such devices requiring inversion or other bodily movement to cause or allow the removal of articles. Such devices are classified elsewhere in the various other receptacle classes (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks, and Other Static Structures" below).
The type of article dispenser in which articles are released to or discharged upon an article catching member or trap for manual removal is treated as a special type. In general, such devices are included in this class on the basis of the inclusion of at least one of the dispensing features described in subsections (1) to (4) of this section of the class definition. However, as a special case, combinations in which a mere closure, which is not of a dispensing type, controls release of articles to a trap for manual removal therefrom are classified in this class (221). This placement of art is predicated upon the proposition that the trap is an element which goes beyond mere receptacle-closure structure and is better classified in a dispensing art.
In general the heading "miscellaneous" is restricted because at least one of the separation or segregation means mentioned in subsections (1) to (4) of this section of the class definition is actually present in most of the "special types" of article dispensers included in this class.
Dispensers of the captive article type and of the article orienting type are classifiable in this class subject only to the general limitations of preceding subsections (1) to (4). Dispensers of the type in which flexible articles are distorted concurrently with their separation from the supply source (subclasses 33+) are similarly classifiable in this class subject to the general limitation of the subsections (1) to (4), it being noted that the underlying and characterizing feature of this entire group is expressed in the second paragraph of subsection (1). Dispensers of the type in which the supply container is movably mounted for dispensing (subclasses 186+) are characterized in that, in some cases, the relative movement required to effect release or ejection of articles is effected by movement of the supply container relative to releasing or discharge assisting means which may be stationary, such relative motion resulting in a mode of operation which fulfills the requirement of one of the subsections (1) to (4).
EXPLANATORY NOTES ON SCOPE OF CLASS
This class is intended to provide a residual classification for the basic subject matter defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" of this class definition and takes such subject matter where not otherwise provided for.
This class also takes combinations of article dispensers with other subject matter not otherwise provided for. In this connection it should be noted that the basic subject matter herein provided for is found in many other arts, including the manufacturing, material treating and material handling arts, as a subcombination, per se, and as an included part of more comprehensive combinations provided for in such classes.
Other Sections of this class definition, particularly "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" and "Article Assorting And/Or Orienting", specifically outline the relationships of this class to the various manufacturing, treating and handling classes and to other related classes and the statements of class lines contained therein is indicative of present classification and placement of art.
It is contemplated that the various combination classes and related material handling classes will eventually be cleared of subcombinations which are within the class subject matter of this class as defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" of this definition. As such classes are cleared of such art the statement of the line between such classes and this class (221) will be altered to indicate the disposition of the art.
ARTICLE TREATMENT OR MODIFICATION (INCLUDING ASSEMBLY) Article dispensers are found in all classes dealing with the manufacture or treatment of articles, and particularly in classes having feeding, magazine or article handling
subclasses. In general, the assignment of patents in manufacturing and article treating classes has been on the basis of the nondispensing operation, when the means or steps for performing the nondispensing operation are claimed in any detail. When the means or steps for performing the nondispensing operation are not claimed or are claimed broadly assignment has been and will continue to be to the class taking the disclosed operation when magazine and work material or article feeding subclasses occur in such art class and are designated and defined to receive such patents. Classes not having special subclasses of this type will continue to take article dispensers which are not claimed in significant combination with, or as structurally specifically adapted for, the machines or work of the art classes, only when such classes have large bodies of art on dispensing, per se. In the absence of such large bodies of art or special subclasses of the type mentioned, classification is in the appropriate subclass of this class (221).
Means or steps for performing the material modifying or treating operation are not considered to be claimed significantly when they are included only nominally or merely as a means for receiving or supporting a separated or segregated article. Thus, inclusion of a holder, turret, arbor or receiver of some other nature, disclosed as an element of a work modifying or treating machine parts and/or their working relationship with one another are included, classification is in the appropriate work modifying or treating art.
Many dispensers include means to manipulate articles after the segregation of articles from the supply, and such organizations are common as subcombinations of work modifying and treating combination disclosures. This class (221) takes article feeders under its class definition including subsequent manipulation to and from disclosed work stations where such work stations are included by name only. This class will also take article feeders including such manipulation of the work as is considered to involve simple movement of the article characteristic of general utility handling as distinguished from specialized work modifier feeding. As examples, this class will take article feeders which bodily move articles along a rectilinear or a simple curved path, either continually or intermittently, towards or through the position of a nominally included tool. However, movement of the tool, axial rotation of the articles for purposes other than segregation, orienting or mere handling, retrograde motion, combined oscillation and forwarding motion, and other complex motions of the articles having utility only in combination with a disclosed tool are excluded and devices having such motion are classified in the appropriate work modifying class.
Class 221 provides for article feeding including delivery of articles to a claimed work holder or to a hold-down means (see Subclass References to the Current Class). Subject to otherwise existing class lines, therefore, Class 221 will
take such subject matter disclosed as a subcombination of an article modifying or treating combination.
Article dispensing means within the class definition combined with a nominal work modifying machine and including a mere common drive or simple synchronization are included in this class. But where a modifying machine is nominally included and there is some automatic intercontrol between the modifying machine and the dispenser, classification is in the appropriate work modifying class.
(1) Note. Classes dealing with article treatment or modification are each subject to the general line note as expressed hereinabove in this section of the class definition. In the SEARCH CLASS notes below referencing this section, a specific statement of the class line indicating that this class (221) takes such subcombinations is an indication that the art class involved does not have subclasses relating to article feeders, per se, which are adapted to general article handling utility and does not contain an appreciable body of art relating to such subject matter.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
COMBINATIONS WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER OF OTHER CLASSES
Combinations with article treatment or modification classes (including assembly) are fully treated in the section "Article Treatment or Modification (Including Assembly)". Article dispensers involving article handling, assorting and/or orienting are considered to be species of article handling rather than combinations and are elsewhere treated (See sections "Article And Material Handling" and "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures").
Other combinations of the subject matter of this class with that of other classes are classified in this class when no other existing classification provides for such combinations. It should be noted that the mere fact of the combination is not conclusive, since in many cases, the degree of inclusion of details of either the outside subject matter or the article dispenser has been and is now determinative of the classification. The lines stated in the following Search Class note indicate, insofar as is known, the disposition of such combinations in other arts and therefore the degree to which this class (221) may provide for them. ARTICLE AND MATERIAL HANDLING
This class (221) is the residual classification for the types of article handling defined as article dispensing in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class". As such, it may be properly considered a species under generic article or material handling Class 214. This class therefore, takes article handling of the dispensing type, as defined in "General Statement Of Class
Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" and in the combinations and special types set forth in "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)", subject to the limitations and class line notes of the aforementioned sections, where it is not otherwise provided for.
This class includes combinations of dispensing as defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" with means to further handle or manipulate the segregated articles subsequent to the separation from the source of supply, where such subsequent handling or manipulation is not otherwise provided for. In this connection attention is directed to subclasses 171+, 290+ and particularly subclasses 224+ of this class. This subject matter is related to article treatment or modification combination disclosures and is fully treated in "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)," above.
The SEARCH CLASS notes in References To Other Classes that reference this section list known loci of related article and material handling art.
ARTICLE ASSORTING AND/OR ORIENTING
Article handling, as defined in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" of this class definition, including means to arrange or align asymmetric articles so that the variations for symmetry are all turned (oriented) in a desired direction, is considered to be a special type of article dispensing and is included in this class, unless otherwise provided for.
Orienting, when separation from a supply as provided for in this class is involved, is distinguishable from assorting, which is generally provided for in Class 209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, in that assorting involves the separation of articles one from the other based upon an actual physical difference of such articles, while orienting deals with similar articles (asymmetric in nature) on the basis of the alignment of one or more axes of the articles. Class 221 includes both the separation of articles from the supply on the basis of the different relative orientation of articles in a confused mass, so that only articles having a desired position are separated, and also the orienting of articles as a manipulation following dispensing of the type provided for in this class and Class 222.
When a construction or claims are generic to assorting and orienting, as when oversize or improperly positioned articles are both prevented from passing through shaped outlets, classification is in Class 209.
RECEPTACLES, CABINETS, RACKS AND OTHER STATIC STRUCTURES
This class is the residual classification for the types of
article dispensing identified in"General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" of this class definition. Therefore, relative to the package, receptacle, cabinet, rack and static structure arts, this class takes dispensing structures, unless the existence in one of such classes of a body of art or of a subclass directed to similar dispensing means indicates that the particular dispensing structure is classified there. In this connection particular attention is directed to subsection (2) of "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter", C of this class definition for a discussion of static structures and the nature of the structural variations therein which are considered to be characteristic of article dispensing. If a closure means does not, of itself, incorporate a feature requiring classification in this class (as set forth in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class"). its presence or absence does not affect classification as between this class and the appropriate receptacle class. See the final paragraph of "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" C "(1) Discharge Outlet Means" of this class definition.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
27+, for dispensers of the captive article type.
33+, for dispensers of the type in which flexible articles are distorted concurrently with their separation from the supply source.
156+, for dispensers of the article orienting type.
186+, for dispensers of the type in which the supply container is movably mounted for dispensing.
191+, for article dispenser in which articles are released to or discharged upon an article catching member or trap for manual removal is treated as a special type.
287, for device or for a structural arrangement for the oriented withdrawal of articles from random supply (compare with subclasses 163+) (see "Article Assorting and/or Orienting" above)
288+, for a device for eliminating the misoriented one of seriatim advancing articles (typically, returning them to the random supply), leaving only those properly oriented on the conveyor for continued advance; (compare with subclasses 159+).
239, for means to receive and support segregated articles after they have been dispensed by the discharge means and have some work holding or hold-down means.
294, for device to receive and support segregated articles after they have been dispensed by the discharge means and
have some work holding or hold-down means. REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
29, Metal Working, especially
809+, for magazines, supply means for assembling and disassembling apparatus. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
30, Cutlery,
124+, for cutlery combined with material holding means. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
30, Cutlery,
40, for razors claimed in combination with blade holding magazines. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, appropriate subclasses for exhibitors where no significant dispensing features are claimed, even though a dispenser is named as operating the exhibitor, and especially
380+, 476, 491+, and 508+ for exhibitors having display handling means in the nature of dispensers. See the class definition of Class 40, which also states the line between the classes. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
42, Firearms, various magazine subclasses for cartridge magazines and combinations thereof with guns. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
48, Gas: Heating and Illuminating, particularly 47, for acetylene gas generators having means to feed carbide cartridges. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
53, Package Making. as between Classes 53 and 221, Class 221 takes article feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the limitations of the class definition of Class 221. See
384.1+, and 571+ of Class 53 for devices for dispensing and opening bags. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
53, Package Making, for butter and cheese cutters combined with plate dispensers. (see "Combinations With the Subject
Matter of Other Classes" above)
62, Refrigeration. See the class definition of Class 62 for a statement of the line between the classes. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
65, Glass Manufacturing,
138+, for glassworking apparatus for making electronic envelope headers, terminals, or stems including means to dispense parts thereto, and subclasses 146+ for means to feed diverse material to glassworking apparatus. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
68, Textiles: Fluid Treating Apparatus, particularly
210, for loaders and unloaders for textile fluid treating apparatus. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
72, Metal Deforming, for plastic deformation of metal combined with work and/or product feed. As between Classes 72 and 221 takes article feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the limitations of the class definition of Class 221. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
73, Measuring and Testing, appropriate subclasses. As between Classes 221 and 73, the combination of an article dispenser and means to test some quality of the article other than its mere presence, is classified in appropriate subclasses of Class 73. However, the mere inclusion, in an article dispenser, of means to sense the presence or absence of an article is properly classifiable in this class (221). (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above) 82, Turning, particularly
124+, for lathes having work feeding and/or removing means included therewith. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
86, Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making, particularly
45+, and 47+ for feeding devices and for cartridge packing including feeding devices, respectively. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
89, Ordnance, appropriate subclasses, for article feeding or dispensing structures specific to the purpose of the apparatus provided for in that class, and see specifically
33.01+, for subcombinations involving cartridge feeding to guns and for nominal combinations with such guns. Class 89, has its own article subcombination subclasses and as between Classes 221 and 89, Class 89 takes such subcombinations.
(see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
450.1, for an edible laminated product (e.g., pie, sandwich, etc.), making apparatus including means to feed edible preforms to an assembly or stacking station. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
100, Presses, particularly
215+, for press structures having means to deposit material thereon and subclass 218 for means to eject material therefrom. As between Classes 100 and 221, Class 221 takes article feeding subcombinations and combinations (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
101, Printing, particularly 11, 37, 40, 43, and 44, for special article feeding and delivering. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
102, Ammunition and Explosives,
504, for line carrying or filamentary material distributing projectiles. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
111, Planting, appropriate subclasses, particularly
34+, for dispensing devices combined with means for loosening the soil or forming cavities therein or otherwise treating the soil. The class lines are set forth in the class definition of Class 111 and in (2) Note thereto. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
111, Planting,
104+, for a plant dispenser claimed in combination with a plant setting machine; and subclasses 170+ for seed dispensers claimed in combination with drilling machines. (see "Article and Material Handling" above)
112, Sewing, particularly
106, and 113 for feeding devices in combination with article attaching machines. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
116, Signals and Indicators, for signal structure combined with article dispensing where no significant dispensing features are claimed, even though a dispenser is named as operating the signal or indicator. Class 221 takes
combinations of dispensers under the class definition with signaling means except in such cases where the article dispensing means is not specifically defined and is claimed as associated with specific signal means. See
32, of Class 116 for devices for releasing identification tags on vehicle collision. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above) 118, Coating Apparatus,
209+, for solid applicator type coating apparatus including work handling or work supporting means, and subclasses 500+ for coating apparatus including work holders or handling devices. For a statement of the line between the classes see the class definition of Class 118. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
124, Mechanical Guns and Projectors,
45+, for projectile feeding magazines or mechanical projecting devices, and subclasses 51.1+ for magazines operating to feed projectiles mechanically into position to be projected by other mechanical means. As between Class 221 and Class 124, subcombinations disclosed for use in a Class 124 combination remain in that class, since Class 124 has such magazine feeding subcombination subclasses. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
131, Tobacco,
74, for tube filling type of cigar or cigarette making machines with means to feed the tubes to be filled to such machines, and subclass 250.1 for article dispensers combined with cigar or cigarette end cutters. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, as between Classes 134 and 221, Class 221 takes article feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the limitations of the class definition of Class 221. The line is also stated in the class definition of Class 134. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
139, Textiles: Weaving, particularly
248, 250 for rotary bobbin delivering magazines. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
140, Wireworking,
27, 38, 53, and 54 for magazine feeders for feeding slats, wire, etc. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above) 141, Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means,
173+, for combinations of receiver dispensers and fluent material dispensers where the apparatus includes means for relating the dispensed receiver to the fluent material dispenser, and see the definition of that class (141). (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
144, Woodworking, particularly
61, for match box filling machines; subclass 64 for hopper feed of match splints for filling, dipping and frames; subclass 66 for miscellaneous match splint feeding machines; and subclass 245 for blank feeders. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
164, Metal Founding, in the various "work feeding" subclasses therein. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
186, Merchandising,
38+, and 52+, respectively, for article dispensers combined with or included in dining room or store service combinations. (see "Article and Material Handling" above)
193, Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways,
32, and 40 for chutes having means for retarding the velocity of articles therein, which means may release the articles successively. (see "Article and Material Handling" above)
194, Check-Actuated Control Mechanisms, for article dispensing devices having specific check-control mechanism. The class lines of Class 194 are expressed in the class definition of that class (194), and particularly in (2) Note. thereof. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven,
311, 359+, and 523+ for a power-driven conveyor combined with a gravity conveyor such as a hopper or chute; subclass 373 for a conveyor having means for changing the attitude of the conveyed load relative to the conveying direction; subclass 418 for a system of plural conveyors for establishing and moving a group of items; and subclass 434 for a system of plural conveyors of arranging or rearranging a stream or streams of items. (see "Article and Material Handling" above) 198, Conveyors: Power-Driven,
373+, for a conveyor having means for changing the attitude of the conveyed load relative to the conveying direction,
particularly subclasses 393 and 396+ for the withdrawal of articles from a scrambled supply; and subclass 395 for a control means responsive to the sensing of an improperly oriented item, 234+, for a device for orienting articles in the seriatim progress along the conveyor; compare the subclasses 171+ in this instant class (221). (see "Article Assorting and/or Orienting" above)
199, Type Casting, particularly
15+, 19+, 44+ for type casting machines with magazines. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
206, Special Receptacle or Package, appropriate subclasses for a container particularly configured to hold a specific article or material. Class 206 also provides for any container including an article (s) or material (s) put up as a mercantile unit. Although some subclasses in Class 206 (e.g., 233) have "dispensing" titles, Class 221 takes article dispensers identifiable as such according to "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" and "Explanatory Notes On Scope Of Class" of this (221) class definition the "dispensers" for fluent material or articles in Class 206 do not come within the class limitation of Class 221. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above)
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
509+, for assorting devices including article feeding or discharging. The distinction between orienting and assorting is set forth in the second paragraph of "Article Sorting And/Or Orienting" of the class definition of this class (221). Processes and apparatus for feeding or dispensing articles will be classified in Class 209 when claimed in combination with assorting means provided for in Class 209, or when generic to assorting and orienting by disclosure. (see "Article Assorting and/or Orienting" above)
211, Supports: Racks, appropriate subclasses for rack structures designed to support articles. For a statement of the line between the classes, see the class definition of Class 211. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above)
215, Bottles and Jars, appropriate subclasses for bottle and jar receptacle structures. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above)
217, Wooden Receptacles, appropriate subclasses for wooden receptacle structures. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above)
220, Receptacles, 578+, for an internal closure-like member that rests on the
unused contents of a container; appropriate subclasses for metallic receptacle structures. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above)
222, Dispensing, appropriate subclasses, for fluent material dispensing devices and see the class definition of that class (222) and the notes thereto for the disposition of other fluent material handling disclosures. The line between Class 221 and Class 222, is as follows:
Article Dispensers for Class 221 are arrangements to dispense articles one at a time, or a definite number less than the total available at the source of supply at a time. Where the dispenser handles articles in heterogeneously intermingled bulk and dispenses them in bulk without regard to their shape or relative position the dispenser is considered to be a fluent material dispenser and is classified in Class 222. Where the dispenser has features specialized to engage the discharged articles as individual units as by gripping, impaling, etc., or is otherwise structurally limited to the handling of discrete articles (e.g., orienting) the dispenser is classified as an article dispenser in Class 221.
The trap chamber or segregating chamber type of dispenser, even though disclosed only for dispensing a single article, is not classified as an article dispenser in the case where the trap is a closed trap of a type from which fluent material could not escape where there is nothing special to the shape of the trap relative to the shape of a single article, and where no other feature specific to the handling of articles is included. All other segregating chamber type dispensers are classified in Class 221, on the basis of the disclosure that a discrete article or group of articles is dispensed.
The dispensing by trap chamber discharge assisting means, of elongated (cylindrical) articles which have been prearranged according to one axis thereof, is considered to be subject matter for Class 221 even though the trap chamber used to dispense such articles is a closed chamber.
Dispensers capable of use with either articles or fluent material of granular, plastic, or liquid forms are classified in Class 222, that class being generic to the concept of the two classes. Dispensing devices involving material guiding means and outlet means of a type adapted to handling either articles or fluent material and not including any other feature to clearly indicate classification in either of Classes 221 and 222 are considered to present a special problem. Class 221 takes such apparatus when it is disclosed for use with discrete articles and when the disclosed arrangements are such that the articles are previously arranged at least as to one dimension. As examples, cylindrical articles with their lengths reposed in one direction, or pills in a flat pill box of a thickness smaller than the largest dimension of the pills, having claimed interior guide means and outlet means are proper subject
matter for Class 221. Class 222 takes similar dispensing apparatus where there is no such disclosed or claimed arrangement of the articles.
(d) Article dispensers of the types provided for in this class (221), claimed in combination with fluent material dispensers of the type provided for in Class 222 are classified in this class (221). See subclass 96 of Class 221 for such subject matter. (see "Article and Material Handling" above)
222, Dispensing,
424.5, 454+ and 457, for fluent material dispensers provided with stationary structures defining trap chambers and subclass 564 for such dispensers having static interior material guide means or restricting means. (Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks, and Other Static Structures)
223, Apparel Apparatus, 48, for bead stringing. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
224, Package and Article Carriers,
196, 600+ and cross reference art collection 931 for magazine type cartridge carriers. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
226, Advancing Material and Indeterminate Length, appropriate subclasses for methods of, and apparatus for, feeding material without utilizing the leading or trailing ends to effect movement of the material. As between Class 221 and Class 226 it should be noted that Class 226 is limited to the handling of indeterminate-lengths and that if there is a claimed source of supply of a plurality of lengths of material, the lengths of the pieces must be considered to be determinate and classification is in Class 221 if the process or apparatus is under the definition of Class 221. (see "Article and Material Handling" above)
227, Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus,
107+, for magazine dispensing combined with apparatus to apply a member, e.g., nail. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
227, Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus,
107+, for apparatus for arranging and feeding loose member, e.g., nails, combined with apparatus to apply a member. (see "Article Assorting and/or Orienting" above)
229, Envelopes, Wrappers, and Paperboard Boxes
122.1, for a paperboard box intended to permit removal of
articles gravity fed to the egress opening, even if the lead article must be lifted over a lip to be withdrawn. The inclusion of dispensing fractures recited in "General Statement Of Class Subject Matter" C, of this class definition would result in classification in this Class 221, Article Dispensing. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above)
232, Deposit and Collection Receptacles, appropriate subclasses, for deposit and collection receptacles. Unless a body of dispensing art exists in a special use subclass in Class 232, to indicate the existence of a home for a particular type of article dispenser, classification of deposit and collection receptacles embodying recognized dispensing features is in Class 221. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other Static Structures" above) 235, Registers, appropriate subclasses, especially
98, for registers combined with article dispensing means when the article dispensing means is not specifically defined and is claimed as associated with specific register structure. When the article dispensing means is significantly or specifically claimed classification is in subclasses 2+ and particularly in subclass 7 of this class (221). (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,
521, and 522+ for cutting followed by convolute winding of an elongated material. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
246, Railway Switches and Signals,
210+, for torpedo mechanism including torpedo feeders, subclasses 212+ providing for magazine type torpedo feeders in this combination. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
248, Supports, appropriate subclasses for supports for article dispensers where the dispensing means is not significantly or specifically claimed. Casing or support structure is considered incidental to the basic subject matter of this class (221) and significant article dispensing combined with casing or support structure as provided for in
282+, of Class 221. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
248, Supports, appropriate subclasses, for supports, per se, and in combination with the devices supported thereby, when the latter are nominally included. Class 221 provides for the specific combination in
45+, and 282+. (see "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks And Other
Static Structures" above)
271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, for apparatus for forming stacks of sheets and for apparatus for delivering sheets from a stack to a point of use. (see "Article and Material Handling" above) 273, Amusement Devices: Games,
108+, 119+, 129, and 317+for devices for projecting various aerial or surface projectiles; and subclasses 139+ and 144+ for chance devices having dispensing features. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
276, Typesetting, for type setting apparatus with magazine type feeders, particularly
3, 4, 15, and 45. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
300, Brush, Broom, and Mop Making,
4, for brush making machines including tuft feeding means. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
312, Supports: Cabinet Structure, for cabinet and support structures adapted to house and support article dispensing devices and not including article dispensing features characteristic of this class (221). See particularly
35+, for removal facilitating magazine type article containing cabinet structures. The line between the classes is stated in the class definition of Class 312. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" and "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks, and Other Static Structures" above)
314, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Consumable Electrodes,
5, for electric lamps and discharge devices having electrode magazines. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
346, Recorders, appropriate subclasses for recorder structure where no significant dispensing features are claimed even though a dispenser is named as operating the recorder. This class (221) provides for the combination of recorder and article dispenser where the article dispenser is significantly or specifically claimed, (see
2, ). (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above) 369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval,
178+, for record changers and subclass 172 for stylus changers in sound recording and reproducing apparatus. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
396, Photography,
360+, for magazine camera structure which feeds photos:graphic plates to an exposure position. (see "Combinations With the Subject Matter of Other Classes" above)
400, Typewriting Machines,
578+, for paper feeding and see particularly subclasses 624+ for sheet magazine paper feeding to typewriting machines.
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for apparatus wherein carriers are pneumatically dispatched between stations or terminals. See particularly
108+, for 221 type dispensers which serve as intakes to fluid current conveyors.
409, Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing, particularly
72, and 145+ for a milling machine including means for placing or removing a blank or work feeding means, respectively. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
413, Sheet Metal Container Making, particularly 70, for blank feeding. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,
110+, for a machine for making a composite product in a molding cavity including means to feed preforms to the cavity. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
431, Combustion, appropriate subclass for a residual combustion or igniting device. The combination of such device with an article dispenser of the type provided for in Class 221, is classified in Class 221, in
136+, thereof. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
446, Amusement Devices: Toys,
168, for marble runways, subclass 403 for a cane for detonating explosives and including a magazine for
explosives, and subclass 475 for other toys having a dispenser.
451, Abrading, particularly
331+, for a work feeder, per se, used for abrading. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
453, Coin Handling, particularly
1+, and 18+ for various coin dispensers. The line between the classes is stated in the class definition of Class 453. (see "Article and Material Handling" above) 470, Threaded, Headed Fastener, or Washer Making: Process and Apparatus,
164+, for distributors and feeders for articles of the type provided for therein and specialized for use in machine operations on such articles. As between Class 470 and Class 221, Class 221 takes article feeding subcombinations and combinations subject to the limitations of the class definition of Class 221. (see "Article Treatment Or Modification (Including Assembly)" above)
473, Amusement Devices: Games,
107, for a mechanical projector for a bowling ball.
483, Tool Changing,
58+, for a tool storage means combined with a tool transfer means which bodily moves a tool to or from the storage mean. (see "Article and Material Handling" and "Receptacles, Cabinets, Racks, and Other Static Structures" above)
GLOSSARY:
DISCHARGE ASSISTANT
Any means (other than the weight of the article alone) which affirmatively segregates, separates or moves an article from a supply to a point of egress. All of the supply less one article may be moved to leave a segregated or separated article in discharge position or subject to further manipulation.
DISCHARGE MEANS
Any means which either (1) affirmatively segregates, separates or moves an article from a supply to a point of egress or (2) permits separation or segregation of articles by gravitational movement thereof. A discharge means may be either a discharge assistant or a releaser.
EJECTOR
Any discharge assistant which acts directly upon an article or articles to be dispensed at any one operation to segregate or separate the same from the remainder of the supply. Followers are discharge assistants which are not included in this term since they exert force through the entire supply rather than directly on the articles to be dispensed.
HOPPER
A container, bin or receptacle for retaining a quantity of articles in a jumbled mass.
OUTLET CLOSURE
A means associated with the egress opening of a dispenser which obstructs, inhibits, or prevents passage of articles out of the dispenser in one position, such means being down stream of the point of separation or segregation of the articles.
RESILIENT
A means permitting segregation or separation of articles by unassisted gravitational movement thereof, supports or restraining means being rendered inoperative as to the articles to be dispensed and operative as to those to be retained, with return to the previous state after the dispensing operation. Such means are permissive as distinguished from discharge assistants which are affirmative force applying means (compulsive).
RELEASER
This term as used herein includes elastic means (spring form) and spring biased means as well.
SOURCE (SUPPLY SOURCE)
Any means for supporting or retaining a quantity of articles either in an orderly fashion or arrangement or as a jumbled mass such as provided by a magazine, hopper, stack, compartment, container, bin or receptacle. STACK
A single, contiguous, continuous, orderly sequence or linear arrangement of articles which may constitute an article supply or result from operation on articles previously disposed as a jumbled mass.