{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8464901","patent":{"patent_number":"US-8464901","title":"Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2009-01-06T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2013-06-18T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G07F","G07F"],"num_claims":29,"abstract":"An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles","description":"An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The g","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8464901","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8464901","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Methods and apparatus for dispensing solid articles\" (US-8464901). https://patentable.app/patents/US-8464901","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8464901","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-8464901","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T07:43:39.577Z"}