IP Library Granted Patent US 10,383,438
Granted Patent B2
US 10,383,438 · App. 14/659,209 · Granted Aug 20, 2019

Devices for controlled dispensing

Inventors: John A. Duval (Long Beach, CA); Clifford D. Bennett (Victorville, CA); Dmitry Soyfertis (Mountain View, CA)
Assignee: Cubex LLC
A47B67/02A47B88/90A47B88/994A47B96/00A47B88/975A47B2067/025A47B2220/0091A61J7/0069A61J2205/60
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,383,438
App. No.
14/659,209
Granted
Aug 20, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Devices and methods for controlled dispensation are described herein where such an assembly may generally comprise an index plate having one or more protrusions extending from a surface of the plate, a first actuator configured to translate the plate in a first direction, and a second actuator configured to translate the plate in a second direction different from the first direction. The one or more protrusions may define one or more rows which are arranged upon the plate in a collinear arrangement and may further define one or more columns which are arranged upon the plate at an angle relative to a proximal or distal edge of the plate such that each protrusion is off-set relative to an adjacent protrusion along the column.

Claims (36)

1. An apparatus for selective actuation, comprising:

an index plate defining a plane and having a plurality of protrusions entirely within a boundary of the plate, where the boundary defines a border of the plate and wherein the plurality of protrusions are extending from a surface of the plate such that the plurality of protrusions are non-planar relative to the index plate;

a first actuator configured to translate the plate in a first direction;

a second actuator configured to translate the plate in a second direction transverse relative to the first direction;

a plurality of bins arranged relative to one another and each having a corresponding trigger release arm in proximity to the index plate for actuation by the plurality of protrusions, wherein the plurality of protrusions define one or more rows which are arranged upon the plate in a collinear arrangement, and

wherein the plurality of protrusions further define a plurality of columns which are arranged upon the plate at an angle relative to a proximal or distal edge of the plate such that each protrusion is off-set relative to an adjacent protrusion along the columns.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more bins arranged relative to one another and each having a corresponding trigger release arm in proximity to the index plate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising an enclosure which the index plate and the plurality of bins are secured.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of bins comprise a lid which is released via actuation of the trigger release arm.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a distance between the plurality of columns of protrusions is less than a distance between adjacent columns of the trigger release arm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more columns of protrusions are arranged to actuate alternating columns of the plurality of bins.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a sensor in communication with each of the plurality of bins.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of protrusions form pins extending from the surface of the plate.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first actuator is engaged to the plate via a rotatable engagement.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second actuator is slidingly coupled to the plate.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of rows are arranged collinearly along the first direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second index plate slidingly positioned adjacent to the index plate, the second index plate having a plurality of additional protrusions extending from a surface of the second index plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with the first and second actuators.

14. An apparatus for selective actuation, comprising:

a plurality bins arranged relative to one another and each having a corresponding trigger release arm;

an index plate positioned in proximity to the plurality bins, the index plate defining a plane and having a plurality of protrusions entirely within a boundary of the plate, where the boundary of the plate defines a border of the plate, and wherein the plurality of protrusions are and extending from a surface of the plate such that the plurality of protrusions are non-planar relative to the index plate, wherein the plurality of bins are in proximity to the index plate for actuation by the plurality of protrusions;

a first actuator configured to translate the plate in a first direction;

a second actuator configured to translate the plate in a second direction transverse relative to the first direction,

wherein the plurality of protrusions define a plurality rows which are arranged upon the plate in a collinear arrangement such that selective translation of the plate along the first direction aligns a single protrusion to a single trigger release arm, and

wherein the plurality of protrusions further define a plurality columns which are arranged upon the plate at an angle relative to a proximal or distal edge of the plate such that each protrusion is off-set relative to an adjacent protrusion along the plurality of column such that selective translation of the plate along the second direction engages the single protrusion with the single trigger release arm.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an enclosure which the index plate and the plurality of bins are secured.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of bins comprise a lid which is released via actuation of the trigger release arm.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein a distance between the plurality of columns of protrusions is less than a distance between adjacent columns of the trigger release arm.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of columns of protrusions are arranged to actuate alternating columns of the plurality of bins.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a sensor in communication with the lid of each of the plurality of bins.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of protrusions form pins extending from the surface of the plate.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first actuator is engaged to the plate via a rotatable engagement.

22. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second actuator is slidingly coupled to the plate.

23. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of rows are arranged collinearly along the first direction.

24. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a second index plate slidingly positioned adjacent to the index plate, the second index plate having a plurality of additional protrusions extending from a surface of the second index plate.

25. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a controller in communication with the first and second actuators.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2023
From: CUBEX LLC
To: LAKE COUNTRY CAPITAL SBIC, LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065570/0457 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2022
From: CROWDOUT CAPITAL LLC
To: CUBEX LLC
Reel/Frame 061712/0799 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 12, 2021
From: CUBEX LLC
To: CROWDOUT CAPITAL LLC
Reel/Frame 057180/0160 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2020
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK,
To: CUBEX LLC
Reel/Frame 054272/0335 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2017
From: CUBEX LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 044798/0823 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 15, 2015
From: DUVAL, JOHN A.; BENNETT, CLIFFORD D.; SOYFERTIS, DMITRY
To: CUBEX LLC
Reel/Frame 036102/0300 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160270534A1 · Sep 22, 2016