Object dispensing apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing a plurality of similarly sized cylindrical objects from a conveyed set of holding tubes to a particular location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of synthetic fibers for reinforcement in concrete is known in the art. For several years, fibers have been placed in disintegrating paper bags for easy disbursement into ready mix concrete trucks and central concrete mixers. Typically, the fibers are packaged in these paper bags because they allow for rapid distribution of the fibers. An example of a fiber packing apparatus is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/551,183, filed Apr. 17, 2000, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD AND FOR PACKAGING FIBERS AND ARTICLE PRODUCED BY SAME and commonly assigned to the owner of the present invention. The fibers must be added in controlled amounts over a controlled period of time during the mixing process to ensure smooth and complete mixing. Improvements have been made in reducing the amount of paper required to contain the fibers but no efficient means has been developed to automatically and controllably dispense the product into a truck or central mixer. Various methods have been attempted but have not proven to be successful. The problems associated with these systems include small capacities, slow operation, inaccurate weighing and overall expense.

A screw type system holds few bags and operates like a candy vending machine. A screw type system holds a limited number of bags, is slow and not very efficient. It requires a great deal of room and moves slowly to avoid tearing the bags.

A weight loss system continuously weighs a volume of material contained in a hopper and dispenses the required amount of fibers to be blown into the truck or central mixer. In a weight loss system, the major problem has been the cost of the unit. The equipment required, scales, etc., are very expensive and not well suited for the dusty environment of a ready mix concrete operation. It would be desirable to have a system with vessels that would hold the pre-weighed bags of fiber and dispenses the required number of bags to meet the batching requirements.

A sausage-like system utilizes bags that are all continuously connected together. They are rolled up and placed in large boxes for storage. As the bags are pulled from the box, they are cut off and dropped onto a conveyor which feeds the truck or central mixer With sausage-like packaging systems it is very difficult if not impossible to efficiently and economically produce and package a bag that can be filled and handled. If the system breaks down, it would require conventional packaging to be used until it is repaired. This would require stocking several put-ups of the same product.

It would be desirable to have an individual closed loop track unit capable of holding individual tubes that are capable of holding said bags of fibers, counting the fiber bags and dispensing them onto a conveyor or into a blower for final dispersion into a mixer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing objects, each object contained in a transport tube, comprising: a housing comprising a frame; a track assembly for holding a plurality of tubes; a dispensing assembly, comprising a first ram for pushing one the object from the tube, a second ram for moving one the tube from a first position to a second position while preventing other tubes from interfering with the moving; indexing assembly for controllably permitting one tube at a time to move in response to movement from the second ram; and, a controller for controlling the dispensing assembly.

More particularly, the present invention provides, an apparatus for dispensing objects, each object contained in a transport tube, comprising a housing comprising a frame and a rollup access panel; a track assembly for holding a plurality of tubes, the track assembly comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart lengths of a rigid material arranged in a convoluted space; a dispensing assembly, comprising a first ram for pushing one the object from the tube, the ram having a distal end terminating in a disk associated therewith, a first powered cylinder for actuating the first ram, an advancing assembly for controllably permitting one tube at a time to advance to the dispensing assembly, comprising, a second ram having a distal end terminating in a curved section for holding a tube for moving one the tube from a first position to a second position along the track assembly; a generally flat horizontal plate associated and reciprocating with the first ram for preventing tubes disposed above the dispensing assembly from prematurely entering the dispensing assembly when the first ram is extending; a second powered cylinder for actuating the second ram, an indexing assembly for preventing movement of the tubes in a reverse direction, comprising, a first arm having a curved portion for releasably engaging a portion of a tube, a second arm having a curved portion for releasably engaging a portion of a tube, a rod connecting and maintaining the first and second arms in a generally parallel spaced apart relationship, at least one rod in which the sleeve is rotatingly disposed, the rod associated with the frame; at least one tube advancing assembly comprising a third ram, a third powered cylinder, a rocker bar having at least one third arm having a curved portion for releasably engaging a portion of a tube, a sleeve in which the rocker bar is at least partially disposed and a trough associated with the track assembly in which the rocker bar can reciprocatingly translate, means for controlling the dispensing assembly comprising a microprocessor; and, at least one sensor for detecting the presence of at least one of the objects.

In one embodiment the present invention incorporates a large number of tube sections manufactured from economical PVC pipe that are contained in a continuous track assembly. The bags are placed inside the tubes. The tubes are indexed forward by an air cylinder to a point where they can be discharges by another ram. At this point, the bags are discharged onto a conveyor, into the vortex of an air operated blower dispenser or other transport mechanism to deliver the fibers to their final destination. This allows for a very efficient utilization of space and simplifies the delivery of the product. The general components of an embodiment of the apparatus comprise the tubes, track assembly, cylinder (ram) to eject the bags, cylinder (ram) to assist and advance the tubes forward, an independent control unit to operate the system and count the bags, a photoelectric eye to indicate low volumes and the framework and housing to contain the track assembly.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:

FIG. 1

is a front elevational view of a dispensing apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2

is a side elevational view of the dispensing assembly with the ram retracted.

FIG. 3

is a elevational view of the dispensing assembly with the ram extended.

FIG. 4

is a side elevational view of a detail of the dispensing assembly, indexing assembly and ratchet assembly with the dispensing assembly ram retracted and the indexing fingers in the down position.

FIG. 4A

is a front elevational view of the detail of the dispensing assembly taken long line A—A.

FIG. 5

is a side elevational view of a detail of the dispensing assembly and ratchet assembly with the dispensing assembly ram extended and the indexing fingers in the up position.

FIG. 6

is a side elevational view of the advancing assembly.

FIG. 7

is a front elevational view of the advancing assembly taken along line A—A.

FIG. 8

is a side elevational view of the advancing assembly shown in the retracted position and the finger in the down position.

FIG. 9

is a side elevational view of the advancing assembly shown in the extended position and the finger in the down position.

FIG. 10

is a side elevational view of the advancing assembly shown in the partially retracted position and the finger in mid-pivot up position.

FIGS. 11-13

are schematic views of the controller display screens and user interface.

FIGS. 14-17

are various views of an alternative embodiment of the dispensing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general, the present invention provides an apparatus for the controlled dispensing of a plurality of objects, each object being removably disposable within a transport vessel. The apparatus is initially loaded by having one (or possibly more) objects placed inside each transport vessel. When the apparatus is activated the transport vessels incrementally move one at a time within a track toward a dispensing assembly which causes the object(s) to be ejected from its transport vessel. The object can be transported to a remote location by other conventional transport apparatus, such as, but not limited to, a conveyor. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the objects are bags containing fibers, such as BulletPAC™ bags available from PSI Packaging, Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn. The BulletPAC™ bag allows for a given volume of fiber to be packaged into a smaller space which contributes to reducing the overall volume of product to be placed in the machine. The bags are dispensed in an electronically controlled manner (such as by the use of at least one timer, limit switch, photoelectric eye, combinations thereof and the like) and eventually conveyed to a concrete truck for mixing with other components.

Referring to

FIG. 1

, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in which an apparatus

5

of the present invention generally comprises a housing

8

, a frame

10

, a track assembly

12

, a dispensing assembly

14

, an indexing assembly

16

, at least one advancing assembly

18

, a controller

20

, and preferably, though not mandatorily, at least one sensor

22

. A plurality of transport vessels

30

each containing at least one object

32

is disposed within the track assembly

12

.

The frame

10

is constructed of a generally rigid material, such as, but not limited to angle iron, steel, aluminum, ceramic, composite, wood, plastic, combinations thereof or other construction material known to those skilled in the art capable of supporting the components of the apparatus. The housing

8

may also include a roll up door

34

which can be extended downward from an enclosure

36

during operation to maintain safety, reduce noise and contaminant buildup. The frame

10

includes a number of horizontal support beams

38

to which is mounted the track assembly

12

. The frame

10

also includes a support base comprising a set of legs

40

and cross braces

42

. Other frame

10

components are not shown in the drawing, but are used to support and stabilize the apparatus

5

.

The track assembly

12

comprises a first track

44

and a second track

46

which are maintained by the support beams

38

in a parallel spaced apart relationship. Each track

44

and

46

is preferably a length of right angle material (for example, angle iron). The tracks

44

and

46

can be constructed as a single piece of material or sections of material which are joined, such as by welding.

FIG. 1

shows the track assembly

12

constructed in a closed loop with a number of convolutions so that the tubes

30

can move in an endless loop. It is desirable to design the track assembly

12

to optimize in a closed loop system a large number of tubes

30

held by the assembly to minimize space. Where space is less of a concern, other track assembly

12

design geometries can be used. Optionally, the inside surface of the track can be lined with a nonstick material, such as, but not limited to, TEFLON® tape to reduce friction. In an alternative embodiment, the tracks

44

and

46

can include a plurality of bearings, for example, ball bearings, mounted in or to the track to reduce friction.

The tubes

30

are designed to move with minimal friction within the track assembly

12

. While cylindrical shaped tubes are preferable, other shapes could be used. The tubes can be constructed of a light weight rigid material, such as, but not limited to, PVC (polyvinylchloride), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or other polymer or plastic, metal, or the like. The tubes

30

are sized to accommodate the size of the object

32

of interest to be dispensed. Thus, the tubes can be of any appropriate length with frame

10

and the distance between the tracks

44

and

46

being designed accordingly. The objects

32

are typically loaded into the tubes by hand. In a preferred embodiment the object

32

is a cylindrical bag of compressed fibers commonly used in the concrete production process. A large number of bags must be added to the concrete mix in a controlled manner throughout a substantial portion of the mixing process. It is also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention for the tubes

30

to contain any other suitable object which can be dispensed. For example, and not by way of limitation, the present invention can be used to dispense bottles of beverages, rolled and tied hospital garments (such as in a hospital garment dispensing apparatus), machine components as part of an assembly line, and the like. It is also to be understood that the object

32

can be a plurality of objects that are dispensed simultaneously. The tubes

30

are sized to be long enough to fit within the track assembly

12

and move relatively freely within the tracks

44

and

46

, but will be maintained within the tracks when moving around the curved portions. In the closed loop system there are sufficient tubes to substantially fill the space in the track assembly

12

. The curved portion of the track where the tubes

30

change direction, is sized to permit the removal of a tube

30

such as if the tube

30

cracks or should the system become jammed. Optionally, there can be a small length of material that covers the recessed portion until the tube is to be removed. Optionally, the tubes

30

can be numbered, bar coded, color coded or have other unique identifying indicia included therewith where desired. As one tube

30

is advanced by the dispensing assembly and indexing assembly the other tubes

30

move along and within the track assembly

12

in the loop. Certain of the tubes

30

are further noted in FIG.

1

and distinguished for the purposes of discussion as a present tube

30

A (i.e., currently in the dispensing assembly

14

), last tube

30

B (which has just been emptied of its object

32

) and next tube

30

C (the tube next to be emptied and located just above the present tube

30

A). While tubes

30

A, B and C are essentially identical, the differentiation in parts numbering is done to facilitate discussion of the relative positioning of the tubes to describe the movement of the tubes generally and the operation of the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3

show the dispensing assembly

14

, which generally comprises a powered pneumatic cylinder

50

powered by an air supply (not shown) attached to a housing

52

, and which drives a ram

54

. While the cylinders described herein are discussed as being pneumatic, it is to be understood that the cylinder could be hydraulic. The ram

54

has a distal end

56

to which is preferably, though not mandatorily, attached a generally flat disk

58

. The housing

52

is attached to the frame

10

and can be supported by support bracket (not shown) for additional support. In a preferred embodiment the dispensing assembly

14

is mounted orthogonal to the frame

10

so that the ram

54

can reciprocatingly extend from outside of a tube

30

through the length of the tube

30

. It is preferable that the ram

54

extend beyond the length of the tube

30

so that when dispensing the object

32

in the tube

30

the object

32

is fully pushed out of the tube

30

.

FIG. 2

shows the ram

54

in the retracted backward stroke position and the object

32

in the tube

30

.

FIG. 3

shows the ram in the extended forward stroke position. As a tube

30

is moved into axial alignment with the ram

54

, the pneumatic cylinder

50

is actuated and the ram

54

extends through the tube

30

, ejecting the object

32

. The pneumatic cylinder

50

is then actuated to reverse the stroke and the ram

54

is retracted back through the tube

30

. The control of the cylinder

50

will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow in conjunction with the controller

20

.

In an alternative embodiment the ram

54

is a flexible shaft reciprocatingly contained within a curved sleeve and mounted to the frame in a parallel relationship. This configuration would minimize the degree to which the dispensing assembly

14

extends outward from the housing

8

.

FIGS. 4

,

4

A and

5

show details of the indexing assembly

16

, which comprises a pneumatic cylinder

62

attached to the frame

10

and a ram

64

having a distal end

66

. A curved scoop

68

is attached to the distal end

66

of the ram

64

. The curved scoop

68

is designed to conform generally to the curve of the tube

30

. A generally flat plate

72

is associated with the scoop

68

. The plate

72

reciprocates with the ram

64

. As the ram

64

extends the scoop

68

(

FIG. 5

) the plate moves as well to block a tube

30

C from falling into the dispensing assembly prematurely. Further discussion of the operation appears hereinbelow.

A ratchet assembly

80

comprises at least one and, in one embodiment of the invention, a pair of parallel spaced apart fingers

82

and

84

, each of which may, though not mandatorily, have a concave curved area

86

shaped to conform generally to the curve of the tube

30

. Other shaped surfaces or sections are contemplated as being part of the present invention. One end of each finger

82

and

84

is attached to at least one sleeve

90

. The sleeves

90

are slidingly fitted around a bar

88

, and prevented from sliding inward toward the center by a pin, ring or other protrusion

91

. The bar

88

is preferably attached (such as by welding or gluing) at each end to a spacer collar

92

which is associated with a support beam

38

or other part of the frame

10

. Alternatively, the bar

88

can be lathed or otherwise formed to have an increased diameter area proximate to each end to and attached directly to the frame

10

without the need for a spacer collar. The sleeve

90

can rotate around the bar

88

and the fingers

82

,

84

can pivot up and down. As will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, as the tube

30

A is pushed by the ram

64

from the dispensing assembly

14

along the track assembly

12

, a next tube

30

C is ready to drop by gravity into the dispensing assembly

14

. The plate

72

blocks the tube

30

C from dropping until the present tube

30

A (now last tube

30

B) is moved and ram

64

has returned to its withdrawn position. The ratchet assembly

80

pivots upward when the ram

64

extends and pushes the present tube

30

A (to the right as shown in

FIG. 4

) and as the ram

64

and plate

72

are retracted the fingers

82

,

84

pivot downward and the curved area

86

engages a portion of a just dispensed tube (now considered past tube

30

B). The ratchet assembly

80

prevents the tubes

30

from pushing backward toward the dispensing assembly

14

and provides a clear area for the next tube

30

C to drop.

FIGS. 6-10

show an advancing assembly

18

, which is preferably, though not mandatorily utilized. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of advancing assemblies

18

are utilized. The advancing assembly

18

comprises a pneumatic cylinder

100

associated with the track assembly

12

by a mounting plate

101

and a ram

102

having attached at the distal end

106

a bridge rod

104

. As shown in

FIG. 7

, the bridge rod

104

is long enough to fit between the tracks

44

and

46

and rests on a pair of parallel spaced apart troughs

108

and

110

. Each trough comprises a horizontal lower section

112

, a parallel upper section

114

created by the underside of the upper first track

44

, a first vertical stop section

116

and a second vertical stop section

118

. The bridge rod

104

can slide on the lower section

116

within each trough

108

and

110

. In a preferred embodiment the bridge rod

104

also preferably has a pair of spaced apart retaining protrusions

120

,

122

. The protrusions can be an annular ring, pin, or other physical device for preventing movement along the rod of a sleeve

124

beyond a desired distance. At least one sleeve

124

fits around the bridge rod

104

so that sleeve

124

can rotate about the bridge rod

104

. A finger

126

having a proximal end

128

attached to the sleeve

124

also has a distal portion

130

having a curved section

132

, the curve being sized to generally match the curvature of the tube

30

, and a bottom section

134

. In a preferred embodiment two sleeve

124

and finger

126

combinations are used. It is to be understood that one or more sleeve

124

and finger

126

combinations can be used.

FIGS. 8-10

show the movement of the advancing assembly

18

. When the ram

102

is a retracted position (

FIG. 8

) the finger

126

is in a down position and curved section

132

engages the tube

30

. As the ram

102

extends during the stroke (FIG.

9

), with the bridge rod

104

sliding within the troughs

108

,

110

, the finger

126

urges a contact tube

30

D it is in contact with forward along within the track assembly

12

. The other tubes

30

are urged along the track assembly

12

, as well. As the ram

102

retracts to complete the stroke cycle (

FIG. 10

showing the ram

102

in mid-cycle retraction) the sleeve

124

and finger

126

pivot around the bridge rod

104

so as to pass over a tube

30

E without appreciably moving the tube

30

E, the bottom section

134

being able to slide over the tube

30

E. Upon completion of the retraction stroke, the advancing assembly is again in position to engage another tube

30

(

FIG. 8

) to start the cycle over again. In this manner the tubes

30

are advanced by the advancing assembly

18

along the track assembly

12

. The advancing assembly is actuated by the controller

20

by means of electronic communication, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of advancing assemblies

18

are utilized and are spaced along the track assembly

12

at different levels of the convolutions to provide an assist in movement of the tubes

30

in conjunction with the indexing assembly

16

. It is also contemplated as part of the present invention that advancing assemblies

18

may not be needed where the overall friction or resistance of the tubes

30

is low; for example, this might be the case where the object

32

is light weight, where the tubes are constructed of a lightweight material, where the track assembly has friction reducing enhancements (such as, but not limited to, bearings, rollers, or the like or friction reducing tape or coating of the track) built in, and/or where the length of the track assembly

12

is short enough that the combined friction, weight or inertia of the tubes is low enough that the indexing assembly ram can bear the load of pushing the tubes

30

alone.

The apparatus

5

also preferably includes at least one sensor. A low load sensor

136

is mounted in proximity to the track assembly

12

and back from the dispensing assembly

14

a desired distance along the track assembly

12

and can detect whether a tube

30

contains an object

32

or is empty. The sensor

136

can thus be used to detect when the apparatus is running low on objects. A second sensor

138

can be positioned proximate to the dispensing assembly

14

to detect whether an object

32

within the present tube

30

A has been successfully ejected from the tube

30

A.

The controller

20

comprises a microprocessor

140

and memory

142

(not shown), a user interface

144

(not shown), and a display

146

. A plurality of electrical lines (not shown) electronically connect the controller

20

with the rams

54

,

64

,

102

and sensors

136

and

138

.

FIGS. 11-13

show various aspects of the user interface

144

and display

146

. The controller

20

can control start/stop commands, controlling speed of incrementing and dispensing, counting bags, duty cycle calculation, and alerts.

FIG. 11

shows a screen having power on/off button

150

and low object (for example a fiber bag) alarm

152

and display

146

. The display has areas for current count

154

, count set point

156

, reset cycle

158

, cycle complete

159

, cycle stopped

160

, cycle in progress

161

, start

162

, stop

164

, clock

166

, index off

168

, eject off

170

and next screen

172

. Other of different display areas can be incorporated as known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 12

shows a screen having an index delay

174

, eject delay

176

, index off

168

, eject off

170

, reset total count

178

, total count

180

, previous screen

182

and next screen

172

.

FIG. 13

shows a screen having a clock

166

, increment hour

184

, decrement hour

186

and previous screen

182

. Optionally, a sound generator can signal an audible alert for occurrence of predefined events, such as, but not limited to, low object count, system jam, failure to eject an object, failure to detect an object, and the like.

In operation of the apparatus

5

in an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the objects

32

are bags of compressed fibers for dispensing into a concrete mixer, the on/off button

150

is activated to power up the apparatus

5

. The required bag number is entered in count set point

156

. Reset cycle

158

is actuated and then start

162

is actuated. The ram

54

is actuated to extend and eject a bag from the present tube

30

A that is positioned in the dispensing assembly

14

. The sensor

136

detects the ejection of the bag and signals the controller that a bag has been ejected. The indexing assembly ram

64

then strokes forward, and the scoop

68

engages and pushes the present tube

30

A along the track assembly

12

. At the same time the ratchet fingers

82

,

84

(if a plurality of fingers are used) pivot upward about the axis of the bar

88

in response to the lateral movement of the present tube

30

A. As the ram

64

strokes forward the plate

72

moves in position below the next tube

30

C to block the tube

30

C from contacting the ram

64

. At the same time the advancing assemblies

18

commence a stroke cycle whereby the ram

102

extends so that the fingers

126

push a tube

30

D along the track assembly

12

. At the same time during this process a next tube

30

C drops onto the plate

72

.

The indexing ram

64

then strokes backward, retracting the indexing assembly

16

ram

64

and the fingers

82

,

84

engage the now last tube

30

B (which was the present tube

30

A) to prevent the tubes

30

from rolling back toward the dispensing assembly

14

. At the same time the advancing assembly ram

102

is retracted the fingers

126

pivot upward and over the next tube

30

E. When the dispensing assembly ram

54

is retracted, the next tube

30

C drops into the dispensing assembly

14

and is ready for ejection from the tube, thus completing the cycle. The cycle automatically repeats until the count set point number is reached, at which time the apparatus

5

cycling is stopped and/or an alert is signaled.

When the objects

32

are dispensed, they may drop into a desired environment, or conveyed to an end environment. In the example of fiber bags being used in a concrete mixer, the bags dispensed by the apparatus

5

of the present invention go onto a conventional conveyor, vacuum tube apparatus or other transport system and are delivered to the mixer, typically in conjunction with other concrete components.

In an alternative embodiment, where a plurality of objects within a single tube

30

are desired to be dispensed in sequence, the tube

30

can be divided into longitudinal compartments and an object

32

reside within each compartment. The dispensing assembly can be adapted to have a plurality of rams in parallel that eject each object in each compartment in a controlled sequence. This might be an advantageous embodiment where each compartment holds a component that must be dispensed in a particular sequence, but cannot be mixed beforehand. The compartments can be adapted to hold fluids or semi-fluids, for example, paint, in tubes whereby the contents can be pushed by a ram and dispensed, similar to a caulking gun dispensing caulk from a tube by forcing the bottom of the tube toward the tip.

In an alternative embodiment of the dispensing assembly, a dispensing assembly

200

is shown in

FIGS. 14-17

, whereby the ram

54

is replaced with a tube containment assembly

210

, which comprises a frame

212

to contain the tube

30

from which an object (not shown) is to be dispensed. The frame

212

is open at the top to accept a tube

30

and has a tab

211

extending from the bottom. The frame

212

is supported at a pivot point

214

which is controlled by a ram

216

so that when dispensing the object

32

, the ram

216

retracts in response to a signal from the controller

20

, causing the containment assembly

210

to drop downward to an inclined or vertical direction (as shown in

FIG. 17

) to dispense the object

32

. A secondary indexing assembly

230

assists in retaining a next tube

30

C in position above the present tube

30

A and the frame

212

until the object

32

in the present tube

30

A is dispensed and moved laterally by the ram

64

along the track assembly

12

. The secondary indexing assembly

230

comprises a pneumatic cylinder

232

attached to a ram

234

. A plate or strip

236

of rigid material is attached to the ram

234

distal end

238

. A plate

240

is attached to the plate

236

in a perpendicular orientation so that the plate

240

is generally parallel to and in proximity to the plate

72

.

In operation of this alternative embodiment, a tube

30

A (as shown in

FIG. 14

) is in place in the assembly

210

. The controller

20

signals the ram

216

to retract, causing the assembly

210

to pivot and dispense the object

32

contained in the tube

30

A. The ram

216

then extends to pivot the assembly

210

back to the horizontal position and thus ready to accept another tube.

The ram

64

then is actuated, which moves the tube

30

A down the track assembly

12

and also causes the plate

72

to move laterally toward the ratchet assembly

80

. At the same time, the ram

234

is actuated in response to a signal from the controller

20

and extends toward the ratchet assembly, causing the plate

240

to move accordingly (see FIG.

15

). The plates

72

and

240

are thereby in position to block the next tube

30

C from falling into the assembly

210

until ready. As the ram

64

pushes the tube

30

A the other tubes

30

advance accordingly and a next tube

30

C is pushed into position over the assembly

210

and on top of the plate

240

(see FIG.

16

). The ram

64

and the ram

234

retract, causing the plate

72

and the plate

240

to slide away from the ratchet assembly

80

and permit the next tube

30

C to drop into the assembly

210

, thus completing the cycle.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. It should further be noted that any patents, applications and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.