Spiraling frustoconical dispenser

Abstract

A device for sequentially dispensing individual objects includes a housing having a first housing portion which is conically-shaped. The first housing portion has a first end proximate a supply of objects and a second end proximate a location where the objects are to be dispensed. There is a spiral race, disposed on an interior surface of the first housing portion and extending from the first end to the second end of the first housing portion, along which the objects to be dispensed travel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for dispensing heterogenous objects within a storage compartment, comprising:
 a housing having a first housing portion which is conically-shaped, the first housing portion having a first end proximate a supply of heterogeneous objects and a second end proximate a location where the objects are to be dispensed; and   a spiral race, disposed on an interior surface of the first housing portion and extending from the first end to the second end, along which the objects to be dispensed travel;   wherein a variable height or rotational speed of the spiral race causes immediately adjacent objects traveling to the second end to fall over the spiral race toward the first end, thereby sequentially dispensing objects of a size compatible with the height or the speed of the spiral race in a greater number than a number of objects of a size less compatible with the height or speed of the spiral race.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , where at least the height of the spiral race is varied. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , where at least the speed of the spiral race is varied. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , employed in operational engagement with machinery or a component to dispense individual items or objects. 
     
     
         5 . A device for sorting and dispensing one size range of objects from a supply of the objects having varying sizes, comprising:
 a housing having a first housing portion which is conically-shaped, the first housing portion having a first end proximate a supply of objects and a second end proximate a location where the objects are to be dispensed; and   a spiral race disposed on an interior surface of the first housing portion and extending from the first end to the second end, along which the objects to be dispensed travel;   wherein a size of objects elevated and ejected by the spiral race is limited by a distance of extension of the spiral race from an interior sidewall of the housing.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , where the distance of extension of the spiral race from the interior sidewall of the housing is adjusted to cause different sized objects to be transported up the spiral race. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , where objects are rejected due to falling from an elevated position on the spiral race, the spiral race being sized to cause the falling. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , where objects are rejected due to falling from an elevated position on the spiral race, the spiral race being sized to cause the failing. 
     
     
         9 . A device for sorting and dispensing select objects from a supply having objects with differing textures, comprising:
 a housing having a first housing portion which is conically-shaped, the first housing portion having a first end proximate a supply of objects and a second end proximate a location where the objects are to be dispensed; and   a spiral race, disposed on an interior surface of the first housing portion and extending from the first end to the second end of the first housing portion, along which the objects to be dispensed travel;   wherein the spiral race has frictional properties defined at least in part by one or more of a textured surface, dimples, and a pattern of raised dots.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , where the spiral race has at least a textured surface. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , where the spiral race has at least dimples. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , where the spiral race has at least a pattern of raised dots.