Importance

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Abstract

A dispensing apparatus for thin flat articles, such as monetary currency bills, includes a plenum chamber having an aperture of a size smaller than the articles to be dispensed. A suction device is connected to the plenum chamber to provide sufficient negative pressure to adhere an article to the aperture. A contact member, such as an endless belt, is mounted for movement across the aperture to drive the article adhering to the aperture for release from the stack of articles. The stack of articles can be stored in a storage tray and biased towards the plenum chamber aperture. A series of spacer members can relieve part of the bias pressure. The released articles can be counted and stored in a storage chamber until a predetermined number of articles are accumulated. Subsequently, the passageway from the storage chamber to a dispenser tray can be opened and the articles ejected to the user.

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First Claim