Abstract:
Apparatus for storing and dispensing cylindrical articles to a transport line located alongside the apparatus comprising a storage unit which is mounted for vertical movement and is provided with a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced shelves which are inclined towards the transport line and a transfer unit located between the shelves and the transport line having a member mounted for vertical movement between blocking and unblocking position with the member blocking the exit from the aligned shelf when in blocking position and freeing the exit when in unblocking position to permit transfer of an object from the shelf onto the surface thereof and which is adapted to effect transfer of said object from the surface thereof when the adjacent portion of the transport line is free, and means controlling vertical movement of the shelves responsive to the absence of an object on a shelf aligned with the transfer unit, said means being responsive to contacts to reverse the movement of the shelf when in its upper position and in its lower position and to control shelf movement by an increment corresponding to the spaced relationship between the shelves in the absence of an article on the aligned shelf.