Abstract: A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container is movable forwardly in the container into engagement with an article stack to urge the forward-most article forwardly toward the dispensing station. As articles are removed the stack positioning element normally moves forwardly by an amount equal to the thickness of each article that is removed. However, means are provided for increasing the positioning element's movement in response to removal of the last article, whereby a sensing means can more readily detect such movement to thereby cause an indication of an empty container.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container has an anti-backup member including a pair of pawls resiliently urged into engagement with cooperating ratchet teeth on opposed inner wall surfaces of the container to inhibit movement of received articles away from the container's dispensing station. A plunger may enter the container through an opening in a wall opposed to the dispensing station to provide the required force to sequentially move the stack positioning element and article stack toward the dispensing station as articles are removed therefrom.