Abstract: An automatic shoe cover dispenser includes a shoe cover feeding arrangement holding a plurality of shoe covers each having a shoe opening; and a shoe cover pulling mechanism for pulling one of the shoe covers into an open-up condition as a standby shoe cover and being ready for putting on a user's shoe, wherein after the standby shoe cover is dispensed for being worn at the shoe of the user, the shoe cover at a subsequent position is pulled into the open-up condition.

Abstract: A package merchandiser providing for front and rear stacks of packages resting on a common sloping surface, with a rotating gate positioned between the two stacks to prevent the rear stack to slide to the position of the front stack while packages remain in the front stack. The rotating gate releases when no packages remain in the front stack, allowing the packages in the rear stack to move forward. A control cam associated with the rotating gate to additionally control motion of the rotating gate.

Abstract: The invention is a resealable package comprising a liquid and gas impermeable container with a resealable opening and a stack of wetted fibrous absorbent materials and particularly wet fibrous sheet material having interposed between the sheets of wetted absorbent materials at pre-determined intervals a liquid barrier layer. The liquid barrier layer is generally a thin flexible polymeric material which is impervious to the liquid used to wet the absorbent sheet material and is not reactable with the liquid or the absorbent sheet material.

Abstract: A device for holding a plurality of firearm cartridges having resilient portions to prevent movement, and therefore noise, of the firearm cartridges and having access openings to permit removal of a predetermined number of the firearm cartridges from a firearm cartridge removal section of the device and to permit the movement of the remaining firearm cartridges into the firearm cartridge removal section and wherein the resilient portions prevent movement, and therefore noise, of the remaining firearm cartridges.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention are devices for the automatic dispensing of bottles, notably in flexible material.The technical sector of the invention is that of the manufacture of automatic vending machines of drinks in individual containers, of the bottle type, particularly of plastic and containing mineral water.According to the invention the following devices consist of a drum (8) capable of rotation, which receives bottles (6) rolling from a chute (4), fed by ramps (15) set alternately. At each command by the customer for dispensing bottle, a chain drive system (9) provides this drum with an exact turn of rotation and makes the bottle fall into a hatch (7) accessible to the customer. When it returns to its resting position, the drum is reloaded with a new bottle, previously held in a waiting position by a stop mechanism (11) and the bottom of the drum.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for an automatic vending machine includes a conveying mechanism to move merchandise toward a discharge passage, and a discharge control mechanism. The discharge control mechanism holds the merchandise and prevents the merchandise from falling into the discharge passage when the dispensing mechanism is off. The discharge control mechanism includes a control plate which is biased to contact and hold the merchandise, and a locking element which prevents the rotation of the control plate when the dispensing mechanism is off. The engagement between control plate and locking element is controlled by a solenoid which permits the rotation of the control plate during the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A rack for display of articles comprises a plurality of trays for holding the articles. Each tray comprises upper and lower courses connected at opposite ends. At one end, an upper course communicates with the lower course by means of a gate. The gate is controlled by the presence of objects in the lower course so that objects from the upper course are transmitted to the lower course only after the lower course is empty. The gate includes a flag for indicating when the objects are being supplied from the upper gate. Trays are moveable between dispensing and loading positions. In the loading position, objects may be easily placed in the upper course so that they are passed to the lower course when the upper course becomes full. The objects are preferably cylindrical, and the course are arranged to allow the objects to roll along the courses to facilitate dispensing and loading.

Abstract: A magazine is disclosed for dispensing generally cylindrical and elongated articles in a pre-determined order. The magazine comprises a series of shelves with a reciprocating ratcheting plate arranged perpendicular to the shelves. The ratching plate has surface configurations which allow the articles to be advanced in one direction of movement, and remain stationary relative to the shelves in a second opposite direction. The magazine is removable and may be pre-loaded to dispense in a pre-determined order. The magazine finds particular application in the dispensing of samples to an automated analyzer.

Abstract: A vertically-mountable storage and dispenser unit for holding and individually dispensing a large number of small boxes. The unit is constituted by a frame having a rectangular back wall and a pair of side walls secured to the edges of the back wall to create a channel. Projecting inwardly from each side wall is a series of stepped ledges each pair of which defines a distinct sub-channel for receiving boxes, the lower end of each sub-channel having a stop to hold the boxes therein. The leading edges of the ledges are staggered with respect to the back wall to provide discharge openings for lateral removal of the boxes from the subchannels. The sides of the ledges are staggered with respect to the back wall, each front ledge registering with an opening formed in the adjacent ledge which in turn registers with an opening in the next ledge, the rear ledge registering with an opening in the back wall whereby the unit may be injection molded in a one-piece operation.