Abstract: A freezer chest for storing and displaying frozen foods such as packaged ice cream products for sale to retail customers includes a modular storage bin in which a product stack plate is mounted on a helical support spring. Packaged ice cream products are loaded onto the product stack plate. The product stack plate, urged by the helical spring, advances the stack of frozen products to the top of the storage bin as products are removed by customers. A permanent magnet mounted on the product stack plate generates a magnetic field that couples with position sensors mounted in a vertical array along the storage bin. Each sensor produces an output signal in response to coupling alignment of the magnetic field with the sensor as the stack plate moves through the storage bin. The helical support spring extends the stack plate incrementally in proportion to the weight load removed as each packaged product is unloaded.

Abstract: A cigar vending machine for selectively dispensing cigars of varying sizes on selection by a user includes a plurality of cigar storage and dispensing containers each of which includes a base plate having an extension portion extending in a first direction, a restraining plate having an edge oriented in the first direction, the restraining plate in spaced, substantially parallel relationship with the base plate, the extension portion extending substantially in the first direction beyond the edge of the restraining plate.

Abstract: In an article providing apparatus, a storage rack (11) has at a front face thereof a loading portion for loading articles into the storage rack. A conveying robot (12) is movable right and left along a rear face of the storage rack. Responsive to a command produced in an operational unit (15), the conveying robot picks up, as a designated article, one of the articles rearwardly from the storage rack and conveys the designated article with movement thereof. A conveyor (13) is adjacent to a side face of the storage rack and receives the designated article from the conveying robot to convey the designated article forward. The operational unit is placed in front of the conveyor and receives the designated article from the conveyor.

Abstract: A fastener injector (18) includes a plurality of tubes (86) operable to transfer a plurality of different sizes and types of fasteners (20) in a desired orientation. The injector also includes a receiver (88) operable to receive the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the tubes (86). The receiver (88) includes a plurality of receiver fingers (90) operable to receive the fasteners (20) from the tubes (86) and retain the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation. An injector blade (106) is operable to transfer the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the receiver (88) to a fastener installation device.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing articles of regular shape, such as boxes, from adjacent compartments in which articles are stored in stacks, each of the compartments having a bottom aperture. A dispensing device is mounted below for movement in-between the compartments and includes a mobile carriage supported on guiding members to translate forward-and-back below one compartment when positioned therebelow. A reversible electric motor is connected to the carriage by a timing pulley and belt drive including a timing pulley attached to a control shaft on the carriage. A pair of fingers are mounted to the rotary control shaft.

Abstract: A high-speed sluice assembly and method for transporting semiconductor devices includes a slide along which the semiconductor devices are transported and two independently controlled stoppers which control the transport of the semiconductor devices along the slide. Each of the independently controlled stoppers is connected to a separate actuator. Each of the actuators is also independently controlled. Several sensors are coupled to the slide to determine the position of the semiconductor devices as they are transported along the slide.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and monitoring system includes an acknowledge-back pager, a carriage communicating with the pager, and a medication unit dispensing stored medication. The pager receives prescriptions and transmits messages back to a physician or health care organization. Prescriptions received by the pager are stored and processed by a pager processor. The pager processor communicates with a carriage controller via a series of electrical contacts. At a prescribed time, a motor in the carriage causes the medication unit to dispense the prescribed medication. Numerous medication units may be assembled to accommodate different forms of medication.

Abstract: A movable safety barrier for use in constructing a roof structure having purlins spaced apart from one another in a parallel arrangement is disclosed. The barrier extends laterally across a plurality of the purlins. The barrier is mounted for movement along the length of the purlins as the roof structure is constructed. The barrier includes a plurality of runner portions positioned above the purlins. The barrier further includes a plurality of support portions extending between adjacent runner portions.

Abstract: A vending machine system is disclosed for vending computer storage media and specifically a computer floppy disk. The vending machine includes a housing having a disk carousel therein. The disk carousel holds a plurality of disks in a vertical position. Upon a user selecting a disk to be purchased, a signal is sent to a motor which rotates a carousel positioning the selected disk in front of the dispenser opening at which time a pusher element is actuated pushing a disk out through the dispenser opening.

Abstract: A single, traveling actuator services multiple medication dispensing carousels to selectively dispense medication. The traveling actuator carries a tray that receives the dispensed medication. The tray flips to discharge the medication for patient use. The single actuator simplifies operation and reduces drop distance, thereby leading to a compact, low profile assembly.

Abstract: A modular vending machine for dispensing a variety of different sized products with at least one array received within a cabinet, wherein the array is made up of a plurality of storage chambers with a dispensing mechanism disposed at the bottom of each chamber. The cabinet can receive any number of arrays which in turn can receive any number of storage chambers. The modular vending machine further includes a sensing device received within a receiving trough for confirming that a product has actually been dispensed. The dispensing mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger wherein the plunger controls the movement of a toggle member which is movable between a blocking position and a dispensing position so that only a single product is dispensed.

Abstract: A method for conditioned storage and sale of perishable foodstuffs (A), such as for example meat delicacies, to be sold in portions comprises a display cabinet (2,3) containing a refrigerated and protective atmosphere. Pallets (7) are provided for arranging the foodstuffs (A). There is an operating panel (5) for selecting a desired foodstuff and for activating a control system. A slicer (9) is adapted to take a portion from the selected foodstuff (A) under control of the control system. A conveyor enables the automatic dispense of the sliced-off foodstuff.

Abstract: A coin payout mechanism for vending machines dispenses coins stored in vertical columns. The mechanism comprises an upper frame plate, a plastic retaining plate, a rigid coin receptor plate, a rotatable disk confined within a spacer plate, a bottom escape plate, and a motor-gear assembly to drive the rotatable disk and switches to monitor rotation and coin levels. The plates are fixed together in a stacked relationship; preferably all are square and of similar dimensions. The switches and motor assembly are mounted on the frame plate, which mounts the mechanism within a vending machine. A drive shaft of the motorgear assembly passes through a central orifice defined in the frame and the retaining and receptor plates. The retaining plate receives two coin tubes. The rigid coin receptor plate defines coin receptor orifices coaxial to the tubes. The rotatable disk is generally circular and defines a single oblong stripper orifice near its edge. The stripper orifice alternately indexes with the tubes.

Abstract: An overhead pack dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of trays holding an extensive inventory of packs in an array of altitudinal stacks of packs with the lowermost pack of each stack in a field of lateral rows and longitudinal columns, the apparatus including a control system responsive to the selection of at least one pack, and a carriage carrying pickers for actuation by the control system to traverse the field and carry a picker for location beneath the selected pack such that a picker is located beneath at least one selected pack, enabling the selected pack to be picked from a stack and delivered by the carriage to a dispensing location.

Abstract: An exception card input apparatus for a generally rectangular input card hopper for a card processing machine. The exception card insert apparatus has a carriage slideably mounted within the hopper for movement between a first position, proximate a driving device for removing cards from the hopper to the processing machine, and a second position, proximate a slot through the hopper cover for inserting an exception card into the hopper. The exception insert apparatus also includes a compartment in the carriage for receiving the exception card through the slot when the carriage is in the second position and the compartment is configured to place the exception card in a position for a plurality of rollers to remove the exception card from the carriage and the hopper to the processing machine when the carriage is in an intermediate position between the first and the second position. The invention also includes a method of removing an exception card from an input hopper to a card processing machine.

Abstract: In a nurse administered medication dispensing system a mobile cart contains a plurality of doctor prescribed medication in accordance with a like plurality of patients scheduled to receive such medication. The medication containers stored in the cart is accessible by the nurse only in response to a patient ID code entered by the nurse into the keyboard of a cart supported microprocessor including a software program responding to the input code energizing mechanical components which obtains the medication from an onboard supply and transfers it to a specified nurse accessible cubicle or which releases secured medication dispensing units on or in the cart and records the time, date and quantity of medication dispensed.

Abstract: An automatic sample analyzer comprising, a plurality of sticks which have a plurality of reagent portions corresponding to different examination items so as to be divided into a plurality of groups of sticks by combinations of the examination items, a plurality of cassettes each having an outlet and a discriminatory mark, the discriminatory mark corresponding to one of the group of the sticks so as to accommodate the one of the group of the sticks, a removal device for automatically taking a desired one of the sticks of the cassettes by using a single removal mechanism.

Abstract: An arrangement for the accommodation and sales display of essentially rectangular articles, preferably razor blade units, of wet razors, packed in dispensers. The arrangement comprises a sales dispensing unit for individually dispensing the articles. The unit comprises a housing having a front side, two side walls, and a bottom. The front side is provided with a withdrawal arrangement in the form of a slot-like opening that is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing. Each of the side walls is provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing with a respective recessed portion that cooperates with the slot-like opening of the front side. The articles are disposed in the housing in at least one row.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing one of a plurality of packages. The vending apparatus comprises:a) an outer cabinet;b) an isolated freezer compartment within the outer cabinet for storing the plurality of packages disposed within the outer cabinet, the freezer compartment having a thermal barrier for maintaining a frozen environment within the freezer compartment in isolation of the ambient temperature air filling the remaining interior space of the outer cabinet;c) a mechanism for opening the thermal barrier;d) a picker for selectively removing the selected package from the freezer compartment, the picker being located outside the freezer compartment in between operating cycles and entering the freezer compartment for removing one of the packages only during the removal operation; ande) a controller for automatically controlling the picker and opening mechanism in response to a customer's selection.

Abstract: An automatic sandwich preparation system including a meat patty and bun storage and delivery system. The patty system includes a number of canisters containing meat patties mounted on a carrousel and tilted inwardly toward the center of the canister. An ejection blade slides the bottom patty from the bottom of a selected canister onto a wire conveyor. Each canister is coded for the size of the meat patties contained in it. The carrousel is mounted in a freezing chamber. The bun system includes parallel shelves holding the bun portions in rows separated by step-driven dividers. The bun portions are delivered from the trays into a bun transport that in turn delivers the bun portions to a toaster.

Abstract: A parts feeding apparatus is disclosed for use in feeding a supply of garment appliance parts such as buttons, hooks, slide fastener component parts and the like from parts reservoirs or parts feeders through a plurality of feed chutes onto a parts applying holder. The feed chutes each carrying thereon an array of parts of different types and colors are pivotally movable in the same plane into and out of an operative position relative to the parts applying holder, in which position the parts are selectively transferred onto the holder.

Abstract: A vacuum beam product singulator to singulate "soft" products in an automated order dispensing system (AOS) is comprised of a product cartridge and an inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor belt picks the products from the bottom of the cartridge using a vacuum control element and carries it up the conveyor until it reaches a pinch roller that holds the product ready to be dispensed to a central conveyor of the AOS. Products are picked from the product cartridge by the inclined conveyor in an unbalanced position such that a product will fall off the conveyor unless held by a vacuum generated by the vacuum control element. Thus, random multiplies removed from the cartridge with the picked product fall off the conveyor. The product stream from the hopper is thereby singulated.

Abstract: A cartonless recyclable package for protectively enclosing a product, such as photographic film, comprises a recyclable plastic container and mating cap with recyclably compatible plastic labels thereon bearing product information. One such label on the cap has readily tearable tab portions extending therefrom and tautly secured to the container, to tear apart when the cap is first removed. A second label, secured to the container and overlapping the tearable tab portions, includes inner and outer sheets separably adhered together. The outer sheet can be peeled back to reveal information on the interfacing surfaces of both sheets, and then re-adhered to the inner sheet. A third label, separably adhered to the first label on the cap, may be peeled away and re-adhered to some other surface for reference after the product has been removed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a container for dispensing tablets in a non-reversing manner. The container includes a main container body, an actuator disk and a stop. The main container body is adapted to receive at least one stack of tablets and has an operating orifice and at least one annularly located ejection post. It is adapted to receive and rotatably hold the actuator disk so as to render it rotatable about a central axis. The actuator disk has a first recess which form a complete annulus about the central axis and is coincidental to and mates with the ejection post. The actuator disk also has a recess of width and depth sufficient to receive a predetermined number of one or more tablets, which has an inward end which is at least coincidental with the dispensing orifice when located thereunder and an outward end which is open for tablet dispensing. The container also includes a stop to assure that said actuator disk can only be rotated in one direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of slide fastener carrying a discrete formation of differently colored elements in selected orders. Method and apparatus are disclosed for feeding a plurality of colored elements selectively one at a time in a vertical direction and transferring one such element horizontally to a predetermined position for gravity fall onto a stringer tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destacking and dispensing cup-like containers, such as for use in association with an automated product packaging machine, are disclosed. The apparatus includes pairs of upper and lower jaws associated with each stack of containers received by the apparatus. Both the upper and lower jaws are mounted for movement inwardly and outwardly relative to each stack, with the lower jaws further mounted for vertical movement relative to the upper jaws. By this arrangement, the lower jaws can be operated to destack and separate the lowermost container of each stack, so that the separated container is received on a product conveyor of the packaging machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding tacks to a heel lasting machine has one or more slideways which deliver series of successive tacks from discrete receptacles to selected axially parallel flutes in the peripheral surface of a rotor in such a way that the shanks of the tacks enter the flutes and the heads of the tacks overlie the upper side of the rotor. The peripheral surface of the rotor is surrounded by the internal surface of a stationary housing which has a set of pockets for reception of entire tacks from the rotor. The transfer of tacks from the rotor into the pockets of the housing is effected pneumatically, and the conveying of tacks from the pockets into the lasting machine takes place by gravity and/or pneumatically. The apparatus has a discrete stop for the discharge end of each slideway; such stop or stops can be actuated to bias the head of the adjacent tack against the upper side of the respective slideway and to thus interrupt the delivery of tacks from the respective receptacle to the rotor.

Abstract: An installation for making up batches of articles, the installation being characterized in that it comprises at least one work station for one operator, said station including a storage member (4) for storing said articles species-by-species, said articles each being provided with automatically readable identification means, said station also including a reader (19) for automatically reading the said identification means and a hatch (17) communicating with a chute (18) whose opening is controllable, said installation further including an endless chain of buckets (21) disposed in such a manner that the buckets pass beneath the chutes, and a moving belt (25) disposed beneath the buckets and receiving the boxes (26) for receiving the batches of articles via an inlet station, each bucket being provided with a controllable pivoting device in order to cause the article contained therein to fall into a box, the installation including a station (20) from which loaded boxes are removed and being controlled by a comput

Abstract: A dispenser for the insertion of spacers between the strings of tennis, squash and badminton rackets includes a body having a delivery groove formed therein. The delivery groove is adapted to receive an interconnected strip of spacers and dispense the spacers individually between intersecting strings of a racket. The delivery groove may include a raised portion to allow the strip of spacers to be manually advanced within the device and a pair of prong-like projections for separating a pair of intersecting racket strings. The prong-like projections may have an abutment edge for positioning the interconnected strip of spacers.

Abstract: A dispenser for flat products consists of a cabinet containing magazines for storing a plurality of products stacked according to predefined categories, with an outlet slot for a product selected from one of the magazines. A mechanism for extracting and dispensing the products in front of the magazines extracts the top product from a selected stack and transfers it to the outlet slot. This mechanism comprises a product holding device, individually controlled and motorized vertical and horizontal carriages carrying this device and a support for the device articulated to one of the carriages. The support assumes a holding position in which the device is placed against the top product in a selected stack and then moves to a position retracted against the carriages, holding the product. The magazines are inclined to the horizontal so that the stacks are offered up slantwise to the mechanism and the outlet slot is in a side of the cabinet, between the magazines and the mechanism.

Abstract: A dispensing unit with a pair of product containing shaft for bottles or cans, can dispense two different types of product per shaft pair and has a high storage capacity while being compactly built. To this end a common element is assigned to a shaft pair which element can be rotated from a resting position, selectively to the right or left.

Abstract: A vending machine for combined dispensing of articles which are restricted in shape and size only by the narrowest passage within the machine, and for heating and dispensing of ready-to-eat food portions. The vending machine includes a cabinet and a store-closet provided with a number of shelves arranged one above the other for storage of the articles. The shelves end at a distance behind the front of the store-closet to form a lift shaft wherein a carriage is vertically and laterally displaceable for transferring the articles from their respective storage spaces within the storage-closet to a microwave oven which is positioned outside the store-closet but within the cabinet. The bottom of the microwave oven has the shape of a truncated cone, and the oven-lid likewise has the shape of a truncated cone with the same cone angle as the oven bottom whereby scattering of microwave energy in the surroundings is prevented.

Abstract: The device of this invention is an integrated circuit singulator apparatus comprised of several arm assemblies (14, 18, 34) which act in concert to isolate or singulate an individual integrated circuit for testing of the accuracy of the circuits therein. This integrated circuit handler can accommodate integrated circuits of varying dimensions. The various arm assemblies (14, 18, 34) act to control movement of the integrated circuit devices on a track (12) without damage occurring to the integrated circuit devices.

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: Medication dispensing apparatus for hospital and nursing home use that can satisfy patient prescription requirements on a large scale. The apparatus includes a carriage for dispensing pills or other medication required by the prescription of a particular patient on command from a computer control system. The pills are automatically selected from a large array of bins, deposited in an individual patient tray and delivered to an inspection station where verification of the prescription is achieved by comparing the tray contents with a display of patient data.

Abstract: Ammunition sorting system including a plurality of storage hoppers each adapted to releasably store a different type of ammunition, and a conveyor system including in sequence a plurality of rungs, each rung having two alternative dispositions, one wherein the rung provides a pocket in the conveyor adapted to receive therein a round of ammunition from a hopper, the other wherein said rung precludes entry of a round into such pocket, and cams and followers for controlling the disposition of each rung as it passes each of the storage hoppers.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing merchandise from a vending machine comprises an ejector assembly having an ejector, which by a driven eccentric cam is movable to a pile of merchandise and reciprocable under that pile. The apparatus comprises a central, fixed axle (1), which constitutes a stationary element and on which the driven eccentric cam (3, 4) and a bushing (16) are mounted. The bushing can be selectively coupled to the axle (1) and the eccentric cam (3, 4) and carries the ejector assembly (21). The disclike eccentric cam has an eccentric opening (13), which is disposed within the raised cam track. Below the disc (3) provided with the cam track (4), the axle (1) is connected to a bottom plate (2), which has at least one discharge opening (14), with which the opening (13) can be registered and through which merchandise can be discharged at a defined location.

Abstract: A high performance machine for selecting a variety of electronic components by at least two pickers movable along opposite sides of a row of magazines for delivery to a shuttle intersecting said row and which delivers each component to a conditioning means.

Abstract: A computer-controlled system is disclosed for dispensing selected packages from a vending machine. The system includes an ejector mechanism adapted to travel rectilinearly intermediate a pair of oppositely-mounted storage banks, each bank consisting of a plurality of vertically-oriented adjacent compartments in which distinct packages are stacked. The ejector mechanism includes a carriage mounted on a helical screw rotatably driven by a travel motor. An ejector lever pivotally connected to the carriage is mounted upon an actuator bar rotatably driven by a pivot motor for independently actuating one of a pair of overlapping ejector arms according to the directional rotation of the pivot motor. Each ejection arm is pivotally connected to the carriage and configured to discharge a single package from beneath a stack when actuated. A microprocessor controls the rotational drive of the motors and is provided feedback signals indicative of carriage location package availability by sensors attached to the carriage.

Abstract: A device for the formation of groups of cigarettes of at least one row of cigarettes arranged parallel side-by-side which comprises a feeding hopper subdivided by partition walls into a plurality of adjacent passageways which open into a collecting chamber delimited by a bottom plate and by side pushers. The partition wall located in the middle zone of the row of cigarettes, extends down to the bottom plate and engages by its terminal portion a groove provided in the said bottom plate. In this manner, the cigarette row being formed is divided into two row portions.

Abstract: A vending apparatus comprising (1) a storage area comprising a plurality of vertical chutes for storing rectangular boxes or chutes stacked vertically therein, each chute having a fixed ledge at one side of the lower end of the chute and a pivotally mounted ledge opposite to said fixed ledge and biased toward said fixed ledge, for holding and releasing boxes stacked in said chute; (2) a box retrieval mechanism comprising a carriage mounted on a guide and movable below said vertical chutes and in operational association therewith, a motor to drive said carriage, a release member mounted on said carriage for releasing a box from a chute onto said carriage; (3) a delivery area associated with the carriage guide whereby said carriage may approach said delivery area; (4) an arm to move a box from said carriage into said delivery area, and (5) electronic control circuit comprising a detector to sense an empty chute, a circuit arrangement to price each chute individually and alterably, an input to receive currency,

Abstract: In a vending machine, where the items are stored in separate, vertical compartments from the lower ends of which items are removable, one by one, by a selector mechanism comprising a displaceable frame, which embraces three sides of the battery. A front member of the frame carries a sensor, which reacts if a selected compartment should be emptied down to a predetermined level, and a rear member includes a feeding-out finger connected to an actuating mechanism. This is operated by an electric motor, and a governing circuit comprising two switches, which are operated by the position of the frame in relation to the battery, and by the reaction of the sensor at the selected compartment, respectively.

Abstract: A vending machine comprising an upright circular array of storage bins formed by an annular wall and by partitions extending from a hub which is horizontally journaled for rotation within the wall. A merchandise selector is vertically aligned with the bottommost bin through an opening in the wall and is adapted to receive a single item of merchandise from a plurality of loosely disposed items. The annular wall includes a spring-loaded, slidably overlapping portion which serves as a jam release. Ramp surfaces are provided on the partitions or on opposing edges of the wall opening to divert merchandise to the gravitational center of the bottommost bin.

Abstract: .?.In a nurse administered medication dispensing system a mobile cart contains a plurality of doctor prescribed medication in accordance with a like plurality of patients scheduled to receive such medication. The medication containers stored in the cart is accessible by the nurse only in response to a patient ID code entered by the nurse into the keyboard of a cart supported microprocessor including a software program responding to the input code energizing mechanical components which obtains the medication from an onboard supply and transfers it to a specified nurse accessible cubicle or which releases secured medication dispensing units on or in the cart and records the time, date and quantity of medication dispensed..!..Iadd.A fully automatic apparatus for dispensing medications in tablet or capsule form for a patient is disclosed.