By Engagement With Slot, Notch Or Protuberance Patents (Class 221/152)
  • Patent number: 11230426
    Abstract: A child-resistant dispenser includes a housing (110); and a slider (150) disposed on the housing and configured to slide from a closed position to a dispensing position, the slider comprising a movable engagement portion (148) that engages a stop (122) on the housing, wherein the engagement between the movable engagement portion and the stop restricts movement of the slider to the dispensing position and the movable engagement portion is configured to disengage from the stop in response to a release force applied to the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Martin, Eric Schmidt, Robert G. Petit
  • Patent number: 11091312
    Abstract: A container (1) includes: a first storage section (11) for storing a plurality of solid objects (200); a second storage section (12) provided so as to be capable of being in communication with the first storage section (11) through a predetermined communication opening (50) and also so as to be capable of being in communication with an outside space (300) through a predetermined extraction opening (100); a tray (20) having a receiving section (80) which receives one solid object (200) supplied from the first storage section (11) to the second storage section (12), the tray (20) also having a first wall section (91) capable of closing the communication opening (50), the tray (20) further having a second wall section (92) capable of closing the extraction opening (100), the tray (20) being stored in the second storage section (12); and a movement mechanism (17) for sliding the tray (20) within the second storage section (12) between a first position at which the communication opening (50) is open and the extrac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: OTSUKA TECHNO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Tojo, Takaaki Nakao, Hiroshi Ohno, Shiho Fukaya, Yoshio Hara
  • Patent number: 10896750
    Abstract: A medication management system, having a pill dispensing system having: a funnel having an open bottom end; a tube holder; a tube having: a hollow interior; means for securing the tube to the tube holder, such that a rotational movement of the tube holder causes a same rotational movement of the tube; a pill receiving hole facing upwards when the pill dispensing system is not actuated, and providing access to the hollow interior; wherein the open bottom end is aligned with the pill receiving hole when the pill dispensing system is not actuated, such that the pill receiving hole is configured to receive a pill, the pill dropping from the funnel into and housed within the hollow interior; and means for causing the rotational movement, such that the pill receiving hole faces downwards and thus dispenses the pill housed within the hollow interior out of the pill dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: James Arric
  • Patent number: 9737162
    Abstract: A dispenser for wrapped straws has a housing with a hopper with upright plates forming parts of reciprocating assemblies that move outwardly when a front actuator engages a cam plate for axial movement. A composite plunger assembly travels on the cam plate. The plunger assembly has multiple spring loaded ejector members. When the cam plate is advanced one of the ejector members will encounter a straw in the hopper which is by chance positioned to be advanced through an outlet opening. The other ejector members, encountering straws not well positioned for ejection, will be depressed, but will not dispense a straw. A user extracts the one partially protruding straw and returns the cam plate to its initial position which causes the reciprocating assemblies to return to a central position, thereby shuffling the wrapped straws and presenting them again to the plunger assembly for the next dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 9022254
    Abstract: A vending machine to dispense purchased goods includes a frame, a dispensing member, a controlling member, a blocking member and a driving member. The controlling member can slide a limiting shaft between a latched position and a releasing position. The driving member is a spring which is partly uncoiled and which constantly pulls the dispensing member, and thus a line of goods, towards the blocking member. When the limiting shaft is in the latched position, the limiting shaft prevents the blocking member rotating, so holding back the line of unpurchased goods. When the limiting shaft is retracted to the releasing position, the pressure of the line of goods rotates the blocking member through ninety degrees to allow one of the goods to pass out of the goods channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (WuHan) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Zhi-Jun Fu
  • Publication number: 20150014346
    Abstract: A dispensing device for a vending machine includes a frame, a base plate, a limiting member attached to the frame, and a pivot shaft. When supported, the base plate carries a product item but when the support is rotated away the base plate drops to release the product item. The frame includes a main plate and a pair of mounting pieces with mounting holes. The base plate includes a pivot hole for the pivot shaft, the pivot shaft includes a rod, extending though the mounting hole and the pivot hole, and a limiting cap, connected to a distal end of the rod. An inner side of the limiting cap resists against the mounting piece. A resisting post on the limiting member resists against an outer side of the limiting cap, thereby preventing the pivot shaft from working loose and disengaging out of the mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WUHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUN-LUNG CHEN, LI TONG, WEI-YONG MA, CHUAN LIN, JIANG-FENG JIAO
  • Patent number: 8651321
    Abstract: A gumball machine includes a gumball container that contains a plurality of gumballs, and a neck portion coupled to the gumball container. The gumball machine has an elongated transparent housing having an upper end coupled to the neck portion, and a base coupled to the lower end of the elongated housing. A speaker is positioned inside the base and is electrically coupled to a switch, a plurality of lighting elements are arranged inside the transparent housing and electrically coupled to the switch, and a power supply is housed inside the base and electrically coupled to the switch, the speaker and the lighting elements. When an actuator is actuated, the actuator turns on the switch to cause the lighting elements to flash, the speaker to broadcast sound and/or music, and a gumball to be dispensed from the gumball container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sweet N Fun, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hoi Wai Fu
  • Patent number: 8646650
    Abstract: Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Lockwood, Roger K. Miller
  • Patent number: 8523013
    Abstract: Containers for contents in a liquid bath, which are resealable and have an elevating lift therein. The lift is preferably operated by an operator that fits within the container. The lift engages both a feature on the operator and a feature on the container. A slope differential exists between the operator feature and the container feature. Rotation of the operator relative to the container results in longitudinal movement of the lift within the container. The lift can be moved toward an upper position to raise at least a portion of the contents out of the liquid bath to facilitate dispensing of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Randy D. Sines
  • Patent number: 8517215
    Abstract: A cabinet for storing and dispensing an inventory of items, the cabinet comprising: at least one drawer having a plurality of criss-crossing row slats and column slats arranged along its bottom and a plurality of corresponding bins. The row slats have a plurality of flexible appendages and the column slats have a plurality of notches corresponding to the appendages. Slat movement actuators axial move the slats. Each bin has a pivotal lid; a lid lock and release element and a lid lock and release element adapted to hold the lid closed until actuated by one of the appendages, whereby bins of various sizes can be arranged abutting each other in the drawer and the bins are openable by actuating the row slat(s) and column slat(s) related to the bins to be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Aaron Shafir
  • Patent number: 8490835
    Abstract: A container cover assembly that has at least two states. In the first, closed state, the removal of the contents of the container through the opening of the container is prevented. In the second, open state, the removal of the contents of the container through the opening of the container is possible. The cover assembly comprises a mechanism for preventing the transfer of the cover assembly from the first state to the second state, unless at least a predetermined number of shaking motions is applied to the container and cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apus Innovation Ltd
    Inventors: Tal Benyamin, Eran Aharon Medina, Asaf Galili
  • Patent number: 8419011
    Abstract: A value sheet store from which value sheets may be dispensed. The value sheet store includes a housing having an aperture from which value sheets are dispensed, and a shutter operable to block the aperture. The aperture may be at least partially defined by at least one roller. The shutter may be formed to interleave with the aperture to block the aperture. The shutter may also be formed to interleave with the roller. The value sheet store may be adapted to be removably engageable with a value sheet transporter for transporting sheets to or away from the store. The value sheet store may be configured so that the shutter blocks the aperture when the value sheet store blocks the aperture when the value sheet store and the transporter are not engaged and unblock the shutter when the value sheet store and the transporter are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventors: André Gerlier, Roberto Polidoro, Guillermo Garcia, Christian Voser
  • Patent number: 8386075
    Abstract: A system for controlling advancement of and access to product and for generating data associated with such advancement and access. Systems of this invention include a pusher system having a track, a pusher, and mechanisms for generating data relating to the movement of the pusher. Certain embodiments of the invention include a door assembly, which controls consumer access to product located behind the door assembly, a stop for limiting the forward progression of the pusher along the track, and mechanisms for generating data relating to when and/or for how long the door assembly is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Lockwood, Roger K. Miller, Scott H. Stapleford, Gary N. Stapleford
  • Patent number: 8191730
    Abstract: A stamped bucket for a vending machine having an elongated body with opposing first and second ends, a first end wall integrally formed on the body along the first end and a second end wall integrally formed on the body along the second end. The first and second end walls extending in generally transverse relation to the body. The first end wall has one or more tab portions extending therefrom that are secured to the body adjacent the first end. The second end wall also has one or more tab portions extending therefrom that are secured to the body adjacent the second end. An axis of rotation extends between the first and second end walls substantially longitudinally along the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: The Boehm Pressed Steel Company
    Inventors: Joseph J. Krish, Sr., William R. Reis
  • Patent number: 8136696
    Abstract: A lottery ticket machine able to prevent tickets from being illegally drawn out includes a machine base provided with a driving device, two press rollers with pressed streaks on the wheel surface and a control device. One of the two press rollers is provided with a shaft extending out of the machine base for fixing the control device that contains a rotary gear with engage holes, a bushing and a control wheel bored with bushing hole to be fitted with the bushing and disposed with engage teeth and projecting members to be respectively engaged with the engage holes of the rotary gear. An outer cover covered on the control device is provided inside with engage teeth to correspondingly engage with the engage teeth of the control wheel, and a spring has opposite ends respectively pushing against the control wheel and the inner wall of the bushing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: Yun-Lan Cheng, Hui-Jin Tong
  • Patent number: 8140187
    Abstract: A multi-drawer and doored vending system in which each drawer has one or a plurality of compartments each holding an items to be vended, and each doored compartment contains at least one item for vending. Drawer control is provided by a drawer opening and position control system comprising an array of spaced apart control tabs on each drawer, a drawer lock and release assembly, and a progressively movable drawer position control bar to control drawer opening in conjunction with the control tabs. Each doored compartment also employs a lock and release assembly. A control system is provided to control user interface, to maintain product inventory counts and to control the vending process. This involves verifying the identity of a user seeking to obtain a vended item, verifying any other system or pre-vend requirements, and permits limited access to a drawer and compartment corresponding to an approved vend selection. An item return compartment is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Automated Merchandising Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Campbell, Marcus A. Loignon, Michael V. Smith, Yaron Bukchin
  • Patent number: 8136687
    Abstract: A cover of a container is provided. The cover displays the number of times a user has ever opened the container which contains medication to thereby inform the user of the user's history of medication use with a view to protecting the user from unnecessary repeat medication and suggesting the user to take medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Hung Kuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8091719
    Abstract: An improved container cap has a structural design for preventing pills from spilling out of a container closed with the container cap. The container cap includes a movable cover that is extensible to enable indirect, two-step dispensing of pills, so that the pills come out of the container at a reduced speed and will not fall out accidentally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Hung Kuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8090473
    Abstract: The invention describes improved methods and mechanisms for providing secure access to pharmaceutical and supply items in a clinical setting. In one version of the invention, a dispensing unit has an interior housing one or more drawers. Each drawer has one or more storage locations. The fronts of the drawers are covered with one or more locking doors, preventing access to a particular drawer, unless the covering door is unlocked. Indicators are mounted on the side of the enclosure, to guide the user to a drawer covered by an associated unlocked door. The unit further includes indicators on the sides of the drawers, to guide the user to the right storage receptacles or pockets within the drawer. Some pockets may have lids. Some of the lids may have locks. Sensors associated with at least some of the individual pocket lids may be provided to detect the lifting of a lid. Means to automatically detect the entry of a hand or fingers into a pocket may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: John David Higham
  • Patent number: 8027748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays that hold medicaments for dispensing. In one embodiment, a method for dispensing includes receiving a signal at a medicament container authorizing the medicament container to dispense a medicament unit contained therein; unlocking an outlet port of the medicament container in response to the signal; dispensing the medicament unit through the outlet port in response to the signal; and locking the outlet port after the medicament unit is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Handfield, Helene Laliberte
  • Patent number: 8006865
    Abstract: A disc feeding apparatus comprises a supporting base, a pusher and an electric driving device. The pusher is driven by the electric driving device to back and forth, such that one edge of the disc is protruded out of the first protruding portion of the supporting base, and the other edge of the disc is limited by the avoiding groove of the second protruding portion and will be pushed by the pusher. Thereby, the disc will fall out of the disc feeding apparatus, thus finishing the feeding of the disc. The present invention can use the precise control electric driving device to cooperate with other structures. With the simplified structure design, the present invention can perform the disk feeding operation efficiently and precisely for a long tome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Shu-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7992744
    Abstract: A dispenser, and associated method for producing such dispenser, for interfolded disposable sheets includes a dispensing container defining an interior volume sufficient for receipt of a clip of interfolded disposable sheets, the container including a first wall with a dispensing opening defined by a removable panel. At least a portion of an adhesive material is disposed at a location on the removable panel such that the adhesive is not exposed to the interior volume of the container in an adhesive state. A clip of interfolded disposable sheets is inserted into the interior volume of the container. After insertion of the clip, the adhesive material is exposed in an adhesive state to the interior volume of the container and contact is made between the adhesive and the uppermost sheet of the clip of interfolded sheets such that the removable panel is attached to the uppermost sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof A. Szymonski, Herb Velazquez
  • Patent number: 7988016
    Abstract: A pill dispensing cap that secures to a conventional pill container. The pill dispensing cap has a lower cap, a pill discharge port, and a spring loaded rotatable and slidable upper cap. Pills are dispensed one at a time, and the remaining pills are isolated from external contamination. A child resistant lock prevents small children and/or mentally handicapped individuals from easily accessing medicine inside the container. The child resistant lock uses a vertically slidable upper cap that is slidably and rotatably attached to the lower cap. A child safety lock uses a key in the upper cap that must be aligned with a slot in the lower cap to allow a pill to be dispensed. When the key and slot are aligned, the upper cap is vertically compressed against the lower cap. As the upper cap moves toward the base cap, a gravity fed pill discharge port is exposed which releases a single pill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Seth A. Klein, Michael R. Klein
  • Patent number: 7922038
    Abstract: A lottery ticket machine having function of preventing tickets from being illegally drawn out includes a machine base provided thereon with a driving device, two press rollers and a control device. One of the two press rollers is disposed with a shaft extending out of the machine base for assembling the control device, which consists of a rotary gear with engage holes, a bushing and a control wheel bored with a bushing hole to be fitted on the bushing and provided with engage teeth and projecting bars to be respectively engaged with the engage holes of the rotary gear. An outer cover covered on the control device is disposed inside with engage teeth to be correspondingly engaged with the engage teeth of the control wheel, and a spring has its opposite ends respectively pushing against the control wheel and the inner wall of a bushing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Yun-Lan Cheng
  • Patent number: 7819282
    Abstract: A newspaper vending machine includes a dispensing sled and an elevator supported by a frame within a housing. The elevator includes a base slidable between a rearward position, for loading a stack of newspapers, and a forward position. The dispensing sled engages the newspaper stack and is translatable between upper and lower positions to dispense the periodicals from an exit area. An actuation arm projects outwardly from a front panel for engagement by a user and is translated along a substantially vertical pathway as the dispensing sled is moved between its upper and lower positions. The frame of the vending machine is translatably supported on rails for movement between a retracted condition in which the frame is located within the interior and an extended condition in which the frame extends beyond a front end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Benjamin Israel
  • Patent number: 7794630
    Abstract: Mixtures are provided of lithium salts with reducing agents for lithium evaporation. The mixtures may be particularly used in the manufacture of electroluminescent organic displays. Lithium dispensers based on the use of these mixtures are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lorena Cattaneo, Simona Pirola, Chiharu Maeda, Antonio Bonucci
  • Patent number: 7743942
    Abstract: A vending machine has a dispensing wheel rotatably mounted on a head with an outer peripheral rim on the wheel having elements displaced angularly from one another in an endless row and radially relative to a central axis of the wheel so as to define a driven gear on the wheel and an alignment device permitting latching of the wheel at, and releasing it from, a desired orientation on the head in a dispensing cycle such that during removing the head from, and remounting it upon, a housing the wheel will be held in a desired relationship with the head in which only given items can pass through the wheel in response to the next deposit of a coin in an actuation mechanism and rotating of a drive gear of the mechanism and driven gear therewith through an actuation cycle corresponding to the dispensing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Kil Jae Chang
  • Patent number: 7735681
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more containers, which hold one or more types of medicaments. In one embodiment, a chamber configured to store a plurality of medicament units is provided and a mechanized dispenser is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of medicament units from the medicament units in the chamber. A lock assembly is provided to lock the mechanized dispenser to prevent unauthorized dispensation of medicament units. In a further embodiment, the container is configured to dispense a single dosage of a medicament from the chamber. In yet another embodiment, the container is configured to be mounted in a dispensing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Handfeld, Helene Laliberte
  • Patent number: 7731058
    Abstract: Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Reynaldo Stamatis Filho, Mauro Moreira De Lima, Luciano Missurini
  • Patent number: 7591396
    Abstract: A restrictor and dispensing system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The restrictor includes a restrictor body positioned on a top sheet of a stack of sheet materials which are positioned in a dispenser. The restrictor assists in one at a time dispensing from a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes the dispenser, which has a housing including a container and a lid, and the housing is configured to hold and dispense sheet material. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. The sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material away from additional sheet materials for dispensing. The restrictor cooperates with the housing and sheet mover to dispense one sheet material at a time. The restrictor may be provided with the dispenser, or separately. Alternatively, the restrictor may be provided in a cartridge filled with a stack of sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis, Guy William Provenzano
  • Patent number: 7513390
    Abstract: A vending machine including a dispensing door openable to permit removal of merchandise from the vending machine, and a one-way stopper positioned relative to the dispensing door, such that upon removal of merchandise from the vending machine, the one-way stopper is deployed to a position that prevents placing the merchandise back in the vending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hotel Outsource Management International, Inc.
    Inventor: Eyal Artsiely
  • Patent number: 7490734
    Abstract: A combination tissue dispenser and trash receptacle is disclosed. A substantially hollow housing has a dispensing compartment and a receptacle compartment which each include an aperture therein for ingress or egress of tissues. A dividing wall separates each compartment, and each compartment further includes a retaining flap that covers the aperture for selectively retaining tissues therein. In use, the dispensing compartment is loaded with unused tissues, each being successively removed through the aperture for use when needed. After a tissue is used, the used tissue is inserted past the retaining flap of the receptacle compartment and retained therein. In this way used tissues may be easily discarded after use in a convenient manner. An embodiment having removable receptacle inserts for convenient temporary storage of used tissues is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Andrew G. Carr
  • Publication number: 20090032547
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a three button actuated pill holder/dispenser are provided. Such a pill holder/dispenser may include a housing comprising a plurality of apertures, a top button and two side buttons. In response to actuation of the top button, a pill may be dispensed from the pill holder/dispenser. Preferably, the two side buttons, which may project through the apertures, lock the top button, such that the top button may only be actuated when the two side buttons are depressed. Alternatively, some other sequence of the buttons may be implemented to cause a pill to be actuated. Additionally, the pill holder/dispenser may be packaged in a sealable package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Theresa Litherland, Lizabeth London, Lawrence Kiey, Debbie C. Heilman, David Trapani, Shaun Walsh, Juliet McQuillan, Michael Forehand, Eric Christopher, Janice Jackson, Kathy Monday, Adele Gulfo, Elissa Budischak, Tammi Gaskins, Dipak Patel, Ryan Lynch, Jacqueline McSwiney, Thomas Parent
  • Patent number: 7428978
    Abstract: A dispenser and system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing including a container and a lid. The container and lid cooperate to provide an inner surface formed to include an internal compartment configured to hold sheet material. The housing includes an exit port for withdrawal of sheet material therefrom. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. A portion of the sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material positioned in the housing such that at least the portion of the sheet material is moved away from additional sheet materials positioned adjacent thereto by the sheet mover. The portion moved away is positioned to be easily withdrawn through the exit port by a user. The system includes the dispenser having a sheet mover and a plurality of sheet materials disposed in the dispenser. A disposable, one-use dispensing system is provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Lewis, Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 7275483
    Abstract: An anti-jam bezel is provided for dispensing a flexible substrate from an output slot. A guideway is provided for receiving the flexible substrate from a transport and guiding the flexible substrate into the output slot. The guideway may extend from the output slot to the transport to provide a substrate receiving opening. The bezel body is adapted for mounting with the substrate receiving opening adjacent the transport such that the guideway catches a leading edge of the substrate after the substrate exits the transport and guides the leading edge into the output slot. In the event the output slot is blocked, the guideway is adapted to guide at least a portion of the substrate into the substrate receiving opening so that at least the portion of the substrate loops into the substrate receiving opening, thereby preventing a jam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: TransAct Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry Knobel
  • Patent number: 7182219
    Abstract: A coin-operated vending machine includes a magazine which stores small boxes or packages of items one on top of the next in columns or stacks arranged in a circumferential row thereof and a dispensing mechanism operable to effectively dispenses such small boxes or packages of items one at a time from a selected one of the stacks thereof. The vending machine also includes a one-way indexing mechanism operatively adapted to limit rotation movement of the magazine to only one rotational direction and a reciprocal locking mechanism capable of coacting with the dispensing mechanism to lock the magazine in a stationary position when a lowermost package is received in the dispensing mechanism from the selected one of the stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Kil Jae Chang
  • Patent number: 7108153
    Abstract: A medication access control device having a high-strength, high-impact cover and base that allows manual advancing and actuated dispensing of tablets, capsules, or pills of virtually all sizes from a medication cartridge, having penetrable seals, through a dispensing hole located at the base of the device housing. The medication cartridge rests on a cartridge driver rotatably connected to the bottom half of the device housing. A battery powers a timing device and solenoid to draw a locking lug from steps on the cartridge driver. A spring advances a lug lock to hold the locking lug open until the medication cartridge is rotated. As the medication cartridge is rotated a cartridge device tooth advances a trigger, which releases the locking lug and locks the cartridge driver from rotating. A rewind protection lock prevents the cartridge driver from rotating backwards. A switch resets the timer as the cartridge driver is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Brad Wood
  • Patent number: 6267639
    Abstract: A candy container or dispenser having a sound generating device and having an oscillating member protruding from an aperture is disclosed. The candy dispenser comprises a housing adapted for attachment to a candy container, with the housing defining an internal cavity and including an aperture. A member is pivotally mounted to the housing and protrudes from the aperture. A gear mechanism is disposed within the housing cavity and includes a rotatable wheel having an irregular peripheral surface. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the member and includes an actuating trigger. A reed is mounted within the cavity and has an end contacting the peripheral surface, so that upon actuation of the trigger the gear mechanism imparts rotational movement to the wheel thereby causing the reed to produce a sound in response to contact with the wheel peripheral surface. At the same time, the member oscillates about its pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: OddzOn, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Menow, David A. Fuhrer
  • Patent number: 6237804
    Abstract: A pill dispensing apparatus for delivering pills, comprising a housing formed to cooperate with a container. An agitator having a passageway formed therethrough and being in slidable engagement with the housing. The agitator is configured to move the pills within the container into the passageway upon vertical displacement of the agitator into the container. In communication with the housing and the agitator is an escapement member. The escapement member is formed to move generally laterally to the passageway and to allow at least one pills to exit from the passageway as the agitator slidable engages with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Van Collin Peery, Gregory Mark Peery
  • Patent number: 6220480
    Abstract: A pill dispenser for dispensing pills is provided that has a container for holding the pills to be dispensed. The container is closed at one end and open at the opposite end. The container is slidably received in a sleeve. The dispenser has an outlet through which a pill can pass from the container and a gate for closing the outlet to prevent a pill from passing through the outlet. The arrangement is such that the gate is opened when the container is moved in the sleeve, so that a pill can pass through the open end of the container to the outlet to be dispensed from the dispenser. The dispenser may be arranged so that one and only one pill is dispensed at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: A. Nelson & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Philip Stankus, Paul Gocher
  • Patent number: 6182859
    Abstract: A bulk vending machine having: a housing having a storage bin to store items; a dispensing mechanism attached to the storage bin to dispense the items, the dispensing mechanism having an opening; a flexible member secured to the dispensing mechanism to assist in ejecting the items through the opening; and a cover disposed around the flexible member to prevent the items from being damaged or breaking open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Northwestern Corporation
    Inventor: Richard K. Bolen
  • Patent number: 6053358
    Abstract: A lottery machine preventing lotteries from drawing out illegally mainly includes a base, a lottery moving device, a face plate and a coil spring. A micro switch is provided on one of two parallel side plates of the base, and held in ON condition by a stop pushed by the lottery moving device laid between two rails on the left side plate to move back and forth. A lottery is normally moved out of an outlet of the face plate by turning on a motor of the lottery moving device. But when a lottery is to be pulled out unlawfully, the lottery moving device can be moved forward by an external force pulling the lottery, cutting off the micro switch to stop the lottery moving device. Then the lottery may be pressed down firmly by an activating plate against a guider under the outlet, unable to be pulled out unlawfully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Hui-Jin Tong
  • Patent number: 6050447
    Abstract: An electronically actuated and monitorable bulk vending machine assembly for electronically actuated vending from a select one of a plurality of rack mounted of bulk vending including at least one electrically lockable, crank actuated vending machine linked to a microprocessor controlled, interrogatable central control and currency acceptor unit and methods of assembly and use associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Parkway Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Kovens, Michael T. Gootee, Robert H. Tegtmeier, Ronald F. Deuel
  • Patent number: 5954228
    Abstract: A safety dispenser providing a container portion having a peripheral side wall defining a cavity therein, an open upper end, a bottom wall and a channel wall disposed between the upper end and the bottom wall, the channel wall extending across the cavity and defining a hopper area and a channel thereby; a trigger being slidingly received by the channel, the trigger having a passageway therethrough and at least one spring member projecting upwardly therefrom; the trigger being moveable within the channel between a first position and a second position, the passageway being in communication with a hole in the channel wall when the trigger is in the first position, the passageway being in communication with an orifice in the bottom wall when the trigger is in the second position; the at least one spring member being engageable with at least one abutment provided on a vertical wall projecting upwardly from the channel wall, the at least one spring member being disengagable from the at least one abutment upon apply
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Minnette
  • Patent number: 5816441
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing tablets one at a time which includes a feature which prevents children from dispensing tablets. The dispenser has a reservoir, a chamber below the reservoir in which the tablets are arranged in a single layer and a dispensing passageway which leads to a dispensing orifice. The passageway is of such a width that a single column of tablets can be accommodated. The passageway is defined by portions of a moving slider member and can be moved from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position, after an unlocking plunger is depressed. The plunger presses down a biased locking plate to disengage a locking projection on the slider from a locking face in the container. In the dispensing position, the lowermost tablet is dispensed whereas the remaining tablets in the column are retained in the passageway by a fixed protuberance. One side of the passageway is resilient to minimize tablet damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Kerr Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Farside
  • Patent number: 5752620
    Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided, comprising a container constructed to hold a plurality of pills, the container including an upper portion and a lower portion; an inclined baffle disposed within the container separating the upper portion from the lower portion, wherein the baffle has an aperture; a first opening in the lower portion; a pill holder, slidably disposed within the first opening and sized to fit through the aperture, for holding a pill located in the container; and an exit port in the upper portion aligned with the inclined baffle, wherein the exit port is sized to allow the pill to exit the upper portion. A pill release mechanism is provided within the pill holder to dislodge the pill from the pill holder by pneumatic pressure once the pill has risen above the baffle. Sensors are located on the exit port to detect the presence of a dispensed pill, which is recorded by an attached computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Pearson Ventures, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Walter G. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5657901
    Abstract: A dispenser of dispensing tablets one at a time which includes a feature which prevents children from dispensing tablets. The dispenser has a reservoir and a moving slider member that can be moved from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position, after an locking pin or detent is unlocked. The unlocking pin or detent is mounted on a movable thumbpad, which requires the application of upward force to unlock the locking pin or detent from a locking hole or recess. The slider member has a chamber which holds only one tablet, which chamber moves from a position where the tablet is blocked from dropping from the chamber to a position where the chamber is aligned with a dispensing opening. In the dispensing position, the tablet in the chamber is dispensed, whereas the remaining tablets in the dispenser prevented from entering the chamber by a wall on the slider member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Kerr Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Farside
  • Patent number: 5599421
    Abstract: A disposal unit for sanitary towels comprises a housing (100) which supports a bag (1) for receiving the used towels. A door (4) is mounted to the housing, in use the door being opened for access to the bag. The unit includes a heat sealing device (8) operable when the door is in the closed position to seal hermetically the mouth of the bag. The door may be pivotally mounted at its lower edge to the housing in which case the means for supporting the bag are arranged to support the bag with the mouth of the bag located towards the top of the door. A control circuit may activate the heat sealing device for a predetermined period of time and also activate a solenoid which locks the door closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: F C Frost Limited
    Inventors: Frederick C. Frost, Edward T. Williams, Peter Saunders
  • Patent number: 5520307
    Abstract: A medication dispenser cap and container comprises a base connected to the container and including a non-circular, for example polygonal, indication portion with multiple points or nodes. A cover which also has a non-circular shape is rotatably mounted to the base and moveable into aligned closed position with the base. The base includes multiple openings around its periphery and the cover includes one opening which can be aligned with one of the base openings to dispense medication, for example pills, from the container. The openings are aligned only when the cover is offset with respect to the base. This exposes parts of the base which may carry indicia that indicate when the dosage should be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Ronee Miller
    Inventors: Ronee Miller, Anna Freed
  • Patent number: 5460294
    Abstract: A subassembly for use in a computerized medicine dispensing station is disclosed. The station has a cabinet for housing openable drawers in stacked arrangement containing dispensable pharmaceutical items. The subassembly includes a drawer having a base plate, side walls, and a front panel defining an interior compartment. The drawer can be inserted into the cabinet. The interior compartment of the drawer is divided into subcompartments, each subcompartment defined by spaced apart side walls and a curved rear wall. Each subcompartment contains a movable magazine mounted therein for racetrack-like movement therein between the spaced apart side wall and the curved rear wall. The magazine includes individual open cups for containing single dispensable pharmaceutical items therein. The front panel has an aperture which is normally closed and locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Pyxis Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Williams