Abstract: A system includes a board comprising a first surface comprising an area identified for allowing a user to identify prescriptions, an area identified for allowing a user to identify times for taking the prescription, and an area identified for allowing a user to removably mark the board upon dispensing pills into a weekly or monthly pill organizer. A first plurality of strips movably and releasably is attachable to the first surface of the board in the area identified for labeling prescription medications. The first plurality of strips comprises a front surface operable for allowing a user to removably label prescription medications. A second plurality of strips is movably and releasably attachable to the first surface of the board in the area identified for labeling times for taking the prescription medications. The second plurality of strips comprising a front surface operable for allowing a user to removably label times for taking the prescription medications.

Abstract: A pellet dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of pellet dispensers, each including a reservoir configured to contain a plurality of pellets and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a quantity of pellets in response to selective operation of the dispensing mechanism; and a support configured to support a plurality of pellet dispensers in respective relative locations allowing for selective individual operation of respective dispensing mechanisms to dispense respective pellets. A method of dispensing pellets, comprising selecting a pellet dispenser that is held in a support among a plurality of other pellet dispensers, and operating the pellet dispenser to dispense a prescribed quantity of pellets.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser for dispensing randomly stored tablets from a bottle is disclosed. The dispenser includes offset inlet and outlet paths, a helical dispensing screw, and a rotation drive. The inlet path can be positioned for receiving a tablet to be dispensed from a bottle or other supply of tablets. The outlet path can be positioned for dispensing a tablet. The helical dispensing screw can be configured to rotate, driven by the rotation drive, to transport a tablet from the inlet path to the outlet path. The rotation drive can be operable by pushing the structure defining the inlet path and the outlet portion toward each other. The dispenser can be equipped with a dispensing sensor and memory that records data regarding each pill dispensed, such as the time of dispensing and the number of pills remaining, and optionally transmits the data to a device on or off the patient's premises.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing items. In one embodiment, a magazine defining a channel adapted to store a plurality of items of substantially similar size in a uniform manner is provided. The magazine may also define (a) a rake element path adapted to allow one item of the plurality of items to be engaged and (b) a dispensing opening adapted to allow the engaged item to be urged out of the dispensing opening. In such an embodiment, a receptacle may also be provided. The receptacle may comprise a storage cavity and a rake element, wherein the rake element is adapted to (a) pass through the rake element path of the magazine to engage the item and (b) urge the item out of the dispensing opening of the magazine into the storage cavity of the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for dispensing plastic bags from a stack of bags, one at a time, for use in stores and shopping areas. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes at least one conveyor belt mounted about at least two rollers and is adapted and configured to engage a plastic bag from the stack of bags, a pressure mechanism for pressing at least one bag against the belt so as to cause the belt to engage the bag, means for rotating one of the rollers so as to cause it to drag an engaged plastic bag upwards to a dispensing area, and means for automatically stopping rotation of said belt after a single bag has been dispensed. If desired, the rate at which the bags are dispensed can also be set and controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A container denester apparatus which overcomes, among other problems, the problems identified above. The denester apparatus positively controls the flanges of the container so as to individually denest a lowermost container from a stack of containers. The apparatus protects the container by spreading the force required to denest the container along much of the flange structure. In addition, the stack of containers above the lowermost container are retained, again along much of the flange structure of the immediately adjacent container.

Abstract: Automated dispensing systems and mechanisms for queuing output from an automated dispensing system are provided for the dispensing of articles. The automated dispensing system may increase efficiency of the automated dispensing system by reducing cycle time, increasing throughput, and reducing the time required for the unloading process. A system for dispensing articles may include a carousel including a plurality of stations, a plurality of carrier holders , each configured to be received at a respective station, and a robot configured to retrieve a carrier holder from the carousel. The robot may further be configured to move the carrier holder proximate the location of a first article, load the first article onto the carrier holder, and return the carrier holder to a station of the carousel.

Abstract: A container denester apparatus which overcomes, among other problems, the problems identified above. The denester apparatus positively controls the flanges of the container so as to individually denest a lowermost container from a stack of containers. The apparatus protects the container by spreading the force required to denest the container along much of the flange structure. In addition, the stack of containers above the lowermost container are retained, again along much of the flange structure of the immediately adjacent container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener container to provide fasteners to a fastener feeder for use in fastener driving operations. The fastener container may comprise a fastener housing and a rotating fastener mechanism. The fastener housing may include a plurality of fastener chambers, wherein each of the fastener chambers is configured to hold a plurality of fasteners. The rotating fastener mechanism may be located within the fastener housing and may include a plurality of bins. Each bin may be configured to receive fasteners from an adjacent fastener chamber of the fastener housing. The rotating fastener mechanism may be rotatable, such that, when a rotation occurs, a first bin drops fasteners to the fastener feeder and a second bin receives fasteners from an adjacent fastener chamber of the fastener housing.

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a container support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, the container support deck being moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and defining a product display area.

Abstract: A tablet cassette of a medicine packing apparatus capable of sensing the tablet congestion occurred inside the tablet cassette and settling the congestion and a method for operating the same are provided. The tablet cassette includes a cartridge having space for containing tablets and an outlet for discharging the tablets, a tablet installation unit, and an oscillator vibrating the cartridge when tablets may not be discharged even if they are remained inside the cartridge.

Abstract: A solution for detecting level of a consumable tissue product (201, 301) in a tissue dispenser (103, 106) located in a washroom. This is provided in a number of aspects such as a tissue dispenser, a method, system, and a sensor unit utilizing two sensor elements (420, 430), each arranged to measure light reflected from a reflection field located on the tissue product, reflected directly from the tissue product, or measure the absence of the tissue product. Data from the sensor elements are wirelessly transmitted to a server (901) for further handling, such as for instance notification to a janitor in charge of service of the washroom.

Abstract: An automatic bill discharging device includes a storing unit which stores a plurality of sheets of bills, a temporary storing unit which includes a bottom plate for supporting a bottom side of the bills in a standing position and temporarily stores the bills therein, a discharging port which is arranged above the temporary storing unit, a conveying mechanism which conveys the bills to the temporary storing unit from the storing unit, and an inclining mechanism which inclines the bills in the temporary storing unit such that a first end of the bills is set higher than a second end of the bills.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispenser, particularly a refillable single-hand dispenser, having a sleeve (13) comprising an opening (23) at the top thereof, and a base part (27) opposite the top. A receptacle (15) for receiving tablets (22), lozenges, or the like is accommodated in the sleeve (3) such that it can be displace in the longitudinal direction. The receptacle (15) can be pulled out of the sleeve (15), the base being biased in the direction of the receptacle top by a zigzag spring (19). The zigzag spring (19) passes through the receptacle (15) through an opening in the base and is supported at the base (27) of the sleeve (13). A tablet package (20) comprising a tubular packaging (65) is disposed in the receptacle (15). The package wall (65) encloses the tablets (22). The sliding base (21) has exterior dimensions that correspond at most to the interior dimensions of the tubular packaging (65).

Abstract: A vending machine has a plurality of product dispensing devices which dispense selected products for movement to a product retrieval location. A selected product is in a first orientation as it moves to the product retrieval location. The orientation of the selected product is changed from the first orientation to a second orientation at the product retrieval location. To change the orientation of the selected product, force is applied to an end portion of the selected product. This force may be applied in many different ways, including by a movable surface on a belt or a movable surface on a sweeper member.

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a container having a plurality of walls that define an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, wherein the container defines a first arrangement of perforations extending in a first row from the opening and a second arrangement of perforations extending in a second row from the opening, wherein the first perforations are staggered by a distance relative to the second perforations.

Abstract: The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.

Abstract: A removable media container for use in a media dispenser is described. The media container comprises: a diverter entrance for receiving diverted media items prior to stacking of the media items; a non-present stack entrance for receiving a stack of media items subsequent to stacking of the media items but prior to presentation of the stack of media items to a customer; and a present stack entrance for receiving a stack of media items subsequent to presentation of the stack of media items to a customer.

Abstract: A system for dispensing gloves including a dispenser and a plurality of gloves positioned in a frictional fit within the dispenser in a compressed configuration. The dispenser has a removable section that forms a dispensing opening for removing an outermost glove from the dispenser. The dispensing opening is shaped such that, upon removal of the removable section of the dispenser, the frictional engagement between the dispenser and a cuff portion of the outermost glove is less than the frictional engagement between the dispenser and a finger portion of the outermost glove.

Abstract: A container for packing and shipping stud welding ferrule aligned along a spindle. The container comprises a body having a top, a bottom, opposing side walls and opposing end walls defining a storage space therein. The container further comprises a spindle retainer operatively connected to the body. The spindle retainer has a transverse portion and a longitudinal portion connected to the transverse portion. The transverse portion extends from one of the end walls and toward and into the storage space, while the longitudinal portion extends from the transverse portion and toward the bottom of the body. The transverse portion and the longitudinal portion are sized and shaped to accept and to retain ends of the spindle to contain the spindle within the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning, holding and moving formed adhesive elements (40) to a heated bonding part (42) are disclosed. The apparatus includes a hopper (12) movably positioned over a matrix plate (14). The matrix plate includes a nesting matrix (18) defined by formed adhesive element-receiving apertures (22). An ejector system (20) is fitted beneath the matrix plate and includes a body (24) having a vacuum chamber (26) with an air inlet (28) and an air exhaust (30). The chamber is fluidly continuous with the apertures formed in the matrix plate (14). The ejector system includes a lifting body to which ejector stamps (34,34?) and an inlet shut off shaft are attached. Channels for the ejector stamps are formed in the body of the ejector system. The ejector stamps are movably fitted in the apertures and the channels. In operation, the hopper (12) slides over the matrix and deposits formed adhesive elements into the apertures (22) then slides away.

Abstract: A packaged product including a substantially enclosed container for a material, said container including a first end, a second end with a width and a length, a sidewall forming an interior surface defining the container, a first opening into the container adapted to dispense the material, a hanging member, and an insert with an insert base portion, two insert side portions and an insert opening along a width of the insert, wherein the insert base portion extends along the width of the second end, the insert side portions extend at least partially up the sidewall, and the insert opening extends along at least substantially the entire width of the second end. A dispensing method including providing a packaged product, opening the packaged product to form a first opening into the container adapted to dispense a material, and dispensing the material from the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and at least one vacuum source. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet defining a dispensing flow path therebetween. The vacuum source is adapted to provide a vacuum pressure and induce a gas flow in the housing. The apparatus is configured to generate a forward drive gas flow from the vacuum pressure and induced gas flow, and the forward drive gas flow conveys articles through the dispensing channel along the dispensing flow path in a direction from the inlet to the outlet to dispense the articles.

Abstract: A retraction cord dispenser can comprise a container with an open end and can be configured to hold retraction cord. The dispenser also includes a dispenser cap for attachment to the open end, and comprises a cap body with a narrow passage for dispensing retraction cord from the container, and the narrow passage can be associated with a retention flap to prevent retraction cord from re-entering the container once it has been dispensed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides an exemplary method for dispensing that at least includes: initiating a movement of a dispensing object along a dispensing passage of a dispensing device; determining, by a displacement sensor, a magnitude of a displacement of the dispensing object along the dispensing passage based on remotely measuring, by the displacement sensor, a characteristic associated with the dispensing object during the movement of the dispensing object along the dispensing passage; generating an indication by the displacement sensor when the magnitude of the displacement is equal to or exceeds a pre-determined distance value; separating, based on the indication, a portion from the dispensing object to form a remaining portion of the dispensing object and a separated portion of the dispensing object; and dispensing the separated portion of the dispensing object from the dispensing device.

Abstract: A utensil dispenser including a reservoir that stores utensils and front and rear pedestals in contact with a next utensil. The pedestals contain a plurality of utensils within the reservoir. A gravity feed ramp moves the next utensil to an access port of the utensil dispenser. The utensil dispenser includes an actuator operably connected to a drive pin or other drive mechanism. The actuator is configured to halt a dispensing utensil at a ready position based upon contact between the dispensing utensil and the actuator. In the ready position, a handle portion of the dispensing utensil is accessible via the access port. The drive mechanism is configured to contact the next utensil. The actuator is configured to move the drive mechanism to move the next utensil to clear the front pedestal to release the next utensil from the reservoir onto the gravity feed ramp when the dispensing utensil is dispensed.

Abstract: A package for product pieces includes a housing having a plurality of walls forming an interior adapter to hold a plurality of product pieces. The housing has a dispensing opening in communication with the interior. A resilient member is disposed in the housing interior and is adapted to urge the product pieces toward the dispensing opening. The housing has an aperture formed in one of the plurality of walls disposed adjacent the dispensing opening to permit the product piece to be engaged and moved out of the interior through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A tracking device for assisting in traceability of grain includes a plastic body, an RFID chip disposed within the plastic body, and a weight comprised of a ferromagnetic material disposed within the plastic body. A method provides for dispensing tracking devices into a stream of grain so as to associate identifying information with the stream of grain. A system includes a dispensing device configured to singulate and dispense tracking devices into a flow of grain.

Abstract: A digital media rental and return kiosk includes a store arranged to store physical digital media items. The kiosk further includes a user interface (i) having a dispense and return slot, and (ii) arranged to enable a customer to interact with the kiosk to either rent a digital media item or return a digital media item through the slot. The kiosk also includes a delivery system arranged to (i) transport a digital media item to be rented from the store to the slot, and (ii) transport a digital media item to be returned from the slot to the store. The kiosk further includes a gate mechanism including a gate which is (i) movable from a closed position to a first opened position to allow a digital media item to be rented to be dispensed through the slot to a customer, and (ii) movable from the closed position to a second opened position which is different from the first opened position to allow a digital media item to be returned to be inserted through the slot by the customer.

Abstract: Beads are transferred in the form of a flow along supply channels into first holding pockets; the beads from the holding pockets of the bead feeding unit are fed to receiving pockets of a bead transfer unit by means of movable feeding means, then in the bead transfer unit the beads are inserted into a guiding chamber formed at the intersection of a guiding groove of a first guiding plate and a guiding groove of a second guiding plate of the bead transfer unit, at least one guiding plate is rotated relative to the second guiding plate, which forces the movement of the guiding chamber so that the distance of the guiding chamber to the axis of rotation of the guiding plates changes, and the beads from the guiding chamber or the guiding channel are conveyed to a outfeeding pocket.

Abstract: A method for keeping constant a pH of a medical liquid being drained from a container includes adding CO2 and at least one other gas or gas mixture to the container during the draining of the medical liquid. An apparatus associated with the method has an outflow for the medical liquid, at least one inflow for the CO2 and an inflow for the other gas or gas mixture, and an electronic control for the determination and automatic supply of a quantity of the CO2 during the draining of the medical liquid.

Abstract: A tapered roller supply system, a tapered roller bearing fabricating system and a tapered roller supply method are provided which enable tapered rollers to be loaded properly in pockets of a cage. The tapered roller supply system has a tube 20 which stocks a plurality of tapered rollers 1 loaded from above in a stacked-up state in an inside thereof and a tapered roller supply portion 30 which separates a lowermost tapered roller 1 from a tapered roller 1 situated above the lowermost tapered roller 1 in the plurality of tapered rollers to be discharged from the tube 20 in upstream and downstream directions so as to allow the tapered rollers to drop sequentially one by one when they reach a lowermost position.

Abstract: A medication drawer, a related medication packaging strip, and a related method of handling a medication packaging strip.

Abstract: The disclosed device and method increase the accommodation amount of blister packages, can dispense quickly and are capable of always positioning in a prescribed position and dispensing in the right manner, even when dispensing fractions. A storage container (2), wherein blister packages (4) are accommodated in a stacked state, is provided with an outlet (13) and an opening/closing door (10). The opening/closing door (10) is provided with: a holding part (19) which can move to a holding position which holds the blister package (4) being discharged from the outlet in the storage container (2) and a releasing position which releases the package; a biasing part which biases the holding part (19) to the holding position; and a reference surface, which, when the holding part is moved to the releasing position, the lower edge part of the blister package can come into contact with, and which enables positioning to be carried out.

Abstract: A vending machine, and an operating system and an operating method thereof are provided. The vending machine includes a cabinet and a transparent touch display. The cabinet accommodates a plurality of physical commodities for vending. The transparent touch display is configured in the cabinet and located in front of the physical commodities. The transparent touch display has a transparent area for revealing the physical commodities. A user selects the physical commodities by touching a position corresponding to each of the physical commodities at the transparent area. The transparent touch display is adapted for displaying corresponding commodity information according to touch information applied by the user on the transparent touch display.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing pet training pads includes a base defining a base axis and having an internal chamber, and a support disposed within the internal chamber of the base. The support is arranged to support at least two pet training pads in superposed relation. The support is dimensioned and adapted to translate within the internal chamber along the base axis to direct the pet training pads toward an access opening associated with the base to permit individual and/or sequential removal of the training pads through the access opening by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing at least one item of media from one of a plurality of possible media dispensing ports. The apparatus includes a user interface comprising a user display, an intermediate display adjacent to the user display and a port location display adjacent to the intermediate display and adjacent to a plurality of possible media dispensing ports. Each display is arranged to selectively display a visual cue to direct a user to a selected one of the possible media dispensing ports.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for temporarily storing at least one item of media. The apparatus includes a rotatable item support member arranged to rotate about a support member axis of rotation and comprising an outer support surface. The apparatus also includes a pair of drive tape members, each arranged along a respective tape pathway, each tape pathway comprising a pathway portion in which the tape members extend in a co-operating relationship supported by said outer support surface. The outer support surface includes at least one support region that supports the tape members and an item located therebetween in a flat orientation.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vending machine are disclosed that can comprise one or more horizontally oriented shelves for supporting products to be vended, a plurality of vertically oriented dividers coupled to the shelves, a plurality of location markers located on the dividers and/or on the shelves, and an optical recognition module configured to optically recognize the location markers and to determine positions of the location markers and products relative to the shelves. In some embodiments, the optical recognition module can recognize the products by comparing images of the products to stored product images.

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a first support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, the first support deck defining a guide channel having an entrance opening and an exit opening, wherein the exit opening opens generally toward the front end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and defining a product display area proximate the front end, and a catch element connected to the dispenser frame, the catch element protruding toward the front end and being positioned proximate the entrance opening.

Abstract: Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In a method embodiment, a method of hand-loading a container with at least one type of medicament is provided. A portable container having plural cells for holding medicament-type items is gotten and is docked at a docking station. Visible information, preferably viewable on the docked container, indicates the cell into which each medicament is to be hand-loaded. The visible information assists a user to hand-load a medicament into the correct cell. The docked container is removed from the docking station after the cells have been loaded with the medicaments.

Abstract: A tissue holder and dispenser includes a cuboid shaped housing having a front panel, two planer side panels and a planer rear panel as well as a planer bottom panel and an open top. The front planer panel includes a horizontal slot through which individual tissues are dispensed while one side wall includes a rectangular opening through which an empty tissue box can be ejected by pushing it out of the housing with a finger inserted through a circular opening on the opposite side wall that is aligned with the rectangular opening in the first side wall. The housing is constructed and dimensioned to hold from one to four tissue boxes with the top of each box facing a front surface of the rectangular front planer panel so that a slit in the top of the tissue box on the bottom of the housing will come into register with a slot in the lower portion of the rectangular front planer panel.

Abstract: The present application provides a merchandiser for dispensing a number of products. The merchandiser may include an a temperature controlled compartment with a number of concentric storage wheels for storing the number of products therein, an input system positioned about the temperature controlled compartment, and a vending system positioned about the temperature controlled compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing one item of media at a time from an item of media container. The apparatus includes a movable element locatable in an abutting relationship with an elected item of media in a media container and disposed to vibrating against the elected item of media to permit the elected item of media to be subsequently be removed alone from the container.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for storing ammunition comprises a hard-bodied capsule for ejectably retaining an ammunition magazine in a substantially water-resistant compartment thereof.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser having a lower housing (12), an upper housing (14) with an elastometric cover (16) that covers at least a portion of a trigger mechanism. The dispenser mechanism (120) has a spring element (130) and a lever mechanism (142) pivotally mounted in the dispensing zone (124). An interior of the lower housing (12) is provided with a pusher bar (149) which extends from a fore wall (103) of the lower housing (12) back towards an upward extending leg (145) of the lever mechanism (142).

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerating cabinet (1) for automatically dispensing sports balls. The invention is characterized in that said cabinet includes: a refrigeration system that keeps the sports balls at a temperature between +6° C. and +25° C.; a sports ball dispensing mechanism (4); and a sports ball container (5).

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a reservoir for holding bulk goods and multiple reconfigurable distribution path devices to release the goods to a purchaser in entertaining fashion.