Abstract: A blower device includes a panel, a frame member disposed to surround the panel, a plurality of fans configured to blow out air through a plurality of blow out ports of the frame member, a control unit configured to control the rotational speed of the fans, and a camera configured to detect presence of a person in front of the panel. The control unit is configured to adjust the flow rate and the flow speed of air blown out through the blow out ports to thereby change the direction of an air flow generated by mutual collision of the blown-out air so that the air is blown out toward the person detected by the camera.

Abstract: Dispensing devices and systems for oral transmucosal administration of small volume drug dosage forms to the oral mucosa are provided. The dispensing device may be a single dose applicator (SDA), or an electromechanical device comprising a means for patient identification such as a wrist worn RFID tag and annular bidirectional antenna together with a lock-out feature.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improvement to vending machines and particularly gumball machines, and is equally applicable to vending machines of like design. A system and method are disclosed to convert a conventional gumball vending machine to a solar light fixture using an inner rod nut. A system and method are disclosed to convert a conventional vending machine to contain a rotary turntable.

Abstract: An illumination and hygiene assistance apparatus includes a housing, a power supply, a light disposed on the housing, the light configured to be operable when power is supplied to the apparatus by the power supply, a first actuatable button disposed on the housing, a second actuatable button disposed on the housing, and a timer disposed within the housing, the timer having a display visible to a user, where the display of the timer is configured to notify the user after a first time period has passed from when the user has actuated the first button, and to notify the user after a second time period has passed from when the user has actuated the second button, the first and second time periods being of different duration.

Abstract: Provided is a technique related to a new sensor unit which is flexible in that the sensor unit can be installed in various locations such as inside of a structure with a large curvature, and which can stably measure multi-directional deformation and very efficiently and wireless measure deformation information, and thus provided is a technique of a sensor structure which can be universally utilized in various systems for measuring deformation information.

Abstract: A delayed gratification encouragement toy, provided in a housing having a reservoir for holding a plurality of snack items, a receiving cup having a transparent door, and an activity device. The child engages with the activity device until a milestone is reached. A reward of at least one snack item is dispensed to the child. If the child continues to engage with the activity device without retrieving the reward, additional rewards are dispensed and will increase significantly according to how long the child is willing to delay receiving the rewards.

Abstract: Provided is a coin storage cassette capable of preventing a coin payout failure without requiring a change in the structure of conventional coin handling apparatuses, even when an adapter tube for changing the apparent inner diameter of a coin tube is mounted. 1: An upper rear notch 61 is formed on the back face side of the adapter tube 6, projection-shaped attachment portions 64 are formed on opposing outside portions of the adapter tube 6, and groove-shaped attachment reception portions 32 are formed in the coin tube 21, each attachment portion 64 being engaged into a respective one of the attachment reception portions 32, and the attachment reception portions 32 restricting top-to-bottom and front-to-rear movement of the adapter tube 6; and the adapter tube 6 is detachable from the rear side of the coin storage cassette 1, while a cover 4 is widely opened.

Abstract: A computer-implemented layout tool includes a mechanical design engine for configuring mechanical design components to be included in a design, an electrical design engine for configuring electrical components to be included in the design, a constraint engine for identifying a 3D printer to be used to print the design and to provide design constraints including feedback for inoperative or impermissible configurations of one or more mechanical components or electrical pathways associated with the design; and a simulation engine for simulating, at least, electrical performance of the design based on one or more electrical components added to the design after printing and proposed electrical pathways.

Abstract: A novelty dispensing apparatus includes a housing in which novelty items are contained and a receptacle mounted inside the housing and movable from a retracted position within the housing, though an opening in the housing and into an extended position, wherein part of the receptacle member protrudes from the housing. A door is mounted for movement adjacent to the opening from a closed position to an open position that enables the receptacle member to protrude from the opening. A link member is mounted for movement within the housing and is attached to the door and at another end to the receptacle member. The link member has a handle for manipulation, wherein manipulation of the handle moves the link member and attached door and receptacle member. The dispenser includes lost-motion mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling and vending a food or drink product using a machine having a viewing window into the interior thereof. The user selects through a user interface one of a plurality of characters, then selects through the interface the ingredients to include in the product. The ingredients are dispensed into a receptacle that is moved between dispensing locations within the machine by a robotic arm. An animated sequence, soundtrack and lighting pattern is associated with each character. As the robotic arm assembles the product, the animated sequence, soundtrack and lighting for the selected character are run and shown on a display. The user is able to watch the movements of the robotic arm and the animated sequence simultaneously.

Abstract: A gumball machine includes a gumball container that holds a plurality of gumballs, a neck portion coupled to the gumball container, the neck portion having a coin slot for receiving a coin, and a gumball dispensing assembly that releases a gumball from the gumball container when a coin is inserted into the coin slot. The gumball machine further includes an elongated housing having an upper end coupled to the neck portion, the housing holding coins that have been inserted through the coin slot. A base is coupled to the lower end of the housing and has a bottom portion that is seated on a surface. A spiral ramp has a mouth coupled to the neck portion, the spiral ramp connected around the housing for allowing a dispensed gumball to roll downwardly.

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.

Abstract: Synchronization of activities requiring coordinated timing across a bank of vending machines, such as harmonious actuation of illumination elements, is performed by specifying, in an application layer (e.g., Zigbee) of a network protocol, actions to be synchronized to a distributed timing event and distributing notice of the specified timing event using physical and media access control layers of the network protocol.

Abstract: A vending machine integrated table with a game function attached to automatically dispense product, or to sell product by causing the product to be acquired through manual operations by the user. The vending machine integrated table is provided with at least a top plate, and a vending machine beneath the top plate. The top plate is provided with one of either a displaying and accepting mechanism for displaying products that can be sold by the vending machine, and accepting instructions from users, or a window portion through which a product housing section that houses products can be visually confirmed. A product conveyor conveys product contained in the product housing section to a product dispensing slot provided at the product housing section.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus has a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber that are divided by a dividing wall, a lid covering the second chamber and a cover covering the first chamber, with the first chamber holding a plurality of articles, and an opening provided in the dividing wall to allow an article to pass through to the second chamber. A figure is retained inside the second chamber, the figure having a pair of arms that are normally positioned adjacent the opening in the dividing wall to receive an article that is transferred from the first chamber via the opening in the dividing wall. An actuator is coupled to the figure to push the figure upwardly through the lid so that the figure, and the article held in the arms of the figure, are delivered outside the housing.

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.

Abstract: A confectioneries dispenser including a magazine for carrying a number of the confectioneries for dispensing and a head mounted for movement from a closed position to a dispensing position dispensing the outermost of the confectioneries from the magazine. For returning the head from the dispensing position to the closed position a spring is integrally formed as part of the magazine. To carry spherical confectioneries the magazine is integrally molded with a partially cylindrical enclosure of greater than one hundred and eighty degrees having a semi-cylindrical portion with a pair of straight tangential edge extensions, and a wedge shaped track inside of each extension. An outer case which receives a lower portion of the magazine has an upper projection corresponding and cooperating with a projection on a lower part of the head to simulate the lower and upper parts of a character's mouth.

Abstract: An animal waste bag dispenser wherein a roll of waste bags with the leading waste bag protruding from the center is inserted into a holder with an aperture on one end, and the holder is inserted into a plush animal with a second aperture aligned with the first aperture so that waste bags may be dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing at least one product to consumers includes a housing and a plurality of belt conveyors for storing a predetermined quantity of such product. A serving tray is positioned externally to the housing for incrementally receiving one of the predetermined quantity of such product. Another belt conveyor is provided for incrementally obtaining such one of such product and for delivering it to the serving tray. A controller for selectively operating storage and delivery conveyors. A manually operable switch activates the controller to operate the delivery conveyor in order to deliver such one of such product. The apparatus is capable of capturing consumer personal data. Various methods contemplate use of these devices for delivering targeted marketing information, distributing product samples and for cross-marketing products.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an animal treat dispenser includes a treat container having an aperture, an aperture adjustment mechanism that is capable of varying an effective size of the aperture to regulate passage of animal treats through the aperture, and a plush toy at least partially covering the treat container.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic tablet packing apparatus having sliding racks, wherein tablets received in a plurality of tablet cassettes are successively packed on a per dose basis based on a medical prescription. Each of the sliding racks includes a pair of left and right partition walls, a tablet discharge passage to guide the tablets discharged from the tablet cassettes being defined by facing inner surfaces of the left and right partition walls. Cassette pedestals are attached to outer surfaces of the left and right partition walls and in turn, the tablet cassettes are detachably arranged on the cassette pedestals. The left and right partition walls are able to be individually pulled out from a body of the apparatus. As the left or right partition wall is pulled out, the tablet discharge passage is revealed to the outside thus enabling easy cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A vending machine housing assembly includes a housing body having plural sides assembled one to the next in an end-to-end angular relationship so as to provide the housing body with a polygonal cross-sectional configuration. Each side define a wall portion and a corner portion in a one-piece construction in which the corner portion is rigidly and integrally connected to the wall portion and has an arcuate cross-sectional configuration determining the angular relationship between the sides of the housing body. The housing assembly also has an upper collar and a lower base respectively disposed above and below the housing body and having polygonal cross-sectional configurations like that of the housing body, and elements interconnecting and fixedly clamping the housing body between the upper collar and lower base to provide the housing assembly as a rigid construction.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine (1) is provided with a vending machine main unit (10), with a play device (20) including a stuffed toy (21) on which a user can ride and a drive mechanism (24) for driving the stuffed toy (21), and with a control device that controls the vending machine main unit (10) and the drive mechanism (24) in the play device (20). The vending machine main unit (10) and the play device (20) are interconnected via the control device. The vending machine main unit (10) includes a product dispensing mechanism ((14a (14)), and payment accepting mechanisms ((13a), (13b) (13)) for accepting payment for the item, wherein the control device activates the product dispensing mechanism ((14a (14)) so as to deliver the item to the outside, as well as activates the drive mechanism (24) in the play device (20).

Abstract: Confectionary image design system including a graphical user interface through which a user defines a pattern of confectionary pieces to be arranged on a substrate. A computer processor controls the graphical user interface through which the user defines the pattern, and provides instructions for arranging the confectionary pieces in the defined pattern. A container retains the confectionary pieces used to form the defined pattern. A robot receives from the computer processor the instructions for arranging the confectionary pieces, retrieves the confectionary pieces stored in the container, and arranges the pieces on the substrate in the pattern defined by the user.

Abstract: A vending-machine has one or more displays that inform the customer regarding available vendable selections and that facilitate the purchase of a selected item. By one approach this display can comprise a touchscreen display. Such an approach can support a highly intuitive interaction between the purchasing context and the customer. A display of dynamic content serves to attract a potential customer, provide the customer with a wealth of information regarding available selections, offer the customer a variety of ways to consider and assess available vendable items, support the building of a customer relationship between the customer and one or more marketing brands, and effect the successful conclusion of a vending transaction.

Abstract: A product transfer assembly includes separate transfer segments mounted in a vending machine such that they are disposed in spaced relationship above one another. Each transfer segment has a ramp of helical shape with an exit end and an entrance end spaced above the exit end such that the ramps of the transfer segments together define a path of travel taken by a product item down and in contact with the ramps which includes spaced apart portions helical in shape and reversing the direction of travel of the product item, relative to a generally vertical reference axis, going from one portion to the next portion of the path. Entrance and exit ends of each ramp are angularly displaced from corresponding ends of an adjacent ramp such that the object free-falls out of contact with any ramp between the exit and entrances ends of adjacent ramps.

Abstract: A wipes dispenser includes a generally tubular transparent housing adapted to be worn about a person's wrist with a plurality of wipes contained within the housing. The housing also has an opening through which the wipes are dispensed. In a second embodiment, the opening may be covered with a hinged resealable cap that may cover or uncover the opening as needed.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a value output device. The value output device includes a frame, a hopper mounted to the frame having a hopper opening, an outlet spaced from the hopper opening, a first plate moveable relative to the hopper opening between a first position wherein the plate blocks the hopper opening and a second position wherein the plate is spaced from the hopper opening, and a carrier moveable between the outlet and the hopper opening.

Abstract: A timer assembly mounted removably on a personal soap dispenser of a type having a pump operated by a soap dispensing plunger with a handle and spout. The timer assembly has a housing capsule with a timer for measuring a preselected time interval; LEDs and a music generating chip for signaling the time interval to the user, and a pressure switch for starting the timer. The housing capsule is received in a flexible hood/cover mounted on the top of the handle so that pressure switch is actuated to start the time by pressure of the user's hand during depression of the handle to dispense soap.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to the provision of a video display device within an article vending machine, such video display being used to provide one or more of an “entertainment”, “advertising” and/or an “interactive product selection” enhancement to the vending machine.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for items (26), such as cans (28) or bottles (30), including a main body (16) including one or more openings (32,34) for item dispensing therethrough; a storage means such as a holder (24) included in the main body to store the items substantially within the main body; and a rotation device (54,66) to rotate substantially within the main body, wherein items are presented by the rotation device to one or more of the openings for dispensing.

Abstract: A vending machine with adjustable merchandise receiving hole comprises a body; a tank and a rotary disk; a stop plate being installed between the tank and the rotary disk; the stop plate having a notch corresponding to and above the output hole of the tank; a lifting unit being formed by a base and a lifting seat; the base being locked to a bottom of the tank; the base being installed with a buckle; a spring being installed between the buckle and the base; the lifting seat having at least one supporting rod; the supporting rod being formed with a recess for buckling with the buckle; an upper end of the supporting rod extending into the tank to be pivoted to a bottom of the stop plate; at least one reduced hole seat capable of being installed upon the receiving hole of the rotary disk.

Abstract: Disclosed is a candy storage and dispenser device. A multi-compartment dispensing device offers a unique device for storing and dispensing candy. Accordingly, multiple types and/or colors of candy may be contained in a transparent housing to create a very colorful presentation. Any number of candy types, including powdered, beads, pellets and the like, may be stored and dispensed with the multi-compartment device. The compartments are joined by a series of apertures which may, or may not, be regulated by a movable barricade. Then, when desired, the multiple candies are dispensed through the series of compartment apertures and a dispensing aperture. One version comprises a flute-shaped device having an operational mouthpiece.

Abstract: A magazine (3) for a tablet dispenser (1) for receiving and sequentially dispensing tablets (T) consists of a housing (4) which is substantially cuboid and is open on the longitudinal side (5), receives a longitudinally guided slider (6) and a helical spring (8) supported between the slider (6) and the housing floor (7) and comprises an output device (10) at the housing head (9) which is opposite of the housing floor (7), with the helical spring (8) engaging with its floor-side end (11) of the winding in a clamping gap (12) in the region of the floor of the housing.

Abstract: A facial tissue dispenser includes a first compartment sized to receive a supply of facial tissues, and a lower supporting surface including an opening facilitating a serial dispensing of the facial tissues. A second compartment coupled to the first compartment provides a supply of trash bags. A connector coupled to an exterior surface of one of the first and second compartments supports one of the trash bags in a trash-receiving attitude. A supporting element supports the dispenser and trash bag at a convenient height for use by children.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing small items such as pieces of candy is disclosed herein. The dispenser includes a container having a first major side, a second major side, and a storage volume positioned between the first and second major sides. The dispenser includes a dispensing member for carrying the items from the storage volume to a dispensing opening. The dispenser also includes a maze structure within the container. At least one major side of the container includes transparent material to allow a user to view the items within the container as the user tries to move the items through the maze toward the dispensing member for discharging the items from the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A product dispenser attached to or associated with one or more articulating members or components, which are user manipulable to provide a novelty object dispenser.

Abstract: A bulk vending machine provides a dispensing conduit having a revolving mouth that floats on top of a heap of articles in the product bin. The mouth is movable between a horizontal orientation, in which the mouth can scoop articles off of the surface of the heap, and a vertical orientation in which a throat of the dispensing conduit opens to allow an article which has been scooped into the mouth to fall through the dispensing chute. Revolution of the dispensing conduit by turning the handle causes the mouth to revolve around the heap of articles, scooping up one or more articles in its path.

Abstract: A dispenser is adjustable to contain beverage container lids of various sizes. A housing has a front element with an opening. Pager assemblies are mounted in slots which extend radially outwardly from the opening. A stack of lids is inserted into the housing through the opening, and the pager assemblies allow a single lid to be extracted from the stack by the pivoting of a door containing two claws which engage the frontmost lid. To reconfigure the dispenser for a different lid size, a template is positioned frontwardly of the housing front element, and the pager assemblies are adjusted to abut the template, thereby configuring the pager assemblies in the proper position. The claws on the lid are then replaced with claws which are configured to the new lid shape.

Abstract: The gas operated particle feed apparatus may feed particles to an outlet port. There may be a fixed member having a bottom with a particle aperture centrally disposed therein, an annular wall upstanding from the bottom and a plurality of gas apertures. The fixed member may be attached to a base member that may have a central outlet port. A particle outlet element with a constriction aperture may be disposed between the fixed member and the base member. A rotating member with a disk, an agitator, a feed aperture, and a radial disk groove with a ball therein may be disposed in the fixed member and restrained transversally by the wall. Groove apertures may be formed in the disk. A top member may be disposed on the fixed member and may have a central opening. The agitator may protrude through the central opening.

Abstract: An automated vending machine is adapted to vend vacation-related goods. The vending machine is constructed as an enlarged reproduction of a conventional traffic control signal. The vending machine includes a rectangular enclosure in which is housed a storage and vending assembly. The enclosure includes a plurality of illuminated, colored lamps. A plurality of circular cavities are provided for visually displaying goods. A coin and bill counter with coin return is provided for receiving a customer's consideration. The vending machine further includes a dispensing chute having a discharge hopper into which goods are delivered. A plurality of push-buttons facilitate communication between a customer and internal circuitry of the storage and vending assembly to facilitate dispensing of a good selected by customer after correct amount of consideration is inserted in coin and bill counter.

Abstract: Provided is a dispensing system, including a container configured with one or more apertures, and configured to house items, a faceplate configured with one or more dispensing apertures, rotationally coupled to the container, such that the items may be dispensed from the container, and one or more novelties coupled to the container, configured to move when the faceplate rotates with respect to the container.

Abstract: A product dispenser attached to or associated with one or more articulating members or components, which are user manipulable to provide a novelty object dispenser.

Abstract: An in-wall coin bank with novelty face. The bank features a novelty face with an entertainment feature. The entertainment feature responds when a deposit is made, amusing or entertaining the user. The face may be detachable, different types of faces with entertainment features are possible. Methods of using the bank for saving are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A candy dispenser comprises a head end and a tail end linked by a substantially translucent tube, a spring being contained in and visible through the tube and extending from the head end of the candy dispenser to the tail end of the candy dispenser. The spring contained within the tube impedes the free fall of candy pellets and functions as a track upon which some candy pellets can ride from one end of the candy dispenser to the other, while some other candy pellets fall through the center of the spring, the falling action and movement of the candy pellets creating a fun and interesting visual image.

Abstract: A machine for vending products include a housing, an magazine indexing drive mechanism in the housing and drivingly coupled to a product storage and dispensing magazine at spaced apart lower and upper portions of the magazine, a plurality of ball bearings rotatably supporting the magazine on a product separation fixture in the housing, a resiliently yieldable mechanism supported on the separation fixture and having a spring-biased pivotally-movable flap operable to impart a positive downwardly-directed force on the lowermost product that will push it downward toward an opening in the housing, and portions of the housing and the separation fixture defining a path for passage of products to the opening which is located outwardly of and bypasses the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanically operated product dispenser which has a push button that engages one end of a pivoted arm. The opposite end of the pivoted arm is pivotably connected to a slide gear that drives a drive gear. The drive gear drives a spindle on which a cam and a dispenser cog are secured. The cam has a sloping surface groove which receives an arm of a secondary housing in order to pivot the secondary housing as the cam is rotated. The dispenser cog is rotated by the spindle and forces a product in a product reservoir into a dispensing track in the secondary housing. Therefore, the device easily dispenses a product into a receptacle or into one's hand if desired.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a figure having a head supporting a rotating plate and a torso supported upon a base. The torso defines a token dispensing passage in communication with the head and further supports a pivotably moveable arm. The arm is pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position against a return spring which urges it toward its raised position. A gear mechanism is operable in response to downward movement of the arm against the return spring to rotate the plate within the figures head and agitate a plurality of disc-like tokens received within the head chamber. A single token is discharged through the torso and outwardly through the door formed in the figures torso to complete token dispensing. The arm is released and the cycle repeated by each player to dispense game tokens.

Abstract: An improvement in the design of gumball dispensing mechanisms is described, and, more specifically, resides in the size and shape of the gumball dispensing openings formed through the dispensing wheel. In one embodiment, the openings are generally arcuate shaped, and in another embodiment they are generally “peanut” shaped. In either case, the openings are designed to dispense two large gumballs, relatively jam-free, for each use of the gumball machine by a customer.

Abstract: An animated candy dispenser for tablet candy pieces including a magazine for storing the candy in a columnar manner, a finger actuated button mechanically linked to a dispensing assembly that includes a movable character with candy gripping extensions to grab and retain a piece of candy and withdraw it from the dispenser.