Abstract: Systems and dispensers, including methods of using the same, for dispensing bandages comprising: a dispenser body comprising a receiving surface with a first retention element and a hinged flap with a second retention element, wherein the hinged flap is foldable to overlay at least a portion of the receiving surface; and at least one bandage pack disposed on the receiving surface, wherein bandage pack comprises at least one individually wrapped bandage; provided that when the hinged flap is folded to overlay receiving surface, a first retention element reversibly interlocks with a second retention element thus securely retaining at least one bandage pack.

Abstract: Device and method for making ice cubes, comprising a supplying device for supplying a liquid substance to at least one elongated mould (1) and a refrigerating device for freezing said liquid substance, which at least one mould defines a space for an ice column which is at least substantially closed at least while said liquid substance is being refrigerated. The at least one mould comprises two mould halves (Ia, Ib) which are movable relative to each other, so that the mould halves can be moved apart once the ice column has been formed. Method for making ice cubes, comprising the steps of a) supplying a liquid substance to a mould, b) freezing the liquid substance in the mould, and c) removing the ice cubes thus formed from the mould, wherein the liquid substance is supplied in step a) to a mould comprising an at least substantially closed space. Metering device for ice cubes.

Abstract: A package includes an article group formed of cylindrical articles disposed on their sides in a side-by-side parallel fashion, and a carton disposed around the group. The carton includes a top wall, opposed side walls, end walls and an article dispenser. The side walls are disposed alongside the ends of the articles while one end wall is disposed adjacent to the side wall of an endmost article. The dispenser is formed from the end and top walls and includes at least one retaining panel to hold all the articles in the carton until removed by the user.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pull tab tickets, lottery tickets and other articles and the articles to be dispensed thereby are set forth. The device includes one or more carousels removably retaining magazines containing tickets to be dispensed. The carousels are indexed to position a magazine for dispensing the article. After the patron has paid for the ticket, a dispensing mechanism pulls the article from the magazine and dispenses it. Each article has at its margin a slot which cooperates with a rod in the magazine to hold the articles in the magazine. When dispensed, the article is pulled from the rod.

Abstract: Folded sheet units, such as newspapers and magazines are successively removed from a stack of such sheet units by inserting at least one sheet engaging member such as a pin in the fold between adjacent sheet layers of the sheet unit to be removed. The pin is subsequently moved transversely towards the fold so as to withdraw the sheet unit from the stack to a display position. This principle of withdrawing newspapers form a stack is used in a vending machine for newspapers or magazines.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine that is used for dispensing a single newspaper copy out of a stack stored in an enclosed magazine in response to a fixed payment by a user. The machine consists of a secure housing containing a storage compartment or magazine, where the newspapers are stacked on a spring-loaded horizontal platform that causes the top newspaper to be always positioned at the same level of a dispensing slot in the housing. The top newspaper is moved from the stack and one of its corners is exposed through the slot by means of a movable finger that catches the fold of the paper and pushes it through the slot a sufficient distance to make it accessible to a purchaser. The motion of the finger is controlled by a manually-operated vertical lever mounted at a slant with respect to the stack of newspapers, so that the finger automatically clears the stack when the lever is in a retracted position.

Abstract: A group of flanged lids or cups of substantially identical construction and arranged in nested relation in a container are dispensed from an open end of the container by an elongated yieldable tension element disposed astride the open end of the container and arranged to override the flange of the article adjacent the open end of the container thereby to release and to aid in ejecting the article from the container.

Abstract: An automatic lid dispensing and applicator arrangement for an automated drinkmaker machine. The lidding arrangement automatically separates lids from a stack of lids and applies the separated lids onto cups. A large supply of lids is maintained in a rotatable lid supply carousel. A lid shuttle is positioned adjacent the bottom of a lid dispenser, and is supported for linear translating and reciprocating movement between retracted and extended positions. The lid shuttle supports a lid engaging member designed to engage a first bottommost lid of the stack of lids and to retain the first bottommost lid in a first intermediate position in the lid shuttle while the lid shuttle is moved in translation to its extended position. The lid shuttle is then moved in translation to its retracted position, during which the first lid is moved within the lid shuttle to a second loaded position therein beneath a lid applicator supported by the lid shuttle.

Abstract: A stamp dispensing arrangement for dispensing stamps, such as postage stamps, one at a time from a roll of such stamps. The dispensing arrangement has a unitary body comprised of a base and a cover hingedly interconnected for relative pivotal movement therebetween from a closed to an open position. A roll of stamps is contained within a cavity defined in a stamp storage portion of the body and the stamps extend outwardly between spaced apart planer surfaces of the cover and the base at a dispensing end. First fingers with stamp engaging tabs thereon are positioned in an aperture in the planer wall of the base and are adapted to engage the stamps in the perforations thereof to prevent movement of the stamps in a first direction which is opposite to the second or dispensing direction.

Abstract: A roof shingle laying machine having a drum mounted for rotation in a frame and adapted to be manually rolled transversly across a slooped roof for laying and securing shingles in row fashion atop the roof. The shingles are automatically placed in proper position for nailing or stapling as the machine is rolled across the roof and the operator positions shingles atop the drum. At the end of each row, this machine may be automatically laterally indexed on the roof, repositioned up the slope of the roof for laying the next adjacent row of shingles. This invention may also include staplers for automatically nailing the shingles in place, as well as a guide for assisting the user in properly directing and rolling the machine even when the roof has non-parallel eave and peak margins. A tray for supporting a stack of shingles and tensioned shingle retaining means for holding shingles against the drum prior to deposit on the roof are also provided.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine is provided for delivering the uppermost of a stack of generally horizontally disposed article such as newspapers, out a delivery opening or vending slot. The machine employs an upright pedestal with a top wall for supporting a stack of the articles to be dispensed, and an enclosing cabinet shell is telescopingly received over the upper end of the pedestal and has an article engaging dispensing slot. The pedestal supports the cabinet shell in telescopic position which changes incrementally each time a newspaper is vended. The article is rotated through an arc in the dispensing of the newspaper and a latch bar associated with the dispensing mechanism is movable to latched or unlatched position, dependent on whether or not proper coins have been inserted.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for individually dispensing folded newspapers, magazines, or like articles from a stack of articles, comprises a reciprocal dispensing assembly having movable fingers mounted thereon for engaging within a fold of the article to pull the article to a dispensing position from its stacked or stored position. The fingers are laterally spaced and adapted to be extended and inserted into respective lateral ends of the fold. Alternatively, the fingers can be made responsive to the opening of an acess door. In both embodiments, movement of the fingers between their extended and retracted positions is controlled by a pair of longitudinally spaced stops. An adjustment is provided for accommodating the dispensing of articles having varied thicknesses, while maintaining the fingers in the center of the fold of a particular article.

Abstract: An envelope vending machine is shown for dispensing single envelopes. The machine includes a housing having a closed top, a closed bottom, and sidewalls therebetween, and an envelope dispensing slot in one of the sidewalls. A slotted partition having upper and lower surfaces and front and rear edges is supported in the housing generally parallel with the closed bottom. An envelope support member carried on the upper surface of the slotted partition has a depending flange which is received within the slot in the partition. A coin chute having a coin slide therein has a longitudinal extent received within the housing and engaging the support member depending flange whereby reciprocal movement of the coin slide in the coin chute reciprocates the envelope support on the slotted partition to thereby dispense an envelope through the envelope dipensing slot.

Abstract: A closure dispensing apparatus for dispensing closures one at a time from a stacked array. A crank mechanism pivoted at its center for rotation with a plurality of handles in radial alignment with the pivot point. The crank mechanism is positioned beneath the stack of closures so that movable lugs which are attached to each handle can one at a time interact with the rim of the bottommost closure in the stack and pull it from the apparatus. An inclined plane arrangement is used to cause each lug in its proper sequence to move into and out of a closure rim engaging position.

Abstract: A gift dispensing device is provided for dispensing gifts to children. The device may be represented as a Santa Claus and exhibited upon a fabric support. The device includes a mounting strip with a plurality of apertures located at the top of the support. Suspension pegs are inserted at one end into at least some of the apertures while the other end of each peg is attached to a grip identified with a number or symbol. Each suspension peg holds a ring which is connected to one end of a line. Hands with borings are provided for the Santa Claus. The lines pass through the borings. The other end of each line is attached to a small gift container.

Abstract: A coin-controlled manually operated envelope-vending machine having a vertical supply compartment whereby the lowermost envelope of the supply is available to a yieldable vending member having a horizontal reciprocal movement for engagement with a portion of the lowermost envelope so as to displace the same exteriorly of the machine to facilitate the complete removal of the envelope therefrom.

Abstract: A plurality of keys are movably suspended on a support in successive orientation one behind the other. The leading key engages a dispensing device which normally prevents the discharge of the keys from the support but which is actuable on command to selectively release the first or leading key while retaining the remainder of the keys on the support. Secondary rails are provided for separating and diverting keys according to their use.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing a single newspaper, magazine or the like from the top of the stack which includes a novel horizontally movable stripper assembly which allows dispensing of a single folded article in both a horizontal travel from left to right and the return travel from right to left. The folded articles, such as newspapers or magazines, are partially overlapped symmetrically about a vertical plane of symmetry and urged upwards against the horizontally traveling stripper assembly by a resilient platform. This dispenser has particular utility as a vending device where a single article only, such as a newspaper or magazine, will be dispensed upon selective operation of the horizontally movable stripper assembly in either direction of complete travel.