Abstract: A projectile dispenser apparatus used as a novelty device to aim and rapidly dispense multiple pieces of materials such as currency at a target under the exclusive actuation and control of the user.

Abstract: A vending machine system for stackable goods such as vehicle air fresheners includes a hopper and a reciprocating arm. The hopper is configured to hold a stack of the stackable goods. The hopper has an aperture formed in a base of the hopper for dispensing the stackable goods from the hopper. The reciprocating arm is disposed adjacent the aperture. The reciprocating arm is linearly movable between a retracted position and an extended position. One of the stackable goods is received by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the retracted position, and is pushed from the stack of stackable goods by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the extended position.

Abstract: A device for dispensing directional objects is comprised of: a case for housing the objects in a horizontal direction; a shutter covering the case and capable of leaving a window; a pivot pivotally supporting the case to allow the case to swing around the pivot; a conveyor including a plurality of slots respectively holding the objects in the horizontal direction and being disposed to receive the objects dropped through the window into the slots; a guide including a bottom end and a slit opened upward to receive the objects dropped from the conveyor and gravitationally feed the objects toward the bottom; and a dropper coupled with the bottom end of the guide, where the objects are dispensed with the tip ends thereof directed downward.

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 card extracting device for use with a plurality of cards may include a card storage, a gate through which the cards pass toward an outside of the card storage, an extracting tab to engage with and extract one of the cards, a tab-moving mechanism to move the extracting tab, an extracting roller outside the card storage to further forward the extracted card, a motor to drive the tab-moving mechanism and the extracting roller, a card-extraction detecting section to detect that card extraction is completed, and a control section to control the motor. An engaging section may be formed in the extracting tab to abut a rear end portion of the card and extract the card. The control section may drive the motor forward to extract the card or drive the motor in reverse based on a detection result from the card extraction detecting section.

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: 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: Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent dispensing modules for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound. The dispensing modules may include one or more pusher assemblies for dispensing product. Certain systems of this invention may also include a lockout feature, so that one only pusher assembly may be activated to dispense a product at one time. In some embodiments, a door assembly may be provided as an additional theft deterrent mechanism so that access to additional product not yet dispensed by the pusher assembly is restricted.

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: A beverage container lid separator and dispenser is provided which allows individual beverage container lids to be dispensed in a neat and sanitary manner. The invention generally includes a vessel and an actuator, wherein a stack of lids is maintained in the vessel optionally within a housing. The vessel has an aperture at its lower end for dispensing the lids therefrom. The actuator is positioned below the vessel and extending up through a horizontal floor below the vessel, the floor supporting the lids thereon. In operation, the vessel preferably pivots to allow a bottom-most lid within the vessel to be pulled from underneath the vessel by the actuator. The vessel catches and maintains the remaining stack of lids for later dispensing by a subsequent user.

Abstract: A product delivery system for a vending machine includes first and second guide rails and a carriage rail. The guide rails are fixedly mounted in the vending machine spaced from and parallel to each other and extend along respective first and second axes. The carriage rail extends along a third axis and includes first and second ends that are slidably connected to the respective ones of the first and second guide rails. A carrier member is slidably mounted to the carriage rail for movement along the third axis. A first drive belt is coupled to the carriage rail and a first drive motor to selectively shift the carrier member along the third axis. A second drive belt, extending in multiple axes, is connected to each of the first and second ends of the carriage rail and a second drive motor. The second drive motor selectively shifts the carriage rail along the first and second axes upon driving the second drive belt.

Abstract: A drug filling apparatus capable of preventing drugs from being bridged to each other and reducing troubles. The drug filling apparatus functions to select specific tablets from various types of tablet groups and fill the selected tablets into a vial, and includes a storage cabinet, a drug supplying section, a drug halting section, a drug conveying section, a drug filling section, a vial storing section, and a vial carrying section. A drug dispenser is installed in the drug halting section. A receptacle of the drug dispenser is constituted by an outer receptacle portion and an inner receptacle portion. When a time for filling of tablets in the drug dispenser into the vial comes, a motor of a drive section rotates according to specified signals to rotate the inner receptacle portion; that is, the rotational orientation of the inner receptacle portion is changed to reverse the inner receptacle portion.

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.

Abstract: A cigarette box includes an inner case (2) enclosing a bundle of cigarettes, an outer case (8) enclosing the inner case (2) in a manner allowing the inner case (2) to be moved up and down, and having a hinged lid (12) forming a part of a top wall thereof and a window (10) formed in a side wall to partly expose the inner case (2), and a link (20) connecting the inner case (2) and the hinged lid (12). When the inner case (2) is pushed up through the window (10) of the outer case (8), the link (20) urges the hinged lid (12) upward so that hinged lid (12) is opened. In an open position, the hinged lid (12) provides an access opening (16) projecting from the plane of the top wall of the outer case (8) and facing sideways of the outer case (8).

Abstract: A cigarette case includes a cigarette casing including a corner outlet; a double-layer hinged cover including a first slit proximate the outlet and a second slit proximate the adjacent other corner; and a spring biased ejection means within the cover and including a pivotal L-shaped ejector, a pivotal trigger, a pivot bar, a link moveable in the first slit and including an end pusher extending through the first slit, the link having the other end pivotably secured to one portion of the ejector, and a sliding member moveable in the second slit and pivotably secured to the other end of the pivot bar, the sliding member including a door extending through the second slit to block the outlet when the case is closed. Pivoting the trigger will pivot the pivot bar to move the sliding member and the link to cause the pusher to eject a cigarette from the outlet.

Abstract: The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade which rotates to contact the ticket strip adjacent a perforation line, and presses against the strip to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line at a point which progresses across the strip along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in the dispensing machine. The bar code reader is used in reading information from the tickets to initialize the dispenser control system and in accounting for the sale of tickets, and in the verification of winning tickets being sold. A game is provided in which the concept is that a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold.

Abstract: An ejection device (11) for containers (36) containing compounds has an ejection unit (12) and a receiving chamber (16) for the container (36) and which is defined on, one side, by the ejection unit (12) and on the other side, by a front plate (26) which is arranged at a distance from the ejection unit (12). The front plate (26) is pivotable around a pivot point (28) defining a pivot axis (27) from an open position in which the container (36) can be inserted into the receiving chamber (16), to a closed position in which the container (36) is held in the receiving chamber (16). A snap lock with flexible snap-in member (31) and a rigid holding member (29) is provided at a distance from the pivot point (28) on the front plate (26) for locking the front plate (26) in the closed position and cooperating with snap receptacle (22) arranged at the ejection device (11) for receiving the snap-in member (31).

Abstract: A pill dispensing cap for a bottle has an inner sleeve with a divider panel and a first base panel rotatable within an outer sleeve having a second base panel. First and second window openings are defined in the first and second base panels. A plate moveable across and within the two sleeves defines a third window opening and a fourth window opening is defined in the divider panel. The plate can be held in an initial position wherein the first and second windows are aligned, whilst the third and fourth windows are not aligned. The outer sleeve is rotatable to a condition wherein the first and second windows are not aligned and the plate can then be slid across to a condition wherein the third and fourth windows are aligned to allow pills in a bottle to enter the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A pill dispenser (10) and a related method of pill dispensing including a container (12) having a holder (14), a gate (16), a controller (18) a sensor (20) and a neutralizing device (22). The dispenser (10) releases pills at a prescribed release rate. The sensor (20) detects tampering with the container (12). Upon detection of tampering, the neutralizing device (22) renders the contents of the pill dispenser (10) impotent.

Abstract: A cigarette holding and dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a first and second dividing wall therein such that first, second and third compartment are defined within the housing. The first dividing wall has a vertical slot therein and into the first and third compartments. A covering is removably positioned on the housing. The covering has an aperture therein extending into the third compartment and an opening extending into said second compartment. A lighter may be positioned in the second compartment and a plurality of cigarettes may be positioned in the third compartment. An actuating assembly is mounted in the first compartment and extends into the third compartment through the first vertical slot for selectively lifting a cigarette upwardly through the aperture in the covering.

Abstract: A part transporting apparatus comprises: a guiding groove for lining up parts in one row and guiding the parts; a transporting member which is provided at the base of the guiding groove and transports the parts in a forward direction by itself moving forwards and backwards along the groove; and a driving means for reciprocally driving the transporting member in the forward and backward directions; wherein the transporting member is advanced slowly and retracted rapidly, so as to transport the parts forwards. Provided to this arrangement are: a stopper which operates so as to open and close in the width direction of the guiding groove, and hold the second part from the front of the row of parts being transported on the upper plane of the transporting member; and a shutter for opening and closing at the tip of the guiding groove, so as to cover the space above the first part in the row so as to prevent the part from flying out.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transfer module for transporting mailpieces between an exit of a folding/inserting machine delivering a mailpiece at a first upper level in a transverse direction and an entry of a franking machine receiving this mailpiece at a second upper level in a longitudinal direction, this module comprising means for receiving the mailpieces ejected via the folding/inserting machine exit and conveying means for transporting, in a direction D of displacement, these ejected mailpieces towards the franking machine entry, the receiving means and the conveying means being considerably inclined towards this franking machine entry from a low supporting plane of the folding/inserting machine.

Abstract: A part transporting apparatus comprises: a guiding groove for lining up parts in one row and guiding the parts; a transporting member which is provided at the base of the guiding groove and transports the parts in a forward direction by itself moving forwards and backwards along the groove; and a driving means for reciprocally driving the transporting member in the forward and backward directions; wherein the transporting member is advanced slowly and retracted rapidly, so as to transport the parts forwards.

Abstract: A part transporting apparatus comprises a guiding groove for lining up parts in one row and guiding the parts; a transporting member which is provided at the base of the guiding groove and transports the parts in a forward direction by itself moving forwards and backwards along the groove; and a driving means for reciprocally driving the transporting member in the forward and backward directions; wherein the transporting member is advanced slowly and retracted rapidly, so as to transport the parts forwards. Provided to this arrangement are: a stopper which operates so as to open and close in the width direction of the guiding groove, and hold the second part from the front of the row of parts being transported on the upper plane of the transporting member; and a shutter for opening and closing at the tip of the guiding groove, so as to cover the space above the first part in the row so as to prevent the part from flying out.

Abstract: A candy dispensing apparatus is provided with a housing having an opening formed therein, a reservoir disposed in the housing and shaped to hold a plurality of pieces of candy, and an animated figure having a hand that is shaped to hold a piece of candy. The animated figure is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, and a dispensing mechanism disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the animated figure. The hand of the animated figure is movable from a retracted position in which the hand is positioned within the housing to an extended position in which the hand extends out of the housing through the opening in the housing. The hand moves from the retracted position to the extended position upon the animated figure being moved from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: A spare lead storage case comprising a body having a top plate portion in an upper portion thereof and a lid portion attached to the boy, the lid portion including a lead expelling portion having a spare lead passage formed therein and a link mechanism having a control portion, the lead expelling portion and the link mechanism being disposed in a space above the top plate portion, the lead expelling portion being connected to a side wall of the body through a movable portion, the link mechanism being connected to the lead expelling portion through a movable portion, the lead expelling portion being brought into an upstanding state by moving the control portion, thereby allowing the spare lead passage of the lead expelling portion to communicate with an interior of the body.

Abstract: In order to get a bill conveniently inserted only by using one hand of a customer as a bill input inlet door is kept open for a predetermined time duration and to fall down by its weight, there is provided an automatic vending machine having a bill input inlet disposed at a predetermined position of the front cabinet, a bill discriminating apparatus embedded inside of the front cabinet at a same height level for discriminating the authenticity of a bill induced through the bill input inlet and for storing the bill and a movable bill input inlet door hinged at the upper side of the bill input inlet for opening and closing the bill input inlet, wherein the bill input inlet is constructed of an opening and closing structure where, after a bill input inlet door is pushed up to a door inducing member and released, a bill input inlet door is slided by a soft contact at an initial closing phase thereof, is moved loosely but swiftly at a middle closing phase thereof and is slidingly contacted at a final closing phase

Abstract: A candy holding and dispensing device which combines a lollipop with loose candy or gum pieces in one convenient holder. The device comprises a main housing of clear plastic which contains loose candy or gum pieces. The upper end of the main housing is provided with an aperture to which a lollipop is secured. The upper end or lower end of the housing can be made with threads so it can be separated. The main housing can also be made with threads so the main housing can be refilled with candy or gum pieces or it can be made as a self-contained non-refillable main housing. The lower end of the main housing contains a spring and a dispensing shaft which has slots for dispensing candy or gum pieces near the top of the shaft. The end of the dispensing shaft extends out of the lower end cap of the main housing.

Abstract: A novelty dispenser for solid objects, such as condoms. The novel features are specifically based on a spring loaded movement of a dispensing element, which element moves an object such as a packaged condom from inside a compartment out through an opening. The dispenser is an everyday entertainment device that conceals a condom therein. It uses a spring, such as a coil spring, which feeds the condom from a magazine compartment and through a shutter to be released for use. The spring is returned to its original position once it has been used. Pulling a tab of the dispenser causes the spring to release within the magazine, forcing the condom through the shutter, such as miniature doors. The spring opens the magazine and doors, allowing the spring to advance the condom into the dispensed position for delivery to the user.

Abstract: A portable dispenser for spherical confectioneries such as gumballs has a clear tubular reservoir that is movable with respect to a base. Within a substantially hollow interior of the base, a pivoting ramp is mounted to receive a single gumball and convey it to an opening in the base while blocking other gumballs from dropping out of the tubular reservoir. Mounted for pivotal movement adjacent a free end of the ramp is a door for closing the opening in the base as the ramp itself pivots to convey the gumball toward the opening. Adjacent the bottom of the tubular reservoir are a pair of actuators that lock the tubular reservoir to the base for limited movement relative to the base. The actuators engage the ramp upon the tubular reservoir being moved toward the base. An integrally formed spring on the bottom of the ramp biases the ramp and biases the tubular reservoir away from the base. Adjacent the top of the tubular reservoir is a pivotally mounted head for capping the tubular reservoir.

Abstract: The dispenser comprises a body forming a magazine for objects to be dispensed and terminated by a tubular neck defining a dispensing chamber suitable for receiving a determined number of objects to be dispensed on a first occasion, the number being equal to or greater than one, and a tubular head capable of sliding over the outside of the neck. When the head is pushed onto the neck by pressing the free end of the head down onto a reception surface, the free end of the neck resiliently deforms a shutter diaphragm so as to allow the objects to be dispensed to fall out onto the reception surface, while resilient tongues cut out in the wall of the neck serve to retain the next object. After pressure has been released, the resilience of the diaphragm gives rise to a reverse movement with the tongues releasing the objects to be dispensed during the following movement while the diaphragm closes in order to hold the objects in the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: An outer housing encloses an inner panel separating a money accepting and ticket dispensing apparatus. The money accepting apparatus releases an internal lever upon insertion of the correct money. This internal lever disengages from a toothed plate which is connected by a shaft to an external hand lever. A pulling of the external hand lever after insertion of the correct money turns multiple gears which cause a cam to actuate to release a ticket retaining gate. In addition, the gears are connected to a cylindrical rear roller which turns a pair of latex bands mounted around the rear roller and a front cylindrical roller mounted on an idler shaft. A weight over the tickets causes frictional pressure to be exerted on the ticket by turning bands and thereby allows the bands to move a single ticket under a raised exit gate.

Abstract: An article cassette for a vending machine has a horizontal conveyor for supporting articles one behind another in a row behind an outfeed station and for feeding the articles step by step towards the outfeed station. The outfeed station at its forward end has an access opening provided with a cover mounted for rotation between a closed position and an opened position. In the opened position the cover provides access to the outfeed station for removal of an article therefrom. The cover also carries a screen for blocking off the outfeed station from the conveyor when the cover is opened, the screen being in the form of an extension at one end of the cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing at spaced intervals spacing members on top of articles being stacked in layers is provided with a loading station having a conveyor for moving elongated spacing members to a plurality of spaced magazine stations; each magazine station is provided with a selection conveyor which can be individually operated to load each magazine with the spacing members; beneath each magazine two pair of guiding arms are provided, one of which is actuated by a rotary shaft to remove a spacing member from the magazine and to pass it between the guiding arms to thereby effect delivery of the spacing member to a desired location on the top of the layer being stacked therebeneath.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage case which has a case body that does not have to be inverted when spare leads are removed therefrom, and in which the spare leads are automatically made to project from a lead extraction port provided in the case body so that the spare leads can be prevented from being broken or lost by mistake, as in conventional cases.

Abstract: A dispensing machine for use in dispensing publications such as magazines and newspapers is disclosed. It is comprised of a housing having a storage area for storing a plurality of publications, a cover for accessing the storage area, and an opening to allow the publication to be dispensed from the house. An adjustable support in the storage area is used for supporting the publications. A dispensing mechanism positioned above the support is adapted to dispense, through the opening, a publication. A mechanism is used for activating the dispensing mechanism and for adjusting the position of the support.

Abstract: A dispenser for tablets is disclosed which protects against inadvertent dispensing, e.g., by children. The dispenser includes a housing forming a tablet storage compartment, a movable slide and an operating key for the slide mounted adjacent a wall of the housing. A detent blocks movement of the slide toward a discharge position. The detent is mounted on the housing remote from the operating key. The slide is moved by simultaneous movement of the detent and operating key.

Abstract: First and second separately actuatable triggers are mounted to a housing which carries a hollow needle through which a fastener is dispensed. The needle is mounted to the housing for movement between original and extended positions. The article to be tagged is situated adjacent the front of the housing. When the first trigger is depressed, a tag is moved from a stack on the housing into alignment with the needle as the needle is moved forward to pierce the tag and article. Also, a fastener is fed into the needle. When the second trigger is depressed, the fastener is moved through the needle such that the T-bar end is situated behind the article and the needle retracts to its original position. The apparatus is pulled away from the article, leaving the tag affixed by the fastener. The apparatus is light-weight, easily manipulatable, and can be operated by a single hand.

Abstract: An automatic drilling and riveting machine comprising a frame having a main body portion and having a front end portion disposed in a first plane, means for defining a drilling and riveting axis in the frame closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the first plane, and a ram and clamp assembly carried by the frame for holding a workpiece relative to the frame in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane during drilling and riveting and for applying force for heading a rivet inserted in the workpiece. A transfer assembly carried by the frame main body portion selectively moves a drilling means and a rivet inserting and forming means each into and out of positional alignment with the drilling and riveting axis and when in such alignment toward and away from the workpiece for drilling a rivet-receiving hole in the workpiece and for inserting a rivet in the hole and forming a head on the inserted rivet in co-operation with the holding and force applying means.

Abstract: First and second separately actuatable triggers are mounted to a housing which carries a hollow needle through which a fastener is dispensed. The needle is mounted to the housing for movement between original and extended positions. The article to be tagged is situated adjacent the front of the housing. When the first trigger is depressed, a tag is moved from a stack on the housing into alignment with the needle as the needle is moved forward to pierce the tag and article. Also, a fastener is fed into the needle. When the second trigger is depressed, the fastener is moved through the needle such that the T-bar end is situated behind the article and the needle retracts to its original position. The apparatus is pulled away from the article, leaving the tag affixed by the fastener. The apparatus is lightweight, easily manipulatable, and can be operated by a single hand.

Abstract: A coin operated vending machine comprises a housing having upright walls, a base, a top, and a partition between the base and top dividing the housing into an upper product bin and a lower cashbox. The partition defines an aperture therethrough to provide communication between the bin and cashbox and has a spindle protruding upwardly from the central portion thereof. A dispensing wheel is provided having a hub with bearing means at the center thereof for engaging the spindle and supporting the wheel upon rotation thereof about the spindle, and having a rim with a plurality of gear teeth about the circumference of the bottom edge thereof. A coin activated gear mechanism is positioned in an upright wall of the housing in the vicinity of the partition, said mechanism having a handle attached to one end of a shaft and a transmission gear attached to the other end thereof. Structure is provided for locking a delivery chute in place thereby restricting access to the cashbox.

Abstract: Vending machine for flat articles having a housing at a portion of which there is an article delivery slot. Within the housing there is an ejection plate which can be moved by an actuating handle and by which one article at a time can be carried through the delivery slot from the stack of articles which is standing on an inclined supporting plate within the housing.

Abstract: A mechanism for dispensing a single generally flat rectangular article having a penetrable surface, such as a newspaper, from a stack of articles within an enclosure, preferably a coin controlled enclosure, comprising a spring loaded vertically movable generally horizontally disposed elevator platform for supporting a stack of articles and an article engaging structure mounted above the stack including a reciprocable bracket movable forwardly, rearwardly and vertically having spaced pin brackets which are pivotally moveable about an axis parallel with the lateral walls of the enclosure with each of the brackets having a depending article penetrating structure adapted to engage and move the uppermost article in the stack outwardly through an article dispensing opening in the front wall of the enclosure when the bracket is moved into its forwardly position.

Abstract: A machine for vending newspapers, magazines and the like including a housing having a dispensing opening and a dispensing gate in the opening, a tray for supporting a stack of papers and tray elevating mechanism for urging the tray upwardly until the top paper in the stack is adjacent the level of the dispensing opening, a feed mechanism operative through a dispensing stroke to feed the end paper at least part way off the stack into the dispensing opening, and gate control mechanism operative to prevent opening of the gate between dispensing cycles and operative when the feed mechanism is moved in its dispensing stroke to enable opening of the gate, the gate control mechanism also including mechanism operative whenever the dispensing gate is held open after the feed mechanism has completed its dispensing stroke, for preventing elevation of the support tray toward the dispensing opening to thereby impede the access to the papers in the stack through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A device for aligning cops which withdraws them in bulk from a storage bin consisting of a substantially horizontal conveyor belt which discharges the cops onto a second elevating conveyor belt, which acts as a first spacing means. After the second elevating conveyor belt, the cops are further spaced out by two conveyor belts and are delivered one at a time along their axis into a collection chamber, from which they reach the usage means by passing over a sloped collection surface.

Abstract: A cigarette holding and dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a first and second dividing wall therein such that first, second and third compartment are defined within the housing. The first dividing wall has a vertical slot therein and into the first and third compartments. A covering is removably positioned on the housing. The covering has an aperture therein extending into the third compartment and an opening extending into said second compartment. A lighter may be positioned in the second compartment and a plurality of cigarettes may be positioned in the third compartment. An actuating assembly is mounted in the first compartment and extends into the third compartment through the first vertical slot for selectively lifting a cigarette upwardly through the aperture in the covering.