Abstract: A device for dispensing conical objects to form a stream of generally horizontal side-by-side conical objects with alternate conical objects having one orientation and intervening conical objects having the reversed orientation. The stacks having a first orientation have release cams driven from a common cam shaft while the intervening stacks have release cams driven from a common cam shaft, the timing of the two cam shafts being such that the conical objects are released successively starting from stack and ending at stack.

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 vending machine for combined dispensing of articles which are restricted in shape and size only by the narrowest passage within the machine, and for heating and dispensing of ready-to-eat food portions. The vending machine includes a cabinet and a store-closet provided with a number of shelves arranged one above the other for storage of the articles. The shelves end at a distance behind the front of the store-closet to form a lift shaft wherein a carriage is vertically and laterally displaceable for transferring the articles from their respective storage spaces within the storage-closet to a microwave oven which is positioned outside the store-closet but within the cabinet. The bottom of the microwave oven has the shape of a truncated cone, and the oven-lid likewise has the shape of a truncated cone with the same cone angle as the oven bottom whereby scattering of microwave energy in the surroundings is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for advancing fasteners in a magazine to a fastening tool. A plate assembly includes a base plate rigidly connected to a feed track and a pivot plate pivotally connected in a parallel orientation to the base plate. A motor is mounted to the pivot plate in such a manner that the motor shaft projects through apertures near the center of each plate. A clutch assembly is mounted to the motor shaft and engages fasteners on the feed track. As the motor shaft rotates, the clutch assembly provides a friction force for advancing fasteners along the rack as each fastener is ejected. Between fastener ejections, the clutch assembly rotates and slips about the motor shaft.

Abstract: A powered seed dispenser for uniformly distributing seeds along the ground which includes a handle carrying a powered driven motor and a pivotally mounted seed distributor which is engaged and driven by the powered driven motor, the seed distributor being constructed of a pair of opposed discs, each disc having a pair of inner and outer sidewalls extending transversely therefrom toward its opposing disc, such discs being constructed and arranged to connect together telescopically in such manner as to create an inner metering chamber and an outer dispensing chamber wherein seeds contained inside the metering chamber discharge through openings in the inner sidewalls from the top portion of the volume of seeds, such seeds then falling into the dispensing chamber defined by the outer sidewalls where they are directed and discharged uniformly through dispensing apertures in the outer sidewalls at a point adjacent to the lowermost point of travel of the dispensing apertures.

Abstract: Two dispensing port mechanisms are arranged in parallel in a banknote distributing and dispensing machine. A distributing mechanism is provided to be selectively arranged at either one of two dispensing port mechanisms. A transmission mechanism is provided to transmit the movement of conveyor belts in the distributing mechanism to the conveyor belts of the selected dispensing port mechanism.

Abstract: A device for automatically dispensing a unitary product has a frame having two grooves therethrough. A coil having a movable core is joined to the frame and one end of one U-shaped flange is joined to one end of the core of the coil for movement therewith. A stud is fixed relative to the frame and cooperative with the one U-shaped flange for guiding its movement. A projection from the one end of the one U-shaped flange joined to the core also butts against the stud, whereby to limit the movement of the one U-shaped flange with the core. A rack on the one U-shaped flange and a pinion rotate a toothed wheel at one end of another U-shaped flange. Two fingers are rotatably connected to the other end of the other U-shaped flange for movement respectively along the grooves upon the rotation of the other U-shaped flange for dispensing the product.

Abstract: A seal member for use in a pellet dispensing apparatus which can provide a barrier between a rotor member and a supply hopper so that gas emitted from the supply hopper will not escape. The seal arrangement also serves the function of a spacing or biasing member for a drive gear as well as a bearing surface. The seal member is disposed in a manner that it will selfadjust during wear yet is flexible to withstand contact with debris. Preferably the seal unit is fabricated from a fluorocarbon resin and is frusto conical in shape.

Abstract: Operation completion detection circuitry for a vend system including a plurality of individually controllably operable motors for performing a given type of operation, comprising power leads, a vend control circuit portion operatively connected to complete a circuit across the power leads through a given motor from among the plurality of motors, a cam operated switch associated with each motor and connected in series circuit therewith, each of which switches includes a first pole and a second pole, connected in common, and a controllably movable switch contact which is normally in electrical contact with the first pole of the switch means and is responsive to operation of the motor with which such cam operated switch is associated to switchably cycle between such first and second poles during a complete operational cycle of the motor, and a detector circuit which includes a monitor portion thereof operatively connected in common circuit to all of the motors and their associated cam operated switches and in se

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging slide fasteners comprises a guide unit disposed on a horizontal longitudinal path downstream of a pair of feed rollers for receiving the slide fasteners therefrom one after another, and a gripping unit disposed in the path downstream of the guide unit for releasably gripping a leading end of the individual slide fastener received in the guide unit. The guide unit includes a stationary upper guide member and a lower guide member pivotally movable to open the bottom side of the guide unit to thereby allow the individual slide fasteners therein to fall and hence become suspended from the gripping unit.

Abstract: An improved vending machine power switching apparatus in which a single power switching circuit is associated with a plurality of load selecting relay switches and a switching control circuit, in which the control circuit controls the order of switching of the power switch and relay switches, such that any relay switch is always closed before power is delivered to its associated load and is always opened after power is removed from the load, and the power is applied and removed by the power switching means.

Abstract: A magazine is disclosed for dispensing generally cylindrical and elongated articles in a pre-determined order. The magazine comprises a series of shelves with a reciprocating ratcheting plate arranged perpendicular to the shelves. The ratching plate has surface configurations which allow the articles to be advanced in one direction of movement, and remain stationary relative to the shelves in a second opposite direction. The magazine is removable and may be pre-loaded to dispense in a pre-determined order. The magazine finds particular application in the dispensing of samples to an automated analyzer.

Abstract: Sheet feeding apparatus including a cylindrical tube mounted above a stack of documents for separating individual documents from the stack. The cylindrical tube houses a rotatably mounted shaft to which are secured a series of spaced beater and turbine blades respectively. The cylindrical tube defines a series of apertures along its bottom surface which are aligned with the beater blades and allow the beater blades to extend outwardly into contact with a separated sheet. At one end of this cylindrical tube is coupled a vacuum source which when energized rotates the turbine blades and reduces the pressure inside the tube. Accordingly, a single sheet is first separated from the top of the stack by attraction toward the reduced pressure inside the tube and once separated is driven away from the stack by the beater blades mounted to the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for sequential release of articles, particularly suited for aerial reforestation. The apparatus comprises a rotating cylindrical magazine having peripherally arranged receptacles, a stepping selector sleeve with a helical row or row of apertures that align with the receptacles and an outer casing with an opening allowing sequential release of articles as the magazine and selector sleeve rotate.

Abstract: A vend control system capable of vending products or services as selected comprising a plurality of vend producing devices each capable when actuated of producing a vend, circuits connecting the vend producing devices in a matrix circuit wherein the devices are arranged in first and second groupings, each of the devices having a first and a second input connection, the first input connections of each of the first selected groupings of the devices being connected in common, the second input connections of each of the second selected groupings being connected in common, a first drive circuit having a plurality of input and output connections, the output connections of which are connected respectively to the first input connections of the devices of the first groupings, a second drive circuit having a plurality of input and output connections, the output connections of which are connected respectively to the second input connections of the devices of the second groupings, a control circuit having a first set of

Abstract: Centrifugal arranging and feeding apparatus in which the articles to be arranged are introduced toward the center of a rotating disk. Outward movement of the articles is limited by a flexible retaining ring which is lifted in a first region of rotation to permit articles to pass to the periphery of the disk. In a second region, the articles pass from the periphery of the disk onto an elevator ring which lifts the articles to a delivery ring. A guide retains the articles on the delivery ring until they reach a discharge region where they are delivered from the ring in a generally tangential direction.