Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a test strip container which provides easy access to test strips. The test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration. The nested configuration of the test strip container provides easy access to test strips by arranging the test strips so that they extend radially outward from the retaining member. The radial arrangement of the test strips operates to separate the test strips so that test strip users may easily select a single test strip from a plurality of test strips. Alternatively, the test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a longitudinal configuration.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical product supply including primary packaging (e.g., a blister card) having a plurality of receptacles and pharmaceutical product (e.g., one or more pills, capsules, etc.) enclosed within at least one of the receptacles. Heating the pharmaceutical product supply to at least an activation temperature of a heat-activated encapsulation material associated with the supply may encapsulate the pharmaceutical product to reduce the likelihood that the pharmaceutical product can thereafter be administered, and thereby facilitates disposal of the pharmaceutical product. In one embodiment, a tray of a primary packaging is constructed of the heat-activated encapsulation material. In another embodiment, primary packaging may be disposed within a cavity of secondary packaging (e.g., carton), and the heat-activated encapsulation material may be in the form of a layer that is also located within the cavity.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical product dispensers (e.g., in the shape of a common ink pen) are operable to indicate information regarding a dosing schedule of a pharmaceutical product dispensable from the dispenser. Embodiments of the dispensers may include a plurality of dosing segments, each corresponding to a different dose of the pharmaceutical product. Actuation of an actuator may result in interaction between the actuator and the pharmaceutical product storage area such that a dose of pharmaceutical product contained in the pharmaceutical product storage area is dispensed, along with a corresponding advancement of the plurality of dosing segments. The dispenser may also include one or more locks to prevent unauthorized access to the pharmaceutical product (e.g., by a child or the like). Furthermore, the pharmaceutical product dispenser may include a disabling mechanism to permanently disable actuation of the actuator of the dispenser.

Abstract: A blister dispenser for unitary dosage forms such as tablets having a housing formed of side walls and a bottom and having a closeable lid with a plurality of cavities to hold the unitary dosage forms. The unitary dosage forms can be sealed into the cavities by a breakable film. The housing has a dispensing opening, and a unitary dosage form may dispensed by pressing the cavity to force the unitary dosage form through the film into the enclosed area defined by the housing and closed lid and then manipulating the housing to direct the unitary dosage form through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A bandage dispensing device dispenses bandages with an upper protective layer of its packaging removed so that a person can dispense a bandage using only one hand. A separator placed near an opening in a wall of the housing of the device separates the upper protective layer from a roll of interconnected bandages so that only a bandage and a lower protective layer emerge from the housing of the device. The separator has at least one arm that protrudes from the side wall of the housing in a perpendicular direction and separates an upper protective layer of the packaging. The upper protective layer that has been separated by the separator gathers inside of the housing. In the roll of packaged bandages, the upper protective layer is releasably attached to the lower protective layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing tablets from a blister pack (3) having a plurality of tablets (41) contained in corresponding blisters (40), the apparatus comprising abutment means (30), receiving means (10, 26) for receiving a blister pack with any selected one of a plurality of blisters of the pack in registry with the abutment means, either one of the abutment means (30) and the receiving means (10, 26) being moveable to cause a collapsing force to be exerted on a selecting blister thereby to release a tablet from the blister, wherein the apparatus includes biasing means (14, 20) for urging the receiving means into engagement with the blister pack, and that the receiving means is so arranged that said engagement releasably retains, and locates, the blister pack in position relative to the abutment means prior to the release of the tablet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing prepackaged medication packages includes an apparatus having a body with an internal cavity and an opening. A central processing unit operably communicates with an actuator within the cavity to regulate and monitor the dispensation of the packages, while the actuator operably communicates with a feed mechanism within the cavity to dispense the packages.

Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided for removing a pill from a blister pack having one or more foil sealed compartments in a plastic sheet, each containing a single pill. The pill dispenser includes a generally planar stage in generally horizontal orientation, a press assembly and a post. An opening is provided in the stage. The post extends upward, from the stage and the press assembly is rotatably coupled to the post. The press assembly includes a punch, configured such that the press assembly may be rotated to advance the punch through the opening. The blister pack may be loaded on the stage, with a compartment aligned with the opening and the foil adjacent to the stage. The press assembly may be operated to collapse the compartment, rupture the foil, and force the pill through the opening. A tray may be provided below the stage, for catching the pill.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blister pack device for dispensing a dosage unit from a blister pack. The blister pack has at least one blister and a lid foil. The device comprises a first arm and a second lever arm hingedly connected to each other, the first arm comprises an aperture through which the dosage unit can be ejected. The lever arm comprises a protruding member for pressing out a dosage unit from the blister when the lever arm is lowered down onto the blister positioned on the first arm. The protruding member comprises a first section for applying a pressing force on the dosage unit inside the blister to initiate the breaking of the lid foil of the blister pack and a second section for distributing the pressing force over the dosage unit and for ejecting the dosage unit.

Abstract: A blister pack system has an upper part and a bottom part, between which a blister pack is disposed. Pouches of the blister pack are aligned with corresponding ejection openings of the upper part and corresponding ejection openings of the bottom part. Every ejection opening of the upper part is associated with an individual contact surface that can be connected to a control/computing unit via an individual strip conductor. The system includes an ejection device, which at a top section has an electrical contact, and at a peg section an additional electrical contact which is electrically connected to the electrical contact of the top section. The individual contact surfaces and the individual strip conductors associated therewith, as well as a common contact surface and a common strip conductor associated therewith or a subsection thereof extend in surfaces of the upper part that are electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A bandage dispensing device dispenses bandages with an upper protective layer of its packaging removed so that a person can dispense a bandage using only one hand. A separator placed near an opening in a wall of the housing of the device separates the upper protective layer from a roll of interconnected bandages so that only a bandage and a lower protective layer emerge from the housing of the device. The separator has at least one arm that protrudes from the side wall of the housing in a perpendicular direction and separates an upper protective layer of the packaging. The upper protective layer that has been separated by the separator gathers inside of the housing. In the roll of packaged bandages, the upper protective layer is releasably attached to the lower protective layer.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provide for the simple and accurate dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication. The apparatus of the present invention according to one embodiment comprises a holder device, in which said holder device comprises a bottom surface, a sidewall engaging said bottom surface, a pair of radial walls adjoining a center of said bottom surface and said sidewall, and a sloped slide adjoining said pair of radial walls. In a preferred embodiment, the holder device further comprises seven pairs of radial walls to correspond with each day of the week. The present invention also includes a plurality of compartments within each pair of radial walls, which correspond to the time periods during which medication must be taken during a single day. Each compartment according to this embodiment contains a sloped slide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assisting patients in the taking of medication, and to assisting third parties in accumulating information regarding patient medication intake. The invention may be embodied a system including a portable medication monitor used in association with an instrumented medication package to provide intake data acquisition and patient support functions. The system may further be connected to a computer or computer network allowing information distribution between the medication monitor and third parties, such as physicians or pharmacists.

Abstract: A pill bottle that includes a first annular wall disposed within an interior portion of the bottle has an outer surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically oriented ribs that project outwardly from that surface. A second annular wall is disposed within the interior portion of the bottle in enclosing relation to the first annular wall. The outer and inner surface of the second annular wall undulate so as to define series of troughs and ridges. An adjacent pair of the ribs is located in spaced confronting relation to each of the troughs so as to define a plurality of pill wells. Each pill is arranged and oriented so as to be “on-end” within the bottle. A method is provided for dispensing pills from a bottle.

Abstract: A method of exposing components, which are carried by a carrier tape (2), arranged in sequence along the carrier tape (2) and covered by a cover (3). The cover is attached to the carrier tape having a lower surface facing the sequence of components. The method is performed by, while feeding the carrier tape towards the picking position, separating a first portion of the cover from a first portion (31) of the carrier tape. Thereafter, guiding a thus loosened portion of the cover towards the second side of the carrier tape. Performing said guiding such that before reaching the picking position, while being raised to an upright position, the cover is automatically gathered by being folded, so that at least two portions of the lower surface of the cover face each other, thereby reducing the height of the cover.

Abstract: A linear multiple feeder for use with an apparatus for automatically positioning surface-mounted devices (SMDs) collected from a tape wound on a reel. The tape has a protective film coating removably attached thereto, for enabling the device to be picked-up. The feeder comprises a support structure, a plurality of reels of tape carrying the device or component rotatably mounted to the structure, motor-driven wheels for retrieving the protective film being detached from the tape to expose those devices or components that are ready for collection, and a plurality of relatively parallel lanes on the support structure. Also provided is a device for forward linear delivery of the tape along the lanes. The lanes are provided with respective elements for separating the film coating entrained axially by the film-retrieving wheels in a direction opposite to that of delivery of the corresponding tape, thereby detaching the film coating from the tape as the latter moves forward.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly includes a housing having a face and an aperture that allows adhesive bandage carrier to pass through it. The adhesive bandage carrier comprises a longitudinally-extending carrier strip having a plurality of longitudinally-disposed adhesive bandages removably secured to an underlying carrier strip. The bandages are located at pre-determined and equally-spaced intervals along the strip. At the same intervals, the strip includes a plurality of apertures. A first edge of the bandage overlays a portion of an aperture such that the first edge can be easily grasped when the bandage is dispensed. The dispenser assembly also includes a number of rotational elements that serve as either “feed” mechanisms for delivering a roll of adhesive bandage carrier from within the container or “take-up” mechanisms for accumulating protective material that overlays the bandage carrier. Different embodiments of the assembly afford mechanical and electrical actuation of the dispensing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet driver for use in a drug dispenser including a drug carrier (100) having a plurality of pockets (102, 103, 104) for containing drug wherein said pockets are spaced along the length of and defined between first (106) and second (105) sheets secured to each other and separable by drivable pulling action, the sheet driver comprising a base (220); ascending from the base, a shaft (230) defining a rotational axis; on the base, a drive surface (225) for receipt of drive to rotate the base about the rotational axis; about the shaft, a torsion spring (240) defining first (242) and second (244) spring legs; mounting about the shaft and the torsion spring for rotation about the rotational axis, a hub (250) defining a hub surface for receipt of a sheet of the drug carrier.

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: A dispenser arrangement including an elongated strip of packaged safety protection devices disposed at an interior of the dispenser, a drive arrangement configured to advance and rupture the strip of packaged safety protection devices and to release the safety protection devices therefrom at the demand of a user, a waste arrangement configured to receive and retain the strip of packaging after release of the safety protection devices.

Abstract: An item dispenser and methods for dispensing the item. In some embodiments of the invention, the item dispenser may include a housing, an item carriage, and a movable support. The movable support may be indexed to position the item carriage at (1) a first position in which the item carriage is positioned to release only a first item; and (2) a second position in which the item carriage is positioned to release a second item. In some embodiments of the invention, the dispenser may include a housing, a pivotable cap and a snap fastener. The snap fastener may extend from the cap to the housing and engage the housing to lock the cap in the closed position. The cap may be opened by moving an interference block away from a snap fastener lever.

Abstract: A method of operating an inserter with infeed and outfeed each driven by a separate servo motor. A controller independently energizes the servo motors to drive the infeed and outfeed to position a continuous feed of objects with a first object in the outfeed and a web between the first and second objects within a bursting space. The outfeed exerts tension on the continuous feed when the web is within the bursting gap. The web is burst and the first object is ejected from the outfeed into an item on a production line. An inserter with separate servo motors driving the infeed and the outfeed to position objects of a continuous feed, to burst webs between the objects by generating tension in the webs and to eject the burst objects from the inserter.

Abstract: A manually operated dispenser for medicated or non-medicated orally dissolving strips provided in roll form cuts portions of the roll to a predetermined size in the manner of the strips currently available in single sheets and housed in the vial shown in patent Des. 423,302. The roll of orally dissolving strips is stored in one portion of a disposable cassette. Manually operable spring loaded means causes the roll in the cassette to advance thereby peeling the medicated or non-medicated portion of the strip form a carrier layer and presenting the portion of predetermined strip length to a cutting blade, then slicing the strip from the roll. The waste carrier layer is stored in another portion of the disposable cassette.

Abstract: A wall mounted vertical, gravity fed dispensing container for use with a blister pack includes a pair of perforated sheets defining a holder portion for receiving and supporting the blister pack while holding the blister pack parallel to the wall. The holder portion is formed as a separate element which can be snapped into the container. The two sheets are hinged at the bottom. Behind the holder portion is a catching container fixed to the holder portion and to the wall such that medication expelled from the blisters through the openings by a manually movable punch is caught in the catching container. A bottom wall of the catching container converges the medications to a bottom chute with a manually movable press lever operating a flap valve to discharge the medications into a cup. A front door covers the holder and the blister pack and contains a receptacle for the punch.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bandage dispenser for dispensing ready-to-adhere bandages from a cartridge. The cartridge is provided with a plurality of stacked plates accommodated within, and a resilient element beneath a lowermost plate that pushes the stacked plates toward the opening. Adhesive bandage are mounted on the plates with exposed adhesive material. An ejection mechanism ejects an uppermost plate so as to allow a sequential plate with an exposed bandage to move upwardly towards the opening.

Abstract: A part feeding device capable of preventing the adhesive surface of a top tape from being exposed even if a pleat line is displaced and easily and collectively removing the top tape collected by winding on a reel body and a part feeding method, the device comprising a top tape transfer part (1) having raising rollers (6) raising the top tape (104) a specified amount by generally 90° with the adhesive surfaces thereof at both ends facing inside, a folding rollers (5) folding the raised top tape by falling on the unraised top tape, and a tape delivery part (18) feeding the folded top tape at a specified pitch, wherein the reel body collecting the peeled top tape can collectively push out the group of the wound top tape in the axial direction.

Abstract: Container for dispensing by the piece a strip of interconnected pouch-shaped packs, in particular packs of medicines, vitamins and/or dietary supplements, which strip is accommodated in meandering fashion in the container, which container comprises a bottom with two longitudinal walls and two side walls, characterized in that the container has a width which substantially corresponds to the width of the packs and has a length of at least two interconnected packs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dispenser device for products arranged in or on a product carrier, in particular tablets or the like, including a holding receptacle for forming a holding chamber for the product carrier, and an actuating means for actuating the dispenser device, a safety element being associated with the actuating means for controlled actuation, which is distinguished in that the actuating means is a pivot lever which is simultaneously designed as a push-out element for pushing the products out of the product carrier. Further, the invention concerns a product carrier for holding products, in particular tablets or the like, which is distinguished in that the product carrier is individually designed such as to be structurally adaptable on the key and lock principle to a corresponding dispenser device. Further, the invention concerns a packaging unit with a product carrier and a dispenser device.

Abstract: A patient specific medication kit includes a holder and a plurality of packages, with each package containing at least one medication element, such as a pill, capsule or tablet. Each package is slidably, removably disposed in the holder in a prescribed sequence. Each package or medication element contains indicia signifying the medication element dosage.

Abstract: Provided are tape feeding and recovering modules for a tape feeder, and a tape feeder including the tape feeding module and the recovering module. The tape feeding module feeds a tape storing a plurality of electronic components in a predetermined pitch by driving a sprocket which inserts its teeth into the tape. And the recovering module exposes the plurality of electrical components by removing a top cover from a top surface of the tape and discharges the top cover from the tape feeder.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of accessing a packaged medicament include placing a blister-type package containing the medicament onto a receiving area of a holder with a blister portion of the package extending into an opening in the holder. The blister-type package is held in place while a severing device is moved relative to the opening to separate at least a part of the blister portion from the blister-type package in order to access the medicament.

Abstract: Tamper and child proof dispenser for a solid dosage product such as tablets and capsules that may be contained in a blister sheet. Dispenser comprises a dispensing assembly (3) for holding and dispensing the product, a slidably or hingedly connected outercover (1) for covering the assembly to prevent access to the product, and tamper indication means (7) of an elongate removable tag for indicating a prior displacement of the outer cover. The dispenser has an external child proof button (9) supported on a tongue (10). The dispensing assembly has an ejection means of a slide actuation mechanism (57) including an actuation arm (59) upon which is mounted a slidable rider member (61) with an abutment to engage and eject the solid dosage product. The outer cover has four separable portions (67) which are individually removed to enable a particular actuation mechanism (57) to be moved for dispensing a product.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising a first barrier, and a second barrier that is spaced apart from the first barrier. These two barriers define a first item-receiving space between the barriers, and the second barrier at least partially defines a second item-receiving space behind the second barrier. The first barrier is adapted to move between: (A) a first-barrier-closed position in which the first barrier restricts access to the first item-receiving space, and (B) a first-barrier-open position in which the first barrier permits access to the first item-receiving space. Similarly, the second barrier is adapted to move between: (A) a second-barrier-closed position in which the second barrier restricts access to the second item-receiving space, and (B) a second-barrier-open position in which the second barrier permits access to the second item-receiving space. The dispenser may comprise a third barrier, and the first, second, and third barriers may be positioned in a substantially horizontal array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing prepackaged medication packages includes an apparatus having a body with an internal cavity and an opening. A central processing unit operably communicates with an actuator and at least one sensor within the cavity to regulate and monitor the dispensation of the packages, while the actuator operably communicates with a feed mechanism within the cavity to dispense the packages.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing tablets from a blister pack (34) containing a plurality of tablets, each held in a respective blister, the apparatus comprising receiving means (1) for receiving the blister pack so that the pack is moveable on the receiving means (1), and an abutment member (32) moveable into engagement with the blister in registry therewith so as to eject the tablet from that blister, wherein the apparatus includes indexing means (28, 30) for moving a blister pack (34) on the receiving means (1) to bring each of a succession of blisters in turn into registry with the abutment member (32).

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a medicament dispenser for use with a medicament carrier having a plurality of pockets for containing medicament wherein said pockets are spaced along the length of and defined between two peelable sheets secured to each other, said dispenser having an internal mechanism for accessing said medicament contained within said medicament carrier. The internal mechanism is operated by an electronic drive system.

Abstract: A holding device for pharmaceutical blisters has an upper part and a lower part between which a pharmaceutical blister is disposed. Ejection openings are disposed in both the upper part and the lower part in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of the contained dragées. An ejection device that can execute a linear movement and/or a rotary movement in relation to the upper part has an ejection ram, which optionally can be guided into a certain ejection opening of the upper part to remove a corresponding dragée. The ejection device has a contact element, which in the desired ejection position short-circuits a pair of contact points with a contact field to display the desired ejection position. The contact field for each possible ejection position short-circuits only one pair of contact points corresponding to the desired ejection position through the contact field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blister pack device for storing and dispensing a dosage unit, including a container having an opening for receiving a blister pack. The container is provided with a dispensing mechanism for ejecting a dosage unit from a blister or the blister pack, the dispensing mechanism includes a lever arm pivotally mounted on the container and a cavity in the container for receiving an ejected dosage unit wherein the lever arm has a first open position allowing the blister pack to be positioned under the arm and a second lowered position for ejecting the dosage unit from the blister into the cavity.

Abstract: A storage unit is rotatably mounted on one end of a liquid beverage container and contains a plurality of packets. Each packet has a flexible top and a frangible bottom and a flavored tablet is stored in each packet. The tablets dissolve in the liquid stored in the container when dropped thereinto and can be of various flavors to add flavors to the liquid contained in the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier has a number of cavities formed on one surface thereof for containing components. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates that function to guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station and a second position adjacent to the second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes the one surface of the component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.

Abstract: A medication access control device having a high-strength, high-impact cover and base that allows manual advancing and actuated dispensing of tablets, capsules, or pills of virtually all sizes from a medication cartridge, having penetrable seals, through a dispensing hole located at the base of the device housing. The medication cartridge rests on a cartridge driver rotatably connected to the bottom half of the device housing. A battery powers a timing device and solenoid to draw a locking lug from steps on the cartridge driver. A spring advances a lug lock to hold the locking lug open until the medication cartridge is rotated. As the medication cartridge is rotated a cartridge device tooth advances a trigger, which releases the locking lug and locks the cartridge driver from rotating. A rewind protection lock prevents the cartridge driver from rotating backwards. A switch resets the timer as the cartridge driver is rotated.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing pills packaged in a pack comprising a base and a top rotatably mounted on the base and defining a housing for the pill pack, a plunger mounted in the housing operable between inner and outer limit positions and having means for discharging one of the pills in the pack during cycling of the plunger between limit positions, means for rotating the pack only one pill increment at a time and child resistant means normally preventing cycling of the plunger between limit positions.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser includes a housing formed by first and second shells defining a cavity therebetween. A blister tray configured to receive a plurality of tablets therein is rotatably attached to the housing. The blister tray is moveable between a closed position in which the blister tray is releasably contained within the cavity, and an open position in which at least a portion of the blister tray extends out of the cavity. An alarm unit activates at least one alert signal upon completion of a cycle period. The alarm unit is reset after the blister tray is accessed to dispense at least one tablet.

Abstract: A device (10) for releasing a pill (101) from a blister pack (100) wherein, the device (10) includes a generally E-shaped housing member (20) having an upper tier (21) and an intermediate tier (22) provided with aligned apertures (25) (26) and a lower tier (23) provided with a transverse recess (27) wherein, the apertures (25) (26) are dimensioned to receive the shaft (31) of a plunger member (30) that will release the pill (101) into a trough member (40) through the aperture (26).

Abstract: A manually operated dispenser for medicated or non-medicated orally dissolving strips provided in roll form cuts portions of the roll to a predetermined size in the manner of the strips currently available in single sheets and housed in the vial shown in patent Des. 423,302. The dispenser includes spring-loaded structure rotating the roll and presenting material of a predetermined strip length to a cutting blade, then slicing the strip from the roll.

Abstract: A web burster/inserter assembly receives a continuous supply of coupons in the form of a web where the forwardmost coupon is attached to the following coupon. The web burster/inserter separates individual coupons from the web and directs the coupons to a desired location. A ram may be used to effectuate the separation. The web burster/inserter is capable of being used with coupons of varying thickness such as plastic prizes and game pieces.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a disk drive mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor opening on the housing. The disk drive mechanism of the sensor dispensing instrument is operated by pressing a button which activates a motor. The motor moves a disk drive pusher in a first direction to rotate the sensor pack, and then moves the disk drive pusher in a second direction to eject a sensor from the sensor cavity and through the sensor opening.

Abstract: A modular container system for storing and dispensing labels, the container system including a plurality of individual container modules configured for mutual coupling. Each container module having a first engagement element on a first wall and a complementary second engagement element on a second wall and each container module further including a receptacle configured for receiving a roll of labels and an opening for dispensing the labels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a unit dose product (11) from a unit dose package (10) is disclosed. The unit dose package (10) includes a first continuous strip (12) operatively connected to a second continuous strip (13) so as to provide individual segments (17) containing the unit dose of product (11). The unit dose of product (11) is dispensed by suitable method which separates the strips (12, 13) and dispensing the unit dose of product (11).

Abstract: A bun dispensing device for a hot dog dispensing machine operative for dispensing buns from a bun containing element which includes a plurality of individual bun containers and a common film to which the bun containers are releasably attached one after the other, the device has a unit for pulling the bun containing element, a unit for separating the bun containers with buns accommodated therein from the film of the bun containing element and located upstream of the pulling a unit, and a unit for guiding the bun containing element and located upstream of the separating unit, the separating unit being formed so that each of the bun containers with the bun accommodated therein is individually separated from the film under the action of the separating unit.