Progressively Destroyed Cellular Magazine-type Supply Source Patents (Class 221/25)
  • Patent number: 6321817
    Abstract: In an electronic component supply device electronic components are accommodated within cavities formed in a carrier tape of which surface is covered with a top tape. A peeling portion for peeling off the top tape from the carrier tape includes a peel-away cutout portion cut into a tape transfer direction. A thin plate has an angled portion having a rounded portion. A concavity, in which the thin plate operates, is formed in the tape pressing member downstream of the peel-away cutout portion in the tape transfer direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kubota, Takao Kashiwazaki, Koji Okawa, Tadashi Endo, Masato Tanino, Akira Kabeshita
  • Patent number: 6318437
    Abstract: A tape feeder for a part mounter including a guide frame into which first through third guide portions and a stripper are incorporated, a driving motor installed on the rear surface of the guide frame, first through third gears for transmitting the power of the driving motor, a sprocket coaxially installed on the third gear, the sprocket having teeth formed on the outer circumferential surface to be inserted into grooves formed on the tape having parts attached thereto and a plurality of slots formed along the circumference of the sprocket, a cover take-up apparatus assembly having a first pulley installed on one gear among the first and second gears, a belt hung on the first pulley, a second pulley which rotates by a driving force transmitted via the belt, and a take-up reel installed coaxially with respect to the second pulley, a cover tension apparatus assembly having an axle gear interlocked with the third gear, a peel roller which is installed coaxially with the axle gear and rotates, and a pinch roller
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Aerospace Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-hee Yoo, Byung-ho Chang
  • Patent number: 6302292
    Abstract: A storage, display and dispensing apparatus for tickets of various sizes that accounts for the tickets dispensed during a selected time period. The dispensing apparatus includes a bin housing for storing a pack of tickets, a ticket dispensing assembly through which the tickets are dispensed and includes a friction wheel assembly that is actuated as tickets passed through the tear bar assembly so that a count of such tickets is provided. A piezo electric sensing element is also employed to sense perforations between the tickets and to reset the friction wheel assembly count as a result thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Schafer, Ryan B. Gruhn, Philip R. Littler, Tim Caltrider, Glenn Miller, Ryan Littler, Dennis J. Deyen, James F. Popelka
  • Patent number: 6269860
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a top cover tape peeled from an electric-component tape which additionally includes a carrier tape having pockets which accommodate electric components, respectively, and whose respective upper openings are closed with the top cover tape, the apparatus including two rotatable members which are rotatable about respective axis lines parallel to each other and whose respective outer circumferential surfaces cooperate with each other to pinch the top cover tape, a rotary drive device which rotates one of the two rotatable members, one of the two rotatable members having a scraper groove which is formed in the entire outer circumferential surface thereof, in an intermediate portion thereof in an axial direction thereof parallel to the two axis lines, and a scraper which is provided on an outlet side of the two rotatable members in a tape-feed direction, such that a portion of the scraper is fitted in a portion of the scraper groove that corresponds to a position where the respective outer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehisa Ishikawa, Yasuo Muto, Koichi Asai
  • Patent number: 6244462
    Abstract: A device to register the dispensing of medicaments comprising sensing devices located at the medicament side to detect the dispensing thereof. The device is comprised of a sheet-like envelope of a one-way material and being a continuous, foldable way adapted to enclose the medicaments. There is an electronic printed circuit applied on the envelope and is stretched over foldable areas of the sheet-like envelope. It is also operatively connected to the sensing devices and to an electronic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: CyPak AB
    Inventors: Jakob Ehrensvard, Stina Grip
  • Patent number: 6235369
    Abstract: A dispenser for strip materials, e.g. hook and loop fastener material, which automatically finds formations in a continuous fastener strip during its dispensing and, at that point in the dispensing procedure, produces a resistance to the remaining supply, that enables parting of the lead unit from the remaining supply, thus dispensing a discrete unit. The dispenser has a receptacle to hold the supply of fastener strip material; it employs a retarding device to provide light drag against the motion of the strip as the leading strip unit moves from the dispenser in response to pull by a user. A detent downstream of the retarding device engages a corresponding formation in the strip material to resist movement of the remaining strip material, so that the strip ruptures along a line of weakness under a user's tension. Also disclosed are dispensable fastener strips of various forms, some advantageously formed by use of needled bat, and methods of forming the fastening strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: William H. Shepard, Paul R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6213343
    Abstract: A novel bandage dispenser is disclosed for dispensing bandages from a roll of sterilized, individually wrapped bandages. Several bandage feeding mechanisms are disclosed, to serially dispense a bandage and simultaneously strip off the liner surrounding the bandage, upon depression of a hand actuated switch. Also disclosed is an improved roll of bandages suitable for use in the bandage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Gerry Damikolas
  • Patent number: 6206233
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for medical pills and the like from blister packs utilizing a flexible arm with a uniquely designed pressure member fastened to a base have a specially designed cup to be used as a base support for a blister pack and as a receiving receptacle for the cup. An auxiliary serrated wheel is included for serrating particularly tough blister backing materials when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Dynachieve, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert C. Schulze
  • Patent number: 6202728
    Abstract: An electric-component feeder for feeding a carrier tape carrying electric components at a predetermined component-carry pitch, at a tape-feed pitch equal to a quotient obtained by dividing the component-carry pitch by an integral number, and thereby supplying the electric components, one by one, the feeder including a main frame including a tape guide which guides the carrier tape in a lengthwise direction thereof; a cam which has a cam surface and which is provided on the main frame such that the cam surface is movable relative to the main frame; a cam drive device which is supported by the main frame and which drives the cam and thereby moves the cam surface relative to the main frame; a cam follower which is supported by the main frame and which follows the cam surface while being moved by the cam surface being moved by the cam drive device; and a motion converting device which is supported by the main frame and which converts the motion of the cam follower into the feeding of the carrier tape at the tape-
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Takada, Toshikatsu Terashima, Mamoru Tsuda, Koichi Asai
  • Patent number: 6193103
    Abstract: A pill dispenser for releasably holding a collection of pills. The dispenser having a base plate and a cover rotatably mounted relative to the base plate. The collection of pills are housed individually in compartments in the holding means and an aperture allows for selective release of the pills. At least one notch is provided and travels along a toothed circular guide path when the cover is rotated. An baffle extends inwardly from the aperture in the direction of the compartments of the holding means and prevents rotation past pills in a compartment without removing the pill next in sequence from its holder so that no pills may be skipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventor: Caroline Clarijs
  • Patent number: 6162007
    Abstract: The invented apparatus includes at least one feeder and a base unit for successively advancing one or more tapes containing electronic components so that such components can be extracted by a pick-up device for installation in circuit boards, for example. The feeder can include a body, a sprocket, a slider, and a one-way drive member. The body defines a guide through which a tape extends, and its sprocket is rotatably mounted in the body so that its teeth engage with and advance the tape if the sprocket is rotated. The drive member is mounted to the slider, and the slider is mounted to reciprocate in the body. The slider moves the drive member into contact with sprocket to rotate the sprocket by an amount sufficient to advance the tape by one interval to expose the next electronic component for extraction from the feeder. The apparatus' base unit can include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one solenoid unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Stefan Witte
  • Patent number: 6155454
    Abstract: A first embodiment of a pill dispenser includes a pill carrier and dispenser housing. The pill carrier has a plurality of pill chambers, each of which initially holds a pill that is sealed from the outside environment by a pair of membranes. The dispenser housing has a pill carrier slot into which the pill carrier is disposed and an opening forming a pathway from the slot to the exterior of the housing. In addition, the dispenser housing has an integrated plunger disposed adjacent the slot and opposite the opening. This plunger has a projecting punch head capable of extending into a pill chamber to push a pill out of dispenser housing opening whenever the plunger is depressed by a user. The pill chamber is first placed in alignment with the punch head and housing opening by displacing the pill carrier within the pill carrier slot. An indexing mechanism is preferably used to ensure the necessary alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Donald C. George
    Inventors: Donald C. George, Dean T. Upton
  • Patent number: 6149029
    Abstract: Medicine ejecting apparatus comprising a chamber (13) between first and second housing parts (11, 12). A carrier (16) having ejection members (51, 52, 53) opposite the second housing part (12) is situated in the chamber (13). Opposite the carrier (16), the second housing part (12) can retain a medicine strip (82) of the type having one or more rows of blisters (83, 84) containing a medicine. Bottoms of the blisters (83, 84) are situated opposite ejection openings (14, 15) of the second housing part (12). The housing parts (11, 12) have toothed tracks (21, 31), and the carrier has hook members (41, 48) interacting with the toothed tracks, which hook members are such that, if the housing parts (11, 12) are moved to and fro, the carrier (16) also moves over a distance of one tooth pitch and thereby presses a medicine out of a following blister (83, 84) through the bottom thereof and through an ejection opening (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Innocreate N.V.
    Inventors: Pieter H. de Meyer, Rob E. A. Froeling, Paul J. Seegers, Rene J. van Geer, Hendrik-Jan Vertegaal
  • Patent number: 6139246
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a carrier tape with successive sprocket holes and indexed pockets for carrying small components, and used in conjunction with various pick and place assembly machines for surface-mounting of the small components onto a printed circuit board or other assembly substrate. The apparatus has an interchangeable electronic feeder adaptable to various surface mount assembly machines and a set of height support adapters. The feeder has both a flip-chip and non flip-chip capabilities. The interchangeable electronic feeder further has a tape guiding assembly, an indexing assembly, an adjustable push-up tool assembly, and a flipping-converting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Tempo G
    Inventor: Martin J. Briehl
  • Patent number: 6138866
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet packge adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Lambelet, Jr., Henry Passarotti, Gary E. McQuay
  • Patent number: 6098835
    Abstract: The present invention is a child resistant rotating disk pill dispenser with a main housing to receive a circular pill package and pill package tray for rotation. The tray contains annularly arranged pill-drop orifices, and hold in place a circular pill package with a plurality of pills arranged to coincide with the pill-drop orifices. The tray has ratchets for engagement with a rotating knob for advancement thereof and the knob is connected to a said main housing central shaft so as to be selectively rotatable and reciprocally movable, with a first vertical position upwardly relative to the pill package tray and a second vertical position downwardly toward the pill package tray. When the knob is in its first vertical position, it is not in rotatable engagement with the ratchets, and when it is in its second vertical position it is in rotatable engagement therewith. A plunger is included for pushing pills through a pill package, through a pill-drop orifice and out the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Valley Design Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart W. DeJonge
  • Patent number: 6085936
    Abstract: A front loading dispenser for dispensing medication pouches in a roll/strip form. The dispenser preferably includes a top door pivotally hinged to the top of the dispenser and a bottom door pivotally hinged to the bottom of the dispenser. Medication pouches in roll/strip form are inserted into the dispenser, and the top and bottom doors are then closed to define a dispensing channel for dispensing of the medication pouches. One of the doors includes a pouch engaging member which extends into the dispensing channel to engage the roll/strip of medication pouches and prevent them from retracting into the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Medicart, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Friar, Michael T. Kopczewski
  • Patent number: 6082428
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to feed components stably and speedily in a component feed apparatus whereby components stored in the form of a taped component, while being transferred along a component feed guide, are sequentially supplied to a predetermined position to be mounted to a printed board. In order to accomplish the object, a magnet is set in the vicinity of a slit of a component feed guide at which a covering tape is separated from the taped component. The magnet magnetically attracts the component, to thereby prevent the component from being forcibly dragged together with the covering tape when the covering tape is separated. Quick and stable supply of the component can be accordingly ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, Mamoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 6077022
    Abstract: The present invention provides for safe and simple replacement or removal of individual feeders from a placement machine without any loss in performance by using a signal means to emit a signal to the CPU of the placement machine when a feeder is removed. Upon receipt of this signal, the CPU controls the pick-up head in such a way so that it does not collide with the feeder being removed. If the pick-up head is located directly above the pick-up position of the feeder to be removed, it can be moved momentarily upwards or sideways thanks to its fast drive before a collision occurs. If the pick-up head is located just on the way to the pick-up position of the feeder, the procedure is momentarily aborted so that a collision can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Zevatech Trading AG
    Inventors: Martin Gfeller, Otto Christen, Emil Grunder
  • Patent number: 6039208
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet package adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention, with both "any day start" (i.e., start of the therapy on any day of the week) and "any therapy package" (i.e., not only contraceptives).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Lambelet, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6035867
    Abstract: Transparent plastic strips are dispensed one at a time for use in sampling cosmetics. Each strip has a facial feature outline, preferably lips, embossed, etched or printed on the strip for receiving colored cosmetic, preferably lip color, within the outline. The strips have extensions extending outward from the outline for grasping and holding the strips in front of the facial feature of the user, usually lips, to determine which cosmetic color or lip color, shade and gloss best suits the user's face and satisfies the user. The transparent plastic strips are disposable and are used to promote sales of cosmetics by encouraging sampling of multiple colors and shades. The transparent strips are disposable after use by a customer to provide sanitary conditions for the users and for the cosmetics available for sampling at a cosmetic counter. The transparent plastic strips may be blank. The plastic strip is then placed on a template that has a lip depiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Judith I. Barrick
  • Patent number: 6026885
    Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for feeding electronic components in their stable position into an electronic component mounting apparatus and allowing the taking up of a top tape with high stability thus increasing the speed of component mounting action. As the top tape (4) is being taken up on a reel (42), a shutter (34) moves backward together with a slit (51) provided integral on the shutter (34). The turning in the tape take-up direction of the reel (42) is driven by the restoring force of a return spring (39). When the reel (42) has completed its take-up motion, the electronic component (1) can be picked up at a component pick-up location with the shutter (34) staying backward. A stationary roller (31) is provided between the slit (51) and the reel (42) and a movable roller (32) is provided for keeping the length of the top tape (4) between the slit (51) and the stationary roller (31) substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Mogi, Wataru Hirai, Kunio Sakurai, Minoru Yamamoto, Youichi Makino, Akiko Ida
  • Patent number: 6021919
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved dispenser for sanitary gloves. The dispenser comprises a rectangular enclosure having a top, bottom, left and right side walls, front and back, for receiving individually packaged sanitary gloves. The front is permanently joined to the top, bottom, left and back, while the right side wall is pivotally attached to the bottom wall. The front contains an opening near the top for dispensing the sanitary gloves one at a time. A window near the bottom portion of the front is used to visually inspect the quantity of gloves remaining in the dispenser at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Kevin J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6013149
    Abstract: A pad comprising a plurality of flexible sheets in a stack, and padding means for releasably adhering parts of the major surfaces of adjacent sheets in the stack together to maintain the sheets in the stack. That padding means is provided in that at least some of said sheets having patterns of coadhesive coated on their major surfaces, which patterns of coadhesive are adhered to patterns of coadhesive on adjacent sheets in the stack and releasably adhere parts of the major surfaces of adjacent sheets in the stack together in surface to surface relationship until the patterns of coadhesive are peeled apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lee A. Timmerman, Randall M. Mills, Michael S. Groess, Robert P. Molenda
  • Patent number: 6003722
    Abstract: A filter dispenser for the storage and dispensation of individual flat filter sections. The filter dispenser includes a storage compartment with a slot shaped exit for a tube-like band, composed of two parts, and guides in proximity to the slot for the running through of the band parts. The two parts of the band are joined by continuous and releasable edges and cross connections which form pockets which seat filter sections. Upon simultaneous drawing of the parts of the band through the guides, the connections of the band between the guides and the storage compartment are broken and the encapsulated filter sections are released for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventor: Peter Thurner
  • Patent number: 5988429
    Abstract: A dispenser for a blister pack which contains pills in a matrix of blisters has a support member for receiving the pack with a rupture side of the pack facing the support member. The support member has at least one opening for passage of pills pushed through the rupture side from the blister pack. A tab lid is hinged to the support member in a position covering the blister pack, the tab member having a matrix of tabs, each movably mounted to the tab lid and each positioned to be over a blister of the blister pack. Movement of a tab of the tab lid toward the support member effects compression of a blister to rupture the rupture side and push a pill out of the blister and through the opening of the support member. A cover lid can also be hinged to an opposite edge of the support member to cover the tab lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: PharmaDesign, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Coe
  • Patent number: 5975347
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet packge adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical, Corp.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Lambelet, Jr., Henry Passarotti, Gary E. McQuay
  • Patent number: 5941674
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a carrier tape with successive sprocket holes and indexed pockets for carrying small components, and used in conjunction with various pick and place assembly machines for surface-mounting of the small components onto a printed circuit board or other assembly substrate. The apparatus has an interchangeable electronic feeder adaptable to various surface mount assembly machines and a set of height support adapters. The feeder has both a flip-chip and non flip-chip capabilities. The interchangeable electronic feeder further has a tape guiding assembly, an indexing assembly, an adjustable push-up tool assembly, and a flipping-converting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: TEMPO G
    Inventor: Martin J. Briehl
  • Patent number: 5921433
    Abstract: A front loading dispenser for dispensing medication pouches in a roll/strip form. The dispenser preferably includes a top door pivotally hinged to the top of the dispenser and a bottom door pivotally hinged to the bottom of the dispenser. Medication pouches in roll/strip form are inserted into the dispenser, and the top and bottom doors are then closed to define a dispensing channel for dispensing of the medication pouches. One of the doors includes a pouch engaging member which extends into the dispensing channel to engage the roll/strip of medication pouches and prevent them from retracting into the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Medicart, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Friar, Michael T. Kopczewski
  • Patent number: 5909822
    Abstract: A pill dispenser including a pill carrier having multiple through-holes forming pill chambers. Each of these pill chambers holds, at least initially, a pill which is sealed from the outside environment and completely contained within the pill chamber. The dispenser also has a housing with a pill carrier slot into which the pill carrier resides. There is a pill dispensing channel forming a pathway from the slot to the exterior of the dispenser housing. The pill carrier is displaceable within the slot which allows each pill chamber to be sequentially aligned with the channel. A plunger apparatus is positioned adjacent the slot and opposite the channel and is extended into a pill chamber, then in alignment with the channel, so as to push a pill contained within the pill chamber into the channel for dispensing. In an alternate embodiment, the pill dispenser includes a pill carrier similar to the first embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventors: Donald C. George, Dean T. Upton
  • Patent number: 5862942
    Abstract: A plastic ampule dispenser for dispensing plastic ampules supplied in the form of strips of ampules connected together. The plastic ampule dispenser has an inclined guide plate for sliding a plurality of strips of plastic ampules, each strip being formed with cutlines between the adjacent plastic ampules, a plastic ampule stopper for stopping the plastic ampule at one end of the strip when the strip slides on and along the guide plate, and a separating device for separating the plastic ampule stopped at the head of the strip from the adjacent plastic ampule along the cutline therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yuyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hiroyasu Hamada
  • Patent number: 5860561
    Abstract: A device having means for dispensing a single swab at one time from a rolled inventory of swabs mounted on a continuous strip defines a means for unrolling the inventory and a means for detaching each swab in turn from the strip. A support roll is positioned to provide a rigid backing to the strip so that as the strip passes a chute, an upfacing edge of the chute wedges itself between the swab and the backing, thereby prying the swab from the backing and urging it into the dispensing chute. Transparent walls of the device provide visibility of the inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventors: Ronaldo R. Saldana, Robert R. Saldana, Juliet T. Saldana
  • Patent number: 5857564
    Abstract: A compact material storage and dispensing unit for separately storing and dispensing small volumes of substances such as fragrances, creams and lotions. The unit comprises a circular plate which is divided into a plurality of storage cells, each storage cell substantially wedge shaped. The storage cells are disposed around a common center, and each storage cell is bounded by two radial lines which pass through the common center. Each storage cell further comprises a top ply, a bottom ply and impregnated packing sandwiched between the top and bottom ply. The impregnated packing is to be saturated with lotion, fragrance, ointment or any other desired substance. Perforations are formed into the radial lines which bound the storage cells, so that each storage cell may be easily separated from the adjacent storage cell and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Dennis Hymowitz
  • Patent number: 5836474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament storage device which includes a storage plate having a plurality of storage spaces for storing quantities, such as medicament dosages and a base unit which has a memory and an alarm function. The device is characterized in that the openings of respective storage spaces are provided with a closure means in the form of a long and a short flap which overlap one another and which are either spring mounted or consist of elastic material. The flap overlap regions include indicating means which illustrate in which direction passage has occured through the opening and/or with detecting means which produce a signal relating to the direction of the last passage through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: NovaTelligence AB
    Inventor: Goran Wessberg
  • Patent number: 5782786
    Abstract: An adhesive bandage dispensing system comprises a bandage retaining and dispensing spool and a continuous elongated bandage strip wound around the spool. The bandage strip comprises a plurality of individual adhesive bandages serially connected to one another at perforated edges. The perforations are oriented transverse to the elongated direction of the bandage strip and structurally weaken the bandage strip so that individual bandages may be separated from the bandage strip at the perforation lines by application of removal force thereto. The bandage strip is sized and shaped to ensure that absorbent pads of the bandage strip are sealingly enclosed by the bandages strip itself. The invention, thus, provides a bandage dispensing system which prevents contamination of the individual bandages without the need for additional packaging materials. Numerous advantageously shaped spools for use in the bandage dispensing system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Theodore J. Tomaiuolo
  • Patent number: 5775536
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet packge adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Lambelet, Jr., Martin Link, David G. DuHaime
  • Patent number: 5762754
    Abstract: An electronic-component supplying cartridge is provided which includes a movable and an immovable jumping-out-preventing member and is free from jumping of electronic components out of electronic-component accommodating pockets, changing of posture of the components, or standing-up of the components due to suction. A shutter 210 is attached to a cover 82 fixed to a cartridge frame, such that the shutter 210 is movable relative to the cover 82 in the tape feeding direction. The shutter 210 includes a connection portion 214 having a groove 222 opening at a downstream-side end thereof as seen in the feeding direction, and a pair of movable jumping-out-preventing strips 228. When the shutter 210 is moved to a second position thereof, the strips 228 are received in receiving recesses 200, respectively. When a component carrier tape is fed, the shutter 210 is moved to a first position thereof where the strips 228 cover a component accommodating pocket fed to an electronic-component picking-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kondo, Tokiyuki Kuno, Yasuo Muto, Mamoru Tsuda
  • Patent number: 5722563
    Abstract: A hand tool for quickly and effortlessly removing common forms of tablets and capsules individually from blister card and strip packaging is provided in a simplified form generally similar in overall appearance to a pliers-type hand tool. After positioning a desired pill-containing pocket of a blister package on the specially-configured lower jaw of the tool, the handles are squeezed together, pivoting the opposing jaw member downward against the top of the pill pocket and forcing the pill contained therein to move downwardly through an opening in the lower jaw, tearing the foil cover sheet of the package, whereupon the tablet will fall freely into a tablet-catching bucket member disposed beneath the lower jaw where the pill is maintained safely against inadvertent dropping or misplacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Larry D. Hunts
  • Patent number: 5720924
    Abstract: The system has several test elements, each of which is individually sealed to be impermeable to water vapor. The system storing test elements facilitates removal of test elements and protects the test elements contained in it against effects from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Heino Eikmeier, Klaus-Dieter Sacherer, Joerg Schreiber, Wilfried Schmid, Hans-Juergen Kuhr
  • Patent number: 5695309
    Abstract: An electronic-component supplying cartridge is provided which includes a movable and an immovable jumping-out-preventing member and is free from jumping of electronic components out of electronic-component accommodating pockets, changing of posture of the components, or standing-up of the components due to suction. A shutter 210 is attached to a cover 82 fixed to a cartridge frame, such that the shutter 210 is movable relative to the cover 82 in the tape feeding direction. The shutter 210 includes a connection portion 214 having a groove 222 opening at a downstream-side end thereof as seen in the feeding direction, and a pair of movable jumping-out-preventing strips 228. When the shutter 210 is moved to a second position thereof, the strips 228 are received in receiving recesses 200, respectively. When a component carrier tape is fed, the shutter 210 is moved to a first position thereof where the strips 228 cover a component accommodating pocket fed to an electronic-component picking-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kondo, Tokiyuki Kuno, Yasuo Muto, Mamoru Tsuda
  • Patent number: 5638951
    Abstract: A case for mounting on a probe of a radiation clinical thermometer a sheet shaped probe cover which includes a probe insertion member having an insertion opening to be inserted by the probe and an infection preventing sheet in contact with the probe insertion member. The case includes a cover storage portion for storing a series of continuing probe covers each having an engagement opening at a predetermined position thereof, a probe insertion cut portion for positioning each probe cover and for insertion by the probe, a support surface disposed around the probe insertion cut portion to support a peripheral of the insertion opening of the probe insertion member of one of the probe covers, and a projection adapted to be engaged with the engagement opening of a subsequent probe cover when the probe cover mounted on the probe is torn at the probe insertion cut portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Fukura, Sigeru Makita, Mitsuru Kitamura, Tadashi Ikeno
  • Patent number: 5566829
    Abstract: A tester module to provide a sanitary apparatus to test make-up without causing discardable waste comprises a housing having a supply reel with cosmetic samples located on a wound-up tape at predetermined intervals along the tape. The housing also includes a curved member guide adjacent an aperture in the upper wall portion of the housing and a take-up reel in the lower portion of the housing. The take-up reel is periodically advanced by a crank in one embodiment to expose a cosmetic sample through the housing aperture. A user places her finger through the aperture to transfer the cosmetic from the strip to her finger and then moves the tape from the supply reel to the next position feeding the used material to the take-up reel within the housing. In a second embodiment, a window over the housing aperture is coupled to a gear arrangement to automatically index the used tape when a spring backed window is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph Cotilletta
  • Patent number: 5562231
    Abstract: This invention relates to a substantially circular tablet dispenser component system which may be adapted for a variable day start of a prescribed periodic tablet regimen. Also provided are a tablet dispenser kit, a tablet package adapted for filling the tablet dispenser system, methods of filling the tablet dispenser of the invention and methods of administering a prescribed regimen of medication using the tablet dispenser system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Lambelet, Jr., Henry Passarotti, Gary E. McQuay
  • Patent number: 5531859
    Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for transferring a succession of electronic components borne by a carrier tape toward a pickup position one by one, the carrier tape having a backing strip and a protective cover strip adhesively secured to the backing strip to hold the electronic components in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung D. Lee, Yong G. Lee
  • Patent number: 5511689
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for dispensing an adhesive-backed article. An adhesive-backed article has a first adhesive disposed on at least a portion of its bottom surface. The bottom surface of the adhesive-backed article is bonded to the top surface of a backing layer by a bond formed by the first adhesive. The top surface of the adhesive-backed article is bonded to the bottom surface of the support layer by a bond formed by a second adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface. The bond formed between the top surface of the adhesive backed article and the bottom surface of the support layer is stronger than the bond between the bottom surface of the adhesive-backed article and the top surface of the backing layer such that when the support layer is separated from the backing layer, .the adhesive-backed article remains affixed to the support layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Richard D. Frank
  • Patent number: 5501005
    Abstract: In an apparatus for mounting electronic components, punched out from film carriers to a substrate, there is disclosed an upper die for punching the electronic components through a hole formed in a lower die. A take out nozzle is located under the through hole for sucking the punched out electronic component from the hole in the lower die. A transfer nozzle is provided for receiving the electronic component from the take out nozzle and for transmitting the electronic component to a substrate mounted on a movable table. Before any leadwires of the component are bonded to the electrodes of the substrate, the table is finely positioned to property align the leadwires and the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuto Onitsuka
  • Patent number: 5472115
    Abstract: A tool which dispenses a tablet from a blister type package, which package typically has a top blister portion and a bottom portion. The dispenser includes a first member having a flat surface for supporting the bottom portion of the blister package. This support surface has an opening therein which is larger than the table. A second member including a plunger for at least partially crushing the top portion and pushing the tablet through the bottom portion is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph L. Whiton
  • Patent number: 5458259
    Abstract: A magazine for dispensing liner bags from a supply roll through an aperture in the bottom of a trash receptacle includes an upwardly open base having a horizontal cross-sectional shape adapted to receive the trash receptacle, a hinge for connecting the base to the trash receptacle along a horizontal pivot axis extending along one side of the base, whereby the receptacle can be tilted away from the base to provide access to the base. The base has a seat formed by an inwardly protruding flange to limit the depth of penetration of the trash receptacle into the magazine, so that it does not bear against or otherwise interfere with the liner bag supply. Two parallel dividers in the base form three compartments. The outer compartments are useful for storing addition supply rolls or supplies, while the central one contains the active supply roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Lee R. Falk
  • Patent number: 5454900
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing both plastic leaded chip carrier and small outline package electronic components from carrier tapes includes a platform which supports the carrier tape and a drum which receives the cover tape which is peeled away from the carrier tape thereby releasing the electronic components. The electronic components slide under the influence of gravity along an adjustable guide into a collecting tube which has been clamped to the adjustable guide. The adjustable guide is capable of a position substantially perpendicular to the platform and a position substantially parallel to the platform thereby facilitating detaping of both plastic leaded chip carrier components and small outline package components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Telford Industries Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin F. Han, Seng F. Lee
  • Patent number: 5433340
    Abstract: A device for vending articles includes a stack of separator panels, each of which supports a product package, positioned in a storage bin. The bin has separator panel support tabs extending into the bottom thereof, and a pivot plate containing a panel-dislodging detent is located at the bin's bottom. The lowermost panel is dislodged from the support tabs by rotation of a pin forming part of an associated coin mechanism after proper coinage has been inserted into the mechanism and its operating handle has been turned. The pin forces the plate to pivot, causing its detent to press against the separator panel, thereby dislodging the panel from the support tabs, together with its product package. Once dislodged, the separator panel falls from the device, together with the vended article, the article proceeding to an area accessible to the purchaser, and the separator panel being retained on a hanger attached to the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Arlan J. Hoffman