Abstract: A medicine feeder's drive unit includes a drive motor, a gear transmission device, an output shaft and a switcher. The gear transmission device is constituted by a normal-rotation transmission path and a reverse-rotation transmission path provided between a motor shaft of the drive motor and the output shaft. The switcher selects one of the transmission paths for output of driving power from the drive motor. Thus, a jammed tablet in the medicine feeder can be cleared upon detection thereof, and reverse rotation of a rotor can be achieved without driving the motor in a reverse rotating direction, i.e., while the motor is in normal rotation setting.

Abstract: A dispenser for administering strip-shaped substances, includes a housing having a chamber to store a stack of the strip-shaped substances and forming a removal opening for the strip-shaped substances that can be opened and closed again with a lid, said lid being joined to the housing, and being joined to a transport bar that can be moved together with the lid in order to transport the strip-shaped substances. The objective of designing and refining a dispenser of the above-mentioned type in such a manner as to allow a contamination-free and reliable transport of one single strip-shaped substance from the inside of the housing merely by moving the lid is characterized in that the transport bar is elastically pre-tensioned and mounted in the housing in such a way that it is at a distance from the stack when the removal opening is closed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for dispensing items. In one embodiment, a magazine defining a channel adapted to store a plurality of items of substantially similar size in a uniform manner is provided. The magazine may also define (a) a rake element path adapted to allow one item of the plurality of items to be engaged and (b) a dispensing opening adapted to allow the engaged item to be urged out of the dispensing opening. In such an embodiment, a receptacle may also be provided. The receptacle may comprise a storage cavity and a rake element, wherein the rake element is adapted to (a) pass through the rake element path of the magazine to engage the item and (b) urge the item out of the dispensing opening of the magazine into the storage cavity of the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.

Abstract: A device for handling workpieces. The device has a magazine (12) for holding at least one workpiece, and a delivery location (10). The device is retainable in the magazine by a retainer (s) (43) in the delivery location and displaceable to a position in which the workpiece because of its shape releases the retainer (s) so that the workpiece is free for being removed from the magazine. The device may provide for easy handling of workpieces and may be manufactured cost effectively.

Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the packaging and dispensing of solid shaped bodies, especially oral tablets or/and capsules, which device has a container sealed with a cap suitable for storing shaped bodies, a dispensing opening, and tools forwarding the shaped bodies from the inside of the container to the dispensing opening. The container (5) is constructed in a house (1) in a way that it can be moved like a piston against elastic returning force. The dispensing opening (35) is situated in the bottom (2a) of the house (1); when the device is in a position when it is not used for dispensing, the end-part of the container (5), with an opening (20) for releasing one shaped body at a time situated opposite the end of the container (5) sealed with a cap, fits into the dispensing opening (35) by sealing it, and it is constructed in a way that in the course of the dispensing operations it makes it possible to dispense favourably one shaped body at a time outside of the house (1).

Abstract: A strip ejection system for holding and ejecting a strip is provided. The system includes a body and a strip movement section. The strip moving section includes all elements of the system that are involved with moving the strip, including a pressing element for pressing against the strip to move the strip from a first position to a second position. The pressing element is the only element of the strip movement section that is movable relative to the body.

Abstract: A slide ejector mechanism for automatically removing a slide from a slide stack is set forth. The slide ejector mechanism comprises an ejector blade adapted to engage a longitudinal edge of the slide and an ejector drive. The ejector drive is connected to rotate the ejector blade through a curved ejection path. During this rotation, the ejector blade engages the longitudinal edge of the slide to remove the slide from the slide stack and place the slide at an output position for subsequent manipulation. In accordance with a further enhancement, the slide ejector mechanism may include structures that render the apparatus self-cleaning of broken slides. Such structures may include a platen having an opening therethrough along at least a portion of the ejection path. The opening has a width that is slightly less than a length of the slide so that the slide spans the opening and is supported at its edges by the platen.

Abstract: A measuring instrument (A) includes a pressurizing mechanism (C) which moves at least one of a measuring article (S) and a connector (4) toward and into pressing contact with the other when the measuring article (S) is placed at a measuring position (P). This prevents improper connection between the connector (4) and the measuring article (S) caused by wear of the connector (4).

Abstract: An animal treat dispensing assembly includes a base and a housing attached to and extending upwardly from the top side of the base. The housing has a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The housing has an open upper end defining a fill opening. The front wall has as dispensing opening therein. A pivot rod is positioned in the housing. A pivot member is pivotally coupled to the pivot rod. The pivot member has a top side that is planar. The top side abuts an upper edge of the dispensing opening when the top side is horizontally orientated. A panel is attached to the pivot member and extends outwardly of the dispensing opening. A plurality of animal treats is positioned in the housing, and the panel is moved downwardly so that one of the treats is dispensed outwardly through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing device (1) comprises a cartridge (2) having an outer casing (11) and a plurality of sensors (6) arranged one upon another in a stack. The cartridge has a first dispensing end (13) and a second opposing end (14) spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge includes a first aperture (15) for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture (16) opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member (25). The first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means (17) which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing. The sealing means have first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces. The device has a housing (34) for receiving the cartridge.

Abstract: A child-resistant dispenser for dispensing items, including a chassis (12) having a reservoir (40) for holding items (16) and a conveyor (14) including a conveyor pocket (18) for receiving an item (16a). The conveyor (14) is pivotably mounted within chassis (12) between a closed position in which the conveyor pocket (18) is inaccessible from outside the dispenser (10), and an open position, in which the conveyor pocket (18) is accessible from outside of the dispenser (10). The dispenser further includes a pathway positioned between the reservoir (40) and the conveyor pocket (18) when the conveyor (14) is closed. The pathway is blocked by the conveyor (14) when the conveyor (14) is open. A locking mechanism (20, 22) is provided for releasably locking the pill conveyor (14) in a closed position. A user must simultaneously apply pressure to both the conveyor (14) and the locking mechanism (20, 22) in order to open the conveyor (14).

Abstract: A dispenser (1) for dispensing strip elements (4), having a supply chamber (3) for accommodating a strip-element stack (St), and having a discharging pusher (14) with a nose (16) for interacting with a first strip element (4′) of the strip-element stack (St), via a discharging slot (15) which is adapted to the thickness (y) of a strip element (4). In order to achieve a more functionally advantageous solution, the discharging pusher (14) has a pusher nose (16) which is made of elastically compliant material and, in the uninfluenced state, projects by more than the thickness (y) of the strip element (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for automated key retrieval and deposit includes a housing and a key storage rack assembly positioned within the housing. The automated key retrieval and deposit apparatus also includes a key holder for holding a key to be retrieved positioned on the key storage rack, and a key holder actuating mechanism operatively connected to the key holder, for actuating the key holder between an extended position and a retracted position. The automated key retrieval and deposit apparatus further includes a cover pivotally connected to the key storage rack and actuatable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cover, in the closed position, exerts a force on the keyholder to retain the key on the key holder.

Abstract: A cam groove in a shuttling mechanism for shuttling a slide piece is formed into a generally S-shape, in order to provide a long shuttling distance of the slide piece which dispenses one by one coins stacked and stored in a coin tube, without sizable design changes of component parts.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pill-dispensing gun for animals are disclosed, each embodiment having an improved, crack- and break-resistant handle. The handle comprises an outer member or sleeve and a core extending through the interior of the outer member and up into the barrel of the gun. The preferred gun is made from readily-available standard PVC pipe pieces, with the handle sleeve made of two parts joined by an adhesive and then joined to an elbow of the barrel by adhesive. The preferred core is a rigid tube that extends past the discontinuity or joint between the handle and the barrel to give extra strength to the handle and the handle-barrel connection. Preferably, the core is glued into the sleeve and the barrel, and preferably an annular space exists between the handle sleeve and the core to produce a laminated handle.

Abstract: A merchandise push-out device for a vending machine, which pushes forward the lowermost piece of merchandise in a merchandise stocker in which merchandise is stacked vertically and supports the remaining pieces of stacked merchandise in a substantially horizontal position. A rocking arm has an upper end which is rocked back and forth from a support shaft by a motor drive. A merchandise push-out roller is attached to the upper end of the rocking arm, and a merchandise support roller is attached to the push-out roller below it with a link. When the rocking arm is rocked, the push-out roller, utilizing vertical play in the rocking arm, is moved forward in the horizontal linear direction to push-out the lowermost piece of merchandise. While the lowermost merchandise is being pushed out, the upper merchandise is supported by the support roller, which is pulled into place by the push-out roller. The push-out member and the support member work in tandem to prevent the upper merchandise from tilting extensively.

Abstract: A test strip automatic supply device has: a cylindrical container 11 provided with a slit 15 which is formed in a side wall thereof so as to contain an elongate test strip; a container-supporting table having, in an upper portion thereof, a semi-cylindrical concave surface provided with an opening 20 which is formed in a middle portion of the concave surface so as to allow a test strip fitted in the slit of the container 11 to fall through and be taken out; and a carrying stage 31 which receives and transports a test strip falling from the slit 15. While the transporting stage 31 is transporting a test strip, an optical detector finds whether the test strip is faced up or down. The device has such a function that a side-reversing mechanism flips it over during transportation if it is face down. An operator only has to put test strips in the container. The tests strips are automatically let out of the container one at a time.

Abstract: An overhead pack dispensing apparatus includes a plurality of trays holding an extensive inventory of packs in an array of altitudinal stacks of packs with the lowermost pack of each stack in a field of lateral rows and longitudinal columns, the apparatus including a control system responsive to the selection of at least one pack, and a carriage carrying pickers for actuation by the control system to traverse the field and carry a picker for location beneath the selected pack such that a picker is located beneath at least one selected pack, enabling the selected pack to be picked from a stack and delivered by the carriage to a dispensing location.

Abstract: A workpiece supply device used in semiconductor assembly machines such as wire bonding device, pellet bonding device, etc. including an elevator section having an elevator table that is raised and lowered and carries a magazine accommodated therein plate-form workpieces, a magazine stacker which guides the magazine, and a pusher assembly including a pusher arm pushing the workpiece out of the magazine one at a time. The magazine stacker is made up with a fixed guide and a movable guide. The movable guide is adjustable size wise in a direction wherein the workpiece is pushed out, and the pusher device is provided on the movable guide. Power source for the pusher device is installed parallel to the workpieces piled up in the magazine.

Abstract: Dispenser for pills or sweets contained in a tube closed by a lid. When not in use, a chimney prevents the pills from falling out of a hopper disposed within the body of the tube. When the lid is pushed in, a boss displaces the chimney towards the axial center of the tube. The pills are dispensed downwardly therein until they contact a cross-pin which acts as a fixed stop. Releasing the lid causes the chimney and the pills contained therein to move laterally such that the pills then fall to the bottom of the lid.

Abstract: A method for dispensing boxed goods by horizontally ejecting the bottommost box from a vertical stack of boxes. A pusher is engaged with the vertical wall of the bottommost box at about its vertical center and is used to push the bottommost box horizontally outward. When the bottommost box has been pushed part way only, a smooth support is placed behind the pusher and at an elevation below the top of the bottommost box.When the bottommost box is fully ejected, the support breaks the fall of the next-to-bottom box and supports the entire stack of boxes at an intermediate elevation. Then when the pusher is fully withdrawn, the next-to-bottom box assumes the position formerly occupied by the bottommost box.In a preferred form, the support means includes a roller attached to the rearward side of the pusher and which rollingly supports the next-to-bottom box as it is being withdrawn.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing single ones of flat chips or discs from a multi-chip receptacle, and/or depositing them onto a surface at selected locations, is disclosed, as may be desireable, for example, when playing a game of bingo. In one preferred embodiment the chips are dispensed and deposited onto the surface in response to a downward motion or force on the apparatus against the surface after it is properly positioned at the selected location.

Abstract: The system dispenses, unloads and discharges film cartridges while unloaded film strips are cut, identified, spliced end-to-end and wound into a roll--all automatically. The system alternatively provides semi-automatic or manual handling of individual cartridges or film strips and is especially suited for unloading and splicing so-called "110" cartridge film.

Abstract: A plurality of hopper stored sticks suitable for mounting food products or the like thereon are individually delivered through a passageway to a feed station in a horizontal position. A rotatable wheel segment provided with a stick receiving slot therein communicates with the feed station and both sequentially shifts and rotates the sticks to an inserting station where a stick delivered thereto is disposed in an upright position aligned with a vertical stick insertion axis. Inserting means including vertically shiftable product supporting structure vertically aligned with the inserting station shifts the product placed thereon along the insertion axis toward an upright stick at the inserting station thereby inserting the stick into the product. The slotted wheel segment is provided with a lever arm engagable by the product supporting structure to produce swinging movement of the wheel segment toward the the inserting station while gravity induces return of the wheel segment toward the feed station.

Abstract: A paper dispenser which provides a receptacle for holding a supply of paper or memo sheets and having an overlying retainer hingedly mounted on the receptacle with a depending member pivotally mounted on the retainer adapted to engage a topmost sheet on the supply of sheets and advance one sheet at a time.

Abstract: A vertical stack of tablets is disposed in a tubular container extending upwardly from an opening in the top wall of a housing. The tablets are dropped one-by-one in front of a reciprocable pusher, which is driven by a rotary impeller and is effective to eject the lowermost tablet out from under the stack and into a sump in the housing, where it may be dissolved by water in the sump. The impeller is driven by a jet of water from a nozzle which receives water under pressure from a conduit leading into the housing. Water under pressure from this same conduit operates a settable ratchet device and a jet-deflector so that, when the desired number of tablets have been dispensed, the jet is deflected and the impeller is stopped to stop the reciprocation of the tablet-dispensing pusher.

Abstract: A case magazine and case stripper part of a case opening, loader sealer machine, including longitudinal case slide rails for supporting a vertical stack of unopened, horizontal, flat folded cases, pusher assemblies mounted on a carriage that is longitudinally reciprocated by an endless chain drive to remove the lowermost case from the stack and push the lowermost case forwardly along the slide rails as the carriage moves forwardly, vertical stack support brackets located adjacent the corners of the stack extending upwardly from adjacent the elevation of the slide rails, and being mounted to be selectively adjustably positioned longitudinally and transverse relative one another, and case lifter assemblies mounted on the stack support brackets for elevating that part of the stack that is located vertically above the slide rails more than a preselected distance, automatically allowing the elevated part of the stack to bear against that part of the stack still supported by the slide rails, and thereafter elevate