Follower Patents (Class 221/279)
  • Patent number: 11903496
    Abstract: Vertical point of purchase product display stands with spring-loaded platforms that display a vertically-stacked plurality of products for viewing and removal by customers and raise the plurality of products as top layers of the products are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Select Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Glogowski, Travis William Vogel, Chen Ta Li, Joshua Carl Nelson
  • Patent number: 11649102
    Abstract: A fluid insulation assembly for use with a container that is configured to contain a fluid includes a barrier assembly configured to fluidly isolate a first fluid chamber within an interior of a container, wherein the first fluid chamber is configured to contain a fluid, and an actuation assembly configured to dispense fluid contained within the first fluid chamber. A method for insulating a fluid within a container and dispensing the fluid from the container includes fluidly isolating a first fluid chamber within an interior of a container and moving a barrier assembly disposed within the interior of the container in a first direction for dispensing fluid contained within the first fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Thermal Lock LLC
    Inventor: Loren Wengerd
  • Patent number: 11583477
    Abstract: A pill dispensing apparatus includes a carousel with at least one removable bin for storing pills, a vision system for identifying pills within the bin, a vacuum nozzle for removing one or more pills identified by the vision system, and a dispensing area for receipt of the removed pills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Papapill, LLC
    Inventors: Randy Herman, Connor Herman, Tyler Herman, Jarrod Eliason, Micah Somers
  • Patent number: 11344138
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure and a barrier that is moveable by rotation between a folded position and an upright position without a rotation biasing element. A product positioned in the system can contact the barrier when the product moves toward the forward end of the system and rotate the barrier from the folded position to the upright position. The system may include a rotational mounting structure to which the moveable barrier is connected. The rotational mounting structure may be removably connected to the forward end of the divider. The merchandise display system may be used in conjunction with a product tray which provides for product stored in the product tray to be slid from in the product tray into the product pocket of the merchandise display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Stuart Parsons
  • Patent number: 11279576
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet accommodating unit, a sheet feeding unit, a first lifting portion, a second lifting portion, and a linear member configured to liftably support the first lifting portion and the second lifting portion, and stretched between the first lifting portion and the second lifting portion on a lower side of the stacking surface. In addition, a first winding unit, a second winding unit, and an adjustment member adjust both a first distance of the linear member between the first winding unit and the first lifting portion and a second distance of the linear member between the second winding unit and the second lifting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akira Matsushima
  • Patent number: 11261019
    Abstract: A portable food carrier is disclosed, including a flexible, compressible outer container body and an internal lift having a tapered bottom. The tapered bottom of the lift is particularly configured to allow a user to grasp the carrier and squeeze the container body at the location of the taper, causing the lift to move upward in the container, in turn pushing food product located above the lift toward an open, top mouth of the container, where the user may then access and eat the food product. The lift is configured to interact with the interior of the container in such a way so as to assist the user in maintaining smooth movement as the user squeezes the outside of the container, thus making it optimized for use with only one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Joel Shalowitz
  • Patent number: 10994760
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a convertible service and recycling cart for food and beverage service and waste sorting, compaction and storage are disclosed. An example cart apparatus includes a base, a first sidewall and a second sidewall each coupled to the base and a top support coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall. At least one opening is defined in the top support and a lid is removably coupled to the top support. The apparatus also includes at least one container that is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one opening in the top support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jamie J. Childress
  • Patent number: 10974889
    Abstract: A container enclosure for removably enclosing a container, the enclosure including a base component and a cap component configured to be removably coupled to the base component. The base component includes an outer shell having a base wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and an interior sleeve configured to be inserted within the outer shell. Further, the cap component includes an opening and a sliding tab configured to transition between a rearward position and a forward position to open and close the opening, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Camcal Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Callinan, Matthew T. Campbell, David-Henry Oliver
  • Patent number: 10919716
    Abstract: A cover slip dispenser apparatus for storing and dispensing microscope cover slides includes a dispenser body having a square top aperture extending through to a dispenser inside. The dispenser inside is configured to store a plurality of cover slips. A bottom frame has a plurality of spring-loaded ball detents to prevent the plurality of cover slips from passing through unless forced. A plunger is coupled within the dispenser inside and is configured to contact a topmost slip of the plurality of cover slips. A spring is coupled within the dispenser inside and is configured to apply pressure on the plunger to arrange the plurality of cover slips against the plurality of ball detents. A lever is coupled to the dispenser body. A lever bottom of the lever is coupled to the spring. The lever is configured to dispense one cover slip of the plurality of cover slips when depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Letitia Ingram-Brown
  • Patent number: 10905258
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure and a barrier that is moveable by rotation between a folded position and an upright position without a rotation biasing element. A product positioned in the system can contact the barrier when the product moves toward the forward end of the system and rotate the barrier from the folded position to the upright position. The system may include a rotational mounting structure to which the moveable barrier is connected. The rotational mounting structure may be removably connected to the forward end of the divider. The merchandise display system may be used in conjunction with a product tray which provides for product stored in the product tray to be slid from in the product tray into the product pocket of the merchandise display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, Stuart Parsons
  • Patent number: 10773873
    Abstract: A container enclosure for removably enclosing a container, the enclosure including a base component and a cap component configured to be removably coupled to the base component. The base component includes an outer shell having a base wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and an interior sleeve configured to be inserted within the outer shell. Further, the cap component includes an opening and a sliding tab configured to transition between a rearward position and a forward position to open and close the opening, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Camcal Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Callinan, Matthew T. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10602890
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet products includes a housing configured to accommodate a stack of the sheet products and defines a dispensing opening, the housing having a housing body and a cover movably attached to the housing body so that the cover can be moved between an open refilling position and a closed use position, a support plate reciprocally movable within the housing body and having a support surface for supporting the stack of sheet products at one of opposite faces of the stack, a stop movable between an active position in which the stop cooperates with the support plate limiting the movability of the support plate within the housing in one direction and an inactive position, and a link movably mounted in the housing body and cooperating with the cover and the stop to move the stop into the active position upon moving the cover into the open refilling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Craig Billman, Eric Kemner, Jason Zerweck, Rui Zhang, Kevin Murphy
  • Patent number: 10424146
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a product is provided, the apparatus including a housing for retaining a first dispensable product, the housing having a storage rack configured to hold the first dispensable product; a weight movably positioned within the storage rack, the weight being configured to exert a downward force on the first dispensable product; a coin assembly having a first coin slot, the coin assembly being configured to receive a coin; and a pushbutton associated with the coin assembly, the pushbutton being configured, upon activation, to cause the coin assembly to move from a first position to a second position after a coin has been placed within the first coin slot; and wherein the housing is configured to dispense the first dispensable product when the coin assembly is within the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Tranzonic Companies
    Inventors: Fred I. Morad, William P. Camp, Jr., Arnold G. Benecke, Robert A. Acosta
  • Patent number: 10327603
    Abstract: A product dispenser, such as for dispensing napkins, designed to be recessed in a countertop or wall, includes an elongated housing or chute for holding product, a faceplate assembly, and a collar for mounting the dispenser to the countertop or wall. The collar includes a locking arrangement for securing the collar in place without requiring any tools. The locking arrangement includes a thumb screw having a threaded shaft with a first end and a second end, a wing nut at the first end, and a flap at the second end. As the wing nut is rotated in a first direction, the flap is drawn upward until it engages a stop surface, such as the underside of the countertop or inside surface of a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: San Jamar, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Young, Nicholas Stanford Blair, Jeffrey Alan Wierschke, Martin John Behling, II
  • Patent number: 10234220
    Abstract: A detachable box magazine includes a housing having a base; a follower; a biasing element biasing the follower away from the base; a spool member; a retraction member operatively connected to the follower and to the spool member; a winding member selectively engaged with the spool member, and, when engaged with the spool member, manipulated to rotate the spool member in a winding direction to wind the retraction member about the spool member and pull the follower toward the base against the biasing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Kent J. Myers
  • Patent number: 10172482
    Abstract: A shelf management device including a guide member having a front end and a rear end, and a pusher device guided for movement by the guide member. Wherein the pusher device includes a rotatable spool upon which is wound a flexible drive member, an end part of the drive member being secured to the guide member at or adjacent the front end thereof. A spring is provided to urge the spool for rotation to take up the drive member and thereby apply a load to the pusher device urging the pusher device towards the front end of the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: THE HEARTBEAT MANUFACTURING CO (REDDITCH) LIMITED
    Inventor: James Pritchard
  • Patent number: 10035055
    Abstract: A golf club rack for transport and organization of golf clubs, via securement of the golf club rack to a cart, is provided, that includes lower and upper tubular horizontal members, end braces for each, and tubular vertical members extending between the end braces, the lower tubular horizontal members also including a plurality of sockets with openings for insertion of a golf club handle, and a platform attached to the upper tubular horizontal member and including clips for securing a golf club thereto, whereby respective golf clubs inserted into a respective socket opening, and extending toward the upper tubular horizontal member are securable to a respective clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventors: Steve Smith, Mason H. Smith
  • Patent number: 9452368
    Abstract: A collapsible and expandable children's toy building block is described. The toy blocks may be made in various sizes and shapes. The toy block includes an internal frame. A cover is positioned over the internal frame to form the toy block. The toy block converts from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and the toy block converts from the expanded position back to the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Cliff Dochtermann, III
  • Patent number: 9396604
    Abstract: A vending machine with selectable internal heating and internal cooling functions includes a cabinet and a heat transmitting system. The cabinet includes a heat source and a goods storage space. The heat transmitting system includes a first air inlet tube, a second air inlet tube, an air outlet tube, and a gas valve. The first air inlet tube connects the heat source to the gas valve. The second air inlet tube connects the goods storage space to the gas valve. The air outlet tube connects the gas valve to the outside of the vending machine. The gas valve can connect the first gas inlet tube to the second gas inlet tube to heat the goods storage space using heat generated by the heat source, or can connect the first gas inlet tube to the gas outlet tube to dissipate heat generated by the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Chin-Wen Yeh, Yang Xiao, Kui Guo
  • Patent number: 9282830
    Abstract: A beverage container holder storage unit is described as having a housing having a first end and a second end, a support member extending across the first end of the housing, and a force delivering element. The housing defines an interior cavity to receive a plurality of beverage container holders. The housing has a discharge slot along a portion of the first end for removing the beverage container holders. The support member has a recess formed along one side and is configured to receive a bottom tab of the beverage container holders. The recess is aligned with the discharge slot, such that when a user positions the tab of a bottommost beverage container holder within the recess, the beverage container holder is removable through the discharge slot. The force delivering element is positionable within the interior cavity and is configured to deliver force to collapse the bottommost beverage container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Trimm Jones
  • Patent number: 9254049
    Abstract: A merchandise pusher tray is provided. The merchandise pusher tray includes a base structure. The base structure is configurable for bar or shelf mounting. The base structure includes a pair of load bearing members for supporting a floor of the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray also includes at least one divider mounted to and adjustable in a first direction relative to the base structure. The merchandise pusher tray includes an anti-sweeping security structure mounted to the base structure. The anti-sweeping security structure extends along a portion or the entirety of the merchandise channel and is adjustable in at least one of vertical and horizontal and is fixed rotationally over the merchandise channel. The merchandise pusher tray with the anti-sweeping structure includes a locking member pivotally attached to the reinforcement bar for securing the tray to the retail merchandise bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas O. Nagel
  • Patent number: 9248950
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a body, the body including a product housing defining an interior for housing a plurality of products. The product housing has a dispensing portion defining a dispensing opening configured to permit the removal of at least one of the plurality of products from the interior. The body further includes a plunger movably engaged with the product housing and including a product support that moves within the interior to move the plurality of products towards the dispensing opening, the dispenser comprising a moisture tight seal between the plunger and the product housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giraud
  • Patent number: 9207028
    Abstract: An ammunition magazine provides one or more rounds to a firearm, and can include a housing defining an ammunition cavity and an ammunition aperture, a follower disposed within the ammunition cavity, a first constant force extension spring, and a second spring. A follower can include a follower wall defining at least one extension spring cavity, within which the first constant force extension spring is disposed. The second spring is disposed between the follower and a bottom housing wall. The first constant force extension spring and second spring bias the follower towards an upper part of the housing to facilitate ejection of rounds via the ammunition aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventors: Jarret Christian Mock, George Roland Mock
  • Patent number: 9016516
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt LLC
    Inventors: Vernon D. Ortenzi, Robert J. Ziemba, Frank M. Lewis, Geoffrey S. Strobl
  • Publication number: 20150108122
    Abstract: A selectable volume container for dispensing an article includes a surrounding sidewall with a first end portion and an opposing second end portion with the sidewall having an interior. Further included is an element having an outer periphery, wherein the outer periphery is slidably engaged to the sidewall interior inner surface such that the element dispenses the article form the interior. Also included in the selectable volume container is a planar member that is affixed to the outer periphery on one end and extends outside the interior on the other end. Operationally on the selectable volume container the article is disposed within the interior and in contact with the element, wherein a manual pulling of the planar member results in the element moving with the article being transported from the interior toward an external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald C. Jimdar, Glen D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150083747
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a brush head having a capsule receiving zone sized to receive a dentrifice capsule. A plurality angled bristles may retain the capsule in such zone. Loading of such toothbrush with a capsule may be performed with a dispenser including a toothbrush manipulation element adapted to move a retention structure associated with the brush head, and dispensation element adapted to deliver the capsule into the receiving zone. Such dispenser may include a desiccant material disposed to receive moisture from a capsule storage container. A dispenser may further include a plurality of toothbrush insertion apertures each adapted to receive a portion of a different toothbrush, so as to enable multiple users each having different toothbrushes to use the same dispenser without requiring contact between multiple brushes and single capsule interface surface of the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Lise W. Noble, Patrick T. Noble
  • Publication number: 20150083744
    Abstract: Modular manual lift dispenser security systems and methods store and dispense at least one retail product. The systems and methods have a dispenser body having a floor and walls extending above the floor, wherein the walls of the dispenser body define an interior of the dispenser body that is sized to receive one or more retail products. Further, the systems and methods have a locking lid assembly slidably connected to a top edge of each side wall of the dispenser body via at least one fastener and a pusher paddle located within the interior of the dispenser body, wherein the pusher paddle is spring-loaded and configured to move one or more retail products towards the front wall of the dispenser body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Vogler, Joel Pollock
  • Patent number: 8978927
    Abstract: Provided are an article advancing device and an article arrangement shelf, wherein the article advancing device has a flexible sheet on which articles can be arranged at a condition where the sheet is extended, a roller to which one end of the sheet is fixed and which winds the sheet in the reverse extension direction, a drive means which rotates the roller in the winding direction of the sheet, and a wall member with which the articles in the first row of the articles arranged on the sheet come into contact. When the articles are arranged on the sheet, the article advancing device stops the winding operation of the sheet by the drive means by the contact of the articles in the first row with the wall member. The article advancing device has a simple article advancing function which employs a horizontally extending shelf basically having no incline and which does not require energy, such as electric power, and can be used regardless of the packaging state of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Arakawa Kinzoku Co., Ltd, Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tatsuo Arakawa, Kazunori Nakaya, Koichi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20150060480
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas A. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8955714
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing, transporting, dispensing and keeping an inventory of a plurality of same size cleco type fasteners has a tubular housing with an interior bore dimensioned to receive the plurality of cleco type fasteners through a proximal opening on the housing that is closed by a removable closure device. The distal end of the housing has a retention device that retains the forward most cleco type fastener inserted into the housing interior bore with a sufficient force that prevents the forward most cleco type fastener from being unintentionally removed from the housing distal end, but allows the forward most cleco type fastener to be manually grasped and pulled from the housing distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Brzon, Brian Louis Trimmell
  • Publication number: 20150041484
    Abstract: The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for use with a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing and a front cover. The front cover may include a dispensing opening and a spring loaded retainer such that the cutlery utensils may be loaded through the front cover and may be dispensed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Shawn Allen Oakes
  • Publication number: 20150008239
    Abstract: This invention relates to the re-design of the original Ideal Dispensing apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 2,174,712, (1939) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,637,612, (1953). Stated patent design was a single serving, slideable type container dispensing apparatus, manually operated horizontally through slideable guideways that were permanently welded fixed, one size, guideways that included a simple pan/tray for containers, cans and cartons. The new design gives the all-around versatility with the new all metal individual interchangeable and adjustable guideway blades and a saw tooth trough tray that accommodates majority of sizes, and shapes cans, cartons and beverage containers to include neck-less, and tapered designs in todays marketplace. This said new apparatus with new trough tray magnifies a novel and unobvious design combining and optimizing the utilization of space and versatility, with ease of installation and adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Perkins
  • Publication number: 20150001246
    Abstract: An output structure of an automatic vending device includes an output box and a pushing device. The output box includes a box body. The box body includes a bottom panel and two side panels. The bottom panel includes a panel body. The panel body defines an output opening. The pushing device includes two racks mounted to the corresponding side panels, a pushing panel mounted between the two side panels, a connecting shaft secured to the pushing panel, and a two gears secured to the connecting shaft. The connecting shaft is slidably mounted between the two side panels. The gears engage with the corresponding racks. The gears are driven to rotate along the two racks to drive the pushing panel to push a product located between the two side panels to move toward the output opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: CHIN-WEN YEH, YANG XIAO
  • Patent number: 8910827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20140361034
    Abstract: A dispensing container for flat objects (1), such as boxcutter blades, includes a container body (2) in which is housed a sliding support (3) designed to move between a rear face (4) and a front face (5) of the container, for which the objects are stacked between the sliding support (3) and the front face (5) of the container, the sliding support pushing the objects (1) against the front face under the action of at least one elastic element (6, 6?), the elastic element being designed to pull the sliding support from the rear face to the front face of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: MURE ET PEYROT
    Inventor: Jean-Claude PEYROT
  • Patent number: 8887951
    Abstract: Unitary extractor system for products in dispensing machines for food and drinks, the products being deposited in corresponding compartments of a series of trays, which present a centrally open laminar base, with a belt provided with a plurality of toothed projections being fitted in relation to the open central part of the laminar base, the unitary extractor system for the product to dispense being defined by a single pusher (10) secured to a belt (5) provided with a plurality of projections, this securing being materialized by means of a rotary arm of the pusher restrained by a spring, with its lower end being positioned between two curved projections of the belt (5), the pusher (10) remaining in its initial position backed on to the product (11) that is most internal of all the products aligned in the corresponding compartment (3) of a tray (2), each of the compartments (3) presenting in its upper part a pair of lateral strips (6) converging towards the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Jofemar, S.A.
    Inventor: Félix Guindulain Vidondo
  • Publication number: 20140299623
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a body, the body including a product housing defining an interior for housing a plurality of products. The product housing has a dispensing portion defining a dispensing opening configured to permit the removal of at least one of the plurality of products from the interior. The body further includes a plunger movably engaged with the product housing and including a product support that moves within the interior to move the plurality of products towards the dispensing opening, the dispenser comprising a moisture tight seal between the plunger and the product housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: CSP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giraud
  • Patent number: 8851326
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser for folded sheets having an overfill prevention device, which effectively prevents the dispenser from being overfilled with folded sheet material. The result of the present invention is that a maintainer of the dispenser will have a difficult time overfilling the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Jonathan Green, Wolfgang Heich
  • Patent number: 8757431
    Abstract: Wipe dispenser and collector unit particularly for use in gents' toilets, with a storage cabinet (2) for batches of wipes (24), with an aperture for the bottom wipe (24) located at the center of an angled bottom at an acute angle with the horizontal; the cabinet has a wall-mounting rear cover (3) and a front panel (5) connected to it that can be tilted forward in order to open it, with those two components forming the interior of the closed wipe storage cabinet (2), with a waste container at a specific distance underneath, which also has a wall-mounting rear cover (30), whose storage space, open at the top, is defined by the rear cover (30) and the front unit that can be tilted against it, with the bottom of the front unit connecting to the holes (14) at the bottom of the rear cover (30) with matching bolts (15), which can be released when the unit is tilted forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Andras Fodor
  • Publication number: 20140166691
    Abstract: A dispensing mechanism in a vending machine includes a rack, a first sliding rail, a second sliding rail, and a goods carrier. The first sliding rail is slidably mounted to the rack and the second sliding rail is slidably mounted to the first sliding rail. The goods carrier is secured to the second sliding rail. The goods carrier defines a space for accommodating goods and horizontal movements thereof allow the delivery of purchased goods individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUN-LUNG CHEN, LIANG TU
  • Publication number: 20140158706
    Abstract: A vending machine to dispense purchased goods includes a frame, a dispensing member, a controlling member, a blocking member and a driving member. The controlling member can slide a limiting shaft between a latched position and a releasing position. The driving member is a spring which is partly uncoiled and which constantly pulls the dispensing member, and thus a line of goods, towards the blocking member. When the limiting shaft is in the latched position, the limiting shaft prevents the blocking member rotating, so holding back the line of unpurchased goods. When the limiting shaft is retracted to the releasing position, the pressure of the line of goods rotates the blocking member through ninety degrees to allow one of the goods to pass out of the goods channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WUHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUN-LUNG CHEN, ZHI-JUN FU
  • Patent number: 8733587
    Abstract: An automatic part feeder includes a base, a rotatable disk covering the base, a part delivering devices, and a rotatable disk driving device received in the base. Each of the part delivering devices includes a ring-shaped receiving room opening toward a first end surface of the base, a first driving motor having a first rotatable shaft, and an ejector pole having one end extending through the ring-shaped receiving room and another end threadedly engaged with the first rotatable shaft. The rotatable disk driving device has a second driving motor having a second rotatable shaft. The rotatable disk includes receiving holes, and the second rotatable shaft engages with the rotatable disk and is configured for driving the rotatable disk to rotate to align the receiving holes with the respective ring-shaped receiving rooms to receive the parts ejected from the ring-shaped receiving rooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hou-Yao Lin
  • Patent number: 8725290
    Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing tobacco products includes a housing configured to store tobacco product packages, a tracking system, and an electronic system. The housing may contain a plurality of chambers, each configured to store a different brand of tobacco product packages. The tracking system is configured to track the number of tobacco product packages in each chamber as tobacco product packages are dispensed from the chambers and to include one or more light emitting elements and one or more light detection elements. The electronic system is configured to enable dispensing of the tobacco product packages from the chambers and to store information related to the dispensing of the packages from the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Exchange Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wesley Templer, Mark Allsup
  • Publication number: 20140043162
    Abstract: A tobacco product display for monitoring inventory and aiding in theft prevention. A position sensor tracks the quantity of products on the display. A scanner, such as a barcode reader, tracks the identification of products removed from the display. A proximity and identity sensor detects authorized removal of products from the display and identifies persons removing the products. An alarm is triggered in the case of unauthorized product removal. Product inventory information is printed, sent to a network, computing device, smart phone, or similar device to alert authorized personnel of inventory reports and alarms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Siciliano, Michele P. Burns
  • Patent number: 8646650
    Abstract: Dispensing systems and methods are disclosed that provide controlled advancement of product and provide controlled access to product stored within the system. Embodiments include a product pushing device having a track and a pusher that urges product stored on the track forward. Certain embodiments include mechanisms to limit the forward progression of the pusher along the track, such as a brake mechanism, and certain embodiments include mechanisms to block access to product located on the track. Some embodiments include mechanisms for providing a time delay in between the vending of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Lockwood, Roger K. Miller
  • Patent number: 8646621
    Abstract: A product dispensing system including a container that defines an internal volume and an access opening into the internal volume, at least one product received in the internal volume and a biasing assembly extendable into the internal volume to urge the product toward the access opening, wherein the container is engaged with the biasing assembly when the biasing assembly extends into the internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Laurel Thomas, Bradford J. Walling
  • Publication number: 20140027465
    Abstract: A contact lens dispensing apparatus may include a container with a lid that removably seals the container, a cradle that cradles a contact lens, and a lifting mechanism connected to the cradle and the lid. The container and lid may collectively form a blister pack with the contact lens sealed therein. The lid may protect the contact lens from foreign matter including bacteria while the contact lens is stored in the container. The lifting mechanism may lift the cradle from a storage position within the container to a dispensing position above the container in response to opening the lid of the container. The cradle may cradle a contact lens placed thereon and enable a user to slide the contact lens off of the cradle. The lifting mechanism and the cradle may be a laminar emergent mechanism that is integrally formed from a planar sheet of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby, Holly C. Greenberg, Samuel E. Wilding
  • Publication number: 20140008382
    Abstract: According to some example embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are provided for implementing an item pusher apparatus with channel-based shuttle displacement detection, One example method includes determining a position of a channel engagement member affixed to a shuttle, where the shuttle is movable and configured to at least exert a force on an item to urge the item towards a stopping member. The channel engagement member is configured to at least physically interface with as channel defined such that movement of the shuttle alone, to defined movement path causes movement of the channel engagement member in a direction that is nonparallel to the defined movement path in at least one plane. Example systems apparatuses, methods, computer readable media, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: David P. Christianson
  • Publication number: 20140005507
    Abstract: A system and method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing device. The system includes parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails. A sled includes a sled post and opposed first and second side leg sets each having at least one deflectable leg. Each of the deflectable legs is externally slidably engaged to one of the guide rails limiting the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction. An actuator arm is rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly. The sled post is received in an actuator arm slot. Actuator arm rotation in a loading rotational direction displaces the sled in the loading direction in a sliding motion. Subsequent opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction displaces the sled in the ejection direction and ejects the test strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Hanson, Derek C. Lotarski, Matthew C. Sauers, Anthony J. Uberta, III
  • Patent number: 8608023
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a body portion defining an inner cavity arranged to support a stack of sheet products and a faceplate attached to the body portion. The faceplate portion is arranged to support and dispense the sheet products, has an opening comprising a rectangular portion with a centrally disposed arcing triangular portion having a centrally disposed arced apex, the rectangular portion extends from an upper edge of the faceplate to the arced apex, the opening is arranged to expose a plurality of the sheet products on one end of the body portion through the rectangular portion and to expose a planar surface of a single sheet product through the arcing triangular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Abby C. Case, Matthew K. F. Williquette