Abstract: A gumball machine includes a gumball container that contains a plurality of gumballs, and a neck portion coupled to the gumball container. The gumball machine has an elongated transparent housing having an upper end coupled to the neck portion, and a base coupled to the lower end of the elongated housing. A speaker is positioned inside the base and is electrically coupled to a switch, a plurality of lighting elements are arranged inside the transparent housing and electrically coupled to the switch, and a power supply is housed inside the base and electrically coupled to the switch, the speaker and the lighting elements. When an actuator is actuated, the actuator turns on the switch to cause the lighting elements to flash, the speaker to broadcast sound and/or music, and a gumball to be dispensed from the gumball container.

Abstract: The system for controlling and tracking medical items (830) includes a plurality of medical item storage cabinets (878). Each cabinet includes a plurality of doors (888-894). The doors control access to shelves (902, 904) and support modules (1210). Shelves and support modules include user interfaces (938, 1214). Authorized users desiring to take medical items from storage locations in cabinets for use in treating patients are enabled to provide inputs through a display terminal (880) adjacent to cabinets and/or interfaces to indicate the taking of medical items. Storage cabinets include visual indicators so that users may be guided to find a selected medical item for which information is input at an associated display terminal. Alternatively, authorized users gain access to the interior of the cabinet and indicate through appropriate inputs through interfaces the types and quantities of items being taken.

Abstract: A one-piece upright hollow vending cabinet is formed by rotomolding a thermoplastics material and includes an upper portion supported by an integrally connected lower portion. The upper portion has internal walls defining a first chamber for receiving a stack of paper publications, and a pivotal front door provides access to the chamber and publications. The lower portion of the cabinet defines a second chamber for receiving a flowable ballast material such as sand or gravel, and includes a flared base portion having a bottom wall with an inverted funnel portion. The funnel portion has a top port for pouring the ballast material into the second chamber when the box is inverted, and a removable plug closes the port.

Abstract: A modular, front loading coin operated vending machine with a rotary coin mechanism operating a reciprocating dispensing mechanism dispenses different sizes and quantities of flat merchandise. A back lever arm on the rotary coin mechanism turns with the front coin turning knob and pulls a flexible cable through a grommetted hole in a vertical wall to draw a push plate forward in a chassis slide opening to force a measured size or quantity of the flat merchandise out through a dispensing slot. Shims between the push plate and the sliding plate raise it to vary the size and quantity of merchandise contacted by the push plate. Full width open front merchandise chutes are interchangeably installed A merchandise weight with a bottom protrusion holds down the merchandise. When the merchandise chute is empty the bottom protrusion of the merchandise weight falls into the slide opening to block the push plate from moving forward and preventing the turning of the coin knob.

Abstract: A hinged access display and dispensing device for lottery-type tickets is provided with a base which may be quickly secured by hand, but is thereafter difficult to remove. The device includes a box-like housing provided with a hook and a pair of legs and feet. The base is provided with a ridge and a pair of holes and associated resilient tongues extending over the holes. The housing is placed over the base with the hook cupping the ridge. The legs force the tongues downward allowing insertion of the feet through the holes. The housing is then moved rearward to allow the tongues to move to their original position, thereby preventing lateral movement of the legs and removal of the feet from the holes.

Abstract: A new Motorized Newspaper Dispensing System for dispensing of various printed literature within one machine and further minimizing theft by dispensing only one printed literature at a time. The inventive device includes a housing structure strengthened to resist theft which houses various printed literature, a support means elevating the housing structure to a level comfortable for purchasers, a coin receiving means, a dispensing means which mechanically dispenses the selected printed literature, and a sign stand secured to the upper portion of the housing structure providing space for advertising.

Abstract: An adhesive label dispenser which can accommodate multiple rolls, which allows for easy substitution of rolls without disassembly of the device, and which eliminates the need for continuous removal and disposal of the used backing paper.

Abstract: A gumball machine attracts and entertains users by enabling a user, after he purchases a gumball from the machine, to visually observe the gumball as it travels from the storage area of the gumball machine to the dispenser where the user removes the gumball from the machine.

Abstract: A dispenser for flexible sheets from a stack of adhesive coated sheets disposed one on top of another. The dispenser comprises a first housing portion including a bottom wall, end walls, side walls and a first top wall portion; and a second housing portion comprising a second top wall portion mounted on the first housing portion for movement between a normal position where the top wall portions define an outlet opening for the sheets between adjacent ends, and an open position with the second top wall portion spaced from the first wall portion to afford inserting a stack of sheets into the cavity. The dispenser includes attaching means adapted for releasably attaching the dispenser to several different retaining means including a strap by which the dispenser can be secured on a user's hand or wrist; a support member adapted to be held between user's fingers; a weighted base; or a base adapted to be attached to a surface by various means such as adhesive, suction cups or magnetic material.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for serially dispensing products such as paper napkins from a stack of such products. The dispenser apparatus includes a housing having a back wall which is curved and has a radius of curvature generally corresponding to the radius of curvature of the stack.

Abstract: A paper dispensing device having a one-piece unitary main body with an upper and lower portion having a depression in the upper portion for receiving the operator's finger therein. The body is resilient and, upon downward pressure of the upper portion, the upper portion moves downwardly, then, upon release, returns to its initial position. The depression results in a concave portion on the underside of the upper portion, the concave portion having a paper adhering material adapted to adhere to a piece of paper and pick up the same. A plurality of individual sheets of paper can be disposed on the upper surface of the lower portion, thereby being in a position contactable by the paper adhering material.