Abstract: A dispenser automatically dispenses beverage cans. A housing has a conveyor along which cans are conveyed by gravity to a removal opening. A dispensing flap is on the removal opening and can be pivoted between a closed position, in which it prevents the removal of products through the removal opening, and a removal position. The dispensing flap has two trough-shaped receptacles lying at right angles to the conveyor section for one can, and is pivotal such that in the closed position a can is conveyed from the conveyor section into the first receptacle positioned to the inside of the housing, removal of the can from the first receptacle being prevented. In the removal position the can rolls from the first receptacle into the second receptacle, at the same time a new can is prevented from being conveyed from the conveyor into the first receptacle.

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the frame including an upper support deck extending between the front and rear ends, the upper support deck defining a dispenser opening having a first longitudinal length, and a lower support deck positioned below the upper support deck, the lower support deck defining a product display area, a container positioned on the upper support deck, wherein the container defines a container opening having a second longitudinal length, the container opening being aligned with the dispenser opening, and a plurality of products initially housed in the container, wherein the products are configured to roll about a rolling axis and have a greatest transverse dimension perpendicular to the rolling axis, wherein the first and second longitudinal lengths are substantially greater than the greatest transverse dimension.

Abstract: An improved dispensing system for dispensing products provided initially in a package that includes an activatable opening structure is disclosed. The dispensing system comprises a frame being configured to support the package of products and an opening tool associated with the frame. The opening tool engages with the activatable opening structure on the package to create an opening when the package is moved longitudinally along the frame of the dispensing system, thus allowing the products to be at least partially dispensed out of the package into the product display area of the frame through the opening formed on the rear panel or on an angular of the rear and side panels of the package.

Abstract: Device for facilitating the loading of capsules into a machine for dispensing capsules or for preparing drinks based on these capsules comprising: a detachable tube (2) containing stacked capsules (8) furnished with an opening (24) for the capsules to pass through the tube, means (4) of aligning the tube allowing the tube (2) to be aligned through a capsule receiving zone (5) for the capsules to descend by gravity into this zone. The alignment means (5) comprise means (6) for retaining the capsules in their stack when the tube (2) is moved with its opening (24) oriented downwards, in the direction of the position in which the tube is aligned with the reception zone (5).

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a container support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, the container support deck being moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and defining a product display area.

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a container having a plurality of walls that define an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, wherein the container defines a first arrangement of perforations extending in a first row from the opening and a second arrangement of perforations extending in a second row from the opening, wherein the first perforations are staggered by a distance relative to the second perforations.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: A dispenser of containers. A carousel is rotatably mounted to a main frame about a vertical axis of rotation and has a plurality of container compartments arranged around the axis and along the length of the axis. A driver mounted to the main frame rotates the carousel around the axis in a single direction and a lock limits rotation of the carousel in any direction when engaged.

Abstract: The Novel Modular Vending Machine for Packaged Goods allows consumers to purchase packaged goods without an attendant present. The invention uses two or more conveyor assemblies to store and transfer packaged goods and primarily uses gravity to transfer the packaged goods from the storage location to the customer. When a vend is initiated, a dispensing drum rotates and places a packaged item on a delivery system for transportation to the customer. The remaining packaged goods move into position for the next vend. When the lower conveyor assembly is empty, an upper conveyor assembly is lowered into position to transfer the remaining packaged goods to the dispensing drum. The apparatus may be configured in a system comprised of multiple modular units controlled by a single user interface.

Abstract: A napkin dispenser has a body and a stand that supports the dispenser on a horizontal surface. The body has two main sections, a first upstream section that is straight and extends over the majority of the length of said body, and a second downstream section that extends at an angle relative to the first section and communicates with a dispensing opening. When the dispenser is supported by the stand on a horizontal surface, each of the first and second sections forms an oblique angle relative to the horizontal surface, with the first section forming an angle that is more nearly vertical, and the second section forming an angle that is more nearly horizontal.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: A vending machine housing assembly includes a housing body having plural sides assembled one to the next in an end-to-end angular relationship so as to provide the housing body with a polygonal cross-sectional configuration. Each side define a wall portion and a corner portion in a one-piece construction in which the corner portion is rigidly and integrally connected to the wall portion and has an arcuate cross-sectional configuration determining the angular relationship between the sides of the housing body. The housing assembly also has an upper collar and a lower base respectively disposed above and below the housing body and having polygonal cross-sectional configurations like that of the housing body, and elements interconnecting and fixedly clamping the housing body between the upper collar and lower base to provide the housing assembly as a rigid construction.

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a dispenser that includes a frame having two opposed side walls and a support surface between the opposed side walls, and a container positioned on the support surface, the container being releasably engaged with the frame.

Abstract: A forward leaning, hinged-lid storage and dispensing box is described, suitable for use with flat, stacked articles such as index or playing cards, dry stiff articles and pads such as cleaning or burnishing pads, or the like. Minimally the box of the present invention comprises in combination; a back panel; side panels; a bottom panel; a front panel; a top panel; and, a lid hinged to the front panel that forms at least a portion of both the front and top panels of the closed box, and wherein the lid drops and opens forward on at least one hinged connection, and wherein the front panel is angled forward from vertical at least a few degrees. In this way, stacked flat articles loaded into the box will necessarily lean against and parallel to the inside surface of the front wall, ready for easy reach and removal one-at-a-time by the consumer.

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

Abstract: A product, such as a wipes dispenser, having an oblong housing. The product may have sidewalls that taper inward from the top to the bottom. The product may contain a u-shaped stack of wipes. The product may have a lid with one or more openings through which a user accesses the wipes.

Abstract: A product holding, displaying and dispensing assembly includes a dispenser housing having a feed channel and a dispensing location together with a pre-packed, shipping cartridge holding a plurality of product units. The cartridge is inserted and held within the dispenser housing as the product units move within the cartridge to the dispensing location where a consumer can access and remove one or more product units. Unlike more conventional dispensers, the assembly of the present invention is configured so that the pre-packed cartridge is loaded into and remains within the housing as the product units are dispensed and advance forward within the dispenser. After insertion, the cartridge is locked in place by an arrangement of the feed track when one or more cans remain in the cartridge, but can be removed easily when the cartridge is empty. A forward facing surface also provides an additional advertising medium.

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 wet wipe dispenser is provided that includes a support having an open area adapted to be juxtaposed with the cover portion of a container of wet wipes in an inverted orientation, and a base portion supporting the support above a surface on which the base portion is placed. In one embodiment the wet wipes dispenser includes a lower support and an upper support connected by means of a hinge. A wipes package is inserted between the upper and lower supports in juxtaposition with a slot within the lower support. The package has an inverted orientation within the slot such that wipes are downwardly dispensed, which allows for removal, and preferably also heating of the wipes, without a high rate of moisture loss occurring from the package. The downward force of the upper support can compress the package as wipes are sequentially dispensed.

Abstract: A vending machine adopts a storing tray capable of storing a plurality of commodities in an upright state as storing means, and adopts means including a hand unit capable of gripping the commodity located at a taking-out portion of a predetermined storing tray as remaining in an upright state and a mechanism capable of moving the hand unit up and down, left and right, and back and forth as a common carrying-out means by a plurality of storing means. This allows the constitution of the storing means to be simplified, and the necessity of providing the carrying-out means for every storing means is eliminated so that the manufacturer's cost of the vending machine can be reduced.

Abstract: A carton with a dispenser at one end of the carton which has a tilt platform that is formed in the bottom panel of the carton at the opposite end of the carton to facilitate the rolling of containers contained in the carton toward the dispenser when the dispenser is opened. The tilt platform is an integral part of the bottom panel of the carton and can be torn partially loose and folded to form a tilt platform with a bottom wall, two side walls, two end walls and a locking flap that is inserted into a locking slot on the end of carton away from the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing cylindrical objects of uniform diameter, such as beverage cans, from a package holding at least two rows of the objects, with at least two objects in each row. The dispenser has a front face that defines an object-dispensing opening at its lower end. The opening is shaped to allow an object being dispensed to pass through the opening. There is a dispensing tray at the bottom of the opening and projecting outward from the front face of the dispenser. The dispensing tray is adapted to receive and hold an object dispensed from the package and through the opening. The dispenser also includes an object-repositioning structure inward of the front face and positioned to contact the front object in the second row of objects at or above its center line when the dispenser is placed over an opened end of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles from a stack onto a moving conveyor. The apparatus includes a supporting structure or frame that supports a stack of articles and the supporting structure is canted at an angle of about 15.degree. to 25.degree. from the vertical. The supporting structure is generally L-shaped in cross section, having a pair of walls located generally normal to each other, while the opposite sides of the supporting structure are open so that the articles can be loaded into the supporting structure through the open sides. The lowermost article in the stack is supported on an L-shaped base, so that only peripheral portions of adjacent side edges of the lowermost article are supported. A pusher plate is mounted for sliding movement relative to the supporting structure and acts to push the lowermost article from the stack and the dispensed article will then fall onto the moving conveyor below.

Abstract: An articulated gravity feed module includes a curved chute for holding items for sale, the chute having a curved bottom wall with a radius of curvature decreasing from a rear portion to a front portion, and side walls connected with the bottom wall; a mounting assembly mounting the chute to a wall; a hopper for supplying items to the chute, the hopper including an elongated enclosure having an open upper end for restocking the items and an open lower end which is always open to the chute for depositing items on the chute, the elongated enclosure being formed by a rear wall, a front wall and interconnecting side walls, the rear wall having a lower portion with a radius of curvature similar to that of the rear portion of the bottom wall of the chute so that the lower portion of the rear wall rides along the rear portion of the bottom wall of the chute; pivot pins pivotally securing the hopper to the chute at a position above the chute, such that the hopper is pivotable between an upright dispensing position adj

Abstract: A beverage can dispensing method and apparatus for use in a refrigerator comprising three angularly disposed shelves, two said shelves being angularly disposed from front to rear to enable cans to roll from front to rear. A third shelf angularly disposed in a downward direction from the rear to the front to allow cans to descend from said first two shelves to the third shelf and ultimately to the position of ejectment from the front of the dispenser and means cooperable therewith to raise a can for ejectment by reason of the pressure of other cans on said third shelf against a can in the ejectment position.

Abstract: A housing arranged to dispense individual pen or pencil members is provided to include a housing having a front wall, with the front wall including an entrance opening and first and second ramp members arranged in a V-shaped configuration extending from the front wall opening terminating below a hopper mounting a plurality of the writing instruments. A rotary dispensing shaft having an elongate slot to receive individual writing instruments therewithin is rotatably mounted, including arcuate flanges to prevent additional writing instruments from access to the dispensing shaft and to the ramp structure, whereupon rotation of the dispensing shaft deposits a writing instrument upon the second ramp and the first ramp for access by an individual through the front wall opening.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed for sequentially vending articles upon movement of an actuator.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed for sequentially vending articles upon the movement of an actuator.

Abstract: A golf ball dispensing and retrieval system comprises a hollow tube for holding a plurality of golf balls. A stop mechanism is removably attachable to the bottom end of the tube for dispensing balls one at a time. The stop mechanism includes a biased lever which is pivotally attached to the outside of the tube movable between an open position and a closed position. To dispense golf balls from the tube, the lever may be moved by depressing a trigger end to an open position in which the detent is lifted away from the end of the tube to allow passage of the balls. Balls may be picked up from a surface by pressing the end of the tube and detent down onto a golf ball, which moves the detent out of the way to allow entry of a ball into the end of a tube. The lever is biased to be normally closed so that the balls remain inside the tube as desired. A stop pin is attached to the lever to prevent release of more than one ball at a time.

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 cassette for storing a plurality of electronic component chips employed for providing the plurality of electronic component chips to an apparatus for supplying electronic component chips comprises a plurality of electronic component chips; a case for storing the plurality of electronic component chips, which is provided with first and second outer wall surfaces adjacently intersecting with each other and an outlet formed in the first outer wall surface, the case also being for discharging the electronic component chips; and an openable closure for closing the outlet. The closure is formed by a flexible plate. The case has a guide portion for slidably guiding the closure over a portion along the first outer wall surface, and a portion along the second outer wall surface. The closure is guided by the guide portion to open and close the outlet, while one end portion thereof is positioned along the second outer wall surface whether the outlet is opened or closed.

Abstract: A dispenser for drinking straws is disclosed. The dispenser is a container which includes a front panel and an inclined bottom panel so that the straws within roll toward the front and pass through an elongated aperture. The leading straw rests against a rib projecting upward from the end of the bottom panel and blocks the aperture to retain the remaining straws within the container. Also included are a closure panel, hinged to a back panel, which allows access to the inside of the container, and side walls, which extend below the container to form supporting legs. A central opening enables one to grasp a straw by its central portion. The container is formed by the injection moulding of a plastic material in a single, substantially flat, unfolded sheet with a number of fold lines. Assembly is carried out by folding the sheet along the fold lines with the ends of the front panel positively engaging with the side walls.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a supply tray from which the paper sheets are individually withdrawn from the bottom of the stack. The stack supporting bottom of the tray is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, its angle of inclination being adjustable. The inclination of a supported stack can be adjusted according to stack weight or height. The weight of the sheet stack exerting pressure on stack support and/or the sheet separating device can thereby be controlled such that uniform sheet removal conditions are achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing bank notes, comprising a cabinet housing, a bank note store, electronic components, and a base assembly which forms a base for the cabinet and which can be attached to a wall or a floor of a room in which the apparatus is to be used. The base assembly comprises a support plate arranged to permit limited rotation of the cabinet relative to the support assembly. Arranged on the undersurface of the cabinet is a number of balls on which the cabinet rolls as it is rotated and four rest pads against which four runners mounted in respective corners of the support plate rest when the cabinet is located in its customer serving position or its refilling and servicing position. Arranged in the cabinet is a locking arrangement which can be caused to cooperate with locking grooves arranged in the support base when the cabinet is located in its customer serving position or its refilling position.

Abstract: A complete advertising and card dispensing module for insertion into a housing, having electrical connections for the module, includes a front face, for securing to the housing by a key lock for removing the entire module, with the front face having an advertising window and a card display window, and a push button switch for actuating a single card ejector. The card ejector includes a housing for a stack of cards with a smooth floor member with a card width and thickness card pusher gliding on the smooth floor to push a single card out an adjustable slot adjusted to the thickness of the individual card. The smooth floor being mounted generally horizontally but at a slight angle toward the slot. A solenoid actuator moves the card ejector from a position at the rear of the stack of cards to a position to push a card so as to partially extend out the slot for manual retrieve.

Abstract: A vending device comprising a box-like housing subdivided in its interior by partitions which form an array of storage bins. A cover, releasably secured to the device, is formed with flexible, resilient projections, each projection partially covering a bin, permitting an article of merchandise therein to be withdrawn by upward flexure of the projection thereat. In one form of the invention the housing is retained on a stand therefor at an angle of about 45.degree.. In another form of the embodiment, the housing is retained adjacent a change tray.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser for fumigating agricultural commodities, such as grain, animal feed, and the like, comprises a container shaped to receive a plurality of pesticide tablets therein, and including a base with a dispenser aperture therethrough. A rotor is rotatively mounted in the container base, and includes an upper portion, a medial portion, and a lower portion. The medial portion of the rotor is spaced apart from the container sidewall, and forms an annularly shaped channel therebetween which is proportioned to receive therein a single file ring of the pesticide tablets, each oriented on a circumferential edge thereof. The lower portion of the rotor extends outwardly of the medial portion to form a base surface of the channel on which the tablets are supported, and includes a dispensing aperture therethrough positioned for selective alignment with the container base aperture.

Abstract: A tiltable dispensing or serving plate or shelf capable of controlling the temperature of the items to be dispensed, such as by cooking or keeping food items warm or cold, particularly such as are served in fast food restaurants, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, cold drinks, and the like. The plate is tiltable and has a multiplicity of chutes or slides for maintaining the items to be dispensed in separate rows, with the ones to be dispensed located at the bottom of each of the chutes while the items added last to the row are located at the top of each chute. The temperature is variable and can be set at whatever temperature is necessary to accomplish the particular result desired, such as merely warming, cooling or actually cooking.