Abstract: A label dispenser coupled to product-transporting carts at retail facilities includes a label roll support arm supporting multiple label rolls thereon, a label guide arm including openings that permit a leading portion of the backing substrate of a label roll to pass therethrough, and a side wall interconnecting the label roll support arm and the label guide arm. The label guide arm also includes an upper portion located above the openings and configured to support the backing substrates of the label rolls thereon. The label guide arm further includes an edge configured to facilitate separation of a leading peelable label from the backing substrate in response to a force applied by the user when pulling the leading portion of the backing substrate of the label roll through the opening of the label guide arm.

Abstract: The method includes first folding a plurality of sidewall panels to form sidewalls for an assembled package, a tear-off section being defined by at least a portion a lower end of at least some of the sidewalls, second folding one or more platform panels to form a supportive platform near the lower end of the sidewalls, and third folding at least one foot panel under the supportive platform to at least partially support the supportive platform of the assembled package.

Abstract: An ice dispenser for a domestic refrigerator includes a lever having a housing with a passageway defined therein and a flapper door configured to pivot between a closed position in which ice is prevented from advancing into the passageway and an open position in which ice is permitted to advance into the passageway. A linkage is coupled to the lever and the flapper door such that movement of the lever causes the flapper door to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container is provided. The apparatus may include a blank that includes: a first support panel defining a first height; a second support panel; a first bridge panel connected between the first support panel and the second support panel, the first bridge panel defining a second height; and a second bridge panel connected between the first support panel and the second support panel. The apparatus may further include a flexible sheet extending from a first end to a second end, defining a sheet length, and configured to form a first concavity. In some embodiments, the sheet length may exceed lengths defined by the first and second bridge panels. Alternately or additionally, the first height of the first support panel may be less than the second height of the first bridge panel.

Abstract: A tray for product vending machines, the tray having at least one channel with an outlet; a conveying device extending along the channel to support a column of products and feed the products to the outlet; and a release device for selectively allowing the products through the outlet, and having an independent passive retaining member, which extends across the channel to intercept a top portion of the first product in the column, and is moved by the first product from a normal withdrawn position to a forward position, in which the passive retaining member is located at least partly past the outlet in the travelling direction of the conveying device.

Abstract: There is provided a medicine feeding device which can apply uniform tension to wrapping paper wound in a roll state to wrap a medicine. The medicine feeding device comprises a tablet case which stores a medicine, and the wrapping paper wound in the roll state, wraps a medicine discharged from the tablet case in wrapping paper 72, and comprises a tension application mechanism 113 which applies predetermined tension to the continuously pulled-out wrapping paper. This tension application mechanism is constituted to freely move up-and-down, and to apply tension to the pulled-out wrapping paper by its own weight.

Abstract: A theft deterrent dispensing unit particularly for use with cans includes a conveyor section that leads to a dispensing head. The dispensing head pivots downwardly allowing the leading can to be grasped. As the dispensing head pivots downwardly, rear tabs of the dispensing head pivots upwardly, preventing the next adjacent can from moving immediately into the dispensing head until the dispensing head rotates back to a closed position. The tabs also act to center smaller cans as they move down the dispenser. Further, when the dispensing head is pivoted to an open position, a barrier is pulled down from the top of the shroud, preventing an individual from reaching in and grabbing the next adjacent can. The dispensing head includes recessed guide members which are raised when smaller round cans are dispensed, centering the cans in the front of the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a dispensing channel, a housing and an article supply regulation system. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet and defines a dispensing path therebetween. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles. The hopper chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet of the dispensing channel. The housing includes a floor. The article supply regulation system includes a first divider wall, a second divider wall and a third divider wall configured and positioned in the hopper chamber to define, in combination with the housing: a front region between the inlet and the first divider wall; a first rear region between the first divider wall and the second divider wall; a second rear region between the second divider wall and the third divider wall; and a third rear region on a side of the third divider wall opposite the second rear region.

Abstract: A label dispenser for storing adhesive labels provided in a roll on a backing strip, and for applying such labels to a substrate, includes a spool wherein the roll may be fit, with the label-bearing strip being fed out of a feed opening in the spool and onto a feeding surface on the outside of the spool. The label-bearing strip is then directed onto and about a peeling lip, causing the strip to shed its label(s) as it traverses the lip. The label is then applied to any adjacent substrate, while the label-less backing strip is directed between a roller (which rolls on the substrate) and a receiving surface on the outside of the spool. As the roller rolls on the substrate, it serves to grasp the label-less backing strip and pull the label-bearing strip out of the spool interior, where it then deposits labels on the substrate as it traverses the lip.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a dispensing channel, a housing and an article supply regulation system. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet and defines a dispensing path therebetween. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles. The hopper chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet of the dispensing channel. The housing includes a floor. The article supply regulation system includes a first divider wall, a second divider wall and a third divider wall configured and positioned in the hopper chamber to define, in combination with the housing: a front region between the inlet and the first divider wall; a first rear region between the first divider wall and the second divider wall; a second rear region between the second divider wall and the third divider wall; and a third rear region on a side of the third divider wall opposite the second rear region.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for storing and dispensing medications. A medication storing and dispensing cassette is comprised of a housing defining at least a portion of a bulk storage chamber for storing a medication, defining at least a portion of a pick-up area, and defining at least a portion of a discharge chute sized to temporarily store a quantity of the medication. A divider wall is positioned between the bulk storage chamber and the pick-up area. A gate is positioned to control an exit end of the discharge chute. A rotatable conveying wheel having openings proximate to the periphery thereof is positioned such that a portion of the wheel is in communication with the pick-up area while another portion of the wheel is adjacent to an entrance end of the discharge chute. A calibration arm is positioned adjacent the openings of the rotatable wheel. A baffle is positioned to block those openings in that portion of the rotatable wheel adjacent to the discharge chute.

Abstract: A container-filling machine for placing discrete articles within at least one container. The container filling machine comprises at least one vibration tray comprising a discrete article receiving end, a discrete article drop-off end and a plurality of channels extending from the discrete article receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end. Each channel includes two discrete article receiving paths at the discrete article receiving end. The two discrete article receiving paths combine into a single discrete article-depositing path in proximity to the discrete article drop-off end. The vibration tray is operative for moving discrete articles from the discrete article-receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end along the plurality of channels. The container filling machine further comprises a plurality of sloped paths for receiving the discrete articles from the discrete article drop-off end of the at least one vibration tray.

Abstract: Bulk coins dispenser having a rotary dispensing member. Rotation of the rotary dispensing member being controllable to control dispensing of coins stored therein. The coins may be packaged into coin rolls and controllably dispensed from the bulk coin dispenser.

Abstract: The golf ball positioning dispenser for putting practice comprises a hollow tube for holding golf balls. A stop mechanism attached to a body block near the bottom end of the tube dispenses balls one at a time. The stop mechanism includes a pivotally attached biased lever that controls movement of a ball release pin and a ball retention pin into the tube in alternating cycles. The body block is attached to a travel wheel for circumferential travel around a practice hole. A telescoping radial arm is provided to keep travel of the travel wheel a predetermined user selected radial distance from the hole. Cams attached to the wheel engage the biased lever to dispense the golf balls from the tube at predetermined intervals of arc along a circumference of travel. A stand is included to stabilize the tube in an upright position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved holding device which allows for retaining, storing and transporting cups used in sport stacking. The invention allows a user to quickly and conveniently store and transport a stack of sport stacking cups using only one hand, by employing a unitary stem incorporating retractable tangs that retain the stack of cups. The tangs may be withdrawn via a spring-loaded plunger, activated by the user's thumb. The invention also includes the use of a shield mechanism, as well as various cup transporting mechanisms.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely, detecting a tablet dropped in a last hopper so that packaging speed of tablets is increased and operation of a shutter and a sealer is precisely performed, is disclosed. The automatic medicine packaging machine includes a last hopper provided at the lower end of a hopper installed in a main frame, a shutter installed in the last hopper, and a shutter driving part for driving the shutter to open and close the last hopper, and the apparatus includes a dropping tablet detector installed in the last hopper to detect when the tablet is dropped into the last hopper and to input the detected information about the dropping tablet to the controller such that the moment when the shutter is opened is optimized.

Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus has a tablet case containing medicines, a roll of packing paper that is open at its upper end and folded at its lower end, a nozzle whose discharge end is inserted into the packing paper upper open end for projecting medicine discharged from the tablet case, and heat seal apparatus that seals the packing paper upper open end after medicines are discharged into it. A movable tension device of an elastic member is urged toward the packing paper which applies tension to the packing paper at a location past the point where said nozzle discharge end is inserted into its upper open end at a point before when the paper is to be heat sealed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing slides in an angular, offset or fanning arrangement. The apparatus includes a base member and two support members. At least one of the base member, the first support member, and the second support member is arranged at an angle. With this configuration, the plurality of slides are angularly stacked on the base member and between the first and second support members. A bottom slide of the plurality of slides is dispensed through a slot defined between one of the lateral support members and the base member. The fanning arrangement can be a vertical fanning arrangement, a horizontal fanning arrangement, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A disposable dispensing carton for paper and nonwoven sheet materials is provided that can be made from paperboard blanks and includes a set or ridges, integral with the dispensing carton, that extend into the interior area of the dispensing carton adjacent the dispensing opening located in the bottom of the carton. The ridges off-set the weight of the overlying sheets to a degree that allows the dispensing carton to employ heights in excess of about 40 cm as well as hold and dispense stacked paper products having sheet counts between about 250 and about 1000 sheets.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus for label separable paper includes a holder provided with a reel support rod at the rear side for fitting label tape reels thereon, a label stripping unit containing a guide plate, a separating rod and a guide rod provided at the front side and plural separating plates assembled between the guide plate and the reel support rod to separate the label tape reels and prevent them from moving sideward or slipping off. The guide plate curves upward above the separating rod, having its front edge positioned higher than the separating rod to let labels move slantingly upward along the guide plate and stripped. The reel support rod has its opposite ends respectively positioned on and restricted by the opposite inner sides of the holder so it can always be fixed stably on the holder whether the stripping apparatus is placed horizontally or hung on a wall.

Abstract: A golf tee holder and dispenser in a rectangular form holds a vertical stack of tees lying one on another horizontally, with successive tees alternating the orientation of their heads and their points. The golf tee holder and dispenser housing includes inner chambers that encase springs that allow straight-line movement as well as an inner center chamber to prevent tees from becoming disarranged while dispensing. A pusher plate maintains even pressure from dual spring movement against a snub point to hold golf tees in a stationary position until release through a top aperture using a teeter action once a downward pressure is applied to small end of tee by user. A molded element that has a memory retentive factor allows user to attach golf tee holder and dispenser to belt, pocket, golf bag, or golf cart.

Abstract: A housing has two side walls extend upwardly from a floor to define a channel extending between a primer inlet and a primer outlet. A lanyard clip is fastened to the side walls adjacent the primer inlet, compressing the clip releases it, allowing primers to be loaded through the primer inlet. A spring is riveted to the housing floor with a protruding spacer segment facing the primer inlet, and a restraint segment facing the outlet. Multiple primers are restrained between the spring spacer segment and the primer inlet, yet the spacer segment may be deflected by pushing a primer toward the primer outlet until it is positioned on the restraint segment, and presented for engagement on the primer holder of an in-line action muzzleloading rifle. Pulling the dispenser displaces the primer to move along and depress the restraint segment, and dispensing it. A floor cut-out acts as a decapper.

Abstract: The invention is a snack style clear front merchandiser having a horizontal product column with a front opening leading into a vend space. A product mover pushes a product through the front opening and into the vend space. A retaining device, mounted to the merchandiser near the front opening and positioned in a manner such that a top of the product being vended hits the retaining device during vending, prevents the product top from moving or pitching forward during a vending process. Consequently, the vended product falls freely into the delivery hopper without bridging the vending space. A single retaining device may be used for several columns in a single tray or individual retaining devices may be used for each column. The height of the retaining device can be adjusted as required for the type of product being vended in the columns. The retaining device may be rigidly or rotationally mounted to the merchandiser.

Abstract: An improved product holding and dispensing a container for housing and dispensing products is provided. The container having a moveable product frame, wherein a consumer is enabled to move the frame, as product units are removed, to maintain the product in its packaged order. The container comprises: a base having a front wall, a back wall and side walls a moveable frame adapted to support the products inside the base. The frame includes a back wall and a member, wherein an area of the member extends through the base to allow the member to be grasped and pulled to cause the back wall of the frame to move away from the back wall of the base.

Abstract: A lid dispenser for storing and dispensing plastic drink lids. The dispenser has an elongated body within which the lids are stacked upside down and a dispensing slot in a sidewall facing a user. A gravity biased finger rides in a vertical trackway in a sidewall opposite the dispensing slot. The finger contacts the stack of drink lids, clamping the uppermost lid against the next-to-uppermost lid and tilting the uppermost lid at an angle towards the user. The uppermost lid can be grasped by the user and snapped through the dispensing slot.

Abstract: An ampule feeder which can discharge ampules one by one with high efficiency without the possibility of clogging. It includes an ampule container having a bottom plate pivotable in one direction. Ampules stored randomly in the container are moved onto an inclined top surface of an ampule receiver and raised. When the ampule receiver rises to its highest level, the ampules slide on its surface and drop onto a conveyor belt of a dispenser provided outside of the side wall of the ampule container. Ampules are thus discharged by the dispenser.

Abstract: A cylindrical unit of varying lengths which stores sports balls, with unit capable of attaching to any solid object in a vertical position, close to a sports court or storage area. The unit also serves as a ball transporter, carried in a horizontal or vertical position, with attached handles allowing sports balls to be moved from one sports site or storage area, another. A one piece unit with an opening at one end only, therefore reducing the sports balls exposure, to ball depleting weather, and offers security, by allowing the open end to be locked by a transverse rod across the open end. Balls are contained in storage unit by protrusions located internally, at the open end, positioned at the greatest apex of the ball allowing sports balls to be completely enclosed within the storage unit. Protrusions hold the ball at a distal position within storage unit allowing balls to be loaded and unloaded easily with a single hand.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an ice directing chute mechanism including a slide portion and a housing portion. The slide portion is securable to an ice dispensing machine. In particular, the slide is securable to a regulated opening of the dispenser. The regulated opening includes a door means that is operable between a closed and open position by an operating mechanism such as, a solenoid. The solenoid is activated by a switch electrically connected thereto whereby contacting of the switch results in operating the solenoid to open the door. The door is positioned between an ice retaining bin of the dispenser and the slide portion. A housing portion is releasably secured to and pivotally suspended from the slide portion. Together, the slide and housing portions define an ice channel ending with a downward directed dispense orifice. The housing portion includes a surface portion thereof for contacting the switch that operates the solenoid.

Abstract: An article is inserted through the upper front of a dispenser, over a first shelf, a fall space, and a second shelf while it is supported by the first shelf at about the same height as the second shelf. The item is then moved off the first shelf so that it pivots on the second shelf and moves down between the shelves. It is caught by one end on a flexible portion of a downward and forward sloping curvilinear wall having a longitudinal access slot through the wall, and supported at the lower part of the dispenser, forward of the front of the dispenser.

Abstract: A drinking-water service system for supplying individual cylindrical containers of drinking water to athletes. A storage and dispensing unit for storing the containers for semi-automatically sequentially dispensing individually the drinking water containers to athletes. A multi-stage storage and delivery control passageway has a rolling section generally inclined downwardly for receiving and storing the containers disposed side by side and gravity biased. An uprighting section receives the containers from the rolling section successively and its surfaces cause the containers to assume an upright position for travel downwardly to a dispensing section which has a dispensing outlet opening through which the containers are dispensed to a horizontal stand surface.

Abstract: A dispenser for loose, unpackaged protective gloves. A container has at least one compartment for holding a bulk quantity of gloves, and each compartment has a filling shaft with an upper filling opening to permit filling with the gloves. A dispensing portion at the lower end of the container protrudes forwardly from one side of the container. The dispensing portion has a dispensing shaft leading downwardly from the filing shaft for receiving gloves from the filling shaft, and top and bottom walls providing a top and bottom, respectively, to the dispensing shaft and which slope downwardly and forwardly from the filling shaft. An end wall is spaced from the compartment and extends between the top and bottom walls, with a dispensing opening into the inclined dispensing shaft extending within part of each of the end and top walls.

Abstract: A can vending mechanism comprising a module containing three vertically-extending channels arranged front-to-back and dimensioned to vend cylindrical products, such as cans, with their longitudinal axes parallel to the front face of a vending machine to achieve greater product capacity. A sold-out switch is provided in each channel. Each sold out switch is activated when two products remain in escrow at the bottom of its respective channel. The channels are refilled without the use of diverters by dropping new products into the channels. The two products remaining in escrow at the bottom of each channel absorb the shock of the falling products.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a container that will store a plurality of used plastic grocery bags. The container of the present invention consists of a hollow cylindrical sleeve having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion further includes an open end while the bottom portion includes a bottom panel. The bottom panel is integral with the sleeve. A slot is located at the bottom portion of the sleeve. This slot permits for bags to be extracted individually and efficiently.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a modular display for merchandising tubular cartridges containing adhesives, caulks, sealants or similar flowable elastomeric materials, where each cartridge contains a narrow dispensing nozzle at one end of the cartridge. The modular display unit comprises structural means for automatically aligning the cartridges horizontally and orientating the nozzles forwardly while stacking the cartridges in vertical rows by gravity feed. The internal structure includes a slotted front panel where the slot engages the narrowed nozzles but prevents passage of the enlarged tube end of the cartridge. The display unit enables the consumer to remove cartridges from the bottom and to reinsert cartridges at the top along with maintaining the intended forward orientation and horizontal alignment in the vertically stacked cartridges.

Abstract: A dispenser including a storage zone to receive a column of said like articles, a resilient first abutment engagable by a rear corner of the lowest article in storage zone, said dispenser also including a dispensing zone having an inclined article support with a lower end stop disposed below the storage zone, the distance in the plane of said inclined support from said stop to the bottom face of the lowest article in the storage zone allows at least two articles to rest thereon is edge to edge relationship with edges of the first and last of the articles on the support respectively in contact with said stop means and the bottom face of the lowest article in the storage zone to provide a further abutment on which the lowest article in said storage zone will rest, on removal of a lowermost article from the support the other article(s) thereon will move downwardly and withdraw the further abutment and the lowermost article in the storage zone will pivot about its engagement with the first abutment with outward d

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying and dispensing cylindrical objects having a diameter and a length along an axis includes a base supporting a reservoir configured and arranged to hold a plurality of cylindrical objects to be dispensed. The reservoir communicates with a downwardly and forwardly extending chute terminating in a forward display position on the base. The cylindrical object displayed in the display position is axially distended from the plurality of cylindrical objects held in the reservoir. Thus, upon loading a plurality of cylindrical objects into the reservoir, the chute and display position are filled with cylindrical objects and upon removal of a cylindrical object from the display position, cylindrical objects descend under the influence of gravity from the reservoir to the chute and from the chute to the display position.

Abstract: Storage, display and dispensing apparatus for carded product is disclosed. The dispenser has front and back faces and opposite side faces defining a channel adapted to contain carded product in a vertically nested arrangement. An opening is provided in the lower end of the front face which permits only the lowermost product to be removed from the channel.

Abstract: Plastic shopping bag container to store randomly disposed shopping bags with lower horizontal slot for removal of stored bag.

Abstract: A display rack for dispensing packaged items from a vertical stack of items contained within magazines which are interchangeably received and retained by columns within a housing. The leading item within each magazine may be withdrawn through the discharge opening of the housing and upon withdrawal, a next leading item will be placed in a position for withdrawal as a result of the positive gravity feed of the magazine. A guard is provided which covers the discharge opening of the housing thereby preventing access to the packaged items within the magazines. The display rack also includes a means for locking the guard in first and second positions.

Abstract: A dispenser of light-weight articles such as plates, trays, dishes, or the like which includes a storage tube for a stack of the articles to be dispensed, a resilient member disposed beneath the stack for urging the stack upwardly, a stop for holding the stack in place and fanning the topmost articles to permit individual dispensing. The stop is fully deflectable downwardly to permit loading and deflectable only a limited amount upwardly to facilitate individual article dispensing.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing and sequentially dispensing flexible synthetic resin disposable lids or other similar flexible, generally flat articles has an elongated, upright container with an abutment shelf extending partially across its lower end. A dispensing aperture coplanar with the shelf is disposed between the latter and a front wall of the container. The weight of the stacked lids automatically forces the exposed portion of the flexible, lowermost lid through the dispensing aperture toward a hand engageable position. As the lowermost lid is pulled through the opening, a front wall portion of the container engages the next adjacent lid to retain the same within the container. In preferred forms, an inclined lip segment extends downwardly from the abutment shelf below the aperture to limit the flexure of the lids as the latter are singularly dispensed in response to user demand.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved for dispensing solid members, such as electrical connectors, having extended rigid projections inserted in a penetrable flexible substrate sheet material. The apparatus for dispensing the solid members includes a rotatable drum having a solid surface. The sheet material containing the solid members is pulled across the drum surface by a frictional drive roller, thereby pulling the sheet material radially inwardly past the solid projections, creating a gap between the solid members and the sheet material. Wedge-like finger members are inserted in the gap, to complete removal of solid projections from the sheet material, thereby releasing the solid members for slideable movement along the finger members to a remote work station.

Abstract: A paper strip dispenser unit is disposed below a food slice receiving surface of food slicing machine. The dispenser is in the form of an elongate container having an upturned open side of which the stack of paper is fanned out to enable individual strips of paper to be withdrawn over the surface to receive sliced food.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and individually dispensing cans or other similarly shaped objects. The apparatus is of tubular construction with a resilient dispensing-type outlet in the form of a slot near the lower portion of the tube to allow a can to be removed. A stop member is provided in the tube interior opposite the slot to contact the can between the center of gravity and the edge of the can to tilt the can forward in the slot.

Abstract: Structure for controlling the delivery of ice pieces for external service with the ice pieces being formed within a refrigerator or the like. The apparatus may include a closure for selectively closing the end of a delivery chute through which the ice pieces are conducted during the delivery operation. Delivery of the ice pieces is effected by movement of an actuator as by a receptacle, such as a cup or glass, being urged thereagainst to receive the delivered ice. Movement of the actuator concurrently moves the closure away from the delivery chute and positions a guide in cooperation with the closure to guide the ice pieces from the end of the delivery chute into the receptacle. The guide may include upstanding side wall portions for preventing undesirable lateral discharge of the ice pieces and effectively assuring the delivery of all of the ice pieces into the receptacle. The guide may comprise a one-piece element removably installed on the actuator for movement therewith.