Abstract: Methods and systems for no-glue pocketed spring unit construction. Rows of pocketed springs modules, comprising more than two pocketed springs surrounding a central hole, can be automatically loaded onto an assembler; pocketed spring-surrounded openings can be automatically aligned with welding phalanges; and probe/anvil welding pairs can be inserted into modules in different rows of modules, closed around polymer pocket fabric, and activated to weld rows of modules together without glue; without a user manually loading rows of modules onto the assembler.

Abstract: Methods and systems for no-glue pocketed spring unit construction. Rows of pocketed springs modules, comprising more than two pocketed springs surrounding a central hole, can be automatically loaded onto an assembler; pocketed spring-surrounded openings can be automatically aligned with welding phalanges; and probe/anvil welding pairs can be inserted into modules in different rows of modules, closed around polymer pocket fabric, and activated to weld rows of modules together without glue; without a user manually loading rows of modules onto the assembler.

Abstract: A device for dispensing food products, such as bread, comprising a container body with a front opening, which is adapted to be loaded with a food product such as bread, further comprising an inclined plane which is arranged fixed within the container body and is connected to the opening of the container body, plate-like elements being able to slide on the inclined plane and being actuatable by a lever, the plate-like elements being adapted to pass from an initial position for closing the opening of the container body to an active position in which the passage of the food product is allowed for the dispensing thereof.

Abstract: The present application provides a tucker fold dispenser for folding and dispensing a sheet of material. The tucker fold dispenser may include an outer shell, a removable roller cassette positioned within the outer shell, a paper path therethrough, a number of loading rollers positioned about the paper path, a number of folding rollers positioned about the paper path, and a tucker bar mechanism positioned about the folding rollers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue paper supply case comprising a case body for containing tissue paper, a lid having a slot-like take-out hole for taking out the tissue paper therethrough, a platform member mounted within the case body for placing the tissue paper thereon, and means for energizing the platform member from the bottom of the case body toward the lid, wherein the lid is provided on its inner surface with a plurality of lid projections formed in parallel rows to the take-out hole on both sides of the take-out hole, which lid projections are tapered each having a protrusion height becoming larger with increasing distance from the take-out hole, and the platform member is provided on its upper surface with a plurality of platform projections formed in parallel rows to the take-out hole on both sides of the position facing the take-out hole, which platform projections are tapered each having a protrusion height becoming larger with increasing distance from the position facing the take-out hole and wherein the p

Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor has a base with first and second ends, a concave recess in the first end, a second end receiving surface, and a sidewall extending between the ends. An electrode may be provided on the receiving surface with an electrochemically-active region coupled to the electrode. A conductor in electrical contact with the electrode may extend along the sidewall and may be adapted to be in electrical contact with a first contact of an analyte meter. Manufacturing methods and systems utilizing and dispensing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: A dispenser, and associated method for producing such dispenser, for interfolded disposable sheets includes a dispensing container defining an interior volume sufficient for receipt of a clip of interfolded disposable sheets, the container including a first wall with a dispensing opening defined by a removable panel. At least a portion of an adhesive material is disposed at a location on the removable panel such that the adhesive is not exposed to the interior volume of the container in an adhesive state. A clip of interfolded disposable sheets is inserted into the interior volume of the container. After insertion of the clip, the adhesive material is exposed in an adhesive state to the interior volume of the container and contact is made between the adhesive and the uppermost sheet of the clip of interfolded sheets such that the removable panel is attached to the uppermost sheet.

Abstract: Gloves and dispensers for gloves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to disposable gloves packaged in a disposable dispenser configured to engage with a carrier. Aspects of the glove assemblies provided herein include a dispenser case having a flange having locking tab for sliding engagement with a channel on the carrier. The dispenser case may be removed from the carrier and a new dispenser case engaged to the carrier.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing gloves is provided which includes a housing having an exit port, the housing also formed to include a compartment which is configured to hold a plurality of gloves therein. The dispenser includes a glove pusher movably coupled to the housing. At least a portion of the glove pusher is configured to move within the compartment of the housing and push at least a portion of a glove disposed in the compartment through the exit port. A cartridge configured to be disposed into a compartment of a dispenser is disclosed. The cartridge is formed to permit a portion of a dispenser to move into the internal compartment of the cartridge to move at least one of the plurality of gloves at least partially through the at least one opening in the cartridge. A dispensing assembly also may include a stack of gloves or a cartridge containing a plurality of gloves. A method of using a glove dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing both coffee in a reservoir and nested stacks of cup-shaped coffee filters, and then automatically filling individual filters with selected amounts of coffee and brewing the coffee while protecting the reservoir. Through a series of gears, an electric motor rotates an elastic projection with teeth and a disengaging curved tooth against the topmost filter in the stack, dragging it into a filter well beneath a coffee storage receptacle and then dropping it. Simultaneously, a rotating coffee dispenser fills with a selectable quantity of coffee and then dumps the coffee into the filter. The apparatus also includes a stirring device for insuring the stored coffee falls to the bottom of the coffee receptacle. A hot water dispenser operates in conjunction with a valve means for cutting off steam from the coffee reservoir.

Abstract: A restrictor and dispensing system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The restrictor includes a restrictor body positioned on a top sheet of a stack of sheet materials which are positioned in a dispenser. The restrictor assists in one at a time dispensing from a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes the dispenser, which has a housing including a container and a lid, and the housing is configured to hold and dispense sheet material. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. The sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material away from additional sheet materials for dispensing. The restrictor cooperates with the housing and sheet mover to dispense one sheet material at a time. The restrictor may be provided with the dispenser, or separately. Alternatively, the restrictor may be provided in a cartridge filled with a stack of sheet materials.

Abstract: A spooled adhesive bandage dispenser includes a case, a replaceable cartridge and an activation wheel. The cartridge is disposed within the case and includes a bandage roll and a waste core. The bandage roll includes a strip of bandage packages sealed between two strips of packaging. The activation wheel is at least partially exposed outside the case. By rotating the activation wheel, the packaging strips are pulled apart and the bandage package is forced out of the case through a slot. At the same time, the packaging strips are wound around the waste core. When the bandage roll is gone, the entire cartridge may be replaced.

Abstract: A bundle of sticky notes that includes: a pile of sticky notes including a plurality of sticky notes whose one end portions are peelably adhered to one another; and a base member adhered to the pile of sticky notes via the lowermost sticky note. In the bundle, an outer periphery of the base member is partially protruded from the pile of sticky notes.

Abstract: A dispenser and system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing including a container and a lid. The container and lid cooperate to provide an inner surface formed to include an internal compartment configured to hold sheet material. The housing includes an exit port for withdrawal of sheet material therefrom. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. A portion of the sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material positioned in the housing such that at least the portion of the sheet material is moved away from additional sheet materials positioned adjacent thereto by the sheet mover. The portion moved away is positioned to be easily withdrawn through the exit port by a user. The system includes the dispenser having a sheet mover and a plurality of sheet materials disposed in the dispenser. A disposable, one-use dispensing system is provided as well.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a lid from a stack of lids each having a lid periphery includes a load platform having a main floor on which to place a stack of lids, the main floor sloping downward from an apex in a rearward direction, the load platform having a forward slope inclined downward from the apex in a forward direction. A parallelogram mechanism is mounted to move in a linear direction forward to a dispense position and rearward to a home position. A hinge is coupled to the parallelogram mechanism and has a handle with a distal end oriented upward and forward to contact an inner surface of a lid periphery of a bottommost lid of the stack of lids when the parallelogram mechanism moves forward from the home position toward the dispense position.

Abstract: An automatic napkin dispenser includes a housing having a rotatable feed roller with protrusions on an outer surface thereof for engaging a topmost napkin on a stack of napkins, and displacing the topmost napkin between a pair of counterrotating nip rollers that dispense the topmost napkin to a customer. The housing includes a motion translating assembly coupled to the feed roller and moving the feed roller back and forth relative to at least one of the nip rollers.

Abstract: A flat mop dispenser having a container comprising a holding pan and at least one roller proximate the pan. The roller is positioned proximate to a stack of flat mops in the pan and the roller rotates to engage a flat mop and dispense the flat mop out of the dispenser.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stocker for flat healds according to the present invention is a flat heald stocker for stocking a lot of flat healds in order to selectively discharge an arbitrary flat heald A out of the many flat healds A juxtaposed, in which the flat healds A kept in a horizontal state are stacked vertically in a housing, a heald refilling aperture is provided at a top portion of the housing, and a heald drawing opening for discharging the lowermost of the stacked flat healds horizontally is provided at a lower portion of the housing, whereby easy horizontal drawing of flat heald can be achieved.

Abstract: A coffee filter dispenser to dispense individual coffee filters of the cup type from a stack, comprising a housing having a bottom wall, side walls, a rear wall and an open front wall, dimensioned to receive a stack of cup type coffee filters therein facing upside down. A friction bar is positioned to slide on tracks secured to the side walls, first in a rearward direction in which it makes initial contact with the uppermost filter in the stack to slightly raise and loosen it and then in the foreword direction to eject the loosened filter from the stack and from the dispenser. The friction bar is normally biased to its forward position by a pair of coil springs connected to respective end regions of the bar and to respective brackets extending forwardly from the forward edges of the side walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing individual thin sheet-like articles from a supply stack of articles includes a supply magazine, and a base closing off the supply magazine. The base includes a dispensing assembly which includes a reciprocatably driven roller upon which the article supply stack rests on. Two openings are located on opposite sides of the roller so that the bottommost article may be bent into one opening as the roller is driven in one direction to free it from the supply stack. Rotation of the roller in the opposite direction urges the bottommost article against a curved deflector plate out of the second opening.

Abstract: A coffee filter dispensing and storage device which is compact, and inexpensive to manufacture. The device comprises a housing having a hollow interior in which a stack of coffee filters are located, and a cover pivotally mounted thereon. The cover includes a simple biased plunger mechanism with a wax or putty-like adherent at one end to extract the top most of a nested stack of coffee filters stored in a device. The device may be placed on a counter or table top or mounted on a wall or beneath a shelf or counter. Restraining tabs are used to prevent the filters from falling or spilling out of the device when the cover is opened. A locking mechanism is provided to hold the cover closed.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a coffee filter dispenser has a housing in which a stack of coffee filters to be dispensed are received. A plurality of resilient grippers are axially movable between a retracted and an extended position. A crank arm is connected to the resilient grippers for actuation thereof. By manipulation of the crank arm in axial and rotary directions, a single coffee filter may be dispensed from a stack of coffee filters through resilient plastic flaps in the housing. In a second embodiment, a coffee filter dispenser utilizes an axially reciprocal and rotary plunger having an adhesive foot for removing the top filter from a stack of coffee filters. The adhesive foot is radially offset from the plunger axis, and a spiral cam groove on the plunger causes the foot to be displaced radially as the plunger moves axially. In this manner, a single coffee filter may be laterally dispensed through a pivotal door in the dispenser housing.

Abstract: The normal practice in serve yourself coffee outlets, such as cafeteria-style restaurants and some convenience stores, is to provide loose lids in a cardboard box. A common result is that lids are knocked on the floor and spread around so that different sizes of lids become mixed together. A simple solution to the problem is a lid dispenser which dispenses lids one at a time when a lever is pressed downwardly. The lever extends through the front wall of the dispenser for actuating a pusher arm which engages the flange of the lowermost lid of a stack of lids and pushes the lid through a slot in the dispenser housing. A helical spring returns the lever and the pusher arm to the rest position in which the arm is suitably located for another lid dispensing operation.

Abstract: A newspaper dispenser includes a housing with an upwardly biased platform therein for supporting a stack of newspapers. A scoop assembly which dispenses a single newspaper at a time, is mounted in the housing and includes a pusher arm and a scoop connected to reciprocating rotatable drive shaft. Rotation of the shaft in one direction causes the pusher arm to drop onto the top newpaper and push the top layer rearwardly, while simultaneously dropping a scoop in front of the folded edge of the newspaper. Rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction causes the scoop to slide under the paper, causes the pusher arm to pull the paper onto the scoop, and causes the pusher arm to raise off of the paper as the scoop tilts to drop the paper down a chute for dispensing. A rotatable handle is connected to the scoop assembly via a series of gears and rack and drive gear to operate the reciprocating cycle to dispense a paper.

Abstract: A combined filter housing for storing a plurality of flattened conically-shaped filters therein and a combination cover and extractor for the stored filters includes an extractor mechanism disposed within the cover having semi-adhesive resilient members disposed on a pair of distal ends which comes into contact with the stored filters. By applying pressure proximate the apex of the arms, the filter is engaged by the semi-adhesive resilient member and by removing the combination cover and extractor a single filter may be removed and is ready to be used without further handling.

Abstract: A container (10) for storing and dispensing a stack of paper articles (30) is provided with a bottom wall (12), at least one side wall (14) and a top wall (22). The top wall has a struck out hinged pivotable portion (32) which is pivotable into and out of the container. That portion of the top wall which is not pivotable retains the stack within the container. A depressible hinged tab (38) is struck out of the hinged pivotable portion, and has an adhesive (42) on its underside. When the tab is depressed, thus engaging the side wall of the topmost article in the stack, and the pivotable hinged portion is subsequently lifted, the topmost article in the stack is lifted for one-at-a-time dispensing of the articles from the stack.

Abstract: Mechanism for feeding a container cover out of a hopper and on to a conveyor for subsequent application to a filled container includes a pivotally mounted oscillatable support arranged to move toward and away from the hopper, suction means rotatably mounted on the oscillatable support and engageable with a container cover for withdrawing the cover from the hopper together with control means interconnected with the suction means for imparting rotation to the suction means relative to the oscillatable support so as to position the suction means adjacent the conveyor for convenient deposit of the conveyor lid on to the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding cartons in succession from a stack of cartons carried in an elongated chute onto a receiving chute. The apparatus includes a support member which has a plurality of picker fingers carried thereon. The support member is moved from a carton grasping position to a carton release position. When the support member is moved to the carton grasping position, picker fingers including power-operated cylinders having enlarged gripping heads provided on the end of the piston thereof are activated for retracting the heads for grasping the edge of the last carton in the stack for lifting said carton above an abutment and allowing the carton to drop into the receiving chute when said support member is moved back to the depositing position.

Abstract: A vending machine for newspapers and magazines has the capability of dispensing one newspaper at a time to a customer following insertion by the customer of proper coins into a conventional coin mechanism. The insertion of the coins releases a normally locked dispensing lever which the customer need only pull a single time in one direction. A roller activated by the dispensing lever buckles the topmost newspaper in a stack on a biased platform to release the folded edge of the newspaper from beneath a biased hold-down plate, the released newspaper gravitating onto a delivery tray near the bottom of the machine where it can be picked up freely by the customer. The delivery system resets itself automatically for the dispensing of additional newspapers, one at a time, sequentially, from the top of the stack each time the dispensing lever is returned automatically to the non-dispensing position where it remains locked until proper coins are again inserted.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing cup-shaped paper coffee filters from the top of a nested stack of such filters includes a box for storing and retaining the stack, a lever connected by a hinge to the lid of the box, apparatus for moving the lever to engage the top filter of the stack, and flexible plastic fingers for holding all of the filters except the top one in place as the lever engages the top filter and removes it from the stack. The lid of the box is hinged so that the box can be opened to remove the top filter from the end of the lever. Once the lever has engaged the top filter, the end of the lever is moved away from the axis of the filter stack. Lifting the lid simultaneously imparts an axially upward component to the motion of the lever, so that the lever both separates the top filter from the stack and lifts it. The filter can then be easily removed from the end of the lever.

Abstract: A coin-controlled manually operated envelope-vending machine having a vertical supply compartment whereby the lowermost envelope of the supply is available to a yieldable vending member having a horizontal reciprocal movement for engagement with a portion of the lowermost envelope so as to displace the same exteriorly of the machine to facilitate the complete removal of the envelope therefrom.