Abstract: A removing mechanism is disclosed for removing the bottom or top sheet from a stack of sheets; a delaying member for a delay of a predetermined time between the dispensing of two successive sheets; and an actuating mechanism for driving the removing mechanism, wherein the actuating mechanism is driven via a physically supplied mechanical drive force of an operator of the dispensing apparatus.

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: Sheet product dispensers and methods for controlling the dispensers are provided. A sheet product dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing assembly disposed in the housing. The dispensing assembly is configured to hold a roll of sheet product thereon and to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product. The sheet product dispenser further includes an ultraviolet light source disposed on the housing. The ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least one of the transport, storage, and display of one or more items of at least one of apparel and accessories is provided. The apparatus includes at least one crib defined by a bottom plate, a back plate, and first and second side plates, each of the at least one crib for having disposed therein one or more items of at least one of apparel and accessories. The at least one crib includes the bottom plate that is one of square and rectangular in shape, the back plate that is one of square and rectangular in shape, and the first and second side plates that have the same shape and that are facing each other. Each of the back plate and first and second side plates are perpendicular to the bottom plate. One edge of each of the back plate and first and second side plates is coupled to a respective one edge of the bottom plate. One edge of each of first and second side plates is coupled to a respective one edge of the back plat.

Abstract: A dispenser for an orally dissolvable strip includes a pair of receiving spools for receiving respective layers of wrap material that sandwich the orally dissolvable strip. A rotatable knob is coupled to the spools for actuating the spools. A force transfer apparatus is configured to rotate the second spool when the first spool rotates. A housing contains the receiving spools, force transfer apparatus, orally dissolvable strip, and layers of wrap material, the housing having a slot sized for the dissolvable strip to pass through. A coupling element is connected to a housing side wall configured connect the housing laterally to another housing side wall. A channel extends between a knob input aperture and a housing rear plate output channel. A drive shaft is positioned in the channel and configured to extend from the output channel and operatively couple the rotatable knob with a rotatable knob of another dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser for moisturized sheets in the core of a toilet paper roll. Not only are wet and dry wipes provided coincidentally, the location is particularly handy for toilet use. In a utilization of existing bathroom fixtures, the novel concept offsets the rotational axis of the toilet paper roll to make an aperture available to dispense the moisturized sheets from the volume of the core previously occupied by the conventional spool. The invention further provides a hermetically sealed refill unit and a method of dispensing and refilling.

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: Dry powder inhalers include: (a) a first generally planar spiral travel path in an inhaler body, wherein the first spiral travel path has a plurality of adjacent curvilinear channels forming lanes with upstanding sidewalls, including an inner lane and an outer lane; and (b) a plurality of discrete sealed microcartridges with substantially rigid bodies disposed in the first travel path, each comprising a pre-metered (typically dose) amount of dry powder, the microcartridges being configured to slidably advance along the first travel path toward an inhalation chamber that merges into an inhalation output port. In operation, at least one microcartridge is held in the inhalation chamber to release the dry powder therein during inhalation.

Abstract: A lid dispenser includes a housing, shaft assemblies and a lid dispensing mechanism. Each shaft assembly includes a shaft that extends from a base of the housing, a lid shelf that supports at least a bottom-most lid in the lid stack area and a drive gear about its shaft so that rotation of the drive gear causes rotation of the associated shaft and lid shelf. A common gear is positioned so as to mesh with each of the drive gears such that rotation of the common gear causes corresponding rotation of each of the drive gears. Manual operation of the lid dispensing mechanism causes the common gear to rotate each of the shafts sufficient to allow the lid shelves to dispense the bottom-most lid. Release of the lid dispensing mechanism rotates the common gear back to a default position, rotating each of the shaft assemblies back to their default position.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser is provided for sheet product from a roller. The sheet product dispenser includes a first roll of sheet product, called a stub roll, a main roll of sheet product, and a dispensing arrangement. A sensor is provided for detecting when sheet product on a stub roll is depleted. The sensor generates a signal in response to the depletion of the stub roll and a controller activates an electromechanical actuator. The actuator acts to operate a transfer bar that moves an end portion of the main roll sheet product adjacent a roller assembly that engages the main roller sheet product.

Abstract: A dispensing system that removes individual napkins from a stack of interfolded napkins in a manner that allows the number of napkins dispensed to be easily counted and controlled so that an appropriate number of napkins are dispensed. The counted napkins are collected in an easily manageable form and presented to a user.

Abstract: In a sticky note printer, a sticky note is peeled off and fed one by one from a bundle of notes set in position. In empty-feed motion, the sticky note is fed in a normal direction from a peel-off position through a sticky note ejecting slot to a pull-out position in which the sticky note protrudes outside the sticky note printer. In feed-back motion, the sticky note is fed in a reverse direction from the pull-out position to a retracted position in which printing can be performed. In feed-again motion, the sticky note is fed in the normal direction from the retracted position to the pull-out position. The empty-feed motion is made when the sticky note has been pulled away from the pull-out position. The feed-back motion or the feed-again motion is made, when an instruction for printing is given, in a manner synchronized with the printing operation.

Abstract: A device for retaining and dispensing in a controlled fashion at least partially porous absorbent pads (20) that includes an elongated storage chamber (11) that is intended and adjusted to receive inside a series of absorbent pads and that includes actuators (30) that are capable and have been set up to move an absorbent pad in the storage chamber to an exit opening (13) and dispense it at the exit opening. The actuators comprise a manually controllable control instrument (31, 32) that is capable and adjusted to enforce rotation on the carrier bodies and to directly hold on to them as well as a spiral profile (14) over at least nearly the full length of an internal wall (12) of the storage chamber (11). The absorbent pads comprise holding means (23) that are capable and have been set up to work together with the spiral profile (14) in the storage chamber so that a passageway can be enforced according to the spiral profile (14) for an absorbent pad with regard to rotation imposed by the control instrument.

Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that is operable in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The paper towel dispenser comprises: a rotatable drum that advances a paper towel sheet applied on the drum when the drum rotates; a one-way rotational coupling; a motor coupled to the drum by the one-way rotational coupling and automatically operable to rotate the drum; and a manual advance assembly coupled to the drum and manually operable by a user to rotate the drum. The one-way rotational coupling couples the motor to the drum such that the motor drives the drum in a first direction and does not drive the drum when the manual advance assembly is operated to rotate the drum in the first direction.

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: A dispenser for paper, plastic, foil and other goods that are supplied on rolls or tubes. The dispenser includes a rotation mechanism including a plurality of flexible wires for receiving a first end portion of the plurality of flexible wires. The rotation mechanism further includes a freely rotating cap, a freely rotating spinner and a mechanism for providing resistance to the freely rotating spinner.

Abstract: A collecting container for discharging material in piece form in pieces including a device for sealing the discharge opening and for discharging the material in the form of a rotating body in which through openings are provided. The device is disposed inside the collecting container. The through openings of the rotating body can be covered by the discharge opening by rotating the rotating body, thereby allowing the pieces of material to be discharged.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing and sequentially dispensing flexible, disposable lids for cups such as those used with soft drinks, coffee, soups, or the like from a nested stack of lids held in an elongated container by a dispensing rod disposed across one side of its lower end. The dispensing rod projects through a wall of the container and is attached to a turning handle. In resting position, an edge portion of the circular surface of the lowermost lid sits on the dispensing rod, a lip portion of which extends tangentially outward and clockwise. When rotated, the lip portion of the rotatable dispensing rod engages a portion of the outer wall of the lowermost lid, slightly flexing the lid so that it becomes separated from the stack and drops into a catch tray.

Abstract: A sheet separating device for removing an uppermost sheet of an adhesive pad containing a plurality of such sheets includes a housing; a support plate for holding the pad, resiliently biased in an upward direction. A sheet separator mechanism is movable in forward and reward directions, includes a frame, a pick wheel mounted for rotation within the frame, and a knife blade having a closed periphery opening therein defined in part by at least one entry projection, wherein the pick wheel is located ahead of the at least one entry projection of the knife blade in the forward direction such that, in use, the pick wheel lifts an edge of the uppermost sheet extending transverse to the forward direction, and the at least one entry projection of the knife blade then moves between the uppermost sheet and a next underlying sheet as the uppermost sheet passes through the closed periphery opening.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispensing trays one at a time from the bottom of a nested stack of flanged flexible trays are disclosed. The bottommost tray rests on two supports, thereby supporting the stack, and a rotating barb or the like compresses the bottommost tray lengthwise so that it can pass between the supports and fall free of the stack.