Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel apparel repair tool. The device is an adjustable tool for replacing buttons, fasteners or other adornments. The device includes a handle component featuring a transparent window, hammer, magazine, spring, and pusher. The transparent window allows users to see the quantity and type of staples within. The tool has a base with moveable bars, a button receiving area, and a crimper. The movable bars allow the user to adjust for the replacement of buttons or fasteners of different sizes.

Abstract: A component supply device includes a tape feeder configured to feed a tape including a storage configured to store a component and a cover tape configured to cover an upper side of the storage, and a press including a columnar protrusion configured to press an upper surface of a portion of the cover tape that covers the storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for de-stacking and spreading out medication packaged in pouches (2), which pouches are arranged successively in a ribbon-like medication roll (101), comprising a transport track (102) configured to transport the unrolled pouches of the medication roll, wherein the transport track comprises a section over which the pouches are displaceable and wherein the underside of at least one pouch lies against an upper side of the section during operation, and the section comprises means for de-stacking and spreading out the medication in a pouch lying on the section during operation, wherein the device is configured to co-act with means for supplying or discharging the medication roll over the transport track.

Abstract: The current disclosure describes carrier tape systems that include a carrier tape substrate and a cover tape. The carrier tape system includes a plurality of repetitive adhesion areas where the carrier tape substrate and cover tape are attached to each other and non-adhesion areas where the carrier tape substrate and cover tape are not attached to each other. Separating the cover tape and the carrier tape substrate at these repetitive adhesion and non-adhesion areas imparts a vibration to the cover tape which impedes or prevents semiconductor devices carried in pockets of the carrier tape substrate from adhering to adhesive on the cover tape.

Abstract: A feeder provided with: a feeder main body, on a rear section of which is formed a tape insertion section for inserting carrier tape that stores multiple components; a tape feeding path for feeding the carrier tape from rear to front, the tape feeding path being provided on the feeder main body so as to connect to the tape insertion section; and an insertion guiding member in which is formed a guiding groove capable of guiding the carrier tape to the tape insertion section when the carrier tape is inserted to the tape insertion section.

Abstract: An electronic component supply apparatus transports a component supply tape which has accommodation sections and sprocket holes formed at regular intervals and which accommodates electronic components in the accommodation sections and is covered with a cover tape, to a component picking-up position and supplies each of the electronic components accommodated in each of the accommodation sections to a component mounting apparatus. The electronic component supply apparatus includes an electronic component detecting unit that detects the electronic component accommodated in the accommodation section of the component supply tape which has yet to pass the cover tape processing unit on a transport path; a determination unit that determines presence or absence of an electronic component in the accommodation section based on information from the electronic component detecting unit; and a control unit that controls a component supply tape transport unit based on a determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: A container or array of containers that is are sealed with a peelable seal is transported via a conveyor along a processing path toward a desealing station at which an adhesive surface having a width substantially the same as or greater than the width of the seal is pressed against the upper surface of the peelable seal. A collection rod applies a downward pressure on the adhesive surface, pressing it against the seal and keeping the container or container array in position on the conveyor as the plate moves with the conveyor. As the leading edge of the seal passes the collection rod, the adhesive surface is rolled upward, away from the plane of the seal, pulling up on the leading edge of the seal to separate it from the container or container array while the container or container array is held down by the roller. The removed seal is then discarded.

Abstract: A carrier tape feeder is provided. The carrier tape feeder includes a unit for loading a carrier tape, a picking-up unit where chips are picked up, and a driving unit. The pick-up unit includes a knife portion, a folding-guiding portion, and an inversion-guiding portion. The knife portion separates a cover tape from a base tape in a first adhesive portion. The folding-guiding portion is spaced from one lateral side of the knife portion to induce folding of the cover tape separated by the knife portion in the lengthwise direction in a state in which the cover tape is partially attached to the base tape in a second adhesive portion. The inversion-guiding portion extends in an oblique direction from the knife portion and the folding-guiding portion toward the outside of the carrier tape to induce inversion of the upper and lower surfaces of the cover tape folded in the folding-guiding portion so as to be superimposed on the base tape.

Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser for use with plural elongate form medicament carriers, each having multiple distinct medicament dose portions carried thereby, the dispenser having a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the distinct medicament dose portions carried by each of the plural medicament carriers. The mechanism comprises a receiving station for receiving each of the plural medicament carriers; a release for releasing a distinct medicament dose portion from each of the plural medicament carriers on receipt thereof by the receiving station; an outlet, positioned to be in communication with the distinct medicament dose portions releasable by said a release; and an indexer for individually indexing the distinct medicament dose portions of each of the plural medicament carriers.

Abstract: A multifunction device for prefabricating marking labels, having a top side configured to be printed on and a bottom side opposite the top side with a profiling, includes a printing device and at least one of a separating device and a perforation device. A feeder unit is configured to feed blank marking labels of a finite-length or endless material. A holder element including a recess is configured to receive the marking labels, including the profiling, so as to fix the marking labels in position during a passing over of the printing device and the at least one of the separating device and perforation device.

Abstract: A bead feeder serially delivering beads to a downstream location comprises a bead supply wheel connected to rotate about a vertical axis. The bead supply wheel includes a bead supply bowl and a plurality of radially and outwardly extending bead passageway connected to rotate with the bowl and dimensioned to receive a single line of beads. A plurality of openings in the bead supply bowl is spaced around a lower portion thereof with the openings in alignment with the radially and outwardly extending passageways each of which has an outer exit end. A metering plate is connected to rotate about the same vertical axis as the bead supply wheel, and metering plate has a plurality of equally spaced apart openings directly below the outer ends of the passageways for receiving the lowermost beads in the passageways.

Abstract: A component feeder capable of enhancing productivity is provided by that the component feeder includes a tape feeding device intermittently feeding a component housing tape constituted of a carrier tape having component housing parts formed with predetermined interval to contain respective electronic components, and a cover tape covering the component housing parts to prevent the components from jumping out from the component housing parts while the component housing tape wound on a housing tape reel is sequentially fed to a component extracting position, and an electronic component exposing device exposing the electronic components in the component housing parts to be allowed to be extracted, wherein the tape feeding device is constituted of a first feeding device and a second feeding device, and the electronic component exposing device is provided between the first feeding device and the second feeding device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a probe cover dispenser, which comprises a base having a probe cover basin; a probe cover cartridge receiving probe covers; a gravitational member applying gravity to the probe covers; and a feeder assembly arranged between the base and the probe cover cartridge. The gravitational member makes a probe cover fall from the probe cover cartridge onto the base, and a feeder pushes the gravitationally released probe cover to the probe cover basin. Then, the user inserts a probe of an infrared thermometer into the probe cover inside the probe cover basin to sleeve the probe with the probe cover. Via the present invention, the user can fit a probe cover onto a probe without using his hands. Thus, the present invention can effectively reduce the pollution of probe covers and the infection of testees.

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 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: Provided is a component tape feeder apparatus comprising a single output module, a single component exposure module, operably connected to the single output module, and, a plurality of input modules, wherein each input module of the plurality of input modules is operably connected to the single exposure module. A corresponding method of feeding electronic components includes supplying a plurality of component tapes housing electronic components to the single exposure module, wherein the supplying involves receiving and forwarding of the plurality of component tapes by the plurality of input modules.

Abstract: A method of exposing components, which are carried by a carrier tape (2), arranged in sequence along the carrier tape (2) and covered by a cover (3). The cover is attached to the carrier tape having a lower surface facing the sequence of components. The method is performed by, while feeding the carrier tape towards the picking position, separating a first portion of the cover from a first portion (31) of the carrier tape. Thereafter, guiding a thus loosened portion of the cover towards the second side of the carrier tape. Performing said guiding such that before reaching the picking position, while being raised to an upright position, the cover is automatically gathered by being folded, so that at least two portions of the lower surface of the cover face each other, thereby reducing the height of the cover.

Abstract: A linear multiple feeder for use with an apparatus for automatically positioning surface-mounted devices (SMDs) collected from a tape wound on a reel. The tape has a protective film coating removably attached thereto, for enabling the device to be picked-up. The feeder comprises a support structure, a plurality of reels of tape carrying the device or component rotatably mounted to the structure, motor-driven wheels for retrieving the protective film being detached from the tape to expose those devices or components that are ready for collection, and a plurality of relatively parallel lanes on the support structure. Also provided is a device for forward linear delivery of the tape along the lanes. The lanes are provided with respective elements for separating the film coating entrained axially by the film-retrieving wheels in a direction opposite to that of delivery of the corresponding tape, thereby detaching the film coating from the tape as the latter moves forward.

Abstract: A feeder for the surface mounting device is disclosed. The feeder includes a feeding unit being installed at one side of a main frame, having a plurality of armature coils and a circular permanent magnetic unit facing the plurality of armature coils to generate a rotation/reverse rotation force and carry a tape at a pitch interval and having a position sensing unit and a position detecting disk capable of sensing the position of the circular permanent magnetic unit, a vinyl separation unit carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the rotation force or re-carrying the vinyl by the reverse rotation force, and a vinyl recovery unit recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the rotation force or discharging the vinyl by the reverse rotation force.

Abstract: A part feeding device capable of preventing the adhesive surface of a top tape from being exposed even if a pleat line is displaced and easily and collectively removing the top tape collected by winding on a reel body and a part feeding method, the device comprising a top tape transfer part (1) having raising rollers (6) raising the top tape (104) a specified amount by generally 90° with the adhesive surfaces thereof at both ends facing inside, a folding rollers (5) folding the raised top tape by falling on the unraised top tape, and a tape delivery part (18) feeding the folded top tape at a specified pitch, wherein the reel body collecting the peeled top tape can collectively push out the group of the wound top tape in the axial direction.

Abstract: Provided is a component tape feeder apparatus comprising a single output module, a single component exposure module, operably connected to the single output module, and, a plurality of input modules, wherein each input module of the plurality of input modules is operably connected to the single exposure module. A corresponding method of feeding electronic components includes supplying a plurality of component tapes housing electronic components to the single exposure module, wherein the supplying involves receiving and forwarding of the plurality of component tapes by the plurality of input modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier has a number of cavities formed on one surface thereof for containing components. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates that function to guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station and a second position adjacent to the second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes the one surface of the component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.

Abstract: A label sheet assembly is provided with bar code information thereon defining the layout of the labels on the backing sheet. A versatile label dispenser apparatus advances the label sheets and deflects them over a peeling bar in one direction to partially separate the labels from the backing sheet; with the advancing action being determined by the bar code information. The label sheet assemblies are then deflected in the opposite direction, and are routed in a substantially flat condition to the output of the dispenser apparatus. The labels are partially dispensed, substantially vertically from the dispenser, and a substantial number of sensors are provided to sense when all of the labels have been removed; and then the dispenser advances the label sheet assembly to partially dispense the next row of labels. The bar code reader may also sense the leading edge of the label sheet assembly to accurately control the incremental advancing of the label sheet assembly.

Abstract: A dispenser for individual strip bandages from a rolled elongate bandage supply having the individual strip bandages releasably interconnected between a pair of cover strips defining chambers about each strip bandage. The dispenser provides a feed spindle carrying the bandage supply that is moved to a cover strip separator adjacent to a delivery slot in a casement. The cover strips are removed from a given strip bandage in the separator and pass along waste courses to motor powered take-up devices which move the bandage supply and disperse the given strip bandage through the delivery slot. At least one cover strip waste course has a tension sensor to sense tension in the associated cover strip to control the take-up device moving the associated cover strip to maintain synchronization of the motion of the pair of cover strips on the take-up devices moving them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a unit dose product (11) from a unit dose package (10) is disclosed. The unit dose package (10) includes a first continuous strip (12) operatively connected to a second continuous strip (13) so as to provide individual segments (17) containing the unit dose of product (11). The unit dose of product (11) is dispensed by suitable method which separates the strips (12, 13) and dispensing the unit dose of product (11).

Abstract: System for handling components in connection with circuit board assembly in a component mounting machine. The system comprises a number of component tapes provided on component tape reels, and a number of tape guides arranged for receiving component tapes of a given component tape width and for bringing the component tape in position for feeding of the component tape and for picking components from the component tape in the component mounting machine. The tape guides have a similar geometrical outline and basic configuration, and each tape guide comprises a component exposure device for exposing a component at a picking position by removing the portion of the cover tape covering the component. The tape guides are divided into sub-sets of tape guides, wherein the tape guides of each individual sub-set have component exposure devices of the same design, which design is dependent on the configurations of the component tapes intended for that sub-set of tape guides.

Abstract: In an electronic component feeding apparatus for feeding components with use of a taping component, a brushless motor is used as a drive motor in a tape sending mechanism that transports the taping component so as to improve productivity in an electronic component mounting apparatus equipped with the electronic component feeding apparatus. Also, an electronic component feeding apparatus is provided with a control part that automatically executes initial processing such as sending of the taping component, as well as detects and reports a sending failure of the taping component when the electronic component feeding apparatus is installed in the electronic component mounting apparatus, which makes it possible to provide an electronic component feeding apparatus enabling easy and prompt detection of the sending failure of the taping component.

Abstract: An apparatus 101 for supplying a component carrier in the form of a tape is provided. The component carrier 102 has a number of cavities 116 formed on one surface thereof for containing components 115. A pair of spaced first and second guide plates 106 and 107 guide one surface of the component carrier. A movable guide plate 109 is disposed between the first and second guide plates so that it can move back and forth between a first position adjacent to the first guide plate for defining a component pickup station 111 and a second position adjacent to said second guide plate. The movable guide plate has an extension 112 which extends along at least one longitudinal edge of the component carrier and opposes to said one surface of said component carrier for preventing movement thereof when the movable guide plate takes the first position.

Abstract: System for handling components in connection with circuit board assembly in a component mounting machine. The system comprises a number of component tapes provided on component tape reels, and a number of tape guides arranged for receiving component tapes of a given component tape width and for bringing the component tape in position for feeding of the component tape and for picking components from the component tape in the component mounting machine. The tape guides have a similar geometrical outline and basic configuration, and each tape guide comprises a component exposure device for exposing a component at a picking position by removing the portion of the cover tape covering the component. The tape guides are divided into sub-sets of tape guides, wherein the tape guides of each individual sub-set have component exposure devices of the same design, which design is dependent on the configurations of the component tapes intended for that sub-set of tape guides.

Abstract: A dispenser that is mountable on a vertical or horizontal surface for dispensing adhesive-backed articles from a bulk stock using a single hand. The dispenser includes a housing having a bucket portion for receiving and containing the adhesive-backed articles to be dispensed and a cover connected to the bucket portion. The cover includes a window through which the adhesive-backed articles can be removed from the backing sheet and applied to a person or other animal using a single hand. The dispenser also includes a support member secured within the housing such that at least one of the cover and the support member is biased toward the other for preventing movement of the backing sheet as one of the adhesive-backed articles is removed from the backing sheet through the window.

Abstract: A feeder for the surface mounting device is disclosed. The feeder includes a feeding unit being installed at one side of a main frame, having a plurality of armature coils and a circular permanent magnetic unit facing the plurality of armature coils to generate a rotation/reverse rotation force and carry a tape at a pitch interval and having a position sensing unit and a position detecting disk capable of sensing the position of the circular permanent magnetic unit, a vinyl separation unit carrying the vinyl removed from the tape by the rotation force or re-carrying the vinyl by the reverse rotation force, and a vinyl recovery unit recovering the vinyl by winding the same by the rotation force or discharging the vinyl by the reverse rotation force.

Abstract: A method and means for exposing components (13) positioned in sequence in a carrier tape (7) and covered by a cover tape (8), in order to release and lift the cover tape from the carrier tape and expose the components in a picking position (12) for subsequent picking by a pick-up head in a component mounting machine. Comprising steps and means for continuously directing and discharging any released debris such that accumulation of debris is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for supplying components, via a carrier tape having a cover tape thereon and a plurality of pockets retaining components therein, for retrieval by an automated insertion machine, including a carrier tape reel support, a tape feed path with a peel edge, about which to peel the cover tape from the carrier tape prior to the component being presented for retrieval at the pick location, and a cover tape path preferably having a V-bar and O-ring drive system for directing the travel of the cover tape in a rearward and downward direction to facilitate disposal beneath the tape feeder. Such a system provides a cover tape disposal path that enables the use of spliceable carrier tapes on such feeders.

Abstract: In an electronic component supply device electronic components are accommodated within cavities formed in a carrier tape of which surface is covered with a top tape. A peeling portion for peeling off the top tape from the carrier tape includes a peel-away cutout portion cut into a tape transfer direction. A thin plate has an angled portion having a rounded portion. A concavity, in which the thin plate operates, is formed in the tape pressing member downstream of the peel-away cutout portion in the tape transfer direction.

Abstract: A tape-form packaging system for conveyance or dispensing of articles and apparatus for assembly and disassembly of the packaging system is disclosed. The packaging system includes elongated carrier and cover tapes disposed in superposed relationship with article retaining pockets formed in the carrier tape in spaced relationship along its longitudinal axis. Cooperative interconnecting components are formed in the two tapes intermediate adjacent pairs of pockets. The component in the carrier tape is a rectangular aperture having opposed ends extending longitudinally of the tape and the component formed with the cover tape is a projection of the same length as the aperture through which it is extended. A tab extends from a side of the projection into underlying, contacting relationship to the carrier tape thereby mechanically interlocking the tapes together in releasable engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a top cover tape peeled from an electric-component tape which additionally includes a carrier tape having pockets which accommodate electric components, respectively, and whose respective upper openings are closed with the top cover tape, the apparatus including two rotatable members which are rotatable about respective axis lines parallel to each other and whose respective outer circumferential surfaces cooperate with each other to pinch the top cover tape, a rotary drive device which rotates one of the two rotatable members, one of the two rotatable members having a scraper groove which is formed in the entire outer circumferential surface thereof, in an intermediate portion thereof in an axial direction thereof parallel to the two axis lines, and a scraper which is provided on an outlet side of the two rotatable members in a tape-feed direction, such that a portion of the scraper is fitted in a portion of the scraper groove that corresponds to a position where the respective outer

Abstract: A device for dispensing a label from a backing strip comprises a cartridge, a tab, and a detaching mechanism. The tab includes a first side, a second side and distal end. The detaching mechanism is configured to operatively cause the strip of backing material to be routed along each of the first and second sides of the tab and configured to detach the label from the strip of backing material as the corresponding strip of backing material traverses the distal end of said tab.

Abstract: A pill dispenser for releasably holding a collection of pills. The dispenser having a base plate and a cover rotatably mounted relative to the base plate. The collection of pills are housed individually in compartments in the holding means and an aperture allows for selective release of the pills. At least one notch is provided and travels along a toothed circular guide path when the cover is rotated. An baffle extends inwardly from the aperture in the direction of the compartments of the holding means and prevents rotation past pills in a compartment without removing the pill next in sequence from its holder so that no pills may be skipped.

Abstract: The invented apparatus includes at least one feeder and a base unit for successively advancing one or more tapes containing electronic components so that such components can be extracted by a pick-up device for installation in circuit boards, for example. The feeder can include a body, a sprocket, a slider, and a one-way drive member. The body defines a guide through which a tape extends, and its sprocket is rotatably mounted in the body so that its teeth engage with and advance the tape if the sprocket is rotated. The drive member is mounted to the slider, and the slider is mounted to reciprocate in the body. The slider moves the drive member into contact with sprocket to rotate the sprocket by an amount sufficient to advance the tape by one interval to expose the next electronic component for extraction from the feeder. The apparatus' base unit can include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one solenoid unit.

Abstract: Solid dosage forms of pharmaceuticals, e.g. tablets, may be removed from blister packs with a deblistering machine. The machine has a roller and a stationary plate. The roller has a longitudinal axis of rotation and means for rotating the roller about the axis. The roller has an inner core and a cover thereon with a non-slip surface. The stationary plate has at least as many slots as there are columns of blisters, and each of the slots has a width parallel to the rotational axis of the roller, the width of each slot being at least as large as the width of a blister. Each of the slots has a length transverse to the slot's width and is at least as large as the length of a blister. The plate is situated to provide a throat, between the cover and the plate, into which the blister pack may be fed and through which the blister pack may pass as a result of rotation of the roller. The plate has a guide to ensure that each column of blisters is aligned with corresponding slots.

Abstract: A filter dispenser for the storage and dispensation of individual flat filter sections. The filter dispenser includes a storage compartment with a slot shaped exit for a tube-like band, composed of two parts, and guides in proximity to the slot for the running through of the band parts. The two parts of the band are joined by continuous and releasable edges and cross connections which form pockets which seat filter sections. Upon simultaneous drawing of the parts of the band through the guides, the connections of the band between the guides and the storage compartment are broken and the encapsulated filter sections are released for removal.

Abstract: A method for removing parts from socketed tape sealed with sealing tape. The method comprises placing the socketed tape sealed with sealing tape in a channel with the socket openings facing the lower surface of the channel, stripping the sealing tape from the socketed tape through an orifice in the lower surface of the channel, and collecting the parts as the parts fall free from the socketed tape.

Abstract: A device having means for dispensing a single swab at one time from a rolled inventory of swabs mounted on a continuous strip defines a means for unrolling the inventory and a means for detaching each swab in turn from the strip. A support roll is positioned to provide a rigid backing to the strip so that as the strip passes a chute, an upfacing edge of the chute wedges itself between the swab and the backing, thereby prying the swab from the backing and urging it into the dispensing chute. Transparent walls of the device provide visibility of the inventory.

Abstract: An article packaging system for an automated article dispensing mechanism includes a plurality of clamshell-like containers attached together by side support rails. Each clamshell includes two semi-cylindrical halves pivotably mounted together and pivotable between open and closed positions. Resilient elongated bands bias the cylindrical halves in the direction of closure. When two adjacent pairs of rails are pivoted in one direction with respect to one another, the clamshells are maintained closed. Conversely, when two pairs of side support rails are pivoted in another direction with respect to one another, the cylindrical halves pivot with respect to one another to open a clamshell. The dispensing mechanism may be guided through the use of a sprocket or sprockets or, alternatively, side supports with guide slots receiving pins extending laterally from the side support rails may be employed.

Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for transferring a succession of electronic components borne by a carrier tape toward a pickup position one by one, the carrier tape having a backing strip and a protective cover strip adhesively secured to the backing strip to hold the electronic components in position.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing both plastic leaded chip carrier and small outline package electronic components from carrier tapes includes a platform which supports the carrier tape and a drum which receives the cover tape which is peeled away from the carrier tape thereby releasing the electronic components. The electronic components slide under the influence of gravity along an adjustable guide into a collecting tube which has been clamped to the adjustable guide. The adjustable guide is capable of a position substantially perpendicular to the platform and a position substantially parallel to the platform thereby facilitating detaping of both plastic leaded chip carrier components and small outline package components.

Abstract: The device for dispensing of bone screws (1) comprises a drum device (3) that can be rotated around its axis (2), with several holes (4) serving as storage chambers for bone screws (1) or other osteosynthesis fixation elements, arranged peripherally and parallel to the axis (2).

Abstract: An automatic food dispenser comprises an arrangement for feeding a chain of packages containing portions of food, an arrangement for opening said packages, a receptacle, a heating arrangement associated with the receptacle and an evacuation mechanism. It can be used for automatic dispensing of french fries.

Abstract: A tape-form packaging system is provided having an elongated carrier tape on which a plurality of elongated article-receiving loops are mounted on a face of the tape in transversely oriented relationship to the longitudinal axis of the tape with the axial ends of the loops spaced a distance inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the tape. Gating elements are affixed to the carrier tape with a gating element positioned between each axial end of a loop and the adjacent longitudinal edge of the carrier tape and operative to block axial movement of an article into or out of the respective loop. The carrier tape is flexible and upon flexing of the marginal edge portion of the tape, the gating element is displaced out of blocking relationship to the loop permitting axial displacement of an article into or out of a loop.

Abstract: A detaping machine is provided for removing parts from a reel of sealed pocket tape, with minimum handling of such parts. The machine has a spindle on which the sealed pocket tape is mounted. The pocket tape includes a carrier tape portion and a cover tape portion. The carrier tape is fed into the detaping machine in an inverted position; and it is guided on an upper track of the machine. The cover tape is wound on a take-up reel located beneath the upper track. As the cover tape is wound, the carrier tape is driven on the upper track between guide flanges. An aperture is located in the upper track, and it is sized to permit devices, located in the inverted pockets of the carrier tape, to drop through to a second guide track located beneath the aperture. The devices in the second guide track then may be repackaged in carrier tubes or the like, without damaging the leads and without manual handling.