Abstract: In a vending machine for discharging one of articles by manual operation of lever after depositing a coin, a rotary plate is rotated by the manual operation of the manual lever and a driven plate is rotated through the deposited coin which is received in a pocket formed by cooperation of the rotary plate and the driven plate. The driven plate drives an article discharging mechanism. An article discharging mechanism has a package separating mechanism for separating one package from a package belt having scored lines between adjacent packages to discharge it as the article. The package separating mechanism comprises a package guide roll for guiding one package thereon during rotation and elastic fingers rotating together with the package guide roll. The elastic fingers pinch the package onto the package guide roll with bending. The fingers rapidly return to the original shape from the bent shape by their elasticity to give a tension force to the package.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for inhibiting removal of an article from a blister-type container having at least one blister. The device includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the container sized to permit movement of the container between first and second positions. The housing has a base positioned facing the blister-type container with at least one base opening in registry with the blister when the container is in the first position. The base opening is sized to permit passage of the article therethrough. The device also includes a biasing member for biasing the container toward the second position. When the container is in the second position, the base of the housing is positioned to inhibit removal of the article from the container.

Abstract: A dispensing device for medication that has been prepackaged in individual pockets along a strip includes a first holder for securing one end of the strip and a second holder for securing the opposite end of the strip. A drive mechanism advances the strip along a predetermined path leading from the first holder, through a dispensing mechanism and to the second holder. The dispensing mechanism has a first assembly that moves into contact with the strip and opens a medication pocket. A second assembly presses against the strip as it is further advanced to expel the medication from the opened pocket.

Abstract: The dispenser comprises a feed belt (C) provided with transversely-arranged, equally-spaced tubes (3) receiving the articles to be dispensed which are held therein by stationary boundary walls. While being transferred between two magazines (1-2) in which it is to be stacked, the feed belt is submitted to a slight temporary torsion in the longitudinal direction, so that one end of the tubes will be directed downwards and upon passing in registry with an underlying opening (9) it will permit the articles housed within the tubes to be discharged by the action of gravity. In the upper portion of the guide (F) submitting the charger to said torsion, there is provided an opening (13) with which the top ends of the tubes on the feed belt become aligned during the step-by-step movement of the latter in a direction opposite to the dispensing direction, in order to fill the tubes with new articles to be dispensed.

Abstract: A dispenser for delivering an uncovered first aid bandage into a readily accessible outlet chute from a strip of bandage packages where each bandage is covered by a layer of paper on each side thereof prior to being dispensed. The dispenser has a spool for holding a supply roll of bandage packages, and two opposed press rollers receive and advance the strip therebetween. Two stripping rollers remove a cover strip of paper from each side of the package and deliver the strips to waste disposal and free the bandage. A ratchet on one of the press rollers is driven by a manually operated lever to rotate that roller, and a motion transmitting driving connection causes both press rollers to be turned equally in opposite directions.

Abstract: A top cover is peeled from a component supply tape by passing the cover around a guide surface and in a peeling direction generally reverse to the feeding direction of the supply tape while moving the guide surface in the peeling direction in order to minimize the tension necessary to accomplish the peeling.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for removing a single flexible member from a storage spool capable of holding multiple flexible members. This storage spool is designed to contain multiple elongated flexible members in an accurate position on the spool by means of radial channels or slots where the flexible members are held in place by interwinding material. By removing the interwinding material on a take up spool the individual flexible member can be positioned for removal from the storage spool by a pick up head or vacuum transport member. The invention has particular applicability to the handling of test devices, such as reagent strips, used in the determination of a biological constituent in a body fluid.

Abstract: One stack space is provided for accommodating each stack of a plurality of stacks of printed products to be supplied to the processing line. Each stack space is provided with a powered feed mechanism which urges the associated stack toward a predetermined processing location, such as a product singling or supply device for singly transferring printed products to the processing line. To be able to prepare the supply of printed products at a location remote from or independent of the processing line, a plurality of transportable winding frames are provided. The winding frames are equipped for exchangeably accommodating a wound package of mutually identical printed products. The winding frames are provided with drive and conveying means which drive the wound package in an unwinding direction and convey the printed products unwinding from the printed package to a transfer location.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing small labels such as the tab applied to garment hangers to indicate size is designed to be held and manipulated in one hand leaving the operator's other hand free to apply the label. The dispenser separates labels from a carrier web or tape and deposits them on a holder in a convenient position to be lifted off by the operator and applied. The carrier web or tape can be manipulated to pass through the dispenser and the labels separated by operator using the thumb and index finger of the hand holding the dispenser.

Abstract: This invention provides an article for storing and dispensing tubes open at two ends and containing materials which are pure or must be protected from the environment or which are present in premeasured amounts. The article of this invention comprises a flexible tape for sealing the ends of the tubes, flexible tape being movable within a case to hold the tubes sealed in the case and discharge the tubes from the case. One embodiment is a cassette for tubes containing adhesive for splicing optical fibers.

Abstract: An improved electrically operated labelling machine is disclosed. The improved labelling machine comprises a frame for receiving and supporting a labelling gun adjacent its forward position. The mounting means is detachably connected to the frame for positioning the labelling gun. A solenoid is secured to the frame adjacent its rear portion. An arm mounted for horizontal reciprocal movement is connected to the solenoid and detachably linked to the gun trigger. Means are provided for energizing the solenoid for operation through a complete cycle including an advance stroke and a return stroke thereby actuating the labelling gun for accomplishing printing and cutting of labels.

Abstract: A container and dispensing package comprising an outer carton, an inner wrapper and an opening structure wherein the outer carton comprises an enclosure to house the inner wrapper to contain foodstuffs and the like, the inner wrapper is attached to the outer carton such that light pulling of an outer flap by the user actuates the opening structure to open the outer carton and inner wrapper to permit access to the contents within the container and dispensing package.

Abstract: In an apparatus for separating flattened valved sacks which are reeled in an overlapping formation, the reel is turned by endless belts pressing on the reel periphery as the overlapping sacks are being taken off the reel. A roller presses the overlapping sack formation onto the belts and this roller is disposed at a spacing of no more than about one sack length from the point where the sacks leave the reel.

Abstract: A container and dispensing package comprising an outer carton, an inner wrapper and an expendable tray. The outer carton comprises an enclosure to house the inner wrapper and expandable tray containing cube sticks of foodstuffs such as butter. The expandable tray comprises a single or unitary cardboard member folded to form a plurality of separate substantially U-shaped compartments of troughs. The inner wrapper is attached to the rear of the outer carton such that light pulling of the outer flap by the user pulls the expandable tray out of the carton in an accordion-like fashion leaving the cube sticks on the floors of the troughs whose sides or partitions have fallen away. Retainers are formed by cutting away portions of adjacent partitions to form flaps which lie against the top of the outer carton and act as guards to prevent the cube sticks from sticking to the inner wrapper so that they won't tumble out of the carton.

Abstract: In an apparatus for separating valved sacks which are, with the aid of holding bands, coiled in an overlapping formation as a reel and for feeding the separated sacks to a filling machine, a stand for rotatably mounting the reel is provided with a frame carrying a guide roller at each end. An endless driven belt passed over the guide rollers presses against the reel periphery to turn the reel and unwind the overlapping sacks and their holding bands. The holding bands are coiled on spools of the frame while the overlapping sacks are fed to a conveyor which moves faster than the endless belt so as to separate the successive sacks from the overlapping formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of mixing fiber reinforced concrete without the formation of fiber balls therein. The method includes the steps of depositing a uniform layer of substantially individual concrete reinforcing fibers on an elongated web, coiling the web to contain the fibers, locating the coiled web in proximity to a concrete mixing device, and progressively uncoiling the web at a predetermined rate to discharge the layer of fibers therefrom into the mixer. Also disclosed is a unique package for concrete reinforcing fibers for use in connection with the above method.