With Follower Patents (Class 312/61)
  • Patent number: 11961752
    Abstract: A first lid opening-and-closing mechanism includes: a first holder that holds an upper lid of a first container; a first protrusion provided to protrude from the first holder toward one side direction with respect to the first holder and extends to outside of a casing; and a first raising/lowering driver that raises and lowers the first holder in a cantilevered manner with the first protrusion interposed therebetween. A second lid opening-and-closing mechanism includes: a second holder that holds an upper lid of a second container; a second protrusion provided to protrude from the second holder toward the one side direction and extends to the outside of the casing; and a second raising/lowering driver that raises and lowers the second holder in a cantilevered manner with the second protrusion interposed therebetween. The first raising/lowering driver and the second raising/lowering driver are located outside the casing in the one side direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoma Nunome, Akifumi Sakamoto, Ryota Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11657668
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a driving device, a bucket and a vending machine. The driving device comprises a base, a motor arranged on the base, a transmission mechanism in transmission connection with the output shaft of the motor and a power output wheel in transmission connection with the transmission mechanism; the transmission mechanism is configured to drive the power output wheel to rotate and to move from a first position to a second position when the output shaft of the motor rotates in a first preset direction; the transmission mechanism is also configured to drive the power output wheel to move from the second position to the first position when the output shaft of the motor rotates in a second preset direction; wherein the first preset direction is opposite to the second preset direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Shandong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai Liu, Hongze Wei, Fengbo Xu, Sibo Zhang
  • Patent number: 11564466
    Abstract: A wallet is provided and, in particular, a customizable wallet is provided which is comprised of removable and replaceable components. The components may include a frame; a front frame, secured to an exterior surface of the frame; a tensioning mechanism secured within the frame, the tensioning mechanism further defining a space between the front frame and the tensioning mechanism, the defined space dimensioned to hold one or more credit card-sized items. Further components may include a removable front plate, the front plate secured within the frame behind the front frame via the tensioning mechanism, and a removable backplate, the backplate secured within the frame via the tensioning mechanism; and wherein the front plate and the backplate are independently removable via application of pressure to the tensioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: 3Rius Design Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: Robeco Clarete, Mikhael Zobel
  • Patent number: 11508201
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bucket applied in a vending machine, including a bucket body, a first driving mechanism and a second driving mechanism. The bucket body includes an inner cavity and two ports in communication with the inner cavity respectively. The two ports are arranged at an interval in a first preset direction. The first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are arranged at an interval in the bucket body in a second preset direction, and are respectively configured to detachably mate with a dispensing assembly of a storage column of the vending machine, to provide power to the dispensing assembly. Also disclosed is a vending machine including multiple storage columns and the aforementioned bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Shandong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fengbo Xu, Kai Liu, Jiabo Xu, Junchao Yuan
  • Patent number: 8490828
    Abstract: A package for product pieces includes a housing having a plurality of walls forming an interior adapter to hold a plurality of product pieces. The housing has a dispensing opening in communication with the interior. A resilient member is disposed in the housing interior and is adapted to urge the product pieces toward the dispensing opening. The housing has an aperture formed in one of the plurality of walls disposed adjacent the dispensing opening to permit the product piece to be engaged and moved out of the interior through the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Kaiser, Francis G. Schiro, Allen Aldridge
  • Patent number: 8317038
    Abstract: A modular apparatus displays and dispenses merchandise at first and second dispensing locations placed at plural dispensing tiers at a point-of-purchase adjacent a display shelf. A first pusher-track assembly extends along a first path of travel of first serially arranged packages, and dividers are spaced apart to straddle the first path of travel and the first serially arranged packages. A second pusher-track assembly is secured to each of the dividers, elevated altitudinally above the first pusher-track assembly, and extends along a second path of travel of second serially arranged packages. A securing arrangement integrates the second pusher-track assembly with the dividers within the apparatus, and a stabilizing arrangement stabilizes the dividers against inadvertent movements relative to the display shelf to complete a stable apparatus. Multiple dividers and counterpart pusher-track assemblies enable the modular apparatus to provide any selected number of display and dispensing bays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Henschel-Steinau, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Luberto, Anthony V. Sainato
  • Patent number: 7918353
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying and dispensing merchandise in the form of packages arranged serially along a path of travel leading to a dispensing location at a point-of-purchase is selectively adjustable to accommodate packages of different dimensions. A pusher track assembly and dividers, each having a near end and a far end, readily are placed at selected relative locations along a display shelf and are secured in place adjacent the near ends to guide and move the packages along the path of travel to the dispensing location. Stabilizing arrangements located adjacent the near ends stabilize and maintain the pusher track assembly and the dividers in alignment with the path of travel without the necessity for securing the far ends independent of the near end securement in order to maintain the desired alignment of the pusher track assembly and the dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Henschel-Steinau, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Luberto
  • Patent number: 7661553
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of folded sheet products, includes: an open-ended body, a front panel provided with a dispensing opening, a rear panel, and a transverse panel located between the front and rear panels. The dispenser further includes a support member for receiving the stack of the folded sheet products and at least one locking mechanism located between the support member and at least one longitudinal wall of the open-ended body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Kent Zeiron
  • Patent number: 7424957
    Abstract: An improvement in an apparatus for displaying and dispensing merchandise in the form of packages arranged serially along a path of travel leading to a dispensing location at a point-of-purchase, the improvement utilizing a single spring member to establish a forward-directed biasing force urging the packages forward against a gate at the dispensing location, and to establish a rearward-directed biasing force on a pivotal connection for biasing the gate into the path of travel canted rearwardly at a steep acute angle to retain a forward-most package at the dispensing location. The gate can be pivoted selectively into a rearwardly canted position at a shallow acute angle to the path of travel for enabling restocking of serially arranged merchandise packages from the front of the apparatus by inserting packages through the dispensing location in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Henschel-Steinau, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Luberto
  • Patent number: 7422296
    Abstract: A point of purchase display includes a hangable display strip having a coupon dispenser box and a plurality of mounts formed from a single sheet blank. The products can be supported from underneath by support ledges and retained by holsters hinged to the strip at one side and slots in the strip. The ledges are simple flaps hinged to the strip at one edge joined by a tab and slot connection at the other side. The dispenser box is formed from a flap of the blank folded into five sides, one of which is hinged to the strip and two others of which have tabs that fit into slots in the strip. A strip-like flap of the blank fits through a cut out and forms an arched spring inside the dispenser box biasing a stack of coupons toward an opening for dispensing one at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: WS Packaging Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Williquette, Jane C. Robbins
  • Patent number: 7347335
    Abstract: A spring-driven pusher assembly of a merchandise dispenser in which the spring is carried entirely on the pusher assembly behind the articles being dispensed to thereby eliminate any interference problems with RF signals or the like used for purposes of determining inventories and the like. Preferably, the spring is a spiral spring that rotates a drive wheel when the spring uncoils. The drive wheel cooperatively engages a guide track on the base of the dispenser, and the rotation of the drive wheel causes the pusher assembly to advance along the guide track toward the dispensing end of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alexander Rankin, VI, Robert Gustafson
  • Patent number: 7316328
    Abstract: A device for dispensing medicine includes a dispensing device body (1), a cassette (2) fixed removably to the dispensing device body in order to contain medicines while arranging, and a pushing mechanism (18) for pushing out the medicines in the cassette (2) toward one end side. The cassette (2) includes a cover (6) and a stopping/receiving part (17) disposed internally in the longitudinal direction. The pushing mechanism (18) includes an abutting part (19a) contained in the cassette (2) and abutting against the medicines, a biasing part (20) for biasing the abutting part (19a) against the medicine, and a stopping part (21) stopping at the stopping/receiving part (17) of the cassette (2) only when the cover (6) is opened. Consequently, the cassettes (2) can be arranged at a high density and a desired number of medicines can be dispensed surely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Yasuhiro Shigeyama
  • Patent number: 7086541
    Abstract: A merchandising device displays a column of articles having a lead article with a front contour. The device includes a base member with first second and third columns of slots. A first side panel has a plurality of downwardly extending feet protruding through slots in the first column connecting the first side panel to the base member. A first post attached to the first side panel. A second side panel, spaced from the first side panel, has a plurality of downwardly extending feet protruding through slots in one of the second and third second columns to connect the second side panel to the base member. A second post is attached to the second side panel. A flexible front stop member is attached to the first and second posts. The front stop member is greater in length than the spacing between the first and second posts to adopt the contour of the lead article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Display Industries, LLC
    Inventor: James David Robertson
  • Patent number: 7063209
    Abstract: A memo block base and container is composed by a memo block base and a container. The memo block base is provided with at least one magnetic article in the bottom, the container is provided with at least one magnetic article in the inner bottom, and the upward pole of the magnetic article in the container is the same as the downward pole of the magnetic article in the memo block base. When the memo block base is placed in the container, the memo block base will keep suspending and away a certain distance from the inner bottom of the container because of the effect of magnetic suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Dashern Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang-Ji Chen
  • Patent number: 6601498
    Abstract: A bread storage device for keeping bread fresher for longer periods of time. The bread storage device includes a container having top, back, bottom and side walls, and also having an open front; and also includes a door being removably closed over the open front of the container; and further includes a bread support assembly including a board member, a plurality of rollers being attached to a bottom side of the board member, and a handle being attached to the board member for the movement thereof in and out of the container through the open front; also includes a bread retaining member being disposed in the container and being adapted to engage a loaf of bread to allow a user to slice the loaf of bread; and further includes a freshness seal being disposed in the top wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. O'Brion
  • Patent number: 6598759
    Abstract: A dispensing container for storing a stack of relatively flexible objects in a storage section and for individually dispensing a lowermost object of the stack to an intended user. The storage section defines a dispensing end, an opposed inlet end and opposed first and second storage walls extending there between. The container includes a releasable retaining protrusion extending from the first storage wall adjacent a dispensing port of the dispensing end to releasably retain the objects within the storage section, with a portion of the weight of the objects being supported by the first storage wall with the objects abutting thereon. The retaining protrusion supports the edges of the lowermost object while leaving an edge unsupported and accessible for grasping through the dispensing port and allows the lowermost object to be deformed when grabbed by the intended user so that its supported edges clear the retaining protrusion for the lowermost object to be dispensed there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Jules Carriere
  • Patent number: 6520604
    Abstract: A product housing apparatus for a vending machine, for housing therein a plurality of products arranged in the longitudinal direction, the product housing apparatus comprising: a product passage defined by a product rack horizontally extended in the longitudinal direction and left and right partition walls which face each other while leaving a space therebetween in the lateral direction, are extended upward from the product rack, and are extended parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of products being housed in the product passage in the state of being arranged in the longitudinal direction and being abutted against each other; and a convex member which is provided between the left and right partition walls of the product rack so as to extend along the product passage and locks the plurality of products so as to be held in a laid state and in a position inclined on the lower right direction and/or the lower left direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Yasaka, Hidekazu Yajima, Masaki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20010000643
    Abstract: A dispenser and method for attaching abrasive sheets to a backup pad. The dispenser conveniently centers on the backup pad an abrasive sheet that is larger than the backup pad. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser comprises: a holder configured to receive circular abrasive sheets, the holder including a bottom, a top, front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion extends farther from the bottom than the front portion, and wherein the bottom of the holder defines at least a 180 degree arc of a first circle having a first radius; a slider guide extending along the rear of the holder; and a spacer mounted in the guide, wherein the spacer is movable along the guide from a first portion within the front portion of the holder to a second position beyond the front portion of the holder, the spacer defining an arc of no more than 180 degrees of a second circle having a second radius smaller than the first radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David C. Roeker, Jerome M. Fried, Frederick A. Magadanz, John R. Telischak
  • Patent number: 6193337
    Abstract: A dispenser and method for attaching abrasive sheets to a backup pad. The dispenser conveniently centers on the backup pad an abrasive sheet that is larger than the backup pad. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser comprises: a holder configured to receive circular abrasive sheets, the holder including a bottom, a top, front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion extends farther from the bottom than the front portion, and wherein the bottom of the holder defines at least a 180 degree arc of a first circle having a first radius; a slider guide extending along the rear of the holder; and a spacer mounted in the guide, wherein the spacer is movable along the guide from a first position within the front portion of the holder to a second position beyond the front position of the holder, the spacer defining an arc of no more than 180 degrees of a second circle having a second radius smaller than the first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David C. Roeker, Jerome M. Fried, Frederick A. Magadanz, John Telischak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5833076
    Abstract: A cartridge for containing mail. The cartridge is specially adapted for use in a method and apparatus for automatically stacking mail into cartridges in output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transferring filled cartridges from the output compartments to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens ElectroCom L.P.
    Inventors: Luiz C. Harres, Richard C. Hickey, Charles M. Combs
  • Patent number: 5485928
    Abstract: A merchandise display rack has compartments for displaying products. Each such compartment has a rear panel, a front panel and a follower with a first panel portion mounted for movement toward the front panel when a product is removed from the compartment. The first panel portion and the front panel substantially abut one another when the compartment is emptied of products and the first panel portion and the rear panel substantially abut one another when the compartment is filled with products. The follower is guided along the bottom panel by a guide member which extends from the follower into a slot in the bottom panel. Such guide member has a mechanism for modifying its width to compensate for slot/guide member wear. Vertically adjacent compartments are staggered so that substantially the entirety of at least the lower compartment is readily visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: T. J. Hale Company
    Inventor: J. Reed Felton
  • Patent number: 5486991
    Abstract: A vehicle signal lamp assembly includes lamp filaments extending in a direction generally parallel to the line of action of the principal vibratory force imposed on the lamp assembly. The assembly includes a lamp having a base that mounts two or more pairs of relatively stiff filament support wires. The lamp assembly further includes a socket having a cavity mated to the cross sectional configuration of the lamp base, and resilient electrical contact leaf members in the cavity engageable with the filament support wires when the lamp base is plugged into the socket cavity. The socket is carried in a resilient mounting that provides partial shock isolation for the socket and lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Jack D. Bodem, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5353939
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying packages in a retail environment includes a rack having vertical sidewalls and a bar interconnecting the sidewalls. A tray has protrusions from an underside thereof adapted to engage the bars to support the tray in a first, retracted package displaying position and a second, extended package loading position. A divider insert includes a plurality of parallel upright divider walls and is sized to releasably fit within the tray, thereby forming channels atop the tray. A plurality of product pushers are releasably connected to the tray in the channels. Packages to be displayed may be positioned in the channels for the product pusher to urge them to one end of the tray for retail purchase and the apparatus may be disassembled to arrange a different divider insert and a plurality of pushers differently in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Decision Point Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Beeler, Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 5191996
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing and dispensing loaves of sliced bread in plastic wrappers in sanitary condition is simple, easy to operate and keeps the bread from drying out in storage. The bread is stored in a substantially closed tubular container with an opening for removing bread slices. A hinged lid closes to seal the opening to prevent entry of air into the bread wrapper in the storage condition, and opens to permit removal of the bread slice by slice in the dispensing condition. The open end of the wrapper is positioned outside the container on the outside of the tubing and is grasped and moved for forcing the loaf of bread slice by slice toward the opening for dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: George C. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5152590
    Abstract: An apparatus for the safe keeping and dispensation of sliced bread comprising a vertically disposed upper housing for containing said bread slices, said upper housing having an open upper end equipped with a lid, elongated vertical sides and a closed lower end secured to a lower housing or base of sufficient size and weight to support the upper housing and its contents and having a hollow interior containing a means for activating a lifting shelf surface supported said slices of bread such that upon activation of the moving means the lifting means raises the bread, thus presenting one or more slices to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Douglas R. Dukes
  • Patent number: 5111942
    Abstract: A channel is adapted to receive partly nested objects in a queue which a clamp/pusher member associated with a return spring urges towards an anterior abutment wall, the pusher member is associated with a slide member sliding in a central guide corridor, while the return spring forms at least one outward run in each of the two side passages between at least one direction-changer pulley wheel and an anchor point. A plurality of merchandisers may be mounted on a strip member for the purposes of aligning the merchandisers with the shelving and securing them to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Didier Bernardin
  • Patent number: 5076466
    Abstract: A dispenser for serially dispensing folded sheet products from a stack of folded sheet products, includes a housing, a support member movable mounted within the housing, and a follower for urging the stack in the direction of a dispenser element included in the support member. The apparatus includes mechanism for engaging the follower and retaining it at a predetermined location relative to the support member when the support member is in open condition and which is disengaged from the follower when the support member moves to its closed position to compensate for any overfilling of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: James River II, Inc.
    Inventors: Tor Petterson, Jean T. McGregor
  • Patent number: 4986440
    Abstract: A dispenser for sheets of note paper disposed in a stack with each of the sheets having a narrow band of adhesive coated on one surface along one edge by which the sheets are adhered together and with the sheets being stacked with the band of adhesive of adjacent sheets at alternate opposite edges of the stack. The dispenser comprises a base having a top surface with a generally planar support surface portion adapted to support a lower surface of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: 4953746
    Abstract: A sheet dispenser for dispensing one sheet at a time comprises an enclosure for holding a stack of, individual sheets. A biasing element is provided for resiliently urging a stack of individual sheets against a front wall of the enclosure. The enclosure front wall has an opening provided therein through which a front sheet of a stack of sheets is withdrawn by a user's fingers. The opening has a height dimension at least approximately equal to the height dimension of a front sheet of a stack of sheets. The opening has a width dimension sufficient to permit a user to insert at least one finger into the opening, drag a section of a front sheet across the opening and fold a portion of a front sheet outwardly of a stack of sheets through the opening to enable withdrawal of an entire front sheet from a stack of sheets. The front wall has portions inclined from the opening rearwardly towards either end forming planer or concave surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Andriash
  • Patent number: 4953748
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for transmitting a biasing force created by a force generating component to a load remote from the force component. the system includes a first elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first flexible element being connectable to the force generating component, and a second elongated flexible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second flexible element being connectable to the load. A force modifying member rotatable about a fixed axis is provided and includes first and second outwardly facing surfaces of predetermined lengths which curve about the axis. The second ends of the elongated flexible elements are connected respectively to the first and second surfaces at one end of the surface, wherein the fexible elements are operable to be wound or unwound on the respective surfaces as the member rotates about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventor: Norman R. Wheelock
  • Patent number: 4921127
    Abstract: A dispenser for sheets of note paper disposed in a stack with each of the sheets having a narrow band of adhesive coated on one surface along one edge by which the sheets are adhered together and with the sheets being stacked with the band of adhesive of adjacent sheets at alternate opposite edges of the stack. The dispenser comprises a base having a top surface with a generally planar support surface portion adapted to support a lower surface of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: 4905869
    Abstract: A flexible container of bread slices has bellows-like foldable longitudinal sides, having a closed end and an open end. It is located within a somewhat larger casing provided with a closable lid, an open end of the flexible container being effectively sealable by a flexible soft cushion mounted to an inside surface of the lid of the outer casing. A small breathing aperture is provided in the lid, and the cushion allows passage of air or vapors through the breathing aperture to let the stored bread slices breathe with little evaporation from the bread slices. A manually movable platen plate supported within the outer casing biases a closed end of the flexible bread container toward the lid. Individual bread slices are dispensed when the casing lid is opened, with additional bias provided by moving the platen plate forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventors: David E. Grigsby, Stanley J. Polidori
  • Patent number: 4840367
    Abstract: A cassette for tape dispensers of mail processing machines includes a housing having a dispenser opening formed therein. Stop beads are formed on the housing at the dispenser opening. A tape box is disposed in the housing for receiving tapes. A bearing plate is disposed in the tape box. A magazine spring presses the bearing plate against tapes in the tape box and presses the tapes against the stop beads. A parallel guidance device having upper and lower scissors members and connecting rods guides the bearing plate parallel to the dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Geyer, Helmut Lembens, Helmut Stoyhe
  • Patent number: 4838454
    Abstract: A napkin dispenser includes a drawer which slides in and out of a housing and a push plate which also slides in the housing and is spring biased to push the napkins forward. A pair of locks on the rear of the drawer in the preferred napkin dispenser push the plate forward when the drawer is open but pivot to release the push plate when the drawer is closed so that the napkins are not pressed too tightly, even if napkins are overloaded in the drawer when it is open. Similarly, a pair of locks on the push plate apparatus in the alternative napkin dispenser push the plate forward when the drawer is open but pivot to release the push plate when the drawer is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Traex Corporation
    Inventors: Ferdinand F. Salzmann, Gregory J. Wenkman
  • Patent number: 4821916
    Abstract: A coin-operated dispenser for flexible supports such as postcards, comprises an element (1) shaped like a piece of furniture closed on three sides comprising a juxtaposition and a superposition of compartments (2) each containing a packet of flexible supports and apparatus for distributing individual supports, an assembly (3) for selection of and payment for the flexible supports, and a device (4) for closing the face of the element (1), provided at the upper part of each compartment (2) with a dispensing opening (5), and beneath this opening (5) with a housing (6) for receiving a display sample (7) of the flexible support contained in the corresponding compartment (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Renee Dewaele
  • Patent number: 4796781
    Abstract: A desk type dispenser for dispensing note sheets which are adhered together along opposite alternate edges by a narrow band of adhesive coated on one surface of the sheets comprises a base member and a body member. The body is preferably weighted and sits on the uppermost sheets in the stack and is provided with a dispensing opening therein which communicates with arcuate wall members communicating with the bottom surface thereof. Recesses in one of the body and base and projections in the other member cooperate to afford a nesting of the base and the body. A platform on one of the members and a recess on the other affords a positioning of the stack of sheets with respect to the two members and stability for the stack of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: 4753369
    Abstract: A dispenser for paper napkins including a container having a substantially open top and front. Opposed side walls of the container receive a cover that can pivot about an axis adjacent the rearward edges of the cover. In addition to pivotal movement, the cover is also mounted for up and down sliding movement to better accommodate various numbers of napkins. Angling the forward edges of the cover downwardly toward the stack of napkins concentrates the pressure exerted on the stack across a line inward of the front of the container. The cover is pressed down on the stack causing the ends of the napkins to fan apart facilitating the user grasping and removing any desired number of the napkins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Howard J. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4707038
    Abstract: A knock-down newspaper rack includes side and rear walls defined by a sheet of metal which is bent along two vertical corners. The side and rear walls include horizontal flanges along their lower ends, the flanges extending inwardly and resting upon ground support legs. A front unit includes a frame and a door swingably mounted on the frame. The frame includes a pair of vertical rearwardly open channels which receive front vertical edges of the side walls. Those front edges are bent to create a firm frictional lock within the channels. A cover is positioned atop the housing and front unit. The cover includes a front edge formed as a rearwardly open channel to receive a forwardly extending horizontal upper edge of the frame to lock the cover to the front unit. Upper edges of the side and rear walls are bent inwardly, and the cover includes downwardly depending flanges which fit over, the outside faces of those upper edges to lie in frictional engagement with the side and rear walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Inventor: Ronald C. Voegeli
  • Patent number: 4580695
    Abstract: A portable towel dispenser that dispenses towels from an open top portion of a hollow rectangular shaped container. A slider is provided with a retainer portion for holding the towels down and a lifter portion for successively lifting each towel. Further provided on the slider is two parallel spaced plates forming a groove therebetween which fits in a slot in the front wall of the container and is vertically displaceable through a plurality of positions. Due to the binding action of the plates on the edges of the slot when the container is turned over, the towels will not fall out of the container when it is turned over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Inventor: Thomas Y. J. Lum
  • Patent number: 4500145
    Abstract: A food dispenser includes a housing (12) with a receiving chamber (14) and an auxiliary chamber (16) on the interior thereof. A reciprocating platform (28) is disposed in the receiving chamber (14) for reciprocation therein. A cord (30) is wrapped about the platform (28) and having one end thereof attached to a point (32) on the rim (24) of the housing and the other end thereof wound about a pulley (36) for rotation therewith. The pulley (36) is attached to a shaft (38) in the auxiliary chamber (16) which is rotatable with a knob (40). A lid (18) is mounted on the housing (12) with a hinge (20) to provide an airtight seal thereto. Food disposed in the receiving chamber (14) can be dispensed by raising the platform (28) and then stored by closing the lid on the remaining food products therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventor: Arthur L. Fassauer
  • Patent number: 4474294
    Abstract: A system for making sweets and similar articles of food available to the user. The system comprises a holder adapted to be affixed to e.g. an automobile dashboard, and a package, preferably a blister pack, containing the sweets, and adapted to be slid into the holder so as to rest upon a support. The package can be opened so that the sweets, lying on the support, can be taken out individually.Preferably several unit packs are interconnected and can be separated by perforations or other tearing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Inventor: Henricus F. Koppelmans
  • Patent number: 4422547
    Abstract: A container for a piece of substrate such as reticle, mask or wafer is disclosed. The container comprises a housing body having an opening for receiving a substrate, a door for closing and opening said opening of the housing body and means for fixing the received substrate to the container. Said fixing means includes a contact member movable to fix the substrate in the position and a member for moving the contact member in link with the motion of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Nippon Kogaku K.K.
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Abe, Yukio Kakizaki, Jiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4416392
    Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing sheets of material coated along one edge with a narrow band of readily releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive. The dispenser comprises a container having a pair of sidewalls connected by a top wall which is formed with a transversely extending rectangular opening extending in the direction parallel to the side walls. The sheets are stacked within the dispenser such that upon removing the uppermost sheet in the stack the adhesive coating along one edge of the sheet adhered to the edge of the next sheet in the stack will cause the next sheet in the stack to be withdrawn at that free edge through the dispensing opening upon withdrawal of the uppermost sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Daniel D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4305628
    Abstract: A cabinet for manually dispensing various brands of cigarettes or other packaged product wherein each package is stacked in individual compartments and dispensed from the rear of the cabinet to the front thereof by using a finger of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Dynagraphic Merchandising Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Glasener
  • Patent number: 4300675
    Abstract: A box for cigarettes, cigars or the like smoking units comprises a box body having a longitudinally displaceable slide cover. A lifting hoop or stirrup of spring wire serves for lifting the smoking units at one end, while the cover has been partly removed. The wire hoop has two ends which are inserted in opposite side portions of the box body, and two legs which are depressed into corresponding grooves of the body by the cover when the latter is completely closed, as well as a cross portion which extends across the top face of the box body and which is raised, the legs adjacent the cross portion being biassed upwardly away from the box front face when the cover is partly slid away therefrom to expose the larger portion of the hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventor: Hans-Ruedi Wagner
  • Patent number: 4298139
    Abstract: A dispenser for disposable cups for food or beverages, designed especially for use in "fast food" establishments where wastage is a problem. Cups formed of inexpensive material, such as cardboard, are disposed, collapsed to flat generally planar condition, in a stack, within a tray or drawer slidably arranged in a housing. The structure is constructed so that digital access is restricted to one or two cups at a time, a follower functioning to maintain the cups in accessible position until the supply is exhausted. Also, provision is made for facilitating the opening of a collapsed cup upon its withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Ready Metal Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John R. Radek
  • Patent number: 4256237
    Abstract: A device for dispensing address labels from a stack contained within a receptacle wherein the receptacle comprises two complementary plastic wall sections joined together by an integral flexible hinge along one side of the receptacle with interlocking structure at the opposite side of the receptacle to hold the sections in closed position and the sections having aligned projections within the receptacle to provide an axle for a friction roller for dispensing the individual labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Inventor: John W. Desmond
  • Patent number: 4155484
    Abstract: A napkin dispenser is fabricated from plastic by means of conventional injection molding or other techniques. The dispenser comprises a first and second housing sections which are pivotally coupled by means of a hinge member partially formed on the bottom surface of each housing. Each section contains a napkin accommodating hollow which interfaces with a dispensing aperture on a front wall of the housing. Located between the napkin accommodating hollow and the bottom wall of the housing is a cantilever platform which has first and second recesses. The recesses of one housing are offset with respect to recesses contained in the associated housing on a similar platform. A first plastic spring member has two arcuate arms which are secured within recesses of one housing. A second plastic spring member of a similar configuration has two respective arms which are associated with the recesses in the other housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: Cal Pak Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Pastore
  • Patent number: 4085884
    Abstract: A box, preferably manufactured from folded cardboard, provides a paper supply container for copying or recording equipment or the like. The interior of the box contains one or more flaps which, as paper is removed from the box through a provided opening, move further into the box to prevent the addition of other paper thereto. This insures that only paper adapted for the particular equipment is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Inventors: Helmut Johann Hogenett, Valentin Raimund Veithen
  • Patent number: 4045102
    Abstract: A card storage and dispensing device for business cards comprises a cabinet, having a lower storage drawer with front and back triangular reinforcing pieces, provides open, center sides for finger engagement with the edges of cards. The cabinet rear wall is vertically adjustable toward and away from the cabinet front wall, providing therebetween an adjustable discharge slot for dispensing cards therethrough of varying thicknesses and one at a time. A forward portion of the top wall has a depending ledge preventing discharge of cards rearwardly therepast. A first removable bottom wall is supported by cabinet, side wall ledges, a spring one such wall resiliently urges a second removable wall, and cards thereon, upwardly and into frictional engagement with the bottom of the cabinet top wall. The bottom of such second wall carries a depending ledge engaging and removing the spring with its removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Inventor: Walter H. Austin