Abstract: A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container is movable forwardly in the container into engagement with an article stack to urge the forward-most article forwardly toward the dispensing station. As articles are removed the stack positioning element normally moves forwardly by an amount equal to the thickness of each article that is removed. However, means are provided for increasing the positioning element's movement in response to removal of the last article, whereby a sensing means can more readily detect such movement to thereby cause an indication of an empty container.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container has an anti-backup member including a pair of pawls resiliently urged into engagement with cooperating ratchet teeth on opposed inner wall surfaces of the container to inhibit movement of received articles away from the container's dispensing station. A plunger may enter the container through an opening in a wall opposed to the dispensing station to provide the required force to sequentially move the stack positioning element and article stack toward the dispensing station as articles are removed therefrom.

Abstract: An article and its method of manufacture is disclosed wherein at least three sheets of thermoplastic web material are bonded to form a laminated unit. Energy director element sets are disposed between adjacent sheets in an orientation such that the director elements of one set are angularly oriented with respect to those of the next adjacent set to define points at which the elements of one set cross the elements of the adjacent set. When a compressive force and high frequency vibratory energy are applied to the unit, the pressure and vibratory energy are concentrated at the defined points so that the thermoplastic material in the region of the concentrated pressure is first to soften. Subsequent application of compressive force and vibratory energy softens the thermoplastic material adjacent the defined points. By initially concentrating the pressure and vibratory energy, the bonding time is substantially reduced and an even flow of material is assured.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container has an anti-backup member including a pair of pawls resiliently urged into engagement with cooperating ratchet teeth on opposed inner wall surfaces of the container to inhibit movement of received articles away from the container's dispensing station. The container is adapted to receive a plunger which provides the required force to sequentially move the stack positioning element and article stack toward the dispensing station as articles are removed therefrom. The element is configured so that pressure from the plunger causes a reduction in the force of engagement of the pawls with the ratchet teeth in order to minimize the force required of the plunger to move the element and article stack toward the dispensing station.

Abstract: A package for a roll of light-sensitive strip material is disclosed and includes end covers and a leader which are opaque and moistureproof. A rim or peripheral lip on each end cover overlies an edge of the leader and is adhered thereto, but no adhesive is used between the end covers and the ends of the roll so that the edges of the strip material do not pick up adhesive. The assembled roll and its package may be roomlight loaded into exposure apparatus such as a camera, magazine, cassette, etc. with a portion of the leader extending from the roll. After the exposure apparatus has been sealed to light, the remainder of the leader may be stripped from the roll, tearing the end cover rims away from the rest of the end covers so that successive convolutions of strip material may be unwound from the roll.

Abstract: A container for dispensing reagent slides into apparatus which uses the slides to carry out quantitative chemical analysis of fluid samples. The container is formed of a plurality of casing parts which, when joined together, for a generally rectangular housing with a chamber for receiving a stack of the slides. The container fits into a complementary shaped nest in the analysis apparatus and has discontinuity means for inhibiting improper orientation of the container in the nest. A notch code on the container cooperates with structure on the nest to inhibit placing into the nest a container carrying reagent slides improper for the analysis test to be conducted.

Abstract: Magnetic image recording methods and apparatus employ a magnetic recording medium susceptible to an image-wise change of magnetization in response to thermal image patterns provided by image-wise exposures of a thermal image pattern generating device. The thermal device is subjected to repeated image-wise exposures, with each exposure including an exposure to an image part to which the thermal device is also exposed during another one of the exposures. The thermal device is moved relative to the recording medium between exposures, and the image is magnetically recorded onto the recording medium with the aid of thermal image patterns generated by the exposures.In accordance with another aspect, the mentioned thermal device is exposed at different spatial locations to each elemental area of the image.

Abstract: A learning system is disclosed which can provide individualized instruction for each student. The student brings to a terminal a film record, an audio record and a tape cassette. The tape cassette includes a magnetic tape on which directions, addresses and lesson subject matter have been digitally recorded and which is related to the film record and audio record. The records and cassette are inserted by the student into their respective slot in the terminal. The lesson material is then transferred from the tape to the storage associated with a computer. The student can present queries or responses to the system which, in turn, can present queries or responses to the student. In either case, a query or response is presented as a legible manifestation on a plasma panel, a selected image derived from the film record which is projected onto the plasma panel and in superimposed relation to any manifestation and/or an aural message derived from the audio record.