Abstract: A circulation-type bill receiving and dispensing machine reuses received bills for dispensing. It has a bill receiving and dispensing port and operating section at both sides of the machine. The bill receiving and dispensing machine includes separate bill discriminating sections each of which is arranged on each received-bill transferring route of the bill receiving and dispensing ports of the two sides for the exclusive use of that port. Thus the bill receiving and dispensing machine of the present invention can be operated at the same time from both sides. Accordingly, a customer can deposit bills at any time even if the machine is being operated in the bill receiving mode by the teller.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting particles, such as biological particles. A first laser defines an optical path having an intensity gradient which is effective to propel the particles along the path but which is sufficiently weak that the particles are not trapped in an axial direction. A probe laser beam interrogates the particles to identify predetermined phenotypical characteristics of the particles. A second laser beam intersects the driving first laser beam, wherein the second laser beam is activated by an output signal indicative of a predetermined characteristic. The second laser beam is switchable between a first intensity and a second intensity, where the first intensity is effective to displace selected particles from the driving laser beam and the second intensity is effective to propel selected particles along the deflection laser beam. The selected particles may then be propelled by the deflection beam to a location effective for further analysis.

Abstract: A paper transport system for supplying papers such as manuscripts separately one by one along a paper transport passage through the gap between a paper feed roller and a separation rubber plate pressed by a separation leaf spring against the paper feed roller. When no papers are set, a pair of relatively shorter paper feed leaf springs on either side of the separation plate and leaf spring contacts the paper feed roller upstream of the paper transport passage forward of a contact line between the rubber separation plate and the paper feed roller.

Abstract: A coin analyzer system and apparatus that provides a detection circuit for comparing a tested coin with at least two different sample coins. Two different sample coins are located in a magnetic field, and the tested coins pass through another region of the magnetic field. In the event the tested coin does not match either sample coin, a rejecting gate forces the tested coin out of the coin chute in a laterally normal direction and into a rejected coin chute. In the event that the tested coin matches either sample coin, the rejecting gate is opened and the tested coin drops through a substantially vertical accepted coin chute. Credit is not extended the tested coin until the coin passes a confirmation sensor, and the determining circuit may be adjusted to vary the credit value extended to at least one of the sample coins. A lockout circuit rejects and prevents a subsequent coin from being analyzed during the time that the circuit is crediting a prior tested coin with multiple credits.

Abstract: An improved drop dispenser comprised of a container having a threaded cap and a drop nozzle/impeller assembly positioned inside said container. The cap has a receiving orifice which receives and engages the end of drop nozzles so that when the cap is removed by unscrewing, the nozzle/impeller assembly is rotated to stir the contents of the container.

Abstract: The coin separator includes a first coin passage having an inclined rail on which two coins having larger and smaller diameters are transferred. A first inclined wall is formed sidewise of the inclined rail. An upper end of the first inclined wall is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outside of the first coin passage and the height of the first inclined wall is generally larger than the diameter of a large diameter coin. A second inclined wall is formed upstream of the first inclined wall. An upper end of the second inclined wall is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the outside of the first coined passage. The predetermined angle of the second inclined wall is greater than that of the first inclined wall and the height of the second inclined wall is generally larger than the diameter of a small diameter coin. A wall projects from a position located opposite to the second inclined wall to the inside of the first coin passage.

Abstract: A system for distributing flexible sheet material by class into separate containers includes a large endless belt and a number of individual distribution roller assemblies each of which includes a smaller endless belt which opposes the larger endless belt at successive locations. The sheet material is transported vertically between the larger endless belt and the smaller endless belts of the individual roller assemblies. Distribution of the sheet material into one of the containers results when the roller assembly associated with that container is repositioned mechanically so that the smaller endless belt and the opposing portion of the larger endless belt are positioned horizontally at the entrance to the container.

Abstract: A paper cartridge for a paper processing apparatus such as a copier includes a table on which sheets of paper are placed and two side plates and a back plate which are movable perpendicularly to and along the direction of their transportation, respectively, to arrange these sheets of paper at a desired position. Each of these plates is provided with a sensor for detecting the presence of a sheet and these plates are moved according to the outputs from these sensors.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus having a first sorter connectable to a second sorter. The first sorter has a plurality of sorting bins and non-sort discharge outlet. A non-sort tray or a bridge is selectively connected to the discharge outlet. The bridge has a first sheet path for transporting the discharged sheet to the second sorter and a second sheet path for transporting the discharged sheet to another non-sort tray provided to the bridge.

Abstract: A sheet feed device installed in a copier or like recording apparatus for selectively feeding sheets in an automatic and a manual mode. The device include a sensor sensitive to a movement of a manual insertion tray to an operative position away from an inoperative one. When the sensor has sensed such a movement of the tray while a sheet cassette is in a sheet feed position, a drive mechanism which is driven by a DC motor shifts the sheet cassette from the sheet feed position to a standby position. The tray is made up of a front tray and a rear tray which is connected to the front tray in an upward rotatably manner. While the tray is attached to the sheet feed position, a tray guide guides the movement of the front tray to the sheet feed position.

Abstract: A key activated control unit to be activated by a key having a shank portion and a blade portion, the unit is operated by inserting the key and having the blade portion trigger a switch at a predetermined location. The blade portion is not returnable from that predetermined position, and a key destruction blade is provided to destroy the blade portion once at that predetermined position.

Abstract: A medication dispenser includes a container having a main compartment, a selection compartment, and an exit compartment whereby a pill or the like is dispensed from the container by passage from the main compartment, through the selection compartment, and to the exit compartment. The configuration of the pill selection compartment may be selectively varied and adjusted into a preselected configuration substantially conforming to the shape and size of a pill contained in the main compartment. A flexible first gate selectively extends between the selection compartment and the main compartment, a second gate selectively extends between the selection compartment and the exit compartment, and a third gate selectively extends across the exit compartment, near the container exterior. Initially, the second gate is in an extended position, and the first and third gates are in nonextended positions.

Abstract: A device for organizing desk implements and for dispensing single sheets of paper. By repeatedly depressing and releasing a pressing bar mounted on a casing containing a stack of paper, one sheet at a time is advanced gradually from a slit in the casing. The device also has a pen-receiving stand aligned with the pressing bar, and one or more concave depressions in its upper surface in which paper clips or the like are retained by magnetic discs affixed to the underside of the depressions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding particulate material from a hopper into a process stream at a controlled flow rate. A rotating wheel with spaced apart pockets is vibrated to densify the particulate material in the pockets. A stator contacts and covers a portion of the upper surface of the wheel and has a transfer station connected to discharge particular into the process stream. The wheel is driven in rotation at a controlled rate to control the particulate flow rate into the process stream. A conveying gas supply projects a jet of gas into the pockets for removing the particulate material and conveying it into the process stream. An aerating gas supply directs an upward flow of gas from the periphery of the wheel, through the particulate material being supplied to the wheel to fluidize the particulate material supplied to the wheel.

Abstract: The dispenser includes a bin which is adjustable for width, and a release mechanism attached to the bin externally of its outlet. The mechanism comprises a sliding shutter and a baffle, vertically disposed and breasted in mutual contact. The shutter is provided with a slot of adjustable height and moves vertically between a raised receiving position and a lowered knockout position at which the packet of coins is ejected from the slot. The baffle is urged against the shutter by the weight of the packets of coin emerging from the outlet of the bin and thus accompanies the shutter at least through part of its vertical travel.

Abstract: A coin sorter for coin-operated machines including a frame subdivided on the interior into vertical passages for coins, the upper ends of which open out through apertures in a transversely aligned position, and the lower ends of which open out through apertures in two axially shifted positions. The frame is mounted so as to be able to pivot about a medium axis parallel to and near the bottom and is connected to a mechanism that causes the partial tilting of said frame toward one side or the other, moving the upper opening of the passages sideways. The passages can have openings through a smaller wall, in which case gates permit the selective closing of any of the openings.

Abstract: A vending machine for articles, such as videotape cassettes, includes a rotatable turret having article-retaining compartments in which the articles to be dispensed are retained, and a vertically movable robotic arm located adjacent the turret for removing a desired article from the turret and directing the article to a discharge opening in the device. Preferably the vending machine is computer controlled to dispense the desired article from the machine, based upon an input signal provided by a user, and also to return an article to the machine, when the user desires to return it. A unique package arrangement for a videotape cassette includes a case having opposed planar walls and passageways extending through the surfaces in a central location thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of automatically vending merchandise to a patron, with the apparatus including display devices and input devices for interaction with the patron. At least one motor is provided for providing vertical and horizontal movement to an elevator which accesses the stored merchandise from respective column positions within the machine. The elevator is then returned to a NEUTRAL position and the merchandise is dumped or dispensed to the patron. The system can provide RENTAL, PURCHASE or RETURN of merchandise procedures along with various other functions related to vending operations.

Abstract: A separating device for a sheet collection apparatus including support arms for interrupting the passage of sheets between the obverse and reverse convey path outlets and the collecting portion of the sheet collection device after a designated number of sheets have entered the collection device. The separating arms are individually movable for interacting and supporting conveyed sheets for a predetermined period of time while the sheets in the collection device are being bundled. The support arms rotate from a neutral position to a primary support position between the obverse and reverse convey path outlets and the collection device. The support arms also rotate to a secondary support position at specified intervals for facilitating the passage of sheets from the obverse and reverse convey path outlets on to the separating device.

Abstract: A bill receiving and dispensing machine of "specific type of bill circulation-type" which can reuse, as bills for dispensation, only one specific type of bills among all types of received bills. According to the machine of the present invention, only one type of bills among all types of received bills is circulated through a circulating-bill pooling section for reuse as bills for dispensation and the dispensation bills other than the circulating bills are held in a dispensation bill container and the received bills and the dispensation bills are held in three limited sections, i.e. a circulating-bill pooling section, a received-bill container and a dispensation bill container. This makes it possible to eliminate the special bill pooling sections and the bill feeding-out mechanisms which are used in the conventional machines and therefore to simplify the mechanism and to reduce the noise during the operation thereof.