Abstract: A vibrating feeder for feeding disc-like objects such as coins to a subsequent work station such as a coin sorter has a unitary box-like structure provided with a particularly contoured bottom. The bottom defines a main flow path and an auxiliary flow path leading to the main flow path which in turn terminates in an exit for the coins. The auxiliary flow path has longitudinally inclined fins for guiding coins to the main flow path while somewhat retarding the flow rate to avoid jamming of coins and to avoid an excessive flow rate. Each flow path also includes one or more troughs contoured so that a coin will not lie flat thereon. The feeder is inexpensive to produce, is simple in execution and operation and provides a controlled flow rate for coins or other objects to the subsequent work station.

Abstract: A decanter structure wherein a glass liquid-holding bowl is provided with an upstanding neck. An annular set-in-place seal is provided about the neck effectively permanently bonded to the neck and removably sealingly engaging a one-piece handle and spout element connected to the neck. A protective bumper band is set-in-place about the portion of the globular bowl of largest diameter to define a resilient bumper permanently bonded to the glass bowl.

Abstract: A decanter for use with a beverage, such as coffee, having a pouring spout provided with a mounting portion carrying a suitable handle. The mounting structure is sealingly secured to the neck of the decanter by compressive engagement with a seal ring set in place about the neck of the decanter below the upper edge thereof. The seal ring is compressed both axially and radially as a result of the engagement therewith by a stepped portion of the bore of the mounting structure. The mounting structure is retained against axial displacement from the installed condition wherein the seal is thusly compressed by an interlock at the lower end of the mounting structure and a cooperating portion on the decanter neck. An upper, inturned flange on the mounting structure is spaced slightly above the upper edge of the decanter neck in the installed arrangement of the spout on the decanter.

Abstract: A coin stacking tube device to be incorporated in a coin wrapping apparatus comprises an outer casing, a plurality of blades within the outer casing, an operative member to set the tube device selectively, for a desired denomination of coins, and a spring member urging the blades inwardly. Each of the blades is loosely supported by the outer casing to be rotatable around one axis and by the operative member to be rotatable around another axis.

Abstract: A helical coil winding inserted in a flexible bag, such as a plastic bag, and connected to or associated with the dispensing spout or neck opening thereof. The helical coil will extend into the bag and will provide a form, about which the flexible wall of the bag will collapse and form, to provide a dispensing tube or passageway leading to the bag spout, as the contents of the bag are removed as a result of a pumping action, suction action or other condition resulting in differential pressure causing collapse of the bag.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a bread vending machine used for storing, displaying and selectively dispensing a plurality of packaged food articles, such as bread. The vending apparatus includes a housing structure having side, top, bottom and rear wall portions which are arranged to be constructed and assembled at a site where it is used as a floor mounting unit. The vending apparatus includes a plurality of discrete spaced apart compartments formed therein, and wherein each compartment is sized and configurated to receive packaged food articles substantially in the size and configuration of a loaf of bread. The vending apparatus further includes a corresponding plurality of discrete spaced apart hinged door members which form substantially entirely the front wall of the vending apparatus, and which door members each includes its own individual coin receiving and door lock release mechanism.

Abstract: A dispenser for elongate thin flexible articles that are stacked within a cartridge package is comprised of a cartridge holder to be vertically positioned and having a front access door and interior projections whereby a cartridge may be placed in the holder with the door open and maintained in a predetermined vertical position within the holder after the door is closed. The cartridge is provided with an opening at its lower end and the holder is provided with an opening at its lower end shaped to prevent the removal of an article unless it is gripped and flexed to conform to the opening.

Abstract: A coin-operated machine for vending and dispensing generally flat semi-rigid packets of irregular contour such as those used to package individual size servings of powdered drinks, cocoa, coffee, fruit drinks, etc., dehydrated broths and soups, and the like. The dispenser is especially adapted for use in locations such as offices, employee lunchrooms, school lunchrooms, and the like. The machine is characterized by a reciprocable coin-actuated slide bar provided with a friction member for engaging the lowermost packet in an overlying vertical magazine holding a plurality of packets in stacked relation for gravity feed operation. Deposit of a coin prevents engagement of a locking pawl with the slide bar and permits extension of the slide bar by pulling on an external handle to engage a packet of commodity and discharge it from the machine. The slide bar is spring biased for automatic retraction. Each machine includes one or more dispensing stations.

Abstract: Containers for dispensing pressurized fluids, such as aerosols, comprise a space for the fluid and a wall movable automatically to reduce the volume of the space as the contents become exhausted, a vacuum chamber being arranged in communication with at least a part of the movable wall in such a manner as to maintain the pressure on the pressurized fluid at a substantially constant level. A spring may be provided to act on the movable wall so as to apply pressure to the pressurized fluid, in which case the vacuum chamber is arranged to act in opposition to the spring and to reduce its effect as the spring extends. Alternatively the spring may be omitted and the fluid space and vacuum chamber may be arranged to vary in volume in the same sense, the vacuum acting on the movable wall to apply pressure to the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: In a method for the relative orientation of the spray-discharge valve actuator and actuator nozzle of a container with respect to a protective cover which is designed to operate the valve actuator, the cover is brought closer to the actuator in coaxial relation thereto, the cover and actuator are brought into the desired relative orientation with friction between a radial lug carried by the actuator and a helical ramp carried by the cover and inclined at an angle of slope of at least 45.degree. with respect to the axis. The cover is then brought in a movement of axial displacement to a position of operation of the actuator on the container.

Abstract: A magazine vending machine which is operable solely by manually activated lever mechanisms and without any electric devices. The machine is further characterized in that sample magazines displayed at a show-window are utilizable for sale by lever mechanisms which are automatically operable when the corresponding magazines other than the samples which are stocked for sale in the machine are exhausted.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for a vehicle such as an agricultural tractor or the like has a tread with lugs along each side thereof spaced circumferentially from each other a distance of from 1.5 to 6 times the circumferential width of the lug. The lugs on each side extend obliquely towards the equatorial plane of the tire with the lugs along one side being spaced relative to the lugs along the other side. The surface of the tire between lugs has corners which extend between adjacent lugs and the profile between the corners along a plane parallel to the lugs is concave or rectilinear.

Abstract: An enclosed container having a divided chamber with an air pressure section and a liquid coolant section separated by a pressure-transmitting wall. A one-way inflation valve in the container is in communication with the air pressure section for inflation of this section. A liquid release valve in the container is in communication with the liquid coolant section and is set to release liquid into a tire cavity when the tire is operated in a deflated condition. The container is of a resilient, noncollapsible material for retaining air under pressure and for gripping the rim on which the tire is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing cooked dishes is disclosed which includes a refrigerated isothermal cabinet in which cooked dishes are kept. The cabinet has an outlet opening for the dishes and an automatic door selectively opening and closing the opening in the cabinet. A first conveyor is located within the cabinet and has one end emerging from the outlet opening thereof. At least one microwave induction oven is positioned adjacent the conveyor for receiving cooked dishes emerging from the cabinet and reheating the cooked dishes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pill dispenser having a base member with a plurality of compartments formed therein for holding pills, a cover member rotatably supported on the base member in superposed relation to said compartments and having a pill exit opening alignable with a compartment to dispense a pill contained therein. The dispenser further includes locking arrangement having a releasable actuator member operable to free the cover member for rotation relative to the base member. The pill dispenser also may include an indexing calendar or dating member rotatably attached to the base member with markings corresponding to the pill compartments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shock absorbing wheel hub for attachment to the axle of a vehicle. The hub has a central flange portion and an annular rim. The rim has a pair of spaced mounting surfaces formed on the periphery thereof for attaching a pair of pneumatic tires with inclined road-engaging treads. A flange is formed on the rim between the mounting surfaces and extends radially outward between the tires. A cylindrical contact surface is formed on the exterior of the flange and carries a tread thereon. The central flange is provided with bores for attachment to the lug bolts of a vehicle axle. Circumferentially spaced resilient spokes extend radially from the central flange and are connected to the hub. A pair of inflation check valves are attached to the rim to communicate respectively with the interior of each pneumatic tire. A flow passage is provided in the rim interconnecting the pneumatic tires for allowing air flow therebetween.

Abstract: A dispensing container for beverage straws and the like, intended for disposition on a restaurant table or counter, comprises a base portion on which rests a cylindrical housing having a concave, preferably frustoconical, floor and a vertically elongated side aperture for egress of straws. A dome-like closure rests over the housing with a hinged door for feeding straws into the housing. An axial rod extends from the dome through the housing and carries one or more radial, resilient vanes or pushers for feeding straws toward the egress aperture. The rod is keyed at its lower extremity to a rotary element having radial lugs extending through the base portion and exposed for digital engagement, whereby rotation of the rotary element turns the pushers, the latter acting on the straws to feed them toward the aperture. Consequently, a single straw at a time is tipped outwardly from the container for convenient grasping by the user.

Abstract: A tilt-type aerosol dispensing valve is made child-resistant by arranging that the actuating button is axially movable between a free position (in which it can be operated) and a locked position in which parts of the button engage part of the valve mounting to prevent tilting. For example the button may have a skirt which, in the locked position, fits over the central boss of the valve mounting cup. The overcap can be arranged to push the button to the locked position automatically as the overcap is applied.

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus which includes a plurality of nestling cup-like members dimensioned to be coextensively inserted in each other and thereby stacked, a group of apertures being located in the base portion of each of the plurality of nestling cup-like members, the groups of apertures being progressively graduated in size, the uppermost cup-like member having a group of apertures of the largest size located therein, the lowermost cup-like member having a group of apertures of the smallest size located therein, a housing having an open-ended chamber disposed therein, the housing for accepting the insertion of one of the nestling cup-like members, and electric motor operated semi-flexible cams for vibrating the plurality of nestling cup-like members when inserted in the open-ended chamber, the vibration of the plurality of nestling cup-like members permitting the selective passage of coins through the groups of apertures, the coins thereby being sorted.

Abstract: A packaging machine in which the shipper package is formed from a carton blank which is wrapped around the article to be shipped. The packaging machine includes a loading station having a loading mechanism for loading an article into each compartment as the compartments move continuously through the loading station. The loading mechanism includes a loading platform disposed above the path of travel of the article receiving compartments and wiper blades mounted for movement along the loading platform in the direction of travel of the compartments to remove an article deposited on the loading platform and to deposit it in a compartment as the compartment moves out from under the loading platform. A wrapping station is provided wherein the article receiving compartments are moved longitudinally through the wrapping station on a conveyor and are moved laterally of the conveyor so as to project over an edge of the conveyor when passing through the wrapping station.