Abstract: In a coin selector, a coin moving in a nearly vertical path under the influence of gravity is first tested to determine whether it is made of a ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic, conductive material. If the coin is identified as one of ferromagnetic material, it is further identified by examining a function of one of the coin's dimensions and by timing the period necessary for it to travel through a solenoid. If the coin is identified as of a non-ferromagnetic, conductive material, it is further identified by examining a function of one of the coin's dimensions and timing the period necessary for it to travel through a linear motor which is arranged to decelerate such moving coins.

Abstract: An improved, simply operable, self-servicing vending system for wheeled vehicles, particularly of the hand-operated cart-type. A vending island is designed to guide and retainably hold a plurality of wheeled carts in consecutive alignment. The vending island includes a platform for holding the carts having vehicle handling receiving and dispensing terminals. Carts are irremovably accepted to the platform at the receiving terminal by a receiver apparatus that is positioned to engage and controllably guide in the receiving direction a support wheel of the cart being received. The receiver apparatus enables a coin refund unit to eject therefrom a predetermined monetary amount upon complete acceptance of the cart by the receiver apparatus to the platform. Carts are dispensed from the platform at the dispensing terminal by a dispenser apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for delivering different chocolates or other objects to selected positions on trays comprises, for each type of chocolate, a distribution head receiving chocolates along a waiting line. Yokes of an intermittent chain conveyor laterally displace a number of chocolates to be delivered to a tray, and these chocolates are blown down respective channels leading to the selected positions, where they are taken up by vertically moving suction cups and lowered into the respective position in a tray carried by an intermittently driven conveyor. Synchronized drive of the various members is provided by a directly-linked kinematic chain.

Abstract: A dispenser for powdered or granular materials having a cylindrical base with inner threads adapted to be screwed onto a rim of a jar, and having a disc integrally connected to the base formed with an intake opening adjacent a periphery thereof, two spaced parallel tracks formed on said disc, wherein the opening is between the two tracks. A cylindical cap is snap-detachably connected to the base and has a central opening formed in a circular top thereof, and a recess formed at a cylindrical edge thereof, adjacent the disc of the base between the tracks. A slide member is slidably disposed in the track extending through the recess and has a cylinder, open at both ends, integrally connected therewith.

Abstract: Two reciprocating slides are biased toward payout positions and are adapted to discharge coins from separate storage tubes when the slides are moved to the payout positions. The slides normally are latched in home positions and are released in such a manner that either or both of the slides may move to the payout position during a payout cycle. As a result, a coin may be discharged from either one of the tubes or coins may be simultaneously discharged from both tubes during any given payout cycle.

Abstract: For use with a tunnelling shield in which an excavating tool operates within a substantially sealed-off and pressurized region, a spoil-removal device for extracting spoil from the pressurized region comprises a cylindrical chamber which has an inlet port open to the pressurized region and a discharge port which is open to a position outside said region and a multi-compartment rotary member adapted to rotate in said chamber in sealed co-operation therewith, each compartment of the rotary member being arranged to pass said inlet port and said discharge port in turn and being arranged not to be open to both ports at the same time, each compartment being arranged to receive a charge of solid spoil when the compartment reaches the inlet port, the amount of the charge being governed by the angle of slide of the spoil, and to deliver the charge to said position outside the excavating region when the compartment reaches the discharge port, substantially each part of the compartment surface which supports the charge

Abstract: This invention relates to a personal automatic tablet dispenser for the pocket or purse adapted to contain medical pills, vitamins, sugar substitutes, or the like and in the form of a container shaped somewhat like a writing pen of the ball point type. The dispenser mechanically discharges its contents one item at a time and includes relatively slidable barrel elements forming a housing for a plurality of stacked tablets or the like with a releasable lock mechanism to secure the barrel elements against relative movement. A chamber for one tablet to be discharged is provided and turning means is formed in the housing to position a tablet for passage into the chamber in position for ultimate discharge. The barrel elements are operated against the pressure of a spring means which returns the elements to normally closed position.

Abstract: An ice piece dispenser comprising a storage container having a longitudinally extending trough in its bottom wall with an ice dispensing closure means at the front end of the trough. A motor driven ram is positioned in the trough for combined reciprocating and oscillating travel wherein the ram has a stepped upper surface with a vertically extending ice piece agitating fin member formed integrally on one of the ram steps. The fin member is operative, in conjunction with the container's sloped front wall chute, to break-up ice piece clusters upon the forward thrust of the ram and whereby the ice pieces exert a downward gravitational force on inclined edges of the fin to maintain the ram in sliding contact with the trough base during its forward thrust.

Abstract: The specification and drawings disclose an apparatus for dispensing a fine dispersion of grease into the interior of baking pans. The disclosed apparatus comprises a continuous screen belt which moves above a conveyor on which the pans are traveling. Above one run of the belt is an air chamber from which high-velocity, short-duration air jets are directed downwardly through the screen. The air jets are laid out in a pattern generally corresponding to the shape of the interior of the baking pans. Additionally, a roller and hopper assembly is provided to apply a coating of grease to the mesh so that the air passing therethrough causes the grease to be dispersed into the pans.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for automatically fabricating environmental seed cells, e.g. tablets incorporating two or more layers of material which will protect the seed during transportation and facilitate its growth after the same is planted, the apparatus including a tableting machine for feeding the environmental surround material into compression mold cavities, a singulator mechanism whereby individual seeds are separated from a bulk supply, and transfer mechanism for receiving separated seeds from the singulator and depositing them in the molds of the tableting machine. After loading, the aggregate comprising the environmental material and seed are subjected to compression, to produce the finished environmental seed cell.

Abstract: An injector for grease or the like fluid: the injector includes two separate pressure cylinders; a respective piston in each cylinder, and each cylinder being divided into two chambers by its respective piston; an inlet upstream of the upstream piston; an outlet downstream of the downstream piston; and connections between the two chambers of the downstream cylinder and between the upstream and downstream cylinders.

Abstract: A user access compartment for an automated teller machine which dispenses currency and/or receipts through an opening in the protective cabinet of the machine. The compartment is generally cylindrical in shape having an access opening therein, and the compartment is pivotally mounted on a frame located in the machine. A currency dispenser located in the machine dispenses currency into the compartment upon command from a valid customer of the machine. An arcuately shaped door panel normally closes the opening in the cabinet.

Abstract: A vertically-mountable storage and dispenser unit for holding and individually dispensing a large number of small boxes. The unit is constituted by a frame having a rectangular back wall and a pair of side walls secured to the edges of the back wall to create a channel. Projecting inwardly from each side wall is a series of stepped ledges each pair of which defines a distinct sub-channel for receiving boxes, the lower end of each sub-channel having a stop to hold the boxes therein. The leading edges of the ledges are staggered with respect to the back wall to provide discharge openings for lateral removal of the boxes from the subchannels. The sides of the ledges are staggered with respect to the back wall, each front ledge registering with an opening formed in the adjacent ledge which in turn registers with an opening in the next ledge, the rear ledge registering with an opening in the back wall whereby the unit may be injection molded in a one-piece operation.

Abstract: A metering applicator apparatus has an accurately controlled fluid or compound discharge which discharge is the difference between the discharge of a constant displacement metering pump and the discharge of a pressure regulating device. The constant displacement metering pump discharges a constant predetermined volume and pressure of fluid. The pressure regulating device downstream of the constant displacement metering pump has a carefully controlled braking arrangement for controlling the volume and pressure of fluid maintained in the system with the balance being motored or bypassed through the pressure regulating device and back to a supply tank. The difference between the fluid from the constant displacement metering pump and the fluid motored or bypassed back to the tank is the volume of fluid at a constant pressure available at the applicator gun or nozzle.

Abstract: A candy bar delivery unit for a helical feed merchandising machine in which an article-advancing helix, having an article-delivery cam formed at the front end thereof, is supported above the bottom of the delivery shelf between an elongated boss extending from front to back of one side wall of the unit and the other side wall of the unit so that the turns of the helix make substantially point contact with the boss and with the other side wall and in which drive means is energized on each operation of the unit to rotate the helix through a single revolution to cause the turns of the helix to advance articles supported on end on the shelf between the turns of the helix and to cause the helix cam to deliver the leading article over the front edge of the shelf. Each side wall is provided with an inwardly directed retainer tab for holding the helix in position.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing carbonated beverages has a main body providing a receptacle for a CO.sub.2 cylinder and a hingedly mounted aerating head carrying a tube connected with the cylinder through a manually operated valve and a cylindrical shield coaxial with the tube for receiving a bottle containing the liquid to be carbonated. The shield is accessible for insertion or removal of a bottle only when swung away from the main body. In the operative position of the aerating head, a platform on the main body can be raised by a lever-operated cam to press the neck of the received bottle against a resilient nozzle on the aerating head. A safety valve linked with the cam releases excess pressure in the charged bottle when the platform is lowered.

Abstract: A coin-actuated circuit-closing device includes a coin chute into which a predetermined number of like coins must be inserted to initiate the closing of a normally-open electrical control circuit. The device is responsive to introduction of a predetermined number of like coins into a coin-receptive chute to close the normally-open electrical control circuit, and is operable upon closing of the control circuit to reopen same.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a pressurized container which is manually, selectively movable between a first position wherein a dispensing valve may be actuated to dispense various types of pressurized liquids from a container, and a second position wherein pressurized air or gas, normally stored above the liquid in the container, is passed through the dispensing valve to clear same of any obstructions or clogs which may form therein during usage or during storage periods.

Abstract: Storage bin having a material discharge opening and a gate which is selectively openable to discharge material from the bin. A region surrounding the gated opening is selectively filled with a liquid to provide an airtight seal surrounding the closed discharge opening. The liquid is withdrawn from the region surrounding the discharge opening, before the gate is opened for discharge of material from the storage bin.

Abstract: A rotary tower crane has a tower constructed from uniformly sized sections which can be arranged to provide a tower of small or large cross section, as required. The tower sections can be aligned in a single, vertical column to provide a tower having a narrow cross section, or a plurality of sections can be joined horizontally to form sections of enlarged cross section, which are then vertically aligned to provide a tower having an enlarged cross section.